Towns County officials discuss animal control
News May 21, 2018
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Animal control was the topic of spirited discussion at Mountain Movers & Shakers Friday, May 18, 2018.
Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw, Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton, Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith, and representatives from the Mountain Shelter Human Society spoke on the subject.
Many residents were unaware of how to handle stray or problematic animals in the area, and those in the know set out to clear the confusion.
A dangerous dog ordinance was in place when Commissioner Bradshaw was elected to office in 2016, with the issue recently being turned over to the Towns County Sheriff’s Office. Prior to 2018, the sheriff’s office was not actively involved and could only take reports. Commissioner Bradshaw said there have been two calls pertaining to the mandate this year.
“There’s a lot that needs to be talked about, and there’s always room for improvement. I realize this, as the county grows,” Commissioner Bradshaw began. “Where I live, it’s no problem. We’ve got elbow-room, my neighbors have elbow-room, and in most places in the county, that is the case, right? It is a fact. But there are neighborhoods, and pockets of neighborhoods that maybe you need some more animal control than what the county’s got. That’s entirely up to your homeowners association, and if you want to have stronger rules or regulations, or leash laws, then I would say go for it. But I’m going to tell you that where I live, I’m not going to tie up my dogs. I’m just not going to do it, but I’m a responsible dog owner, and that’s where the problem comes in.”
“As far as a leash law goes, I understand animal control,” Bradshaw continued. “I’ve talked to (Union County Commissioner) Lamar Paris about it. People say, ‘Union County has leash laws,’ and they do. I’ve read it. But a lot of times there’s just no teeth in it. I’m just going to be honest with you. What about barking? A dog barking all night, keeping the neighbors up? We’re still a small area, and I’ve had this happen twice. I called the neighbor with a barking dog, and I talked to them, and I asked them to help me. I said I need your help, and they did. We got it taken care of. I’m not saying everything we’re doing is perfect, but I’m saying much more than we are doing now, I don’t see it. In time, as the population grows, I can definitely see more ordinances, and leash laws, but I just don’t think the county is there yet. Your neighborhood may be, but the county as a whole is not.”
Sheriff Chris Clinton spoke on Title 4, a state law requiring the sheriff’s office to respond to animal complaints. Sheriff Clinton noted that it is a crime to abandon pets. Roaming livestock falls under the responsibility of the sheriff’s office as well.
“There is a leash law in the city,” Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith said. “It applies to city property. If you have a domestic animal on the sidewalk, the square, or Mayors’ Park – city property or city streets – then it’s supposed to be restrained. It doesn’t apply to personal property or your neighbor’s property, but it does apply to city streets. There’s also an ordinance that discusses loud noises, the barking and howling from animals. I’ll echo the commissioner’s sentiment from earlier. The best method is to call your neighbor and say your dog is annoying me. We can address it from an ordinance perspective if it’s something that goes on and on. As far as strays in general that don’t have an owner that we can contact, I think that’s something that the council and mayor will need to address.”
Mountain Humane Society Board President Bob Levy said that the shelter has improved considerably in recent years. “We have a facility, and our facility continuously grows, based on the donations that we get,” Levy said. “We adopt out a tremendous amount of animals every year. We try to take in every animal that we possibly can. It’s difficult for us to take in sick animals because it can affect the entire operation, but we do have a quarantine area.”
Mountain Shelter Humane Society is a no-kill shelter, and the organizations accepts as many well-disposition, healthy animals that are suitable for adoption as their facility can accommodate. “We are limited on our funds, but we are trying our best to take in animals with minor illness and injuries,” Lisa Collins, the executive director of the shelter explained.
According to Board President Bob Levy, an average of $200 to $500 is spent on each animal housed at Mountain Shelter.
Pit bulls, due to workman’s compensation and liability insurance, and feral cats, because of their wild nature and sparse adoption rate, are not accepted at the shelter.
While Mountain Shelter Humane Society cannot pick up animals, strays can be taken to their facility, provided space is available, at 129 Bowling Dr. in Blairsville.
Mountain Shelter Humane Society can be reached at 706-781-3843.
Bill and Lynn Hall, founders of Katz n Dawgs Helping Hands, a local 501(C)(3) non-profit animal rescue organization, provided contact information. Katz n Dawgs Helping Hands can be reached at 706-896-7931 or [email protected].
FetchYourNews will include information on additional area resources should they become available.
In summary, the course of action is to contact Towns County Sheriff’s Office for issues related to animal aggression or general animal control. Towns County Sheriff’s Office can be contacted by dialing 911 or 706-896-4444.
In addition, Commissioner Bradshaw can be reached at 706-896-2267.
Hiawassee Police Department 2017 year-in-review
City Police, News January 5, 2018
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – The Hiawassee Police Department (HPD) had an eventful and busy 2017. Chief Arvel Walls retired in May after dutifully serving the citizens of Towns County for 33 years. Paul Smith was named acting police chief until he was sworn in as police chief on Aug. 1, 2017.
In May, a fifth full-time officer was hired to help combat the growing problem of drugs in our community. Until this point, Hiawassee Police officers had served individual 12-hour shifts. Having a fifth position allowed for an officer to focus on drug and traffic interdiction, but also provide back up for other officers.
With a new position dedicated to drug interdiction, felony drug arrests nearly doubled over the previous year. By the end of December, the Hiawassee Police Department had arrested 107 individuals for drug-related crimes. Of those 107 arrests, 61 were felony drug crimes, and the remaining 46 were misdemeanor drug crimes. In addition to the drug arrests, HPD officers arrested 110 other individuals on non-drug-related charges, many of which were traffic-related crimes.
November ended with an armed robbery at Save-A-Lot, the first armed robbery on record in Hiawassee. Detective Brandon Barrett took the lead on the investigation and, within two weeks, had arrested the individuals responsible for the crime.
Hiawassee Police Department made over 1,500 traffic stops during 2017, resulting in over 800 citations, 200 written warnings, and 500 verbal warnings. Officers responded to over 1,600 calls for service, including incidents from an armed robbery to livestock in the roadway.
Hiawassee Police Department thanks everyone for their support and looks forward to continuing to serve the citizens and visitors of Hiawassee in the coming year.
(Featured Image: Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith)
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. – FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. – For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
Horse struck and killed after Christmas parade
News November 28, 2017
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County’s Christmas parade ended on a tragic note on Saturday, Nov. 25, for a horse participating in the annual procession. Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith told Fetch Your News (FYN) the incident occurred on Main Street, near Tater Ridge, shortly before 7 p.m.
A Ford Focus, red in color, struck the horse from the rear, dismounting the rider and injuring a female nearby. The male rider suffered neck and back injuries, losing consciousness prior to airlift medical transport. The female was taken via ambulance to a nearby facility.
Chief Smith was the first responding officer on scene. The chief tells FYN the driver stated she gazed down to adjust the heater in the vehicle and did not see the horse on the darkened road prior to impact.
Sadly, the horse perished on site.
Chief Smith says he plans to work alongside Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw and Sheriff Chris Clinton to construct a plan allowing equestrian trailers to park at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, the route’s destination, during parades to avoid tragedies such as this in the future.
Georgia State Patrol is investigating the accident.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. – FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. – For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
Hiawassee Police Chief Completes Executive Training
News September 29, 2017
Hiawassee, GA – Chief Paul Smith of the Hiawassee Police Department attended the Chief Executive Training Class for newly appointed chiefs of police and heads of law enforcement agencies at the Dr. Curtis E. McClung Training Center in Duluth, GA from September 18-27, 2017.
The 60-hour course, administered and provided by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police (GACP), is required by state law for newly appointed heads of law enforcement agencies.
The curriculum is designed to provide newly appointed law enforcement administrators and command staff personnel training on police management, as well as inform them of laws and policies impacting their departments.
Topics covered in the course include: Managerial Liability and E.E.O.C. Laws, Police Manpower Allocation & Staffing, Community Policing, Budget Administration, Political and Practical Realities, Risk Management, Evolution of Ethics, Media Relations, Departmental Organization, Employee Selection Process, Georgia Peace Officer Standards and Training Overview, Promotional Systems, United States Department of Justice Programs, Leadership/Management Role of the Chief, Employee Performance & Employee Discipline, Legislative Process, Social Media for Law Enforcement Leaders, and other timely topics.
“The Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police is pleased to provide executive level training for the professional development of Georgia’s new law enforcement leaders.” said GACP President Dennis Nelson of the Clayton County Department of Corrections.
Chief Smith was among 50 law enforcement administrators attending the course. The GACP provides executive training for newly appointed heads of law enforcement agencies and command staff personnel twice a year, along with several other training programs throughout the state. It is the largest professional association for law enforcement administrators in Georgia, and one of the largest in the country.
The membership of over 1,700 includes executives representing municipal and county law enforcement agencies, college and university police departments, corporate and private security firms, and numerous state and federal agencies.
Scams costing local seniors thousands
City Police, News November 27, 2018HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith has been warning seniors of a rash of telephone scams that have cost local residents tens of thousands of dollars in recent months.
The latest Hiawassee victim fell prey to whom she believed was a representative from the Social Security Administration (SSA). According to Chief Smith, the caller convinced the senior that she was eligible for increased government benefits, and that personal information was necessary to begin the process. When all was said and done, the victim was drained in excess of $900, her funds transferred to a bank in Iowa. Fortunately, in this particular instance, the senior was reimbursed by her financial institute, but others aren’t always as lucky.
Smith cautioned that personal information should never be offered via telephone. “They’re not going to call you and ask for information they should already have,” the police chief explained.
Smith relayed that Caller ID cannot be trusted, as there are simple ways for thieves to skirt the system. Smith advised hanging up on suspicious callers, and dialing a known number in order to contact the agency in question. “That way you know that you’re talking to a legitimate person,” Smith said.
Smith referred to the scammers as professional criminals, adding, “These people are really good at what they do.”
Hiawassee Police Department states that there is a “good lead” on the suspect involved in the SSA scam.
Hiawassee Halloween may feature Haunted House Attraction
News, Upcoming Events September 25, 2018
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee Mayor Liz Ordiales announced that Halloween on Hiawassee Square may be relocated to the Towns County Courthouse grounds in order to feature a new addition to the well-loved annual event: A haunted house attraction at the historic Old Rock Jail.
Ordiales revealed that the City of Hiawassee is collaborating with Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw and Towns County Historical Society President Sandra Green on the notion. The festivities are scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 31.
Towns County Historical Society President Sandra Green inside the Old Rock Jail
Traditionally, the event has taken place on town square. Hiawassee City Council, along with Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith, voiced agreement with the slight shift in venue due in part to parking issues. The relocation will free the parking spaces surrounding the square that were dedicated to candy booths in years’ past, potentially reducing the swarm of trick-or-treaters trekking across Main Street from business parking lots.
While the plans for the haunted house and venue change were not firmly solidified by Mayor Ordiales as of Monday, Sept. 24, Commissioner Bradshaw stated no objection to to the plans.
The Old Rock Jail is located adjacent to the Towns County Courthouse, with renovation to the 1936 stone jail recently completed through the efforts of the Towns County Historical Society. The two-story site serves as a museum, featuring artifacts and photographs, and is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. or by appointment.
Scarecrows, created by area businesses, are set to begin “invading” Hiawassee Town Square on Oct.1, staked thoughout the month.
A list of autumn activites in the Hiawassee area is available from FetchYourNews.com
Drug offenders suspected of avoiding Hiawassee
City Police, News April 11, 2018
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee Police Department announced a “new low” in felony drug arrests, and the suspected reason for the decline is surprising. According to Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith, word of his department’s vigilance has spread, and individuals possessing illicit substances may be traveling an alternate route to evade city law enforcement.
During Hiawassee City Council’s regular session on Tuesday, April 3, Chief Smith recalled an incident involving a drug-related arrest. Smith stated that the suspect readily admitted that he should have avoided Hiawassee, specifically mentioning Highway 288 as the passage the driver divulged should have been chosen instead. Highway 288, also known as Sunnyside Road, winds south of Hiawassee’s perimeter, beyond the city police department’s jurisdiction.
In comparison to the first three months of the previous year, 2018 has witnessed a noticeable decrease in the number of drug arrests conducted by Hiawassee Police Department.From January until March of 2017, nine misdemeanor drug arrests and 17 felony drug arrests took place. The current year-to-date statistics show only two misdemeanor drug arrests, along with eight felony drug charges.
“There was another person that let us look through their phone after we arrested them, giving us consent to search their device,” Chief Smith disclosed in an interview with FetchYourNews (FYN). “Someone had messaged them, saying something along the lines of, ‘Why did you go through Hiawassee?'”
A patrol officer with the Hiawassee Police Department relayed that, he too, has heard rumors of Highway 288 being the preferred course of travel for perpetrators hoping to avoid city law enforcement. The majority of drug arrests occurring within the city limits of Hiawassee are the result of traffic stops initiated for citation-related offenses, such as speeding or improper vehicle requirements.
FYN contacted Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton for his thoughts on the theory that drug offenders are skirting Hiawassee in favor of Highway 288, a route which falls under his department’s jurisdiction.
“I am unaware of any official statement by the City of Hiawassee making such a claim. My office has received no criminal intelligence, much less evidence, of any such criminal methodology,” Sheriff Clinton stated via email.
In contrast to 2017 data, Hiawassee Police Department’s self-initiated reports have decreased by 25 percent this year. The agency has seen a 40 percent increase in dispatched calls, however, in the first quarter of 2018. Hiawassee Police Department has generated a total of 868 case numbers in the past three months. The amount is a combination of traffic stops, citations, and calls for service.
Community advised to check for counterfeit cash
City Police, News August 28, 2018
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith advised citizens to be on the lookout for counterfeit bills that could be circulating in the area. Smith delivered his department’s monthly update during Monday’s council work session at City Hall.
Smith received a call from United Community Bank earlier in the day, stating that the branch had received several counterfeit bills with Japanese script printed on the rearside. Smith presented a counterfeit $20 bill that the police department had on file as an example of what to potentially look for. While some counterfeiters produce shoddy replicas, other fraudulent bills can be more difficult to detect.
Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith updates the council and citizens
“Sometimes what they’ll do is take actual dollar bills, and bleach them, and then print on top of them so they feel like a real bill,” Smith said, “Take a good look at the money before you accept it.”
Smith suggested holding bills against a light source to check for the embedded security strip, or using a counterfeit banknote detection pen to determine authenticity.
At the beginning of the report, Smith recapped the manhunt which took place in the vicinity of Upper Bell Creek Road the previous week. What began as a traffic stop initiated by Hiawassee Police Department led to a multi-agency search, the capture of two fleeing suspects, four arrests, and the recovery of stolen firearms. “It was a happy ending to a stressful three days,” the police chief concluded.
In addition, Chief Smith relayed that the department had recently received an anonymous, hand-written letter stating that an individual residing within the community has been driving under the influence of alcohol on a daily basis, with the author inquiring as to why the agency is allowing the habit to occur. Smith said that due to the appreciated information, he is now aware of the situation, and his agency can investigate the matter.
“We don’t get to see everything,” Smith explained, “There’s a thousand cars going through here at any given time so it’s hard to pick out that one car that might be drunk. So if you see something, please let us know. If you’re aware of something that’s going on, please let us know. You don’t have to make a formal report or anything. You can send an anonymous letter.”
As residents exited the meeting, several stopped to shake the chief’s hand, thankful for his department’s service to the community.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Towns, Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. – FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. – For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
Hiawassee Police Department: 77 grams of methamphetamine off streets
City Police, News June 20, 2018
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – On June 18, 2018, the Hiawassee Police Department stopped a 2003 Chevrolet Cavalier for operating without a license plate. Towns County Dispatch had also given a “lookout” for the vehicle after it had been reported as driving recklessly. A subsequent search of the vehicle lead
officers to locate approximately 77 grams of methamphetamine, syringes containing
methamphetamine, marijuana, drug related objects, and over $700.
Phillip Goss
The driver of the vehicle, Phillip Goss of Gainesville, Georgia, was arrested and charged with Trafficking
Methamphetamine, Possession of Less than One Ounce of Marijuana, Possession of Drug Related
Objects, and Operating an Unregistered Vehicle.
Angelica Millwood
The passenger, Angelica Millwood of Gainesville, Georgia, was arrested and charged with Trafficking Methamphetamine, Possession of Less than One Ounce of Marijuana, and Possession of Drug Related Objects
Both suspects are being held without bond at the Towns County Detention Center.
“This is the first drug trafficking arrest made in Hiawassee, and the largest amount of methamphetamine that we have seen,” Chief Paul Smith said, “These drugs came from Gainesville and were meant to be sold in this area. Stopping the distributors will do the most good for our community and our fight against drugs.”
State Fraternal Order of Police Donates Ballistic Vests to Hiawassee Police Department
City Police, News November 3, 2017
HIAWASSEE, GA – The Georgia Fraternal Order of Police has donated three ballistic vests to the Hiawassee Police Department. The vests, provided through the Georgia FOP’s “Operation Protect Our Protectors” ballistic vest program, were presented to Chief Paul Smith by Craig Fulghum, chairman of the ballistic vest committee for the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police.
“We are extremely grateful to the Georgia Fraternal Order of Police for their donation of three ballistic vests to the Hiawassee Police Department. While every officer was previously wearing a vest, three of them were beyond the manufacturer’s recommended use date, and did not fit the officers well,” Chief Smith said. “These newly donated vests were measured specifically for the officers they were issued to for maximum comfort and protection.”
“Operation Protect Our Protector” is designed to donate ballistic vests to law enforcement agencies across Georgia, specifically to those agencies that cannot afford to purchase the vests.
“Officer safety is a very important issue to all of us in law enforcement, and the ballistic vest has been proven to save lives and reduce injuries,” said Fulghum. “Every officer should wear a ballistic vest every day. The FOP is working to ensure that more officers within our state have this extra level of security.”
The Georgia FOP represents 4,000 law enforcement members across the state and is part of the nation’s largest law enforcement organization, with more than 318,000 members nationwide. The FOP is committed to achieving better working conditions and benefits for its members and to providing quality service to the public.
The Georgia FOP works to improve communities across the state in a number of ways, including the donation of ballistic vests to underfunded law enforcement agencies, support for Easter Seals and the “Cops and Kids” program, in which officers take children shopping during the holidays.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. – FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. – For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
Two patrol vehicles damaged after high-speed pursuit
City Police, News May 10, 2018
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – On Tuesday, May 8, 2018 at approximately 3:15 p.m., Hiawassee Police Department Detective Brandon Barrett observed a subject known to have an active arrest warrant, driving eastbound on South Main Street. Detective Barrett was on patrol at the time the subject was spotted.
Detective Barrett and the Towns County Sheriff’s Office initiated a traffic stop near Chatuge Way.
After initially stopping for the officers, the driver of the vehicle made a U-turn, striking the front of Detective Barrett’s patrol vehicle.
The driver, Angela Michelle Capozzoli of Hiawassee, proceeded to flee westbound on South Main Street at a high rate of speed.
Hiawassee Police Department and Towns County Sheriff’s Office pursued the fleeing vehicle to Bugscuffle Road, where Capozzoli struck both patrol vehicles with her vehicle, disabling one.
Hiawassee Police Department continued to pursue Capozzoli to Bugscuffle Spur, where the subject turned onto a dirt road, unable to proceed in the occupied vehicle.
Capozzoli exited the vehicle, fleeing on foot into a heavily wooded area where officers lost contact .
At approximately 9:00 p.m., Capozzoli was located and apprehended after a short foot pursuit by Hiawassee Police Department Sergeant Tracy James and Officer John Carter.
“I am incredibly thankful that no one was injured during the pursuit,” Hiawassee Police Chief Chief Paul Smith said, “Acts of aggression towards law enforcement officers of this extreme are rare in Hiawassee, but obviously not impossible. Working together with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, we were able to apprehend and bring charges against Capozzoli.”
The Towns County Sheriff’s Office has obtained arrest warrants for Capozzoli. She has been charged with two-counts of Aggravated Assault Against a Law Enforcement Officer, Felony Fleeing and Attempting to Elude, Willful Obstruction of a Law Enforcement Officer, and two-counts of Leaving the Scene of an Accident.
Capozzoli is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]