In a called meeting on Thursday, Jan. 15, Union County Sole Commissioner Harold Collins adopted a resolution enacting an emergency moratorium “on applications for the development of any property on public sewer for the purpose of ordinance review and revisions.” Effective Jan. 16, the application freeze will remain in place for 90 days “or until repealed by the adoption…
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Chamber blends celebration, mystery in Masquerade Gala
YOUNG HARRIS – The Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce hosted its annual awards banquet on Friday, Jan. 16, transforming Brasstown Valley Resort into a scene reminiscent of the roaring 1920s for an evening of celebration, recognition and intrigue. The “Mountain Mystery Masquerade”-themed gala welcomed guests adorned in feather boas, sequins and masquerade masks, setting the tone for a night filled with laughter, conversation and old-fashioned glamour….
Local man arrested after ‘Predator Poachers’ visit
This month, internet-based content creators who raise awareness about child sex crimes kickstarted a local investigation by the Union County Sheriff’s Office that resulted in the arrest of a Blairsville man for possessing child sexual abuse material, aka “child pornography.” Joshua Bowers, 35, was arrested on Wednesday, Jan. 14, and charged with eight counts of sexual exploitation of children related to images discovered on his cellphone, according to the Sheriff’s Office. Read more…
GA 515 project on track for completion in 2027
The corridor of Georgia 515 between Blairsville and Young Harris has seen big changes over the last year, with dramatic alterations to the roadside topography as the highway reconstruction project takes shape. And Georgia Department of Transportation District 1 Communications Officer Nathan Johnston says all three phases of the project to widen the corridor to four lanes are on schedule for completion in 2027. Read more…
Collins corrects salary, will return overpayment
Union County Sole Commissioner Harold Collins announced last week that he was paid too much his first year in office, noting that he has corrected the issue for Fiscal Year 2026 and beyond. The correction lowers his salary by close to $18,000 versus 2025. Collins’ actual salary as calculated using a formula provided by the Association County Commissioners of Georgia is $116,339.82, and not the $134,000 he made…
UCGA1R celebrates with anniversary ribbon cutting
On Thursday, Jan. 15, the Union County Georgia 1st Responder Organization achieved a public relations milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony by the Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce, held at Union County Fire Station No. 1. The first meeting of UCGA1R took place in January 2024, with incorporation in May 2024 and, after additional planning, a public unveiling in March 2025. Prior to last week, however, the organization had not yet gotten the opportunity to do a ribbon cutting….
January Term 2026 Grand Jury Indictments
NO BYLINE The following individuals were indicted during the January Term 2026 of the Union County Grand Jury, which met last week: Read more…