Press Release Free Bird Southern Spring Water will make its official NASCAR Cup Series debut as the primary sponsor of Chase Briscoe's No. 19 Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing at Darlington Raceway on March 22, marking a major milestone for the fast-rising Southern beverage brand. The Darlington race marks the first time Free Bird will appear as the primary partner on Briscoe's car, launching a three-race primary sponsorship schedule during the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series seas

As spring arrives, Union County Fire and Rescue is reminding residents about the importance of safe outdoor burning practices to prevent wildfires. Each year, officials share guidance as more residents begin burning leaves and yard debris. While many of these fires are small and contained on private property, they can still raise concerns due to visible smoke. Fire officials say most are controlled burns and not cause for alarm, but proper precautions remain critical. Under G

Blue Ridge Mountain EMC is warning members about a phone scam reported by multiple customers involving fraudulent claims of unpaid balances. According to the utility, several members reported receiving calls from individuals claiming they owed money on their accounts. The callers allegedly instructed victims to visit a Dollar General store and purchase a specific form of payment. BRMEMC officials emphasized that the company does not conduct business in that manner and will ne

The Union County Sheriff’s Office is alerting residents that they may soon receive letters in the mail from the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association asking for support through a $25 membership. In a Facebook post, the sheriff’s office said the mailing is legitimate and supports programs that benefit all 159 sheriff’s offices across the state. According to the agency, money collected through memberships goes directly to the association to help fund training, education and other initi

Motorists traveling through Hiawassee should expect traffic changes Saturday morning as portions of U.S. Route 76 and Georgia State Route 288 will have lane closures for the Hiawassee Half Marathon and 5K. According to event organizers, one lane of SR 288 and US 76 will be closed during the race. Traffic cone placement will begin at 6 a.m., with official lane closures starting at 7 a.m. Roads will reopen on a rolling basis as runners clear the course, with all lanes expected

Photo from the UCFR Facebook page. Work continues on a new facility that will soon house the Union County 911 Dispatch Center, with officials reporting significant construction progress since the project began last year. According to a recent update from Union County Fire and Rescue, groundbreaking for the new building began in May 2025. In the months since, the structure has taken shape with the building now framed, exterior walls completed and the roof finished. Crews are c

The Towns Union Master Gardener Association is inviting the community to participate in a special observance honoring children lost in the Holocaust and supporting children affected by humanitarian crises today. The event, Remember the Children Observance Day, will take place Tuesday, March 10, at 3:30 p.m. at Lloyd’s Landing Park, 458 Azalia Drive. Attendees will gather at the Daffodil Project Garden, where a short program will include a brief history of the Daffodil Project

School officials say all students are safe after a Union County Schools bus was involved in a crash Monday morning on Murphy Highway. In a statement posted to social media, the school system said the bus was involved in an accident during the morning commute. Emergency medical services responded to the scene and evaluated the students as a precaution. According to the district, all students were checked by EMS at the scene and were later evaluated again by school nurses and c

Press Release Governor Brian P. Kemp today joined the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) in announcing the state has again made history by surpassing $60.2 billion in exports in calendar year 2025. This is a year-over-year increase of 12.7%, outperforming the national average of 5.6%. With goods going to 213 unique countries and territories, Georgia also ranked No. 7 for dollar value of total trade and No. 9 in the country for dollar value of exports. Georgia

If you’ve ever bought a large household appliance in North Carolina, you may have noticed a small $3 charge on your receipt—but not everyone knows what it’s for. The charge is called the White Goods Disposal Tax , a $3 fee applied to the purchase of certain major appliances from any North Carolina business. It doesn’t just apply to state residents—anyone buying an appliance from a retailer in North Carolina is required to pay it. The fee covers so-called “white goods,” a cate

Photo courtesy of the Union County Fire and Rescue Facebook page. UNION COUNTY, GA  — Firefighters Trey Wall and Conner Cook of the Union County Fire Department have successfully completed a 16-hour Interior Search and Rescue (ISAR) course, a rigorous training program designed to enhance skills in locating and rescuing victims from burning or smoke-filled structures. The course provided hands-on experience in search techniques, victim removal methods, fireground survival, tea

Photo from the Union County Fire & Rescue Facebook page. On February 26, Emergency Management Day at the Georgia Capitol highlighted the vital work of local and state emergency management professionals. Union County Emergency Management Agency (EMA) Director David Dyer and Deputy Director Brent Long joined staff from the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA) and emergency management directors from across the state for the annual recognition event. T

UNION COUNTY, Ga.  — The Union County (GA) Fire Department hosted the Union County Firewise Coalition meeting Tuesday, Feb. 25, at the department’s headquarters station. The meeting focused on continued efforts to promote Firewise communities across Union County, with an emphasis on sharing information about the Firewise program and encouraging wildfire prevention and preparedness. The Union County Firewise Coalition works to educate residents on reducing wildfire risks and s

(Photo from the UCSO Facebook page.) UNION COUNTY, Ga.  — The Union County Sheriff's Office is warning residents about an ongoing phone scam in which fraudsters are using the name of Sheriff Shawn Dyer to trick people into sending money or sharing personal information. According to the Sheriff’s Office, scammers are contacting community members and falsely claiming to be Sheriff Dyer or representatives of the department. The calls are designed to create fear and urgency, ofte

UNION COUNTY, GA —  Union County Fire and Rescue announced this week that it has received a supply of Narcan, a life-saving medication used to reverse opioid overdoses, thanks to the efforts of the Rotary Club of Union County Georgia. The Rotary Club secured a grant to purchase the Narcan, which was then distributed to local first responders across the county. Union County Fire and Rescue said the medication will not only help reduce harm caused by opioid use in the community

Hayesville, N.C.  — Families caring for children with mental health challenges now have a new local resource. A community support group called Daily Mental Challenges is launching this month in Hayesville to provide parents, grandparents, and caregivers with a safe space to share experiences, gain support, and access helpful information. The group is designed to assist families managing conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, autism, depression, oppositional defiant disorder, and s

Press Release The State of Georgia’s net tax collections in the month of January totaled $3.03 billion, for a decrease of $18.1 million, or 0.6%, compared to January 2025, when net tax collections totaled $3.05 billion for the month .  Year-to-date, net tax revenue collections through seven months totaled roughly $19.75 billion, for an increase of 345.6 million, or 1.8%, compared to FY 2025, when net tax collections totaled almost $19.41 billion. The changes within the follo

(Photo from the Blairsville PD Facebook Page ) Left, Police Chief Michael Baxter presents Assistant Chief Russell Walker a plaque of appreciation for 25 years of service. Baxter was also recognized for his 25 years of service. BLAIRSVILLE, Ga. — The Blairsville Police Department is celebrating a major milestone for two of its top leaders. Chief of Police Michael “Bear” Baxter and Assistant Chief Russell “Rusty” Walker recently reached 25 years of service with the City of Bla

The Union County–Blairsville Chamber of Commerce announced the return of The Big Dance, an annual fundraiser set to take place at the HARP Center on the campus of Young Harris College. The event will be held at the HARP Center at Young Harris College, bringing back a night of music, dancing and community celebration after a hiatus. Organizers say this year’s event will be larger than past editions, with an emphasis on both entertainment and philanthropy. Proceeds from The Big

As tax season arrives, Union County residents and businesses are being reminded they have an option to keep a portion of their Georgia state income taxes working closer to home — at no additional cost. On social media, Union County High School reminded that through the PEACH Education Tax Credit, taxpayers can redirect part of the state income taxes they already owe to support the Union County College & Career Academy instead of sending those dollars to Atlanta. Local officia