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…
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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….
Family Treatment Court celebrates family reunification
Following a brief ceremony on Friday, April 10, resident Evelyn Gausepohl officially graduated from Enotah Family Treatment Court inside the Union County Courthouse, where she received proud smiles from Judge Wil Maxwell and applause from family, friends and colleagues. As she was called to the courtroom podium for the last time, Gausepohl was invited to…
Community turns out for ‘Mending Elsie’s Heart 5K’
HAYESVILLE, N.C. – Already, Elsie West’s story has brought multiple communities together to rally behind her – and she’s less than 2 months old. Elsie’s story has gained traction not just in her hometown of Hiawassee, but around the world. That rallying support manifested most recently with the “Mending Elsie’s Heart 5K” at Chatuge Dam…