Union County Track and Field
Community, Sports, Union County High School, Union County Panthers March 15, 2023
Track & Field competed against Stephens, Jackson, and West Hall. Many personal bests and we had the following first place finishers: Noel Hyatt in High Jump, Mattie Brookshire in Discus, Lola Hunter in the 3200m, the 1600m, AND the 800m, Boys 4×200 Relay, and Cooper Kluth in the 300m hurdles. We also had the following second place finishers: Katie Byers in High Jump, Mattie Brookshire in Shotput, Linley Jones in the 300m hurdles, Girls 4×400 Relay, Nolan Thompson in the 300m hurdles, Zander Rotko in the 200m, and Boys 4×400 Relay. Awesome job Panthers!
Union County 4-H- State Pumpkin Contest
Announcements, Community November 5, 2022
A little Fall pumpkin news to brighten your day! The state contest results are in and Union County 4-H had top 3 biggest pumpkins in Georgia 4-H and 10 of the 11 top pumpkins! We are proud of our 4-Hers and thankful for the partners that we get to work with on this project every year.
Panthers Weather the Storm, Win Shootout Over PCA
Team FYN Sports, TeamFYNSports, UCHS Football, Union County High School October 16, 2022
Union County holds off a big 2nd half by PCA to outlast the Storm 56-49 on Friday night. The Panthers could seemingly do whatever they wanted, as they totaled over 700 yards of offense according Maxpreps box score for this game. QB Caiden Tanner totaled 7 TDs in this one for Union. The Panthers went to half up 35-7, but PCA did not let up and they made this a ball game, before ultimately falling short.
The Panthers now sit at 6-1 (2-0) after this big region win and have averaged 47.4 PPG over their current 5-game win streak. PCA now falls to 2-5 (0-2) on the year after their 2nd half efforts came up short.
Photo from Union County QB Club Facebook
Team Notes
735 yards of offense for the Panthers. 735 yards. This Union offense is ridiculously good as they have scored more than 42 points over the course of their 5-game win streak. Caiden Tanner accounted for 7 of the 8 Panthers TDs. Tanner was 24/31 for 403 yards and 4 TDs in the air and he added 59 yards on 16 carries and added 3 more TDs on the ground. Braylen Rader was a nice compliment for his QB as he added 210 yards and one rushing TD on 17 carries while also bringing in a receiving TD. Griff Young led the way for the Union receivers as he had 8 catches for 138 yards and 2 TDs while Jensen Goble has 8 catches for 130 yards and 1 TD. Caiden Tanner did turn the ball over twice with an INT and a lost fumble. The Union defense will need to play better down the stretch, but this Panthers team is primed for a run at the region title.
PCA gave it their best, especially with a big 42-point 2nd half, but unfortunately Union had to many playmakers for the Storm to handle. Neither Maxpreps nor Hudl had individual stats posted for Providence Christian Academy.
Look Ahead
PCA will host the Fellowship Christian Paladins (4-3) who are looking to remain undefeated in region as they move to 2-0 after a big win over Athens Academy 28-6.
As for Union they will host East Jackson who sits at 4-3 (1-1). The Eagles who are coming off a Bye Week will look to slow the Panthers offense and play spoiler next Friday night.
Rader Leads the Panthers to Rout Over Spartans
FYNTV, Team FYN Sports, UCHS Football September 18, 2022
Union County took down the West Hall Spartans 48-7 on Friday night in front of their home fans. The Panthers offense did not miss a beat Friday as they picked up 414 total yards, while the defense held the Spartans to just 7 points. Braylen Rader and Connor Schuknecht combined for 200 yards on the ground and 4 TDs.
Pictures from Union County High School Facebook page
Team Notes
Rader carried the ball 22 times for 124 yards and 3 TDs and Schuknecht carried the ball 11 times for 89 yards and adding another TD on the ground. Junior QB Caiden Tanner was 16 for 20 for 142 yards and 2 TDs and a 131.7 QBR. The defense showed up big time and it was just an absolute beatdown of Sparty.
Neither Maxpreps nor Hudl had individual stats posted for West Hall, but that may be for the better after this rout. West Hall needs to figure things out on both sides of the ball before they start region play next week.
Look Ahead
Union moves to 4-1 on the year and will have the next two weeks off before they had to Banks County for their region opener. As for West Hall, they fall to 1-3 and will head to Dawson County (2-2) next Friday to open region play.
Free COVID-19 test site open in Blairsville
News, Press Release September 3, 2021
UNION COUNTY – District 2 Public Health is partnering with LTS to provide FREE COVID-19 drive-thru testing at the Union General Hospital in Blairsville.
The health department assisted in opening the location to alleviate some of the stress on the hospital. LTS medical professionals will be conducting the onsite tests.
If an individual needs a COVID-19 test for work or school, or if they are feeling ill and would like to be tested for COVID-19 in Union County, the lab will offer Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests. These are not rapid tests and it will take 36 hours for results.
Testing will be available Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. The testing site will be located at 35 Hospital Road, Blairsville, GA 30512. The testing site will not be open on Labor Day, September 6.
While no appointment is required, registration with LTS Labs is encouraged to decrease wait times at the testing site. Registration information can be found at https://honumg.info/LTSGA015.
Union County accepting rollback for 2021 millage rate
News August 31, 2021
BLAIRSVILLE, GA – The 2021 millage rate will be dropping to 6.024 mills from last year’s 7.187 mills in Union County.
“The State Computation form indicates this is a 0.00% tax increase. The rollback rate is set by the State of Georgia using the county’s net digest number,” the county notice stated.
Union County recently completed a county-wide property reevaluation where many citizens saw substantial increases. At public hearings on the matter, Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris promised the millage rate would come down from last year. The property taxes for the year had not been calculated yet.
2020’s millage rate triggered a 17 percent property tax increase on the county side, not including the board of education millage rate. The board of education is also lowering its 2021 millage rate.
The Georgia Department of Revenue has the net tax percent increase on the 2021 Tax Digest at 10.63 percent. The number is “based on growth in the county only (new properties, additions, etc.), NOT inflationary growth.”
The total county net tax increase in dollar amount for $997,886. The total digest value is $1,723,597,819 and the total M&O taxes levied for 2021 is $10,382,953. See the tax digest for a breakdown of the unincorporated and incorporated areas of Union County.
The next county meeting is on September 16 at 6 p.m. at the Union County Courthouse.
Union County leadership pens letter regarding COVID-19 outbreak
Community, News, Press Release August 25, 2021
Where to get vaccinated in Union County
- Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday: 8:00 AM- 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM -4:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00AM-11:00 AM and 1:00PM-6:00 PM
- Friday is 8:00 AM-11:00 AM
Union County issues five substance abuse grants to local non-profits
News August 23, 2021
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Five substance abuse and mental health non-profits received grant funding from Union County.
The funds come from a portion of the alcohol license fees. In 2010, $50,000 was set aside in alcohol licensing fees to give back to the community for the purpose of combatting local substance and alcohol abuse.
“Roughly half of these funds are distributed each year in the form of grants that interested organizations can apply for,” Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris explained. “A completely independent committee reviews the applications and does the grants.”
Paris isn’t involved with the committee or selection process of the grant recipients.
The five organizations each received $5,000 at the August Commissioner meeting. A Change in Our World, Inc., Freedom Ministries, New Hope Counseling, Positive Pathways, Inc, and Union County Family Connection were the organizations that received funding.
“There’s such a tremendous problem nationwide with the opioid crisis, it’s very nice to know we have these non-profit organizations spending their time and effort to assist locally,” Paris added.
A Change in Our World focuses on suicide prevention and conducts the majority of its work with teenagers. The organization founded by Rebecca Brendle brings young people together and helps to employ teenagers at Blairsville Ice Cream and Mini-Golf, next to Rib Country.
“We’ve kinda given them something to do in addition to our ministry work. We also can take volunteers,” Brendle stated.
New Hope Counseling Director Troy Beaver explained the organizations’ role in helping out individuals with substance abuse problems.
“It takes addressing the medical, psychological, and spiritual in order to treat addiction,” Beaver said. “New Hope Counseling is the only state-certified facility in Union County that is certified by the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health, DUI Division Program, DDS, and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Association.”
All counselors are Georgia Addiction Counselor Association certified in substance abuse counseling. The group provides assistance in a number of ways to anyone suffering from addiction and trying to correct life choices.
Families receive free consults if they suspect someone is experiencing addiction. They will refer people to more intensive programs if necessary.
The grant funding at New Hope will go toward treatment for individuals who meet certain requirements such as Union County resident, desire to make a change, and fall beneath the poverty level.
“We appreciate this money and the people who get this money will appreciate this money, but they’ll get a little more than appreciation,” Beaver added. “It will give them a little hope for a hopeless situation.”
Beaver touched on Georgia’s accountability courts. The systems are an intensive two-year program to help those suffering from addiction. However, one can only take part in accountability courts if a felony is committed.
Positive Pathways is the newest organization in Union County. Founders Summer Crest and Shawna Harkins spoke about their recovery organizations.
Positive Pathways founders
“We provide peer support counseling. We want to be the hope for people who are struggling to come to us…There’s a lot of issues in our small town that a lot of people don’t talk about, but we want to thank the commissioner and the board, and everyone that supports us. We hope to do a lot of great things in Union County,” they said.
Positive Pathways has community events with the next one scheduled for September 3 at Meeks Park.
A lot of programs exist in Union County to help those with substance abuse problems such as AA, NA, Celebrate Recovery, Redemption Point, and some more unofficial groups who gather.
Family Connection and Freedom Ministries couldn’t attend due to illness.
County Business
Union County and Legacy Link entered into an agreement for the fiscal year 2022 to help run the Senior Center. The contract was $95,000.
Georgia Department of Transportation and the county agreed on $92,204 in grant funding for the 5311-transit system. GDOT will provide $46,000 and Union will match $46,000.
MedLink Georgia Inc, and Union County entered into a lease agreement for $100.00 for a medical facility in Suches. The lease is for three years. At the beginning, the medical office will be open once a week with the goal for the facility to be open three times a week.
COVID-19 cases among children in Union County
News August 23, 2021
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – As the Delta Variant spreads in Union County and Georgia, confirmed cases in children continue to outpace previous COVID-19 strains.
On August 12, Union County reported a total of 245 confirmed cases in the 0 to 22 age group. One week later, the Department of Public Health recorded 21 new cases for the age range. For comparison, the case change from the August 6 report to August 13 was nine.
Union County from July 31 to August 13 documented 59 new cases total and has recorded 2,361 cases since last year.
The Delta Variant is highly contagious. Health professionals have compared its transmission rate to chickenpox spread. The number of COVID-19 cases in children jumped over 1,100 percent when Delta hit Georgia.
“In a completely unmitigated environment—where no one is vaccinated or wearing masks—it’s estimated that the average person infected with the original coronavirus strain will infect 2.5 other people,” Dr. F. Perry Wilson, a Yale Medicine epidemiologist, says. “In the same environment, Delta would spread from one person to maybe 3.5 or 4 other people.”
Several schools started back at the beginning of August, and the virus spread is evident. Union County Primary had to close its building for this week because too many teachers were out sick. UCS 2021-2022 school year started on August 12. The previous week Towns County Elementary closed for the same reason too many ill staff.
The Department of Public Health (DPH) keeps track of COVID-19 in children and release school-age data each week. A breakdown of Union County’s 14-day case rate for children indicated significant increases in the school-age group.
8/12 Union County Case Report
- 0-4 – 1 case
- 5-17 – 9 cases
- 18-22 – 3 cases
- 23+ – 73 cases
8/20 Union County Case Report
- 0-4 – 5 cases (+4)
- 5-17 – 17 cases (+8)
- 18-22 – 8 cases (+5)
- 23+ – 115 cases (+42)
While DPH doesn’t provide a county-by-county breakdown of hospitalizations, it includes statewide data on the topics. These reports come out every week and cover two weeks of data.
DPH COVID-19 in Children graph
Emergency room visits related to COVID-19 in children are spiking along with respiratory-related visits. However, hospitalizations appear to have taken a turn downward in most age groups.
Statewide the 5-17 age range is facing the most significant spike in the school-age report. When broken down, 5-10 and 14-17 are experiencing a laboratory higher case rate than 11-13. It’s unclear why from the information provided by the DPH.
Union County Schools COVID-19 Procedures
Union County Schools have procedures regarding positive cases, close contact, quarantine, isolation, and seating charts to try and keep its students safe.
A close contact student, who’s within three feet of a positive case, must quarantine for five days.
Positive students must quarantine for ten days and may return to school after symptoms end or 24 hours without a fever or fever-reducing medicine.
None of these students can participate in extracurricular, after-hours, or athletic activities.
Potentially exposed employees can still work under the essential worker status. If they exhibit any COVID-19 related symptoms, they must inform their supervisor, and essential worker status will be revoked. These individuals must quarantine for ten days from the onset of symptoms.
For the time being, the parents can decide on the necessity of a mask. On Friday, August 20, Assistant Superintendent Dr. David Murphy told FYN that a mask mandate is a “diametrically opposed issue. Families have determined what they feel is best for them. We believe that wearing a mask is the parent/student’s right to choose.”
Additionally, Murphy explained the elementary, middle, high, and Woody Gap Schools aren’t experiencing the same staff absenteeism as the primary school.
COVID-19 K-12 breakdown from DPH
The Primary had nearly four times the percentage of teachers absent than its closest school by comparison. They simply didn’t have enough staff to operate the building effectively.
Pfizer vaccine was fully approved for individuals who are 16 and older on Monday, August 23. Children 12 and older can also receive a vaccine under emergency use authorization.
Children younger than 12 haven’t been cleared to take the vaccine yet. It’s currently undergoing testing.
Blairsville City Council approves agreement with county to receive TSPLOST funds
News July 13, 2021
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Blairsville City Council approved the intergovernmental agreement with Union County for the Transportation Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (TSPLOST) referendum during the July 2021 meeting.
The approval is one in a series of steps necessary for TSPLOST to appear on a special election ballot in November 2021.
The intergovernmental agreement allows Blairsville to receive a portion of proceeds from a one percent sales tax. TSPLOST would raise the total sales tax from 7 to 8 cents on the dollar. The state allows a county up to 9 cents in sales taxes. The state levies the first 4 cents.
The intergovernmental agreement would last for five years and is contingent on voters approving TPLOST in the fall. Measures such as LOST, SPLOST, ESPLOST, and TSPLOST must be approved by registered voters in Union County.
2021 is an off-year for county elections, but the county could call a special election just for TSPLOST. Municipal elections for Blairsville are being held this year.
As the name implies, TSPLOST funds go solely toward transportation projects, unlike SPLOST which covers most capital outlay efforts for a county and city. TSPLOST must meet a transportation need outside of regular SPLOST or free up SPLOST funds for other projects.
With the intergovernmental agreement in place, the county could levy a fractional rate of up to 1 percent. If Blairsville hadn’t passed the agreement, then the levy amount would stop at .75 percent.
If passed, TSPLOST could generate up to $5 million a year and the city of Blairsville would receive between five or eight percent of those funds.
The closest county to Union with TSPLOST is Lumpkin. Gilmer recently put TSPLOST on the ballot and it failed. Here’s a copy of Georgia’s Sales and Use Tax Rate Chart.
Sales taxes, such as LOST, SPLOST, ESPLOST, and TSPLOST, are meant to alleviate the tax burden on local property owners. Since sales taxes are consumption-based and everyone who makes a purchase within the county contributes. In communities like Union County, weekends often see an influx of tourists looking to escape for the weekend. For the last few years, sales tax-related revenue has continued to increase for Union County at a rate higher than expected.
Copy of ACCG map indicating TSPLOST counties and areas in Georgia.
Property owners in Union County experienced a tax increase of 17 percent last year, and they just received property revaluation notices from the tax commissioner’s office. Several experienced significant property value increases.
Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris remarked throughout last year’s tax increase process that the new property evaluations would result in the millage rate dropping this year. As a result, property owners should see their tax burden decrease.
Those wanting to lower their property values can make a case to the tax assessor’s office, but it doesn’t guarantee values will go down. Property owners have 45 days to appeal.
Paris addresses COVID-19 vaccine and county updates
Featured Stories March 26, 2021
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris ran an efficient meeting and covered several topics during the March 2021 meeting.
He reported that over 500 vaccine doses were administered at the last mass vaccine event but wasn’t sure if another mass vaccine day would occur. Also, Union County’s supply went from the Moderna to Pfizer vaccine. Over 7,000 first doses and 5,000 second doses have been given in Union County. Georgia opened the vaccine up to everyone 16 and older on Thursday.
A new restroom is coming to Meeks Park, and TVA is funding approximately $25,000 for the project. It is located next to the intended location for an amphitheater.
Union’s economy is still performing well despite the pandemic. Paris stated that all new restaurants appear to be full almost every night.
The county entered into an agreement with the Georgia Forestry Commission allowing for Union County Fire Department to use surplus Forestry equipment when fighting fires. It’s a five-year agreement that needed to be updated due to a change of leadership. Administrative fees are $100 per transaction for non-title property and $200 per transaction for titled property.
A bank account was opened with United Community Bank for SPLOST 5 which is scheduled to kick in either late April or early May.
Two grants were accepted from the Accountability Courts Supplemental State Funds for Enotah Mental Health Court in the amounts of $29,280 and $6,470.
The County meeting in April was rescheduled for Tuesday, April 20 at 6 p.m. at the courthouse.
Board of Elections Changes
Elizabeth “Libby” Stevens became the Board of Elections Chair for a term of February 1, 2021, to December 31, 2024. She was already serving on the board and Commissioner Paris picked her to keep some normalcy on the board with all the election issues currently going on in the state.
James Sterling Fitzgerald will be taking her spot on the board for the term of January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2023.
Carl Foutz was also appointed to the Board of Elections from January 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022. He is replacing Bill Parker.
Democrats appoint two members, and Republicans appoint two members. The Commission appoints the chairman.
Union County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report 2/7 – 2/14
Arrest Reports, Police & Government February 16, 2021
Arrest report provided by the Union County Sheriff’s Office with images. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-70) allows for FetchYourNews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Union County GA. Those arrests are posted on FetchYourNews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
Union County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report 1/25 – 1/31
Arrest Reports, Police & Government February 2, 2021
Arrest report provided by the Union County Sheriff’s Office with images. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-70) allows for FetchYourNews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Union County GA. Those arrests are posted on FetchYourNews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
Union County Sheriff’s Office Arrest Report 1/19 – 1/23
Arrest Reports, Police & Government January 27, 2021
Arrest report provided by the Union County Sheriff’s Office with images. The Georgia Open Records Act (O.C.G.A. 50-18-70) allows for FetchYourNews.com to obtain and post the arrest records of any and all individuals arrested in Union County GA. Those arrests are posted on FetchYourNews.com for viewing pleasure. Please remember that all individuals listed have been arrested and charged, however, they are presumed innocent until guilt has been proven in a court of law.
Union County hopes to vaccinate 1,000 in one day
Community January 22, 2021
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Friday marked the first mass COVID-19 vaccination event for Union County, judging from the full schedule, one could label it a success.
The department of public health (DPH) controls who is eligible to receive the vaccine and individuals must sign up through the DPH website – more specifically the District 2 website. However, as of Thursday, the appointments were at full capacity and existing stock is committed as the second dose for other patients.
People signing in to receive vaccines. Photo courtesy of Paris.
The state left it up to local health departments to administer the vaccines to people, which can be difficult in a small county. The people eligible to receive the vaccine greatly outnumber the nurses and DPH only allows a certain number of vaccines to each county. DPH is bringing on extra employees to help meet demand as well.
“They’re trying to do all the retirement villages, nursing homes, everything…most of our public safety personnel have already been given the opportunity to get their shot. Now that they’ve opened it up to 65 years and older, we’ve realized it’s going to take months and months to get these shots out at the rate they’re going,” Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris explained.
The COVID-19 vaccination set up inside the sports center. Photos courtesy of Union County EMA.
Fire Chief and EMA Director David Dyer and the local health department created the mass vaccination event at the new sports center.
“We’re experimenting with the logistics of making it all work,” Paris said. “We’ll have six or eight more that are going to be certified [to give shots.]”
The mass vaccination began at 8 a.m. and lasted until 8 p.m. 50 volunteers participated to help make the event a success.
“We can’t tell you when you’re going to be able to get the shot. We’re just going to the Gainesville office and saying give us as many shots as you can.”
The county has set up a link on their website to schedule an appointment for the vaccination event. They started with 150 shots on Monday and grew to 1,000 shots by Thursday.
“The way COVID-19 is spreading throughout the county…There’s no rhyme or reason to who gets it and who doesn’t,” Paris added, “It’s a serious thing, and we take it serious here at the county.”
Union County hopes to hold more mass vaccination events in the future for residents who want the shot – potentially for four consecutive weeks. However, continued vaccination events depend upon DPH sending additional medicine.
The rotary club, county employees, recreation department staff, EMA, and local health department staff all played vital roles in hosting the clinic.