Bell Mountain staircase vandalized by hatchet attack
News July 26, 2019
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Presumed to have occurred at some point last weekend, the wooden staircase leading to the upper viewing platform on Bell Mountain was soon discovered destroyed by an unknown vandal wielding what appeared to, based on the condition of the structure, to have been an axe or hatchet. The county park was closed from Monday, July 22, through Wednesday, July 24, to allow time for inmate labor to repair the damage. Towns County Commissioner’s Office reported “an enormous amount of phone calls” throughout the week, asking why the popular mountain peak was closed.
While vandalism to the Bell Mountain area is not new, the nature of this particular instance was considered extreme. Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw enacted enforcement to preserve the summit last year, installing cameras throughout the park to deter grafitti. The perpetrator of the recent “hatchet attack” was not visible on reviewed surveillance, however.
Trees on Bell Mountain, marred with graffiti
“No more painting on Bell Mountain,” Commissioner Bradshaw announced in April, 2018. “People are painting nasty stuff on the roads, on the platforms, on the trees, and of course, the rocks, so I don’t have a problem with stopping it. I’ve been working with Sheriff (Chris) Clinton on this. We’ve got cameras up there now. We’ve got new signs up saying you cannot paint.”
Numerous park signs alerting of the regulation were installed, and while the park is continuously monitored by camera surveillance, not all areas of the summit are within electronic view, an issue that the commissioner plans to soon address. Criminal charges will be brought against those who violate the county’s mandate, Bradshaw asserted. Two female juveniles were arrested for spray painting in the county park soon after the ordinance took effect.
Bell Mountain was deeded to Towns County in 2015 by the Hal Herrin estate, and offers a magnificent panoramic view of the Appalachian Mountains and Lake Chatuge. The park open to the public from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. during the winter months, and from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. during daylight savings time to allow opportunities for nocturnal photography.
Bell Mountain Park is located 1.3 miles east of Hiawassee Town Square, off State Route 76. Turn left onto Shake Rag Road, travel 1.5 miles to Bell Mountain Road, turn right, and proceed an additional mile to reach the Bell Mountain Park summi
Painting now prohibited on Bell Mountain
News April 18, 2018
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – On the evening of April 17, 2018, Towns County Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw officially announced a decision to cease the allowance of spray-painting rocks on Bell Mountain, a county park and historical site.
Signs announcing the new regulation are situated throughout the park.
“No more painting on Bell Mountain,” Commissioner Bradshaw asserted. “People are painting nasty stuff on the roads, on the platforms, on the trees, and of course, the rocks, so I don’t have a problem with stopping it. I’ve been working with Sheriff (Chris) Clinton on this. We’ve got cameras up there now. We’ve got new signs up saying you cannot paint.”
Bradshaw continued, “I want the public to know this is not my choice. It’s for the insurance company because of the danger factor, but at the same time, I support it because it’s a beautiful place, and it’s starting to look really bad. We want to stop it, get a handle on it, and we are going to.”
Trees on Bell Mountain, marred with graffiti.
The ordinance prohibits graffiti on not only the structures, signs, parking lot, and trees, which was forbidden in the past, but the rocks themselves have been added to the list.
Numerous park signs alerting of the regulation have been installed, and the park is continuously monitored by camera surveillance. Criminal charges will be brought against those who violate the county’s mandate.
FetchYourNews (FYN) reviewed a letter from Local Government Risk Management Services (LGRMS), dated March 1, 2018, and the field report recommendation to the county reads as follows:
“To reduce the potential of someone being injured or even killed, it is recommended allowing the park attendees to paint the rocks be stopped. By allowing the painting of the rocks, attendees have placed their selves in precarious situations which could cause injury or death. By stopping the painting, it should reduce the likelihood of placing their selves in theses areas thereby reducing the potential of an attendee being severely injured or killed.”
Bell Mountain was deeded to Towns County in 2015 by the Hal Herrin estate, and offers a magnificent panoramic view of the Appalachian Mountains and Lake Chatuge.
Bell Mountain Park is open to the public from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. during the winter months, and from 8 a.m. until 11 p.m. during daylight savings time to allow opportunities for nocturnal photography.
Bell Mountain Park is located 1.3 miles east of Hiawassee Town Square, off Highway 76. Turn left onto Shake Rag Road, travel 1.5 miles to Bell Mountain Road, turn right, and proceed an additional mile to reach the Bell Mountain Park summit.
Admission and parking are free.
*UPDATED* Eclipse Enthusiasts Arrive Early for Coveted View
News August 21, 2017Hiawassee, GA – Vehicles began lining up at the base of Bell Mountain on Shake Rag Road before 6 a.m. this morning, hoping to secure a parking spot on the summit to view the once in a lifetime event.
*UPDATED AT 8:25 a.m.*
PARKING SPOTS ARE NO LONGER AVAILABLE
Spaces are limited and access will not be granted once the park is full.
The gate opens at 8:00 a.m. and will be monitored by authorities throughout the day.
Traffic in Towns County is light as of 7:40 a.m.
Follow Fetch Your News for real time updates.
Sunrise over Lake Chatuge on August 21, 2017
Great American Eclipse Draws Near
News August 19, 2017
Towns County, GA – The weather forecast is favorable for Monday’s solar show and visitors from around the world are making their way to northern Georgia to experience the rare celestial event.
As the highly anticipated Great American Eclipse approaches, Towns County officials confirm preparations are in place.
Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw assures the community that all agencies are working closely together. “We’ve done everything possible to prepare,” Bradshaw said on Friday.
Sheriff Chris Clinton tells Fetch Your News his agency has worked hard at planning for a variety of potential scenarios.
“We have no way of knowing the volume of visitors at this time, but we have everyone scheduled to be available within a two hour window. We have broken the county into four zones as opposed to two with multiple deputies in each zone. We had a brief with all patrol deputies [Thursday] evening,” Sheriff Clinton said. “I will personally be monitoring traffic flow all weekend and we will continue to access the traffic situation, which so far is our biggest concern.”
Sheriff Clinton suggests following the Towns County Sheriff’s Office on Facebook for updates. “We will do our best to relay information in a timely manner,” the Sheriff remarked.
The Sheriff’s Office reminds citizens and visitors that camping is not allowed on Bell Mountain and a limited amount of vehicles will be permitted to view the eclipse from the summit on a first come, first serve basis.
Hiawassee Police Department requests the public refrains from parking at McConnell Baptist Church. The parking lot will be used in an emergency situation should Chatuge Regional Hospital’s lot overflow.
Citizens and visitors will be permitted to park at the Recreation Center free of charge, but are asked to keep off the ball fields.
Parking will be available at Towns County school for a fee to view the eclipse. The school resource officer will be on site for security.
Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith reiterates traffic could become congested and advises residents to remain at home if possible.
“We’ll have extra officers over the weekend and all officers [on duty] Monday,” Chief Smith affirmed.
When asked if concern of potential terrorist activity exists, Sheriff Clinton said he is not aware of a credible elevation in threat levels at this time. Police Chief Smith confirms the Georgia Emergency Management Agency (GEMA), has not alerted his department of any specific danger.
Towns County Fire and Rescue trucks will be fully manned, strategically staged in key locations, and equipped with medical supplies and hydraulic extrication tools.
“We hope everyone has a nice time and stays safe,” Fire Chief Harold Copeland expressed.
There is an agreement with Union County to provide overlapping coverage and mutual aid assistance if needed. A rescue boat will be staffed during the event and Coast Guard auxiliary units will patrol Lake Chatuge.
Towns County EMS will place an additional ambulance in service and provide another on call.
Chatuge Regional Hospital will have extra staff in the emergency department during the event. The hospital has requested citizens and visitors refrain from parking at the facility unless visiting for medical related purposes.
Home health agencies will be on standby to provide rapid assistance to patients.
Towns County 911 will have extra dispatchers on duty and additional 911 lines have been installed.
Radio maintenance personnel will be on standby to quickly respond to communication issues.
E-911 asks citizens to avoid parking on the gravel road that leads to the radio towers on Bell Mountain. If access is necessary, vehicles parked in this area will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Towns County 911 requests the public limits calls to emergency situations only.
Citizens should understand the possibility of lines becoming overwhelmed exists at any given time. Overflow calls may be directed to a neighboring county as per existing protocol.
E-911 has requested the following phone numbers be made available to the public:
706-896-5792
706-896-0894
706-896-3159
Ham radio operators will be on standby to assist county agencies with communications in an emergency situation.
The Department of Natural Resources will have additional officers assigned to Towns County. Helicopters will be staged in Union and Rabun counties to assist as needed.
The United States Forest Service reminds residents and visitors that only ticket holders will be permitted on Brasstown Bald. Forest Service law enforcement officers will be assigned to the area for security and additional personnel will be staged at key locations.
Georgia Department of Transportation crews will refrain from road work in the area during the event, but will be on standby to assist local agencies and respond to emergency situations.
Towns County School will be closed a full day on Monday, August 21. Young Harris College classes are cancelled as well. The college requests for the public to refrain from traveling upon the campus. All events at the college are limited to students, faculty and staff.
Follow Fetch Your News for news and updates on the Great American Eclipse.
Community demands turning lane on Highway 76
News April 23, 2018
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw has met with the Department of Transportation (DOT) on several occasions, and continues to press for a center-turning lane on Highway 76 West, in the vicinity of Papa’s Pizza.
“We want a center-turning lane. It’s very dangerous leaving Hiawassee, going in that direction,” Bradshaw says, “If you want to take a left-hand turn to get into Papa’s Pizza, or several other places, you’re constantly looking in your rear-view mirror, afraid you’re going to get hit. It’s very dangerous.”
While the DOT agrees, additional research is necessary to compute the logistics.
With Lake Chatuge bordering Highway 76 on one side, and steep embankments on the other, the solution is not simple. It may be possible to create limited turning-lanes in some portions rather than a continuous stretch, however.
“I said you’re going to have to stay on top of this. The community is demanding this,” Bradshaw continued, “I will not let it die. I’m going to stay on top of it.”
Commissioner Bradshaw has also asked the DOT for a turn signal at the intersection of Highway 76, in front of McDonald’s, turning left onto Bell Creek Road. While traffic was light on the day Bradshaw last met with DOT, the commissioner insisted on the necessity.
“We’re a little bit different here. Our population changes in the good weather and summer months, so they can’t go on what’s there right now,” Bradshaw explained, going onto say that the DOT understands, and believes the department will conduct proper studies.
The commissioner states that he has also requested a sign near Shake Rag Road on Highway 76 East to indicate the location of Bell Mountain.
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Towns County Officials Prepare for Eclipse
News August 9, 2017
Towns County, GA – Towns County officials are advising residents to prepare for the August 21 total solar eclipse as they would an approaching blizzard or ice storm.
Fire Chief Harold Copeland, E-911 Director Marty Roberts, Sheriff Chris Clinton, Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw and Emergency Management Deputy Director Brandon Walls met with local and state authorities on Tuesday, August 8, to discuss the highly anticipated event.
Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw assures the community that all agencies are working closely together to prepare as thoroughly as possible. They are by no means “taking it lightly.”
The expected number of visitors in our area is difficult to predict, but the potential for “gridlock” exists.
Officials encourage residents to stock up on food, water and gasoline well in advance.
Necessary prescription medications should be obtained beforehand.
Cellular communication is expected to be overloaded and unavailable during the event.
The resounding advice from authorities is to remain at home and travel only if absolutely necessary.
Towns County School and Daycare will be closed a full day on Monday, August 21.
The County Courthouse will close at 11:30 a.m.
Towns County Emergency Management Agency has requested assistance from state agencies and the Emergency Operations Center will coordinate with the state EOC. Home health agencies will be on standby to provide rapid assistance to patients if needed.
Towns County Fire and Rescue trucks will be fully manned and strategically staged throughout the county. A rescue boat will be staffed during the event and Coast Guard auxiliary units will patrol Lake Chatuge.
There is an agreement with Union County to provide overlapping coverage and mutual aid assistance if needed.
Towns County EMS will also place an additional ambulance in service and provide another with crew on call.
Towns County Sheriff’s Office will be fully staffed during the event and has requested assistance from local and state agencies with law enforcement and public safety concerns.
Additionally, the Sheriff’s Office reminds citizens and visitors that camping is not allowed on Bell Mountain and a limited amount of vehicles will be permitted to view the eclipse from the summit on a first come, first serve basis. Parking is limited to 46-48 vehicles.
Hiawassee Police Department will have extra officers on duty. Law enforcement requests the public refrains from parking at McConnell Baptist Church. The parking lot will be used in an emergency situation should Chatuge Regional Hospital’s lot overflow. The church will also be utilized as an emergency shelter if needed.
Georgia State Patrol will have additional troopers in the area to assist local agencies.
Aviation assets will remain on standby.
Young Harris College classes are cancelled the day of the eclipse. Extra police officers will be on duty. The college requests that the public refrains from traveling upon the campus. All events at the college are limited to students, faculty and staff.
Towns County 911 will have extra dispatchers on duty and additional 911 lines will be installed prior to the event. Radio maintenance personnel will be on standby to quickly respond to communication issues. E-911 asks citizens to avoid parking on the gravel road that leads to the radio towers on Bell Mountain. If access is necessary, vehicles parked in this area will be towed at the owner’s expense.
Towns County 911 requests the public limits calls to emergency situations only. Citizens should understand the possibility exists of 911 lines becoming overwhelmed at any given time. Overflow calls may be directed to a neighboring county as per existing protocol.
Ham radio operators will remain on standby to assist county agencies with communications in an emergency situation.
The Department of Natural Resources will assign additional officers to Towns County. Helicopters will be staged in Union and Rabun counties to assist as needed.
The United States Forest Service reminds residents and visitors that only ticket holders will be permitted on Brasstown Bald. Forest Service law enforcement officers will be assigned to the area for security and additional personnel will be staged at key locations.
Georgia Department of Transportation crews will refrain from road work in the area, but will remain on standby to assist local agencies or respond to emergency situations.
Chatuge Regional Hospital will provide extra staff in the emergency department throughout the event. The hospital has requested citizens and visitors refrain from parking at their facility unless visiting for medical related purposes.
Citizens and visitors will be permitted to park at the Recreation Center free of charge, but are asked to keep off the ball fields.
Parking will be available at Towns County School for a fee. The amount has not yet been determined.
A deputy will be on site to provide security.
E-911 has requested these additional phone numbers be made available to the public:
706-896-5792
706-896-0894
706-896-3159
The Sheriff’s Office and the Emergency Management Agency will post on their Facebook pages during the event to keep the public aware of developments.
A representative from Choose Energy, a Texas based company, reached out to Fetch Your News and provided information on how the solar power grid may be affected.
Follow Fetch Your News for further information and real time updates on the approaching phenomenon.
Juveniles arrested at Bell Mountain Park
News May 7, 2018
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Two juvenile females, 16, were arrested and charged with one-count criminal trespass Tuesday, May 1, at Bell Mountain Park. The charges stemmed from a report called in by a witness, stating that an act of vandalism had occurred. Towns County Sheriff’s Office deputies quickly responded to the park, arriving within minutes of the report.
The two juvenile suspects, along with the suspected vehicle they were occupying, were located, and the minors were charged with criminal trespass. The juveniles were released to the custody of their parents. The charges were the result of vandalism to the wooden observation deck, allegedly spray-painted by the teenagers. The suspects were not from the Towns County area.
In recent months, Bell Mountain Park has been the target of vandalism. A cash reward is being offered to anyone providing information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible. Information will be kept confidential. Those with information are asked to call the Criminal Investigation Division of the Towns County Sheriff’s Office at 706-896-4444.