LATEST NEWS

The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia is reflecting on its many accomplishments in June. The Food Bank settled into its new Athens campus and greeted its first volunteer groups while stirring up excitement with cooking camps at its Teaching Kitchen in Rabun County. The Food Bank said it was a month packed with progress and community spirit.

Rabun County Schools reports that you can find school supply lists for the 2024-2025 school year at https://www.rabuncountyschools.org/resources/school-supplies-2024-2025.

Lack of rainfall in recent weeks has left much of Georgia under dry conditions, including the northeast part of the state. The latest map released by the U.S. Drought Monitor lists Hall, Forsyth, Barrow, Jackson, Banks, Habersham, Stephens and Rabun counties under "moderate drought" conditions. Moderate drought is also being recorded in parts of Gwinnett, Dawson, Lumpkin, White and Towns counties, with parts of those counties also falling under a lower level intensity labeled "abnormally dry."

Rabun County Public Safety is saddened to announce the passing of retired Lieutenant Jackie Watts of the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office. He passed away peacefully at his home with the family at his side on July 4, 2024. He served and protected first as a deputy and later as a Lieutenant for over 27 years. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. Please keep his family in your thoughts and prayers.

RABUN COUNTY, Ga. - Looking for a wild and wet adventure this summer? Rabun County has water-filled fun of all sorts, just a short drive away. With rivers, lakes, streams and waterfalls galore, you can beat the heat in so many different ways, without all the fuss of long lines and crowds.

You are invited to participate in the upcoming July meetings regarding the 2024 Rabun County Comprehensive Plan. Your input is greatly appreciated, and this is your opportunity to make your voice heard. Join the upcoming meetings to share your thoughts and help shape the future of our community.

The Rabun County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a felony theft by taking case in Dillard. On June 30, 2024, a deputy was dispatched to an address on Bald Mountain Road about a stolen vehicle. The victim stated that he woke up to find his 1998 Dodge Durango missing. The vehicle is valued at $5,500. He said he left the vehicle unlocked with the keys inside. The vehicle had numerous miscellaneous construction tools, a rifle, and his wallet inside as well. The vehicle has been entered into the Georgia Crime Information Database as stolen. The case has been turned over to the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division.

Deputies from the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office responded to two recent wrecks in the county where the vehicles rolled over. On June 24, 2024, at 8:30pm, a deputy was dispatched to Kelly’s Creek Road in Rabun Gap for a single-vehicle accident. The driver of a 2004 Ford F150 left the roadway, went up an embankment, and then the vehicle rolled over on its top. No one was injured in the wreck. On June 30, 2024, at 10:15pm, a deputy responded to Watkins Field Road in Clayton to a single-vehicle accident. While negotiating a curve, the driver of a 2009 Chevrolet Aveo exited the roadway, the vehicle spun, went up an embankment, and then rolled over onto its top. No one was injured in the wreck.

National Weather Service Meteorologist Doug Outlaw said June was a dry month in Rabun County. “In Rabun County, the trend during the month of June has been to become drier. The rainfall total for the month was 2.43 inches and most of that rainfall occurred in the first six days of June and then it kind of trailed off through the middle of June and just a little bit of rain towards the end. As far as the drought, the drought is becoming worse. Currently, at the end of the month of June, abnormally dry, which is the initial stage of drought was in effect for Rabun County.” Outlaw gives the high and low temperatures for June. “The month of June started off a little on the cool side with a low temperature on the first of June of 50 degrees and the high temperature on the first was 72. It got a little warmer through the middle of the month reaching 90 degrees and then the highest temperature for June was 93 degrees on June 26.” Totals may be different where you live, these totals were recorded at the radio stations on North Main Street in Clayton. To learn more about the weather, visit www.weather.gov.

Rabun County Sheriff’s Office Investigator Kevin Angell is leaving for the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Savannah. “So, I’ve accepted a position overseeing and managing the Savannah Region of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center’s Basic Law Enforcement Training Center. So, what that means is, I’ll take my PHD and I’ll get back to teaching, creating the next law enforcement officers that work even in this community.” Angell says he will miss Rabun County. “My last day here, sadly, will be July 12. I hate to leave this area. I’ve enjoyed the hiking. I’ve enjoyed the community and the people, but it goes back to really the training and the experience that I have and being able to help mold the next law enforcement officers that will serve right here in Rabun County.” Angell starts work at the Georgia Public Safety Training Center in Savannah on July 15. The Georgia Public Safety Training Center’s Basic Law Enforcement Training Center conducts the Basic Police Officer Training program, the Basic Jail Officer Training program, and selected advanced and specialized training courses. It is the state’s premier training facility for all state and local public safety-related units of government including police officers, firefighters, 911 operators, coroners, emergency management officers, rescue officers, jail officers, and other emergency service personnel.

The Toccoa Little League Baseball team ended their run in the district 7 tournament in Rabun County Monday night as they lost to Hart County 13-10. With the score tied at 5 after 2 innings, Toccoa took the lead with 3 runs in the top of the 3rd. But Hart regained the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth inning, scoring 5 runs on 3 hits to go ahead 11 to 10. Hart added 2 more runs on a home run by Easton Gay in the 5th inning. Hart pitcher Townes Anderson entered the game with 1 out in the 4th inning and shut Toccoa down—he had 8 strikeouts, 2 walks, and only gave up one hit.

North Georgia Credit Union (NGCU) was recently honored by the League of Southeastern Credit Unions & Affiliates as the 2023 “Credit Union of the Year” for the state of Georgia in the category for up to $500 million in assets. This marks the third time NGCU has received this title, having previously been recognized in 2020 and 2022. Financial institutions recognized as the LSCU Credit Union of the Year demonstrate the all-around best the industry has to offer. NGCU has accomplished outstanding achievements in the areas of daily operations, financial prowess, and community outreach. According to NGCU President/CEO Brian Akin, “It was a tremendous honor to accept this award on behalf of our great credit union. This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our talented employees and Board of Directors. It also challenges us to raise the bar higher in our pursuit of providing excellence to our members and the communities that we serve.” With more than $103 million in total assets and 11,800 members, NGCU offers a full range of products and services, including all types of loans, free checking, debit cards, direct deposit, payroll deduction, IRAs, share certificates, mobile and online banking with bill pay. Membership is open to anyone who lives or works in Stephens, Franklin, Hart, or Rabun County, along with the employees and family members of over 100 companies. For more information, visit www.ngcu.org.

Elbert County broke open a tight game with 8 runs in the top of the 3rd inning and defeated Toccoa 15-5 in four innings in the Little League district 7 12U tournament in Rabun County earlier today. Elbert County opened the game with 5 runs in the top of the...

The next WNEG Live Broadcast will be Saturday morning when the the Toccoa Little League Baseball (12 & under) team takes on Oglethorpe County at 11 a.m. in the District 7 Tournament at Rabun County Recreation Department in Tiger, hosted by Rabun County Little League. Airtime is approximately 10:50 a.m.

The Toccoa 12U All-Stars opened the Little League district 7 tournament in Rabun County with a win today defeating Oglethorpe County 6-4. Both teams were held hitless through 3 innings, but Toccoa broke through with 4 runs on 5 hits in the top of the 4th inning to take a 4-0 lead. Oglethorpe County scored 3 runs in the bottom of the inning to cut the lead to 4-3, but Toccoa extended the lead to 6-3 in the top of the 6th inning and held on for the victory.

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — As June ends, basketball teams across the area rush to finish summer practices. It was no different earlier this week when the North Hall and Rabun County girls met at North Hall to practice. North Hall coach Anna Claire Atha and Rabun County coach DeeDee Dillard agreed to grab the microphone for the first time in our Summer Mic'd Up Series.

A Clayton woman fell victim to a ticket scam. The Rabun County Sheriff’s Office reports on June 20, 2024, a deputy spoke to a woman about a scam. The woman said that her daughter recently sent money to someone via social media in exchange for Taylor Swift concert tickets that she never received. A post on TikTok advertised concert tickets for $1,000. The victim sent money to a PayPal account but when she did not receive the tickets and rechecked the account it was suspended. The victim’s banking company advised her they needed a police report to help her get the money back. The case has been forwarded to the Criminal Investigation Division.

The Rabun County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a felony theft by taking case in Tiger. On June 22, 2024, a deputy responded to Covecrest Camp on Falls Drive in reference to lost or stolen property. The victim said he left his Taylor Acoustic Guitar, valued at $2,500, in a case in the fellowship hall. When he went to retrieve it, it was missing. He searched the building and other parts of the property and asked campers and staff, but no one knew anything about the missing guitar. He requested a report for documentation purposes.

Rabun County Sheriff’s Office deputies worked four recent wrecks in the county. On June 23, 2024, at 5:20pm, deputies were dispatched to Sandy Ford Road where the driver of a 2008 Honda Pilot lost control while negotiating a curve, traveled onto the shoulder of the road, struck a tree, and rolled on its side. No one was injured in the accident. On June 24, 2024, at 4:45pm, deputies responded to a vehicle accident on Davis Gap Road. The driver of a 2020 Ram 4500 reacted to an oncoming pickup truck that was driving in the middle of the road and went off the road into a ditch. No one was injured in the accident. On June 25, 2024, at 2:05pm, deputies were dispatched to Persimmon Road for a two-vehicle accident. The driver of a 2020 Ford Transit failed to yield to the driver of a 1998 Ford F150. No one was seriously injured in the wreck. On June 25, 2024, at 8:20pm, a deputy responded to the area of East Wolf Creek Road and Lilac Lane in reference to a single-vehicle accident. The driver of a 2003 Lexus lost control while negotiating a curve and skidded across the road into a ditch. No one was injured in the accident.

Fireworks are synonymous with the 4th of July and many will be celebrating the country’s birthday with them. However, fireworks are dangerous. Rabun County Assistant Fire Chief Justin Upchurch offers these safety tips if you plan to celebrate the 4th of July with fireworks. “We encourage everybody to have a good time over the 4th of July weekend but you always have to be safe and we don’t want anybody hurt or worse. Some statistics about fireworks, they start an average of 18,500 fires per year including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires. These fires cause an average of 3 deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and $43 million in direct property damage in the U.S. every year. One thing that seems very harmless but can actually be of cause for concern with injuries is the sparklers. The tips of sparklers can get up to 1200 degrees, so we need to be very careful when we are letting children play with sparklers. Sparklers actually account for one-quarter of firework injuries every year. Never allow children to handle or ignite fireworks. Don’t wear loose clothing while using fireworks. Never light them indoors or near dry grass. Point the fireworks away from homes, brush, leaves, and flammable substances. Be sure other people are out of range before igniting the fireworks. In case something happens and the device doesn’t go off, don’t stand over it to investigate it, pour water over it, and then dispose of it. Always have a bucket of water or fire extinguisher nearby. Of course, if someone is injured or anything happens with a fire, call 911.” Please follow this safety advice about fireworks from the Rabun County Fire Department and have a safe 4th of July.