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Union County residents can sign up for free emergency text alerts through a service provided by the Union County Emergency Management Agency. The system, powered by Smart911, delivers notifications about severe weather and other emergencies directly to mobile phones. An example alert notifies recipients of a severe thunderstorm warning issued by the National Weather Service in Peachtree City, including the time the warning takes effect and expires. Residents can create a free

Mayor Tim Radford Press Release A planned firefighter training burn in downtown Murphy has been postponed by one week. The exercise, originally scheduled for Saturday, November 7, will now take place on Saturday, November 14, at the AgSouth Farm Credit office at 105 Hiwassee Street. AgSouth is making the existing building available to Tri-County Community College’s Public Safety Program for training before constructing a new office on the property. Fire departments and emerge

The most successful boys soccer season in Hayesville history ended Thursday night in Charlotte, as the Yellow Jackets fell 6-1 to No. 8 Bradford Prep in the second round of the NCHSAA 2A West playoffs. Bradford Prep (13-10-1) struck four times in the first half to take a 4-0 lead into the break, then added two more goals in the second half. Hayesville got on the board after halftime for its lone goal of the night. The loss closes the book on a milestone fall for the Yellow Ja

Participating merchants in downtown Blairsville will offer special sales, giveaways, treats and other promotions Friday and Saturday as the holiday shopping season begins. The event runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days, though shoppers are encouraged to check individual store hours. Organizers are promoting the weekend as a chance for residents and visitors to support local businesses while getting an early start on holiday purchases. Downtown Blairsville will feature festiv

Clay County Schools recognized outstanding leadership, teaching, and student creativity during recent Board of Education meetings, highlighting achievements that reflect the district’s commitment to excellence in rural education. Dr. Tiffany Clapsaddle and Mr. Stacey Overlin were both nominated to represent North Carolina in the National Rural Education Association’s 2026–2027 Principal Fellowship. Clapsaddle accepted the invitation and has begun the 12-month program, which b

The running track at Frank R. Long Memorial Stadium will close in December and stay closed into February while crews replace the field's artificial turf, a project that will shut down a popular walking and jogging spot for much of the winter. Clay County Schools Superintendent Melissa Godfrey said the project's notice to proceed is set for Nov. 16, and the first work at the stadium will likely be removal of the concrete curb around the field while the new turf is being manufa

The Union County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a phone scam in which callers spoof the number of the Union County Jail and try to extract money. Officials said they received multiple reports Wednesday morning of the scheme, which mirrors previous scams the agency has publicized. Scammers make the incoming call appear on caller ID as originating from the jail, then pressure victims for payments. The Sheriff’s Office does not solicit money by phone, accept bond or

Union County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Steve Bennett has been named Assistant Coordinator of the Year for traffic networks in Georgia. Bennett received the honor Oct. 22 at the annual Governor’s Challenge Awards and Banquet in Macon. The event recognizes law enforcement agencies and officers statewide for their work in traffic enforcement and education. Bennett has served as assistant coordinator of the Appalachian Trail Traffic Enforcement Network for several years. The networ

Capt. Jeff Fortenberry of the Union County Fire Department has completed required training and taken the state examination for the Certified Emergency Manager designation. Fortenberry completed specialized courses in disaster preparedness, emergency operations center functions, preliminary damage assessments, disaster recovery and hazardous materials contingency planning. The training prepares emergency management professionals to coordinate resources, assess community needs,

The Orlando Solar Bears defeated the Atlanta Gladiators 1-0 on Tuesday morning at Kia Center in the Solar Bears’ School Day Game. Orlando netminder Ryan Bednard recorded a 29 save shutout to lift the Solar Bears past the Gladiators in a physical morning matchup. Following their big 5-2 win over the Stingrays at North Charleston Coliseum on Sunday, the Gladiators got up early for a 10:30 AM game in Orlando in their first meeting with the Solar Bears this season. Atlanta entere

Roy Cooper becomes the first Democrat senator to represent North Carolina since, 2008. Staff Report Voters in Clay and Cherokee counties backed Republican candidates up and down the ballot Tuesday, even as Democrats captured North Carolina's biggest prizes — flipping a U.S. Senate seat and the mountains' own congressional district and sweeping the statewide judicial races. In the U.S. Senate race, former Gov. Roy Cooper defeated former Republican National Committee chairman M

Cherokee County Sheriff's Office Press Release On October 2, 2026, deputies with the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Division responded to a residence in the Town of Murphy to serve outstanding arrest warrants on William Duren. Duren was wanted on multiple misdemeanor, and felony warrants from Cherokee and Macon counties. While at the residence, deputies heard someone running inside. Several individuals exited the home, but Duren was not among them. After

Governor Brian Kemp today announced that the Georgia Department of Revenue (DOR) will begin distributing funds to local governments as part of the 2026 Homeowner Tax Relief Grant program this week, delivering property tax relief approved by the Governor and the Georgia General Assembly in the AFY2026 Budget. "Along with our partners in the General Assembly, we are delivering on our promise to make life more affordable for hardworking Georgians by providing needed relief for h

(Photo by Scott Terry) By: Chandler Davis Assistant Director of Athletics for Sports Communications Young Harris College women's soccer had six student-athletes recognized in the 2026 Conference Carolinas All-Conference selections, highlighted by one First Team selection, four Second Team honorees and one Third Team recipient. The recognition reflects another strong season for the Mountain Lions, who finished fourth in the conference standings and secured a spot in the Confer

Downtown Blairsville and Visit Blairsville GA are inviting the community to “eat, shop, and be merry” at the third annual Christmas Cookie Crawl. Tickets for the event go on sale October 30 and cost $20 per person. Only 225 tickets will be available. Each ticket includes 12-18 gourmet cookies and an exclusive event bag. More than 15 local merchants will participate, offering fresh-baked gourmet cookies to ticket holders. Participants can pick up a map, passport, and their exc

Towns County Schools Superintendent Dr. Darren Berrong announced Monday that he will retire effective May 31, 2027, after 12 years as superintendent and 26 years of total service to the district. The Towns County Board of Education on the same day unanimously named Mrs. Erica Chastain the sole finalist to succeed him. Chastain would begin the role June 1, 2027, pending final board approval. Under Georgia law, the board must allow a 14-day period for public input before it can

Western Carolina sophomore placekicker Bryan McCollum was today named the Southern Conference Special Teams Player of the Week after scoring nine points, including the game-winning field goal in Saturday’s 27-26 road win at Furman. McCollum, who also earned the honor on Sept. 21, claimed the third SoCon weekly award of his WCU career after earning the distinction following his collegiate debut at VMI a season ago. The SoCon's weekly honors are selected by the league office

Jaxon Prunty matched the game-high with 18 points and Jaeden Roberts added 17 as Western Carolina twice trimmed a second-half deficit to a single point, but North Carolina used a late surge to fend off the Catamounts 80-72 Monday night in the 2026-27 season opener at the Dean Smith Center. WCU twice closed within a point of the Tar Heels in the second half but could never seize the lead. Prunty sank a jumper in the paint at the 6:18 mark to pull the Catamounts back within t

(Photo by Travis Dockery) Freshman Brady Mendoza tracks down a pass just in time to keep it from a Bulldog defender. Hayesville scored early and late Monday, beating Albemarle 4-2 in the first round of the NCHSAA 2A West boys soccer playoffs at Frank R. Long Memorial Stadium — a record-setting win in the final event held at the stadium before the installation of new turf. The victory was the Yellow Jackets' 13th of the season, breaking the program's single-season wins record

Clay County Sheriff's Office Press Release On 10/30/26 around 5:00 PM Clay County Officer Donovan Burke responded to the Ingles parking lot in Hayesville after a report of a man passed out behind the steering wheel of a grey Ford F-150 pickup truck. Officer Burke located the truck and found Jessie Ray Guffey, 55 years of age from Hayesville, in the driver’s seat. While looking inside of the truck, Officer Burke noticed a long gun in the front passenger seat and an empty holst