GBI: Rep. Powell’s death not considered suspicious at this time
Business, Featured, Featured Stories, News November 26, 2019
YOUNG HARRIS, Ga – Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) called to investigate the death of Georgia District 171 State Representative Jay Powell, 67, who passed away at Brasstown Valley Resort on Nov. 25, 2019.
Towns County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) called the GBI to assist with the investigation into Powell’s death. GBI Special Agent Kim Williams told Fetch Your News that they will have more information after the autopsy, but at this time, there appears to be no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. TCSO asked for the GBI’s assistance due to the high profile nature of the case. “We have limited resources and only two investigators,” commented TCSO Captain Jim Couch, “The GBI has numerous investigations, and as he was a state official, we want to ensure that everything was done properly.
The Georgia legislator was at Brasstown Valley Resort for a GOP house leadership retreat. He served as the Chairman of the House Rules Committee.
Fetch Your News spoke with Brasstown Valley Resort General Manager Charles Burton, who corroborated Speaker Ralston’s statement that Powell collapsed late into the evening. Burton stated that he got the call around 1 a.m.
“They were just on the patio with a few guests talking,” explained Burton, “I think they are still uncertain as to what caused it. They are going to do a full medical examination.”
Burton also added that Towns County EMS/EMA Responders took Powell to Chatuge Regional Hospital, which is the protocol for the resort whenever a guest is found unconscious or in need of medical attention. The statement released by Speaker Ralston indicates that the representative passed immediately, however, this can’t be confirmed until the autopsy is completed.
Two TCSO deputies also responded to the call before turning the investigation over to the GBI.
Powell represented portions of Colquitt, Decatur, and Mitchell counties, near the Georgia/Florida border. He served on the Appropriations, Governmental Affairs, Judiciary, Judiciary Non-Civil, Rules, and Ways and Means committees. Previously, Powell chaired the House Ways and Means Committee, and in 2016, Georgia Trend magazine named him as one of the 100 Most Influential Georgians.
He was elected to office in Jan. 2009 as a Republican and worked as an attorney when the legislation wasn’t in session. He was married to Deidra White-Powell. She and other family members have been notified.
This story is still developing and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Towns County fire chief-coroner under investigation after killing wild hog
News July 19, 2019
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – The United States Forest Service (USFS) informed FetchYourNews (FYN) Friday, July 19, that an active investigation has been launched due to an incident which occurred outside of a local Firewise Communities meeting Tuesday, July 16, involving a fatal encounter between a wild hog and Towns County Fire Chief-Coroner Harold Copeland.
Firewise Communities – a coalition which includes local, state, and federal fire managers – held its regular meeting Tuesday evening at Towns County Fire Station 6, located off State Route 288. The county fire station is situated on federal land within the boundaries of the Oconee-Chattahoochee National Forest.
According to individuals in attendance, gunfire erupted outside of the fire station as the meeting took place, the result of Fire Chief-Coroner Copeland’s decision to shoot a wild hog that had wandered toward an undisclosed area beside the facility. A member of Towns County Fire and Rescue stated that the hog’s carcass had been removed from the area and disposed of by the department at Copeland’s request.
FYN spoke with Copeland July 18, offering an opportunity to explain the situation. Copeland stated that Towns County Clerk of Court Cecil Dye had given the chief-coroner permission to shoot wild hogs on the court clerk’s property, an area which borders the federal land. “I killed it in the woods,” Copeland told FYN. “It was on Cecil Dye’s land.” Dye confirmed with FYN that he had, in fact, given Copeland permission to hunt “invasive hogs” on his property in the past.
While it is unknown if the dually appointed fire chief-elected coroner will be charged with a violation, hunting out-of-season on federal land and discharging a firearm within 150 yards of a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation site, or occupied area is illegal in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest.
UPDATED: Wild hogs may be taken on forest service land with archery equipment during archery deer season, with deer weapons during firearms deer season, with turkey weapons during turkey season, and with small game weapons during small game season. There are no restrictions on private property, however.
FYN will continue to follow developments, reporting updated information as it becomes available.
11Alive News completes investigation into Towns County Sheriff’s Office involvement in fatal crash
News May 15, 2019
HIAWASSSEE, Ga. – Nearly twelve weeks after a North Carolina motor vehicle accident left one man dead, two victims injured, and an eyewitness traumatized, WXIA-TV 11 (11Alive News) in Atlanta, in cooperation with FetchYourNews (FYN), has completed an in-depth investigation into the circumstances surrounding the tragic event. A broadcast is expected to be televised on WXIA-TV 11 in coming days. The initial segment is scheduled for release Tuesday, May 21, at 11 pm. A detailed report will follow Sunday, May 26.
On the evening of Saturday, Feb. 23, a head-on vehicle collision took the life of Terry Samuel Silvers, a Hiawassee native, leaving a grandmother and granddaughter wounded, and Heather Segars, a good samaritan who attempted to prevent the deadly crash by summoning Towns County authorities, devastated. Public outrage flared upon learning the facts surrounding the fatal collision, prompting the Atlanta-based news channel to conduct a dual investigation.
Copy of Terry Silvers’ toxicology report
Renowned WXIA-TV 11 Chief Investigator Brendan Keefe contacted FYN shortly after the viral-release of the 911 audio recording in which the frantic caller, Heather Segars, pleads for law enforcement to respond to an erratic driver, later identified to dispatchers as Terry Silvers, while headed westbound on State Route 76 in Young Harris, GA. A Towns County Sheriff’s Office cruiser’s siren can be heard bypassing distraught Segars, who pursued Silvers’ vehicle across the state line until the time of the fatal impact, in response to a previous call which two officers had adequately covered.
The deputy in question, Corporal Gregory Joseph – also known as officer “112” – responded to two prior accidents involving Silvers, one of which occurred the night before the fatal crash. Despite testimony from numerous witnesses who stated Silvers clearly appeared to be impaired – including an adament account from an on-scene, veteran law enforcement officer from a neighboring county – Silvers was again released to return to the roadways without facing charges. According to Georgia’s Police Officer Standard Training (POST) records, Corporal Joseph has never participated in roadside drug-detection training, nor has the deputy received sufficent DUI training in over a decade.
Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton issued a statement to the county’s legal organ in the weeks following the highly controversial accident, denying departmental responsibilty, much to the dismay of many of the citiizens the lead lawman had sworn to serve.
FYN recently received a requested copy of Silvers’ toxicology report from the North Carolina Medical Examiner’s Office which revealed Silvers did not have alcohol in his system at the time of his death. A screening for additional substances was not conducted, however, despite widespread knowledge that Silvers battled an opioid addiction. Family, friends, and law enforcement officers attested that Silvers was a well-known substance abuser in the community. North Carolina authorities stated that in the event of a death when the manner is apparent – such as a vehicle fatality – toxicology screenings are typically limited to alcohol detection.
FYN spoke with 911 caller Heather Segars on the morning of May 15, inquiring into her current thoughts and condition.
“I’m holding on with a very thin rope every day,” Segars shared. “I still have anxiety today. I’ve had to be put on Valium. Some days are better than others.” Segars said she holds Towns County Sheriff’s Office responsible for the cost of her psychiatric treatment and the lost wages which ensued as a result of the accident, but foremost, Segars said what she wants most is for Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton to be held accountable. “I want to know why Sheriff Clinton won’t take responsibilty. I would like to see change in the department. We deserve someone with experience on issues like this. I would like to see Clinton resign. I’d also like a public apology from his wife for posting unrelated things about my past under his social media account after the accident.”
FYN continues to offer a platform for the sheriff to comment.
Continue to follow FYN as the release of the WXIA-TV 11 investigation approaches.
Feature Image: Terry Silvers
JQC Dismisses all Claims against Judge Brenda Weaver
Featured, News October 1, 2017
“No evidence has been presented to show any violation of code of Judicial Ethics by Judge Weaver. Instead, the evidence appears to show a personal dislike of the Judge.”
Last week the Georgia Judicial Qualification Commission dismissed the complaint against Appalachian Judicial District Chief Superior Court Judge Brenda Weaver.
Judge Brenda Weaver
“The complaint of Thomason, Stookey, Doss and the GCSPJ are without any basis in law or fact. The complaints are nothing more than a thinly veiled attempt to enlist the JQC in their fixation upon harming Judge Weaver. The JQC will have no further part in it. All complaints are hereby dismissed.”
The complaint was submitted to the JQC by Mark Thomason, former publisher of the Fannin Focus, his attorney Russell Stookey and Fannin County Attorney Lynn Doss.
In the JQC conclusions they addressed the Georgia Chapters Society of Professionals Journalist complaint that Weaver mounted an attack on freedom of the press.
“Calling oneself a “journalist” and “reporter” should not be a cover for pursuing personal vendettas.”
Stookey and Thomason with the assistance of Fannin County Attorney Lynn Doss raised a complaint to the FBI to initiate an investigation.
JQC, “The FBI investigated the allegations raised by Stookey and Thomason but found no wrongdoing.”
On June 15th Atlanta Attorney Gerry Weber, representing Russell Stookey and Mark Thomason, sent a demand letter and Ante Litem Notice to Judge Brenda Weaver, District Attorney B. Alison Sosebee and Pickens County Board of Commissioners.
Part of Weber’s summary of claim, “This case has already garnered national attention. It involves breathtaking abuse of power by a Judge, prosecutor, and law enforcement who manipulated the criminal justice system to wage a personal vendetta against a local newspaper publisher and his attorney.”
Weber’s claim for damages conclusion, “Further accounting for damages stemming from the emotional distress in false arrest and malicious prosecution and for the punitive damages due to egregiousness of the actions leading to the arrests, Stookey’s and Thomason’s damages exceed 1,000,000.”
How far will this case go considering the FBI and JQC have closed their investigation both dismissing the possible charge of wrongdoing.
Click to read “Fannin Focus Publisher Mark Thomason Arrested, Journalist or Vendetta?
Sheriff’s Office Investigates Physical Altercation
Press Release August 26, 2017
Towns County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the Sand Bar on Highway 76 on Saturday, August 20, shortly after midnight in reference to a physical altercation which was reportedly occurring there.
Upon arrival, deputies located a male subject severely injured lying on the ground, being treated by Towns County Emergency Medical Service personnel. He was transported from the scene and admitted for medical treatment.
The incident was turned over to investigators with the Sheriff’s Office to investigate further. Sheriff’s investigators were also assisted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to follow up on the altercation. Sheriff’s Office investigators currently have identified a total of 26 witnesses. The investigators has also gathered other evidence as well.
Anyone who was present at the Sand Bar at the time of this altercation who has not been interviewed by investigators is asked to call the Towns County Sheriff’s Office at 706-896-4444 and ask for Lt. Aaron Deyton.
At this time the investigation is active and ongoing.
Ethics and Advertisements 8/25/16
GMFTO August 25, 2016
BKP looks at an article about the Ethics and a Complaint he logged for campaign finances in Fannin’s recent elections.
State National 8/23/16
GMFTO August 23, 2016
BKP and George recall political predictions and continue the discussion on our American Oligarchy.
Mayor Donna Whitener 7/1/16
GMFTO July 2, 2016
Blue Ridge City Mayor Donna Whitener sits down on GMFTO to discuss the city, park, and recent investigations.
Scam Alert – GBI’s Main Line (404-244-2600) Spoofed
Featured, News October 27, 2015
Decatur, GA – Please be advised that the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s main line (404-244-2600) has been compromised as a result of telephone spoofing. This is a scam that the GBI has been dealing with for approximately one month. When a telephone number is spoofed, the Caller ID of the caller will appear to be coming from a valid number. In the cases specifically related to the GBI, the individual being called will see telephone number 404-244-2600.
In many of the phone calls, the caller has called home phones and cell phones stating that they are with the GBI collecting a debt with the IRS or collecting a debt for college and that there would be a warrant out for their arrest if they didn’t pay the fine.
The GBI does not contact individuals for debt collection. If you get a call from anyone claiming to represent the GBI in this manner, you are urged not to conduct any business over the phone if you did not initiate the call. Additionally, do not give credit card information out to someone who has called you.
The GBI is currently investigating this matter.