Officials are urging visitors to respect and protect Brasstown Bald, Georgia’s highest peak, following recent acts of vandalism at the popular site within the Chattahoochee–Oconee National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service emphasized in a public message that Brasstown Bald is a protected public space managed for everyone to enjoy. However, recent vandalism has damaged natural and built features, diverting valuable time and resources away from the site’s preservation and mainten

HIAWASSEE, Ga. — The Hiawassee Downtown Development Authority (DDA) is bringing a tropical vibe to the North Georgia mountains this summer with its 4th Annual Summer FUN-draiser on Saturday, July 18, 2026, at Anderson Music Hall. The evening event promises a full night of music, dancing, food trucks, a silent auction, and plenty of island-inspired fun. Headlining the night is the high-energy A1 Jimmy Buffett Tribute Show, celebrating the late singer-songwriter’s signature “Ma

Lily Ponitz Guest Writer The summer tradition of free music on the Hiawassee Town Square continues this Saturday with The Collins Family taking the stage at 6:30 PM. The Collins Family is a very musical family, playing at local venues and churches and competing in bluegrass competitions. Easton is the lead singer and can play any stringed instrument he picks up. Carson sings lead and harmony, plays the mandolin, guitar and a little on piano. Tennon sings and plays guitar and

Murphy, NC – Murphy Mayor Tim Radford announced that Braden Rumfelt’s free hometown concert, originally postponed, has been officially rescheduled for Thursday, June 11 at Konehete Veterans Park. The celebration will kick off with food trucks and merchandise sales beginning at 6 p.m., followed by the concert at 7 p.m. Residents and visitors are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to settle in for an evening of live music as the local American Idol alum returns home. “

Tyler Osborn Guest Writer The Towns County Historical Society is pleased to announce it has received a $10,000 matching grant from The 1772 Foundation, administered in partnership with the Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation, to support continued restoration work at the historic Berrong-Oakley House in downtown Hiawassee. The grant funds will be used to help restore the home’s exterior foundation from continued spalling and install drainage improvements along the house. T

Towns County, Ga. — Volunteers have made notable strides in recent weeks restoring the Berrong-Oakley House, a 121-year-old landmark that continues to showcase exceptional early 20th-century craftsmanship while adapting for future generations. A dedicated team focused on repairing a section of the porch ceiling damaged by a leak from the previous roof. During the work, crews discovered remarkably little rot in the structure—an encouraging sign of the home’s original quality a

Birds are voracious predators of garden pests. Many species consume hundreds of insects per day, especially during nesting season when they need protein to feed their young. This natural biological control reduces the need for chemical pesticides, which can harm beneficial insects and soil life. Birds also play roles in pollination and seed dispersal, and their droppings supply gentle, slow-release nutrients to the soil. By creating bird-friendly habitats—adding native plants

Young Harris, GA — The Towns County Sheriff’s Office is inviting upcoming 9th through 12th grade students to participate in its 2025 Summer Cadet Program, offering hands-on experience in law enforcement, first responder skills, and community service. The program, running on Mondays from June 8 through June 29, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, will be held at the Towns County Sheriff’s Office located at 4070 GA Highway 339, Young Harris, GA 30582. Under the theme “Learn. Lead. S

HIAWASSEE, Ga. — The Towns County Sheriff’s Office marked National Police Week by emphasizing ongoing growth, regional collaboration, and investments in the future of public safety, while announcing key leadership changes and new community initiatives. In a statement, Sheriff Coleman and agency leadership expressed sincere gratitude to Towns County citizens and community partners for their steadfast support of the men and women who serve the community daily. Community Support

Residents and visitors are invited to a free summer celebration on Thursday, June 11 at Cupid Falls Park. The event begins at 5:30 p.m. and will take place at the park’s new structure overlooking the falls. Attendees can enjoy ice cream, fellowship, and nature tours in the scenic outdoor setting. Cupid Falls Park, located in Young Harris, features wooded areas, trails, and the newly built overlook that provides views of the falls. The gathering offers a relaxed opportunity fo

North America’s only marsupial, the Virginia opossum (Didelphis virginiana), often gets a bad rap. With their rat-like tails, nocturnal habits, and occasional “playing dead” routine, many homeowners view them as pests. But the truth is far more impressive: opossums are gentle, beneficial neighbors that provide free ecosystem services. From tick control to cleanup duty, these quiet workers help keep yards, gardens, and forests healthier. Here’s why you might actually want them

Carpenter bees are large, robust insects that many homeowners mistake for bumblebees at first glance. But look closer: unlike the fuzzy, all-over-hairy bumblebee, carpenter bees have a distinctive shiny, hairless black abdomen (earning them the nickname “shiny hiney” bees). They are solitary bees, meaning they don’t live in hives or colonies. Instead, females do the heavy lifting—literally—by boring perfectly round holes about half an inch in diameter into untreated or weathe

Clover, often dismissed as a common "weed" in lawns, is a powerhouse plant from the legume family (Trifolium species) with far-reaching advantages. White clover (Trifolium repens) and red clover (Trifolium pratense) stand out as the most common types. From fixing nitrogen in the soil to supporting pollinators and offering potential health benefits, clover delivers value across agriculture, ecology, gardening, and wellness. Agricultural and Forage Benefits Farmers have long va

Honeysuckles (Lonicera species) enchant with their sweet, nectar-rich blooms and intoxicating fragrance. These climbing vines or shrubs appear in gardens, woodlands, and hedgerows worldwide. While not all parts suit consumption—berries of many species prove toxic—the flowers of several common varieties offer edible, medicinal, and practical applications. Identification and Safety First Focus primarily on the flowers of Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) and common/Europ

Elaine Williams & Joyce Frick clean the original kitchen area of the jail, where the Sheriff’s wife once prepared many meals for the inmates By: Tyler Osborn Towns County Historical Society President Members of the Towns County Historical Society have been hard at work preparing the Old Rock Jail Museum in downtown Hiawassee for its grand reopening and 90th anniversary celebration. The event is scheduled for Saturday, June 6, at 12 p.m. and will include guest speakers, mu

Lily Ponitz Guest Writer The summer tradition of free music on the Hiawassee Town Square returns for its 27th year on Saturday, May 23! Every Saturday at 6:30 PM a different musical act will entertain locals and visitors alike. The band on stage for the first week of the 2026 season is Two Weeks Notice. Two Weeks Notice is a six-piece band of seasoned musicians based in the North Georgia/Hayesville, NC area. They perform classic rock and country songs primarily from the 70’s

For centuries, Indigenous peoples of North America, including the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) and other tribes, cultivated corn, beans, and squash in a symbiotic system known as the "Three Sisters." This companion planting method is more than a gardening technique—it’s a brilliant example of ecological harmony that maximizes space, boosts yields, improves soil health, and provides a nutritionally balanced harvest. How the Three Sisters Work Together In this method, the plants ar

Beneath the clear, rushing waters of the Chattooga, Nantahala, and Watauga rivers lurks one of Appalachia’s most remarkable — and misunderstood — residents: the eastern hellbender (Cryptobranchus alleganiensis alleganiensis). These giant salamanders, which can grow longer than two feet and weigh several pounds, are North America’s largest amphibians and a living relic of the region’s pristine mountain streams. Often called “water dogs,” “snot otters,” or “devil dogs” by local

In the world of backyard homesteading, where predators like hawks, raccoons, and foxes pose constant threats to feathered flocks, an unexpected ally has emerged from the skies: the crow. Often viewed as noisy nuisances or omens of bad luck, these highly intelligent corvids are proving to be valuable protectors and helpers for chicken keepers across the country. Nature’s Neighborhood Watch Crows are renowned for their sharp minds and complex social behaviors. When they spot a.

In the quest for sustainable gardening, homeowners and plant enthusiasts are turning kitchen scraps into powerful plant food. One trending hack—banana peel water, sometimes called “banana tea”—is gaining popularity as a natural fertilizer that recycles waste while delivering key nutrients to vegetables, flowers, and houseplants. Why Banana Peels? Banana peels are rich in potassium (K), an essential macronutrient that supports strong root development, photosynthesis, water reg