ATLANTA, Ga – As a result of recent rainfall and improving conditions, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) is ending its Level 1 Drought Response in 103 Georgia counties. The decision means that almost all Georgians will return to a non-drought outdoor water use schedule. “Rain continues to ease the flash drought conditions in Georgia […]
Read More »Council members sworn in, mayor pro tempore appointed
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – City Attorney David Barrett executed the Oath of Office for the three reelected city council members, and the council made several appointments during Jan. 7, 2020 meeting. The three incumbents were reelected during the Nov. 2019 election. Their terms will run from Jan. 1, 2020 to Dec. 31, 2023. In city council […]
Read More »Union Fire Department releases 2019 training achievements
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County Fire Department and Emergency Management released a review of its dedication to training and associated achievements in 2019. Firefighters, career and volunteer, completed over 10,000 hours of training during the year. That averages over 100 hours for each firefighter. January started with a Support Firefighter class. This class is the […]
Read More »Union Transportation System provides rides to citizens
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County Commission reapplied for a grant with Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) and the United States Department of Transportation(DOT) to partially fund the transportation system. The county annual applies for the grant which provides around half the funding to run the two, 10-person passenger vans. All residents of Union can utilize […]
Read More »U.S. Forest Service grants permit for Union County target range
UNION COUNTY, Ga – The Union County target range project can officially proceed after the U.S. Forest Service issued a special use permit. This is the current milestone crossed for Union’s first gun range. Currently, residents and law enforcement must use private land or travel outside the community to practice their shooting skills. The range […]
Read More »Carbon Monoxide: The Invisible Killer
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County Fire Department (UCFD) released measures the public can take to protect themselves and their families against carbon monoxide poisoning. Carbon monoxide (CO) is called the “Invisible Killer” because it’s a colorless, odorless, poisonous gas that can only be detected by a CO monitor. The CO monitor can be a lifesaving […]
Read More »County purchases soccer fields, MUSA plans to improve area
BLAIRSVILLE, GA – Gooch Trucking has agreed to the county purchasing 12.009 acres of soccer fields by the old water plant off Mauney Road. Mountain United Soccer Association (MUSA) to lease area from county to offer soccer leagues in the community. The land purchase and sale agreement between Union County and Gooch Trucking for the […]
Read More »UPDATE: Missing Appalachian Trail Hiker Found Safe
UPDATE: Appalachian Trail hiker was found on Tuesday, Nov 19. and taken to receive medical treatment. Previous story UNION COUNTY, GA – On Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, a hiker reported finding an abandoned backpack on the Appalachian Trail. It belonged to Shane Michael Dixon, 24, of St. Petersburg, Fl, who has yet to be found. […]
Read More »Old Fort Sorghum property up for sale
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – In a Dec. 27, 2019 called meeting, the county officially transferred the Old Fort Sorghum Property to the Development Authority (DA). After researching the matter, Commissioner Lamar Paris decided the historic property offered “no foreseeable use” for the county. The approximately .95 acres used to be the home of Union County’s yearly […]
Read More »Christmas comes to Blairsville, Suches, and Vogel
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Christmas is in full-swing throughout Union County with events ramping up on Friday, Dec. 6 and continuing throughout the month. Blairsville’s family holiday begins this Friday, Dec. 6 and continues all day Saturday, Dec. 7, culminating in the Christmas Parade at 6 p.m. The Downtown Development Authority, Union County Historical Society, and […]
Read More »Rep. Gurtler Kicks-off 2020 Campaign and Addresses Criticisms
BLAIRSVILLE, GA – Incumbent Georgia District Eight State Representative Matt Gurtler officially kicked-off his 2020 campaign on Nov. 19 and addressed comments made by his opponent about the representative’s effectiveness in the state capitol. Gurtler spoke to a crowd of supporters at the Pat Haralson Civic Center and fielded questions about Georgia’s General Assembly, the […]
Read More »Blairsville PD Welcomes First Female Officer
BLAIRSVILLE, GA –Jenny Rhodes doesn’t see anything special in being the first female officer in Blairsville, “I’m just doing my job,” she said. However, in today’s society, women are continually making strides forward. Rhodes entered law enforcement after her children became old enough, and she wanted a rewarding career. She started at the Union County […]
Read More »2020 budget increases approximately 14 percent, revenue also up
BLAIRSVILLE, GA – On Dec. 27, 2019, Commissioner Lamar Paris approved the 2020 operating budget and cited higher costs, insurance, and salaries as the reasons behind the almost 14 percent increase from 2019. However, the county’s also taken in more revenues to account for the growing budget. “Something we work many months on preparing,” opened […]
Read More »2020 Commissioner Meetings Schedule Released
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – The Union County Commission will hold its regularly scheduled meetings on the third Thursday of each month in 2020. It will take place at 6 p.m. at the Union County Courthouse located at 65 Courthouse Street, Blairsville, Ga 30512 in Courtroom A, unless otherwise posted. The dates are as follows: Jan. 16 […]
Read More »High-Speed Chase Driver Charged with 4 Felonies and 6 Misdemeanors
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Charges listed for a male suspect arrested after high-speed chase include four felony counts and six misdemeanors. Jeremy Ursel Folds, the driver of the stolen 2018 black Toyota Corolla, sped through Union County and Blairsville on Tuesday, Nov. 19 before being apprehended in the Seasons Inn Motel parking lot. He’s charged with […]
Read More »Council Approves Moratorium on Vape Shops
BLAIRSVILLE, GA – Blairsville City Council unanimously approved a moratorium on vape shops within city limits during Nov. 12, 2019 meeting. The vape-craze has resulted in several adolescent deaths across the country due to the harmful chemicals in the pods, and statistics indicate that teens using the substance continues to grow. “Vaping” or “JUULing” refers […]
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