By Tyler Osborn Guest Writer This September, the Towns County Historical Society is bringing together local history, literacy, and two women whose legacies share a common thread: a belief in the power of education. Through the “Books, Bricks & Butterflies” campaign, 25% of every donation made during September to the restoration of the historic Berrong-Oakley House will be donated to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library, helping provide free, age-appropriate books to children fr

A before and after pic show the progress being made on the Berron-Oakley House project. Press Release The Berrong-Oakley House has undergone a major transformation in recent weeks as work continues to preserve the historic Hiawassee landmark for future generations. Thanks to community donations and fundraising efforts led by the Towns County Historical Society, the home’s exterior restoration is now largely complete. One of the largest portions of the project involved restori

(Photo by City of Hiawassee) Community leaders, partners, and loved ones gather at the Paris Business Center to celebrate owners Ben and Shawna Collins of Grass Guitars and Brianna Moore of Moore Love at their joint ribbon-cutting ceremony. Lily Pontiz Guest Writer Hiawassee, GA – The Paris Business Center (PBC) proudly celebrated a major milestone on Friday, Aug. 28 with a joint ribbon-cutting ceremony for its business incubators, Grass Guitars and Moore Love. The event mark

Lily Ponitz Guest Writer The summer tradition of free music on the Hiawassee Town Square winds down this Saturday, September 5 with the final concert for the season. Band of Steel from the Woody Gap School in Blairsville will take the stage at 6:30 PM. This group of sixth to eleventh grade students performs an exciting and entertaining show of rock, pop, and Caribbean music using steel drums. Their repertoire includes hits from bands like The Who, Pat Benatar, Coldplay, Red H

Prices across extreme northeast Georgia and far-western North Carolina have settled into a narrower squeeze: cheaper they are not, but the pain is now concentrated at the pump and in a few grocery staples. Consumer prices in the South, the Bureau of Labor Statistics region that includes Georgia and North Carolina, rose 3.2 percent in the 12 months ending in July. That is up from 2.3 percent a year earlier and down from a 3.9 percent peak in May. There is no separate index for

HIAWASSEE, Ga. — The Hiawassee Police Department and Towns County Sheriff’s Office will join the Blue Knights for a Law Enforcement Memorial Ride on Saturday, Sept. 12, honoring two Towns County officers killed in the line of duty and raising money for Shop with a Cop programs. The ride will honor Sheriff Jay Vernon Chastain Sr., who was shot and killed during a traffic stop in Hiawassee on Dec. 8, 1974, and Deputy Sheriff James E. Taylor, who was struck and killed by a vehic

TOWNS COUNTY, Ga. — Suspended Towns County Sheriff Kenneth Henderson resigned from office Monday after accepting a negotiated plea deal in Towns County Superior Court that resolved criminal charges linked to a 2024 clash with another law enforcement officer and a separate transaction involving the sale of personal property to the sheriff’s office. Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney Frank Wood said Henderson entered guilty pleas to simple battery against a police o

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — Mountain Regional Library and Towns County Public Library are making it easier for residents to explore Georgia’s outdoors by offering state park passes for checkout. The ParkPass is a hanging tag that provides free parking at all of Georgia’s state parks and historic sites. The Historic Site Family Pass allows two free admissions to any of the state’s historic sites. Both passes circulate for seven days and may be renewed once, making them suitable for sh

Lily Ponitz Guest Writer The summer tradition of free music on the Hiawassee Town Square continues this Saturday, August 22 with Steve Vaclavic taking the stage at 6:30 PM. Deeply rooted in the Americana tradition, Steve Vaclavik has managed to create his own style of music. You take equal parts Americana, Country, Rock, and Folk, mix it all up and you get an eclectic format he likes to call "Twang-Rock." His music has been described as somewhat moody and at times lighthearte

Young Harris, Ga. — A heat advisory is in effect Monday for portions of northeast Georgia and western North Carolina as oppressive heat and humidity push heat index values into the triple digits. The National Weather Service office in Greenville-Spartanburg issued the advisory from noon to 8 p.m. EDT for parts of northeast Georgia, including Stephens, Franklin, Hart and Elbert counties, along with portions of the North Carolina Piedmont and Upstate South Carolina. Heat index

HIAWASSEE, Ga. — The Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority is seeking dedicated volunteers to join its board and help improve the city’s downtown. The authority is looking for owners or managers of downtown businesses, or residents of the city of Hiawassee, who are passionate about building community and ready to work as a team. Board members are expected to attend monthly meetings. “We’re looking for dedicated, passionate individuals who are ready to work as a team to imp

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — Residents of Young Harris are invited to share their ideas for the city’s future at two public meetings tied to the Towns County Comprehensive Plan. The meetings will be held at noon today, Aug. 12, and at 6:30 p.m. Aug. 25 in the Community Room at Young Harris City Hall. Officials are asking the public to attend either session to discuss the long-term direction of the city. A public survey is also available online so residents can submit input before the

Press Release The restoration of the historic Berrong-Oakley House in downtown Hiawassee continues to make steady progress, with crews spending the past several weeks focused on preserving one of the home’s defining architectural features, its original wood siding and architectural details. Workers have been washing, repairing, and preparing the exterior for paint as part of the ongoing restoration. Thanks to careful preservation efforts, roughly 99% of the home’s original s

Towns County Sheriff's Office Press Release In a coordinated effort to combat drug-related crime and to protect the community, the Towns County Sheriff's Office, in partnership with the Hiawassee Police Department and the joint S.C.O.U.T. Task Force, successfully conducted an operation today, July 31, 2026. This operation led to the arrest of two individuals facing serious charges, including: Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute Possession of Marijuana with

Towns County Corner Tamela Cooper stands with newly named Deputy Coroner, David Phillips. TOWNS COUNTY, Ga. — The Towns County Coroner’s Office has welcomed David Phillips as its newest deputy coroner. Phillips joined the office in July and completed basic coroner training earlier that month at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center. Officials say he brings a strong commitment to serving families with compassion, dignity, and respect during some of life’s most difficult mo

HIAWASSEE, Ga. — Officials overseeing Brasstown Bald are seeking public input on potential improvements to the visitor center and surrounding facilities at Georgia’s highest peak. The online survey invites feedback from both first-time visitors and those who return regularly. Responses will help guide updates to the visitor center, exhibits, accessibility features, trails and the overall visitor experience, while aiming to preserve what makes the site memorable. Brasstown Bal

TOWNS COUNTY, Ga. — Deputies and detention officers with the Towns County Sheriff’s Office recently completed certification training on the Axon TASER 10 system and hosted a Standardized Field Sobriety Testing course. The TASER 10 training included hands-on instruction, scenario-based exercises and de-escalation techniques. Officials said the training prepares personnel to use the device safely, effectively and responsibly when needed. Sheriff Anthony Coleman said the philoso

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. — Clay County Fire & Rescue provided mutual aid to Towns County Fire & Rescue for a commercial structure fire at Young Harris Water Sports that was reported about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday. Towns County crews found approximately 30% of the structure involved in fire upon their arrival. Clay County responded with two apparatus to shuttle water from the nearest hydrant to the scene. Clay County personnel also assisted with interior firefighting and exterior operations

Photo from the Georgia Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame Facebook page. HIAWASSEE, Ga. — Alan Kendall, a Hiawassee native and baritone vocalist for the Kingsmen Quartet, has been inducted into the Georgia Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame for his contributions to the genre. Kendall joined the legendary Kingsmen Quartet in August 2018. He has since expanded his role beyond singing to serve as the group’s emcee, arranger, promoter and occasional songwriter. Before joining the

Lily Ponitz Guest Writer The summer tradition of free music on the Hiawassee Town Square continues this Saturday, August 1 with Heather & James Duo taking the stage at 6:30 PM. Heather DeBellis, originally from Hiawassee Georgia, began performing at a young age in her hometown at the Town Square alongside her family. Now, she returns home with her duo, Heather and James, for a special performance at a venue close to her heart. Formed in Fernandina Beach, Heather DeBellis an