GAINESVILLE, Ga – Public Health Department District 2 provided instructions for those who are now eligible to sign up to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Last week, Governor Brian Kemp and DPH Director Kathleen Toomey added adults aged 65 and older, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders to the current group of individuals eligible to […]
Read More »COVID-19 Variant Cases Increase in Georgia
Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is confirming there are now 19 cases of COVID-19 variant B.1.1.7 identified in Georgia. This is the same variant discovered in the U.K. and in several other countries and U.S. states. So far, no other COVID-19 variants have been identified in Georgia. The B.1.1.7 cases in […]
Read More »Shooter suspect in custody, charged with aggravated assault
HIAWASSEE, Ga – On Tuesday, January 26, suspect Charles Jason Matheson, 41 of Young Harris, Ga allegedly shot his estranged wife at her place of employment, Chatuge Outpatient Rehabilitation Client in Hiawassee on River Street, around 2:50 p.m. The victim was shot multiple times by Matheson and was transported to a north Georgia area hospital […]
Read More »NGTC Names John Wilkinson as New President
ATLANTA, GA—Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) Commissioner Greg Dozier has appointed former Georgia State Senator and Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) specialist John Wilkinson as the new President of North Georgia Technical College (NGTC). “Senator Wilkinson has spent his professional life advancing and advocating for CTAE here in Georgia,” said TCSG Commissioner Greg […]
Read More »GBI Investigates Hiawassee Shooting
Hiawassee, GA (January 27, 2021) – On Tuesday, January 26, 2021, at approximately 2:50 PM, the Hiawassee Police Department requested the GBI to investigate a shooting at the Chatuge Outpatient Rehabilitation Clinic in Hiawassee, Towns County, Georgia. The victim, an employee of the Clinic, was shot multiple times by Charles Jason Matheson, 41 of Young […]
Read More »Towns County Man Arrested for Sexually Exploiting Children Online
Young Harris, GA (January 19, 2021) – On Thursday, January 14, 2021, Towns County resident, Jamie Burnette, age 49, was charged with two counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children (Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material) in violation of O.C.G.A 16-12-100(b)(8) by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit. Multiple reports were […]
Read More »Hiawassee man arrested for threatening Speaker Nancy Pelosi
WASHINGTON DC – The North Georgia man, Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr, attended the Capitol Hill riots on Wednesday and allegedly sent hostile text messages about Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. CNN obtained the arrest warrant from the FBI. In the warrants, the agency charged Meredith with written threats and possessing an unregistered firearm and […]
Read More »Ralston to form House election integrity committee
ATLANTA, Ga – During the pre-legislative conference, Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston confirmed they would form a special committee concerning election integrity. The committee will devote its “full attention” to restoring confidence in the election process. Several Georgians continue to believe voter fraud occurred in the presidential election, but three recounts confirmed the […]
Read More »Towns tenth in the nation for new COVID-19 cases
HIAWASSEE, Ga – Hiawassee Mayor Liz Ordiales attended a Georgia Municipal Association conference call where Emory doctors and CDC officials warned Towns County and Georgia COVID-19 numbers were trending in the wrong direction. “Georgia’s below the national average in testing. They’re higher than the national average in positive cases – 120 percent higher than we […]
Read More »Rep. Andrew Clyde reaffirms commitment to object to election’s certification, condemns violence
WASHINGTON DC – Ninth District Representative Andrew Clyde (R-GA) issued a statement following today’s events at the nation’s Capitol. “I fully support the right to peacefully protest and I will always defend that right. I also share and understand the frustration of the millions of Americans that feel cheated out of a fair election. That […]
Read More »“Un-American”: Kemp, Ralston, Duncan condemn violence at the Capitol
ATLANTA, Ga – Georgia Republican Leaders Governor Brian Kemp, Speaker of the House David Ralston, and Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan spoke out against the violence in the United States Capitol. Kemp called the actions of the extremists “un-American” and a “disgrace.” He commented on the peaceful protests that took place in Georgia over the summer, […]
Read More »Sen. Steve Gooch Assumes Additional Duties in State Senate
ATLANTA (January 25, 2021) | Recently, Sen. Steve Gooch (R – Dahlonega) received his committee assignments for the 2021 legislative session. Sen. Gooch will serve as the Vice Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Vice Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, and as a member of the Ethics, Finance, Reapportionment and Redistricting, and Regulated Industries and […]
Read More »Commissioner Bradshaw reviews 2021 operating budget
HIAWASSEE, Ga – Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw presented the 2021 operating budget for the county which features a $90,000 increase from last year. The 2020 budget was $11,174,990, and the total for 2021 is $11,265,590. The county’s currently in the midst of a spending freezing because of COVID-19, and Towns’ officials’ frugality will actually place […]
Read More »Senate runoff election results for Towns County
TOWNS COUNTY, Ga – The polls have closed for the U.S. Senate runoff elections. To review the unofficial election returns for Towns County, check out the list below. Please remember all the results are unofficial until certified by the Secretary of State. Precincts: 100% reporting U.S. Senate (Perdue seat) David Perdue (Rep) (I) – 5,831 […]
Read More »More Georgians to Become Eligible to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine
Atlanta – Governor Brian Kemp and Commissioner Kathleen Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., announced plans to add adults aged 65 and older, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders to the current group of individuals eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Healthcare workers and staff and residents of long-term care facilities are already in this highest priority group. […]
Read More »Ring in the New Year in Towns County
HIAWASSEE, Ga – It’s time to ring in the New Year and say goodbye to 2020 and hello 2021! Towns County has several events for anyone looking to celebrate on New Year’s Eve. Georgia Mountain Fairground is hosting a firework show at 8:45 p.m. The event is free and hot chocolate, BBQ, and hotdogs will […]
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