Murphy, NC, woman dies after her car leaves roadway

Shawn Jarrard / October 15, 2026

A young woman from Murphy, North Carolina, died in a single-vehicle crash that occurred on Murphy Highway Saturday, Oct. 10.

The Union County Voting Center is the place to be during in-person early voting, which started this week. Photo by Shawn Jarrard

Early Voting began Tuesday, runs through Friday, Oct. 30

Shawn Jarrard / October 14, 2026

In-person early voting kicked off Tuesday, Oct. 13, inside the Union County Voting Center at 33 Roscoe Collins Drive in Blairsville, and will continue through Friday, Oct.

This is a still frame from the video that captured out-of-town shoplifters stealing from a vendor at the Blairsville Pickers Barn last month. UCSO has identified them and issued warrants for their arrests.

Viral video & tip help UCSO identify non-local shoplifters

Shawn Jarrard / October 13, 2026

Thanks to a viral online video that inspired a community tip, the Union County Sheriff’s Office has been able to issue arrest warrants for two people caught shoplifting at the Blairsville Pickers Barn. The alleged criminal activity occurred around 3 p.m.

(L-R) Blairsville City Clerk Kaye McCann and Mayor Robert “Buddy” Moore in their called city meeting Oct. 1. Photo by Brittany Holbrooks

City makes millage progress, adopts investment resolution

Brittany Holbrooks / October 7, 2026

The Blairsville City Council and Mayor Buddy Moore held a called meeting on Thursday, Oct. 1, inside City Hall to conduct a first reading of the city’s 2026 Millage Rate Ordinance.

A gavel striking a sound block, symbolizing justice and legal authority in a courtroom setting.

July Term 2026 Union County Grand Jury Indictments, Continued

Staff Report / October 7, 2026

The following individuals were indicted during the July Term 2026 of the Union County Grand Jury, which re-convened last week:

(L-) County Finance Director Kay Wilcox, Commissioner Harold Collins, Tax Commissioner Lee Knight and Deputy Tax Commissioner Jennifer Kerr. Photo by Shawn Jarrard

Collins adopts rollback; tax bills to be mailed soon

Shawn Jarrard / October 7, 2026

Union County Sole Commissioner Harold Collins set the 2026 Millage Rate in a called meeting on Thursday, Oct. 1, inside the Union County Courthouse.

Log Sawin’ is just one of the many free Sorghum Games to be enjoyed at the Annual Sorghum in the Mountains Festival, heading to Meeks Park for two weekends as always starting Saturday.

Sorghum in the Mountains set to return this weekend

Shawn Jarrard / October 7, 2026

CANCELED OCT 10TH & 11TH | The beloved sweet pastime that’s always the second and third weekend in October returns starting this Saturday, as Sorghum in the Mountains continues the local tradition of hosting a sorghum festival celebrating Union County’s agricultural heritage. Last year was the inaugural rebrand to Sorghum in…

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