Even though February’s cold grip still holds much of North Georgia and Western North Carolina — with snow on the ground in many areas — local gardeners are finding practical ways to prepare for the upcoming growing season. Winter’s chill may delay outdoor planting, but seasonal experts and extension services say there’s plenty that can be done now to lay the groundwork for a successful spring and summer garden. “February isn’t a time to put your tools away,” said a gardening

A powerful winter storm is set to impact north Georgia and nearby mountain areas this weekend, bringing snow, strong winds and dangerously cold temperatures to Towns, Union, Clay and Cherokee counties. The National Weather Service has issued a Winter Storm Warning for Union and Towns counties from 7 p.m. Friday until 1 a.m. Sunday. Forecasters say the system is expected to produce 2 to 4 inches of snow, with locally higher amounts possible, especially in higher elevations. Wi

A winter weather system is forecast to arrive in Union County over the weekend, bringing snow and dangerously cold temperatures, according to Union County Government officials. Snow accumulation is expected to begin after midnight and continue through Saturday afternoon. The Union County Road Department said it is prepared to deploy resources as needed to help keep roads passable and maintain travel access throughout the county. Officials said the greater concern is the extre

Angry Orange has recalled about 1.5 million units of its Enzyme Stain Removers after tests showed the products may contain harmful bacteria, federal safety officials announced. The recalled products can contain Pseudomonas aeruginosa , a bacterium commonly found in soil and water. While people with healthy immune systems are usually not affected, exposure can pose a serious infection risk for individuals with weakened immune systems, underlying lung conditions, or external me

(Photo by Art Miller) Members of the Union County Fire Department work to salvage a home. Firefighters responded early Monday to a structure fire in the Jonica Gap area that caused damage to a home but resulted in no injuries. Union County E911 received the call at approximately 3:15 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 26. The Union County Fire Department dispatched stations 1, 4 and 13, with both volunteer and career firefighters and apparatus responding. Upon arrival, crews found fire in

While parts of Clay, Cherokee, Towns and Union counties saw impacts from the weekend winter storm, the region largely avoided the worst of the system. Light snow and ice were reported in some higher elevations, along with slick road conditions late Saturday and early Sunday. However, accumulations were minimal for most communities, sparing the area from the heavier snowfall and widespread power outages seen elsewhere across the Southeast. Despite the limited storm impact, dan

Another surge of Arctic air could bring some of the coldest temperatures of the winter to North Georgia and Western North Carolina early next week, according to Mountain Buzz’s official meteorologist, Greg Majewski. Majewski said the American GFS weather model continues to indicate the potential for sub-zero temperatures in parts of the region on Tuesday, Jan. 27, following a storm system expected to move through over the weekend. “The American GFS continues to push out sub-z

A major winter storm is forecast to hit portions of North Georgia and Western North Carolina as soon as Friday night, with significant impacts possible through the weekend, according to the National Weather Service and regional meteorologists. Forecasters are warning of a complex system capable of producing snow, sleet, freezing rain and dangerous ice accumulations as Arctic air clashes with Gulf moisture.  Storm System Overview Meteorologists describe the approaching system

The Union County Fire Department has begun a new firefighter recruit class aimed at training volunteers to meet state and national standards for interior firefighting. According to Union County Fire and Rescue, Recruit Class 108 officially started Jan. 8 and is made up of Support Firefighters from volunteer stations across the county who are working to advance to the role of Suppression Firefighter. A recruit class is a formal Suppression Firefighter program that meets the re

Union County residents are being urged to prepare for potentially dangerous winter weather this weekend as meteorologists continue to monitor a system that could bring significant icing to the area. According to Union County officials, a consensus among multiple meteorologists over the past several days indicates the possibility of an ice storm developing late Saturday and continuing into Sunday. If the forecast holds, the storm could rival some of the most severe ice events

Spencer Mathis Director of Media & Communications Young Harris College is excited to announce transformative enhancements to its soccer and lacrosse venue, positioning it as one of the premier athletic facilities in Conference Carolinas. Beginning this winter, the Mountain Lions' home will undergo major upgrades that will elevate the experience for fans, student-athletes, and media alike.  The facility will proudly bear the name Art & Tammy Deas Stadium, honoring the generosi

A Union County man is in custody after investigators say they discovered illegal child sexual abuse material on his cellphone during a criminal investigation. According to a press release from the Union County Sheriff’s Office, deputies received an initial report involving Joshua Bowers on Wednesday, Jan. 7. Following that report, the sheriff’s office launched an independent criminal investigation led by a detective specially trained to handle crimes involving children. Inves

The Blairsville Police Department is warning residents about a phone scam in which callers falsely claim to be police officers and demand immediate payment for supposed outstanding warrants. According to the department, scammers have been contacting individuals while posing as Blairsville police officers, telling them they have active warrants and must pay right away to avoid arrest. Police say the callers may pressure victims to act quickly and request personal or financial

As the calendar turns and a new year begins, Union County Fire and Rescue is reflecting on 2025 as a year marked by significant growth, meaningful progress, and sobering challenges. Department leaders say the past year will be remembered as a period of expansion and strengthened operations. The volunteer ranks grew by 12 firefighters, bolstering staffing at volunteer stations across the county. At the same time, the career staff increased by six firefighters—two per shift—who

Union County Schools is celebrating strong attendance numbers districtwide, highlighting the commitment of students and families to showing up and staying engaged during the 2025–2026 school year. According to district data, Union County Schools currently boasts an average daily attendance (ADA) rate of 95 percent, a key indicator of student engagement and academic consistency. District leaders say the numbers reflect a collective effort to combat chronic absenteeism and keep

The Union County Sheriff’s Office has temporarily shut down its online inmate roster after discovering it was being used by scammers to target local families. According to the sheriff’s office, the inmate roster website was inactivated on Dec. 24, 2025, following multiple reports of citizens being defrauded. The roster previously allowed the public to view recent arrests at the Union County Jail. Officials said scammers were accessing the online roster to identify recently ar

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 Union County Sheriff’s Office is once again alerting residents about an ongoing phone scam in which callers impersonate law enforcement officers and threaten arrest over alleged missed jury duty. According to the Sheriff’s Office, scammers are contacting individuals and falsely claiming they failed to appear for jury duty. The caller then demands immediate payment of a fine, warning that an arrest will follow if the payment is not made right away. Authorities stress that

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