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…
WWII Veteran participates in flag retirement
The latest flag retirement ceremony by the American Legion Ira Weaver Post 121 on Saturday, Feb. 28, was unique thanks to a very special guest of honor: Richard Helsley, a 99-years-young U.S. Army veteran of World War II who was invited to head up the ceremony that day. According to Post 121 Sr. Vice Cmdr. Kathy Merritt, a neighbor noticed that the flag above Helsley’s residence was faded and tattered….
Sewer expansion plans headline called meeting
Plans to expand Blairsville’s sewer service approximately 2.5 miles east of city limits on Georgia 515 were discussed during a Feb. 20 called meeting at City Hall. Environmental Engineer Lacey Tucker of Engineering Management, Inc., presented the findings of a recent environmental study, and between her and Mayor Robert “Buddy” Moore, the two offered further…
BOE celebrates student success, firefighter efforts
The Union County Board of Education recognized the Union County High School Cross Country Teams at its Feb. 26 work session following state tourney placements for both boys and girls. Specifically, the boys team won Third Place in state, and the girls took home Fourth Place. Similarly, the Extra Mile Award was awarded to Union County Fire…
Community honors sacrifice with Iwo Jima commemoration
YOUNG HARRIS – The community gathered Monday morning, Feb. 16, at the Towns County Recreation Center to honor the legacy of one of the most significant battles in American military history during the annual Iwo Jima Memorial Ceremony. Hosting the event was the Marine Corps League Unicoi Detachment 783 of Towns and Union counties, bringing together veterans, local…
Collins talks SPLOST; no FLOST vote in 2026
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….
BOE qualifying begins next week in midterm election year
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…
UCSO Sgt. Calamari receives commendation for scam efforts
Thanks to his regular scam awareness classes and work as a dedicated financial crimes investigator, Union County Sheriff’s Sgt. Robert “Bob” Calamari has been making a real difference in preventing residents from becoming victims of fraud-based crimes. For his efforts, he was recently honored with a commendation medal after a brief presentation of his background courtesy of Sheriff Shawn Dyer. Read more…
Castoff Pet Rescue turns 20
In February 2006, Shannon Elliott began fostering dogs in her home to make a difference for Union County’s four-legged residents, giving rise to an effort that would grow over the next 20 years into one of the most readily recognized local animal welfare groups: Castoff Pet Rescue. Formerly known as Castaway Critters, Castoff Pet Rescue has expanded into a multifaceted facility that provides shelter for homeless dogs and cats as well as cost-effective care in league with…
NEDC graduates celebrate hard work & second chances
Two renewed souls graduated from North Enotah Drug Court on Feb. 12, surrounded by family and other loved ones as they looked forward to their new leases on life. With an added presence of Freedom Ministries, faith played a big role in the brief but no less moving celebration. Hon. T. Buckley “Buck” Levins, Superior Court Judge of the Enotah Circuit, introduced the graduates and…