• Visitors not welcome in Hiawassee as COVID-19 gains ground

    Hiawassee coronavirus

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee City Council met for its work session on March 30, to discuss the growing COVID-19 virus, strongly urging area visitors to stay away. Council members unanimously approved an ordinance to close all lodging facilities in Hiawassee, an act to discourage the influx of travelers seen in recent days. The 30-day declaration […]

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  • Towns County calls for citizens to shelter in place, defines essential business

    Towns County COVID 19 coronavirus

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – On March 31, 2020, Towns County Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw, in cooperation with the county’s attorney and emergency officials, called for citizens to shelter in place as the COVID-19 pandemic increases in spread. All non-essential businesses are urged to close or work remotely. The decree defines Essential Businesses as the following: Healthcare […]

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  • Superintendent updates parents, students on school situation

    towns county schools covid 19

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County School District Superintendent Dr. Darren Berrong updated parents and students on the COVID-19 school situation on Friday, stating that the campus will remain closed until at least April 24. “So the soonest that we can go back to school is (Monday) April 27,” Berrong said. That date is obviously not certain. […]

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  • Towns County campgrounds close to slow virus spread

    Towns County closed corona virus

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County campgrounds are willingly closing to help slow the spread of the novel COVID-19 virus, a move that follows the county’s State of Emergency declaration due to the monumental health crisis. “As you are aware, the county is facing an unprecedented pandemic event that continues to impact the economic health of the […]

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  • Appalachian Trail closes due to COVID-19 pandemic

    Appalachian Trail closed - COVID-19

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – To protect public health and safety, Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests is temporarily shutting down trailhead facilities and other access points to the Appalachian National Scenic Trail and nearby trails to prevent groups from congregating. Click to read: Towns County recommends temporary closure of Appalachian Trail The decision aligns with state and local measures to […]

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  • Towns County recommends temporary closure of Appalachian Trail

    COVID-19 Appalachian Trail

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw supported the closure of the Appalachian Trail due to the national COVID-19 outbreak to the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest Ranger District on March 25. Bradshaw stated that the closure of the trail, which crosses the eastern portion of Towns County, will support social distancing and ensure that […]

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  • Towns County asks visitors to ‘stay home’ as crisis grows

    Towns County COVID-19

    HIAWASSEE, Ga.- As the COVID-19 crisis sweeps the nation, Towns County Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw is asking tourists to think twice before visiting the area. As mountain residents struggle to find items that were once in ready supply at the county’s lone grocery store, the anxiety of travelers introducing the deadly virus to a highly […]

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  • VIDEO: Towns County declares State of Emergency

    Towns County COVID 19 coronavirus

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Towns County declared a State of Emergency on March 24, 2020, in order to protect the health of its citizens. Effective at noon on Friday, March 26 through April 6, 2020, restaurants within Towns County are ordered to close with the exception of drive-thru, delivery, or […]

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  • Visitors flock to Towns County from heavy-hit areas

    Towns County coronavirus

    HIAWASSEE. Ga. – In recent days, FYN received a volume of reports from local citizens concerned with the surge of visitors from areas heavily afflicted with COVID-19. While Towns County is home to many part-time residents, several sweeps through the parking lot of the area’s lone grocery store on any given day or time confirmed […]

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  • Young Harris College addresses students on campus closure

    YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – Young Harris College President Dr. Drew Van Horn addressed students in a Friday, March 20 letter following the closure of the college campus due to the COVID-19 outbreak. “Dear Mountain Lion family, Though we find ourselves in difficult times, I am continually amazed by the many acts of kindness and of grace […]

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  • COVID-19 exposure may not lead to testing

    Towns County COVID 19

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – As a Towns County family’s COVID-19 quarantine ends, the wife of a South Fulton County firefighter exposed to the virus in metro-Atlanta was surprised to learn that her family does not meet the criteria for virus testing. Shannon Baldwin-Nguyen told FYN on Friday that she and her family fully expected to receive […]

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  • Towns County suspends ‘non-essential’ expenditures

    Towns County Courthouse

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – In response and preparation, Towns County has suspended all “non-essential” government spending due to the COVID-19 crisis plaguing the nation. As a county that depends heavily on tourism dollars, the local economy has begun to suffer significant financial loss. “As the county continues to take measures to limit the spread of the COVID-19 […]

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  • Local nursing home requests letters from children

    Brasstown Manor

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Many of Towns County’s most vulnerable residents, its senior citizens, are facing an added burden from the COVID-19 outbreak; loneliness. Brasstown Manor Retirement Community in Hiawassee closed its doors to visitors March 16, and the facility is requesting mail from the community to brighten its residents’ days during this difficult time. With students […]

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  • Towns County jail procedures amended due to COVID-19

    Towns County Jail - virus -COVID19

    PRESS RELEASE from the Towns County Sheriff’s Office: YOUNG HARRIS. Ga. – The Towns County Sheriff’s Office in response to President Trump declaring a “State of Emergency” and Georgia Governor Kemp declaring a “Public Health State of Emergency” has amended the Sheriff’s Office daily operation plans. The operation plans were revised on Friday, March 13, […]

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