Shawn Jarrard

Union County Sole Commissioner Harold Collins worked from a packed agenda in his monthly meeting March 24, tackling a host of business items ranging from annual Senior Center funding to Community Center changes amid discussions about dog parks and data centers. But he started things off by recognizing three outstanding Union County Recreation Basketball Teams,…

In line with its motto, “Our Family Protecting Your Family,” the Union County Fire Department hosted a family affair with its Fire Awards Banquet on Saturday, March 21, at First United Methodist Church, wherein volunteers and career firefighters alike celebrated their own. It was the first awards banquet since 2024, so the gathering brought much…

The search is far from over for Gainesville native and Dallas, Texas-based attorney and professor Charles Hosch, who disappeared Nov. 11 while on a day hike of the Appalachian Trail on Blood Mountain. But as returning spring foliage makes search conditions increasingly more difficult, the search is moving into a new phase, with spring and…

HIAWASSEE – With the largest collection of rhododendrons and native azaleas in the Southeastern United States, the beautiful Hamilton Gardens on the shores of Lake Chatuge are often referred to as the “Jewel of the Mountains.” But even jewels need polishing, which is why Gardens Curator Catherine Luckenbach hopes locals turn out big for the…

Amy Henson has withdrawn her candidacy from the Republican Primary race for Union County Board of Education District 4, making School Board District 2 the only contested county-level election. Henson qualified the week of March 2 alongside Jonathan “Jon” Cook for the seat currently held by Board Member Jason McCarter, who is not seeking re-election….

And they’re off to the races. Ballots for the May 19 General Primary and Nonpartisan General elections were determined Friday afternoon following the close of the weeklong candidate qualifying process for local, state and federal office. Read more…

Qualifying for local, state and federal office is taking place this week for eligible residents wishing to be candidates in the upcoming General Primary Election and Nonpartisan Election set for Tuesday, May 19. As this is a mid-term election, there are only three county-level seats up for grabs in 2026, all of them on the Union County Board of Education, specifically Districts 2, 4 and 5 that are currently held by Tony Hunter, Jason McCarter and Patrick White, respectively. Read…

The Blairsville City Council and Mayor Buddy Moore have taken another step toward extending municipal sewer services to Blairsville Cinema and Galaxy Bowling, with voting in their February regular meeting to revise the sewer portion of the city’s Service Delivery Strategy. Currently, sewer east of city limits stops at Hometown Way on Georgia 515, but the extension will see about 2.5 miles of new sewer lines installed to Backyard Lane. Read more…

The topic of Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax featured prominently in Union County Sole Commissioner Harold Collins’ county meeting on Feb. 19, with a county-led presentation, a lengthy Q&A session, and an announcement regarding SPLOST’s return to ballots this year. Collins said his planned SPLOST continuation vote would be delayed until November. He wanted voters to decide SPLOST VI in the May General Primary Election; however, he is having to postpone the vote due to the Elections Board missing a legal publication deadline….

Qualifying for local, state and federal office takes place next week for eligible residents wishing to be candidates in the upcoming General Primary Election and Nonpartisan Election set for Tuesday, May 19. As this is a mid-term election, there are only three local seats up for grabs in 2026, all of them on the Union County Board of Education, specifically Districts 2, 4 and 5 that are currently held by Tony Hunter, Jason McCarter and Patrick White, respectively. Read more…