The GBI has arrested and charged Towns County Sheriff’s Office Major John McCoy with Theft by Deception, Violation of Oath of Office, and three counts of False Statements and Writings. In July of 2025, the GBI was requested by Enotah Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Joy Parks to investigate a theft allegation within the accountability court program. McCoy, a sworn law enforcement officer, was hired as a surveillance officer for the accountability court program. Part of

By: Spencer Mathis Director of Media & Communications Young Harris College Athletics is excited to announce four new inductees into our Athletic Hall of Fame: Randy Dunn (Athletic Director), Mikie Rowe (Men's Soccer), Kendra Parenteau (Women's Lacrosse), and Darby Stanford (Softball). Our four newest members of the YHC Athletics Hall of Fame will be inducted on Saturday, February 7, 2026. To register for the Hall of Fame Luncheon for our inductees, visit the links at the

The Towns County Food Pantry has announced details for its next food distribution, continuing its mission to support local residents with access to nourishing food. The food pantry distributes food on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. Eligibility is limited to individuals who live in Towns County. The next food distribution is scheduled for Wednesday, January 7, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The distribution will take place at 1294 Jack Dayton Circle in Young Harri

As the new year begins, the Towns County Sheriff’s Office has released an update outlining recent progress and developments within the agency, while also reaffirming its commitment to public safety and transparency. According to the sheriff’s office, officials are nearing the completion of their assumption of office processes and have made significant headway in recent weeks. Several pieces of agency-owned equipment that had been unaccounted for have now been returned. The sh

Runners complete the Lake Chatuge Recreation Area loop along the Hiawassee Half Marathon route. Lily Ponitz Director of Economic Development, City of Hiawassee Looking for a fitness goal to kick off healthy habits in 2026? Why not run or walk a scenic, local road race for a good cause. A brand-new event is coming to Hiawassee, Georgia on March 14, 2026, featuring a half marathon (13.1 miles) and a 5K (3.1 miles). The Hiawassee Half Marathon & 5K benefits Hikeawassee, a fr

As 2025 comes to a close, residents across North Georgia and Western North Carolina will have no shortage of ways to welcome the arrival of 2026. From lively parties and family-friendly attractions to faith-based gatherings, communities throughout the region are offering a variety of New Year’s Eve celebrations. In Murphy, North Carolina, Chevelles Restaurant & Bar 66, located at 66 Hiawassee Street, will ring in the new year with all-night karaoke and a crowd-pleasing food s

As talk of snow begins circulating on social media, Mountain Buzz Meteorologist Greg Majewski is urging residents to take long-range winter forecasts with a grain of salt. Majewski said he anticipated the early speculation and cautioned that any snow projections more than seven days out are largely conjecture and unlikely to hold as models update. According to Majewski, recent chatter stems from the European weather model, which has hinted at the possibility of snow across pa

TOWNS COUNTY — The Towns County Sheriff’s Office has issued a legal notice requiring the return of all county-owned property currently in the possession of any individual, setting a deadline of December 31, 2025. According to the notice, anyone holding property belonging to the Sheriff’s Office must return it during normal business hours. The notice applies to all county-issued items, including equipment, uniforms, badges, identification, keys, money, electronics, weapons, d

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