Drowning accident claims life of Union County native
A Blairsville man lost his life last week in a drowning accident on the North Carolina side of Lake Chatuge. Michael Pickelsimer was 41 years old.
County, residents aligned against data centers
On Thursday, June 11, the Union County Commissioner’s Office welcomed more than 400 people to the Multipurpose Gym at the Sports Center for a public hearing on revisions to the local ordinance regarding “data centers.” It was the largest county meeting anyone could remember and lasted about 2.5…
Nani’s Restaurant closes after 19 years in community
No Byline Nani’s Restaurant felt an outpouring of love during its customer appreciation event on Wednesday, June 10. The occasion also served as a chance to say goodbye after 19 years of service in Blairsville.
Housing concerns highlighted at City Council meeting
Blairsville city officials reviewed the results of a community housing survey during the City Council’s regular monthly meeting on Tuesday, June 9, finding that residents are facing limited housing options as home prices, rental costs and demand rise. The survey, which received approximately 400…
Fire Station 3 welcomes community to open house
An estimated 150 to 200 visitors gathered at Union County Fire Station No. 3 from 11 a.m.
UCHS Class of 1956 celebrates 70th reunion
Not many people get the chance to reunite with childhood friends after the better part of a century, but members of the Union County High School Class of 1956 did just that in coming together for their 70th Class Reunion on June 6. Class of ’56 graduate Bobby Jackson hosted the event out of his…
New Reece Trail reroute now open to the public
The U.S. Forest Service, in partnership with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy and the Georgia Appalachian Trail Club, has completed a reroute of the Byron Herbert Reece Trail, so named years ago for the beloved poet, farmer and native son of Union County.
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…
Local investigation ends in state prison drug bust
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…
Rotary, law enforcement team up for gun safety
The Rotary Club of Union County gave community members a chance to anonymously turn in unwanted firearms on Saturday, May 30, during the county’s first ever Child and Firearms Safety Day Program, hosted in partnership with local law enforcement. People could surrender unwanted or nonworking…