Subheadline: Batting cage facility proposed as new dog park location By Shawn Jarrard Upwards of a hundred people attended the Union County Commission Meeting on Thursday, April 16, mostly to hear about Sole Commissioner Harold Collins’ plans that continue to develop regarding the Union County Farmers Barket Dog Park. Read more…
Marion Durkee Day honors resident’s 100th birthday
Union County Sole Commissioner Harold Collins held a very special tribute in his April 16 monthly meeting at the courthouse, recognizing the upcoming 100th Birthday of a longtime resident by proclaiming April 25, 2026, as “Marion Durkee Day” in Union County. Durkee attended in person to witness the proclamation and accept the honor from Commissioner…
E-911 Dispatchers receive heartfelt thanks for their work
At this time every year, Union County E-911 Dispatch receives special recognition for National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, during which time the community shares in the love the dispatchers have developed among themselves as members of a tight-knit public safety family. In 2026, the corresponding appreciation dinner fell on Monday, April 13. It was a…
River City Bank showcases students with Youth Art Show
NO BYLINE – River City Youth Art26 Front: River City Bank held its annual Youth Art Show March 2-31. Many Union County students took prompts from their teachers and made them into unique works of art, like Pippa Chatham, pictured here at the April 14 reception celebrating the student artists. Read more…
Patriots’ Day observance marks 250th anniversary
The Blue Ridge Mountains Chapter Sons of the American Revolution celebrate Patriots’ Day every year by dressing up as colonial-era soldiers to greet folks in Downtown Blairsville, and Saturday’s observance was made extra special due to the country’s 250th anniversary in 2026. In addition to firing off muskets on the Old Courthouse lawn, SAR partnered…
Athletes have a blast at annual Special Olympics
“Let me win, but if I cannot win, let me be brave in the attempt.” That oath was cried out inside Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium on Thursday, April 16, just before 10 a.m., marking the start of this year’s Towns-Union Special Olympics. The event happens twice annually, and the brilliant blue sky and warm spring…
Young Blairsville man dies after Blood Mountain crash
Nolan Geiger, a 17-year-old Blairsville youth, lost his life Saturday after a crash on Blood Mountain, the Georgia State Patrol confirmed over the weekend. Shortly before 4 p.m. on April 11, a state trooper responded to a two-vehicle collision on Gainesville Highway near Blood Mountain Cove Road in Union County, just south of the Walasi-Yi Center. Read more…
Residents advised to avoid burning during drought
By press time, much of the North Georgia Mountains had been spared an outbreak of wildfires despite increased risk amid ongoing drought, windy conditions, higher temperatures and lower relative humidity, especially during the day. The region is experiencing its worst drought perhaps since Fall 2016, when tens of thousands of wildland acres burned as North…
Asst. Chief Walker finishes Chief Executive Training
Blairsville Assistant Police Chief Russell “Rusty” Walker has completed the Chief Executive Training Program conducted by the Georgia Association of Chiefs of Police. He spent two weeks in Gwinnett County last month, culminating in graduation March 12. The intensive, 60-hour course is designed to expose newly appointed chiefs and command staff like Walker to the…
Beyer brings update on ’26 Scottish Festival & Games
HIAWASSEE – The sound of bagpipes ensured everyone was awake at the Sundance Grill on Friday, April 10, courtesy of Georgia Mountain Scottish Festival Entertainment Chair Greg Beyer’s presentation to the Mountain Movers & Shakers. This year’s Scottish Festival & Highland Games will take place June 6-7 at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds, from 9 a.m….