Local narcotics investigators have upended a major prison drug trafficking operation, resulting in more than 2 pounds of meth, 4.5 pounds of marijuana, 7 pounds of tobacco and other contraband being confiscated from a single inmate housed over 100 miles away at Hays State Prison. The ongoing investigation that culminated in the prison drug bust…
Shawn Jarrard
Early voting ends Friday for Primary Runoff Elections
Several state races and one federal contest failed to produce majority vote winners in the May 19 General Primary Elections and will therefore be heading to Primary Runoff Elections set for next Tuesday, June 16, with a short early voting period this week that ends on Friday. All in-person early voting is taking place from…
Kentucky man arrested for local trailer thefts
Thanks to the hard work of Union County Sheriff’s Lt. Dustin Walker, a Kentucky man is behind bars after stealing a pair of enclosed trailers and a motorcycle from two locations off Kiutuestia Creek Road on Tuesday, May 19. The property has since been returned to its rightful owners. Lt. Walker works in the UCSO…
Primary Runoff Elections to start early voting Monday
Several state races and one federal contest failed to produce majority vote winners in the May 19 General Primary Elections and will therefore be heading to Primary Runoff Elections on Tuesday, June 16. That means early voting will run next week, from Monday, June 8, through Friday, June 12. Read more…
Sheriff Henderson reindicted on all counts
HIAWASSEE – A Towns County Grand Jury has handed up a second indictment against suspended Sheriff Ken Henderson after hearing evidence in the case. The result was read aloud by Superior Court Senior Judge James E. Cornwell inside the Towns County Courthouse on Tuesday, May 19. Known as a superseding indictment, the brand-new indictment completely…
Hunter victorious for BOE; several races head to runoff
The 2026 General Primary Elections and Nonpartisan Election concluded on Tuesday, May 19, and the winner of the only contested county-level race in Union County was Tony Hunter, the Incumbent for School Board District 2. Currently in his fourth term, Hunter came out on top in the Republican contest with 3,360 votes, earning 56.06% of…
Temporary three-way stop coming to 515 in Young Harris
YOUNG HARRIS – Effective Thursday, May 28, Georgia 515 is getting a temporary three-way stop where the new bypass intersects the highway next to Brasstown Creek Road, between the Dollar General and Victoria’s Antiques. According to the Georgia Department of Transportation, the temporary traffic pattern change will facilitate construction on the south side of the…
‘Server Farms’ ordinance, life flights, rec sports & more
In his regular monthly meeting on Thursday, May 21, Union County Sole Commissioner Harold Collins held a first reading of the revised ordinance regulating the establishment of cryptocurrency and data mining facilities. Union County has had a “very strict” ordinance in place since October of 2023, but Collins has been hearing concerns from the public…
Sheriff’s Office helps victim of car scam recover $30,000
A Blairsville man has described Union County Sheriff’s Sgt. Bob Calamari as a “bulldog” after the dedicated local fraud investigator helped to recover $30,000 that was stolen from him in a car-trading scam. The victim, who asked to remain anonymous for the purposes of this news article, posted a car for sale last month on…
Baccalaureate prepares seniors to journey in faith
The Union County High School Class of 2026 will celebrate a major milestone this Friday, May 22, with a graduation ceremony set for 8 p.m. inside Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium. In preparation for the momentous occasion, dozens of faith-minded seniors participated in a beloved Christian tradition the afternoon of Sunday, May 17, to ensure their…