Photo from the Berrong-Oakley House Facebook Page. Staff Report Those in charge of the restoration of the Berrong-Oakley house in Towns County have announced the selected exterior paint colors for the historic Berrong-Oakley House, following an enthusiastic community survey. By an overwhelming margin, a winning color scheme has been chosen and officially approved by the project’s restoration committee. Community input played a central role in the decision-making process. “You

Photo from the Hiawassee Downtown Development Facebook Page. Staff Report Residents and visitors gathered on the Hiawassee Town Square on Tuesday night, December 16, to celebrate Chanukah with the lighting of a 12-foot-tall menorah, marking a festive and meaningful evening for the community. The annual event was hosted by Chabad Rural Georgia, which brings the Chanukah celebration to Hiawassee each year. Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to come together to observe the holida

Staff Report A community is rallying to support a Union County family after a deadly mobile home fire claimed the lives of two young children earlier this week. Union County Fire and Rescue confirmed that two children, believed to be ages three and six, died in a structure fire overnight on Sunday, Dec. 14 at Warren Trailer Park. Firefighters from all county stations responded and found a single-wide mobile home fully involved. The cause of the fire remains under investigatio

Photo from the City of Young Harris Facebook Page. Staff Report Children in Young Harris have a newly upgraded destination for fun and imaginative play. The city announced on Tuesday, December 9, that the installation of brand-new playground equipment at Mayor's Park is complete and the area is open for use. Located at 50 Irene Berry Drive, Young Harris, GA 30582, the popular community spot has received a significant refresh, transforming the play area into an exciting space

Lily Ponitz Guest Writer Young Harris College and the City of Hiawassee announced a collaboration designed to provide YHC students and area entrepreneurs new opportunities and resources via the Paris Business Center.   The Paris Business Center, located in Downtown Hiawassee, offers a hub for small business entrepreneurs in North Georgia, Western North Carolina, and Southeastern Tennessee. The PBC provides business development programs such as coaching, workshops, and network

Lily Ponitz Guest Writer Chabad of Rural Georgia will light a 12-foot public Hanukkah menorah at the Hiawassee Town Square, on Tuesday, December 16th, the 3rd night of the eight-day Festival of Lights, at 5:30pm. The community will be joined by elected officials and dignitaries. The event will feature hot latkes, donuts, festive vibes and more! Complimentary Hanukkah menorahs and candles will be distributed as well for participants to light at home. Rabbi Chaim Markovits, who

(Photo from the TCSO Facebook page.) Acting Sheriff Anthony Coleman awards an award to Casey Mulkey of Mulkey's Wrecker Service at the annual Christmas Parade. Towns County Sheriff's Office Press Release Over the past two weeks, the Towns County Sheriff's Office has remained hard at work as we continue the assumption

Mountain Buzz Staff Report According to Jeff Batten from WJRB/WJUL in Young Harris, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has issued an executive order directing the same three-person panel (two sheriffs and Attorney General Chris Carr) that previously recommended the suspension of Towns County Sheriff Ken Henderson to review him again, this time specifically because of his October 27, 2025 indictment on felony and misdemeanor charges. Key points: Henderson was already suspended with p

Towns County Deputy Andrew Brinson has officially completed his Georgia P.O.S.T. Mandate Academy requirements, marking a major milestone in his law enforcement career, according to an announcement from the Towns County Sheriff’s Office on Nov. 28. Brinson began his service with the department at the Towns County Detention Center, where he worked as a jailer. Officials said his strong work ethic and determination were evident from the beginning, making him a natural candidate

Mountain Buzz Staff Report As temperatures drop and residents turn to wood stoves, fireplaces, propane heaters and oil furnaces, safety officials are reminding homeowners about the invisible danger of carbon monoxide — a gas that can be deadly without warning. Carbon monoxide (CO) is produced when fuels such as wood, coal, propane, oil or natural gas burn incompletely. Because the gas has no color, smell or taste, people often do not realize it is present until they begin exp

The City of Young Harris will celebrate its 130th anniversary Monday evening, Dec. 5th with its annual Christmas tree lighting at Mayor’s Park. The event begins at 6 p.m. at 50 Irene Berry Drive and is free and open to the public, according to the city. Festivities will include live music, refreshments and a visit from Santa. City officials say the celebration offers residents a chance to ring in the holiday season while marking more than a century of Young Harris history. Th

Staff Report Mountain Buzz Towns County Interim Sheriff Anthony Coleman deputized members of the Hiawassee Police Department on Monday evening during the City of Hiawassee Council work session, marking a major step toward a more coordinated public safety presence in the community. As part of the ceremony, the two agencies also finalized and signed a mutual aid agreement. The agreement ensures that both departments can more easily assist one another across jurisdictional lines

Staff Report Mountain Buzz The Towns County Sheriff’s Office continued its commitment to progress and professionalism last week, announcing a series of initiatives designed to strengthen internal standards, reinforce accountability, and better serve the residents of Towns County. One of the most significant updates came with the modernization of the agency’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Policy. The new structure includes both pre-employment and random testing for every employee—f

Press Release The Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority and Paris Business Center invite the community to celebrate Small Business Saturday with a Shop & Sip on Saturday, November 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Hiawassee. This family-friendly event encourages residents and visitors to explore downtown’s unique shops, enjoy festive food and drinks, and discover the newly opened Paris Business Center at 73 N Main Street. Guests can pick up a shopping passport at any

YOUNG HARRIS - According to WJRB in Young Harris, Towns County Chief Deputy Gene Moss has officially retired after 47 years in law enforcement, saying this time it’s for good. Moss quietly submitted his resignation Wednesday, days after Superior Court Judge Joy Parks appointed Anthony Coleman, a retired Georgia State Patrol lieutenant, as interim sheriff following the suspension of Sheriff Ken Henderson. A Hayesville High School graduate, Moss previously served more than 30

HIAWASSEE, Ga. — Towns County residents are left with immediate uncertainty over local law enforcement and longer-term questions about oversight and public trust after Sheriff Kenneth “Ken” Henderson was suspended by the governor, indicted by a grand jury and booked on multiple charges stemming from a December 2024 confrontation at a shooting scene. Gov. Brian Kemp ordered a 60-day suspension of Henderson earlier this month while state authorities investigated the episode. Th

Pictured are Towns County Sheriff Ken Henderson, left, and Deputy Austin Bradburn. Both men were indicted by a Grand Jury on Monday, Oct. 27 in separate cases. HIAWASSEE, Ga. — The Towns County Sheriff’s Office was rocked Monday as a grand jury indicted suspended Sheriff Ken Henderson on seven criminal counts, including multiple charges of violating his oath of office and false imprisonment. The charges stem from a December 2024 incident in which Henderson placed Hiawassee P

HIAWASSEE, Ga.  — The Towns County Recreation Department has been named the Georgia Recreation and Parks Association (GRPA) District 7 Agency of the Year, recognizing the department’s outstanding service and community impact. The award was presented last week at the GRPA District 7 Banquet, where Recreation Director Stuart Nichols, Assistant Director Will Banister, and Athletic Coordinator Chris Cannon accepted the honor from District 7 Chairman Kirk Franz. “This award is com

HIAWASSEE, Ga. — Volunteers are encouraged to take part in MountainTrue’s 15th annual Lake Chatuge Shoreline Cleanup on Saturday, Nov. 1. The event will begin at 9 a.m. at the Towns County Swim Beach Pavilion, across from the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. Participants will receive cleanup assignments, bags, gloves, and safety information before heading out to their designated shoreline areas. Coffee and grab-and-go breakfast snacks will be provided, and the first 30 voluntee

HIAWASSEE, Ga. —  The Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority is inviting community members to help prepare the city for the Christmas season through its annual “Light Up Hiawassee” volunteer event. Volunteers can participate on three dates: Nov. 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Mayor’s Park, Nov. 15 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Hiawassee Town Square, and Nov. 21 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. The event aims to spread holiday cheer and beautify the city ahead of th