LATEST NEWS

A fatal wreck occurred Monday morning in Rabun County. The Georgia State Patrol reports the preliminary investigation found a Chevy Silverado was traveling east on GA 2 (U.S. 76). The driver of the Silverado, Edwin Eberly, 61, of Pickens, SC, was negotiating a curve and failed to maintain his lane. The Silverado traveled onto the south shoulder and struck a tree with its front. After impact, the vehicle came to an uncontrolled final rest facing east on the south roadside of GA 2 at the area of impact. One passenger was fatally injured in the crash and one passenger sustained no injuries in the crash.

A Georgia woman was airlifted to the hospital with serious injuries Tuesday night after falling into Tallulah Gorge. Local search and rescue teams responded to Inspiration Point on the north rim trail at 4:45 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 8, after receiving a 911 call of a female falling into the gorge. Department of Natural Resources Public Affairs Officer Mark McKinnon said the woman, who has not been identified, was found alive by rescue personnel in critical condition.

Child found dead in Macon County home

An arrest has now been made but details are still limited after the death of a child in Western North Carolina. The Macon County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home there, Sunday morning.

Rabun County has officially been accepted into the University of Georgia’s Connected Resilient Communities (CRC) program. Rick Story, President of Rabun County Chamber of Commerce and Director of Development for Forward Rabun, says as part of this, the community is being asked to do a survey. “This is great news, and my former colleagues down at UGA have asked me to convey their congratulations on being accepted into the 2024 Fall Cohort of the Connected Resilient Communities program. We’re so happy to partner with you and are excited to get started. UGA has asked us to do a community survey as we get started. I know we’ve already done several of these, and we’re already using the Archway structural model, so we’re “ahead of the curve” in many respects, and that’s a good thing! The start up survey is really designed to help the UGA staff become more familiar with our community, and it’s a very brief survey. They’ve sent us a link to the survey which I’ll include below, and we’ll send this out to our entire membership in an effort to get as much participation as possible, and also to include as many community perspectives as possible. So if you would, please take a moment to complete this survey. It’s very brief and your perspective is very important. Please complete the survey so we can benefit from your input.” The link to the community survey is https://forms.office.com/r/3ZF4Lrvivz.

A little black bear cub now has a chance at a new life after being rescued off the side of the road in Stephens County over the weekend. On Sunday, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office reported that deputies found the bear cub on the side of Highway 123 Sunday morning.

Rabun County Schools reports that the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) is pleased to announce the release of the Nita M. Lowey 21st Century Community Learning Centers (CCLC) FY26 Request for Application (RFA). The 21st CCLC program is authorized under Title IV, Part B of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). The purpose of the program is to provide opportunities for academic enrichment activities during non-school hours or periods such as after school or during summer recess, particularly for students who attend low-performing schools. The Rabun County School System is considering applying for the upcoming grant cycle to serve grades PK-6. This in no way guarantees approval. If you are interested in the possible development of this grant opportunity, learn more at https://www.facebook.com/RabunCountySchools/posts/1051688826958325?ref=embed_page.

CINCINNATI — A number of people from our area are stuck in Florida or trying to get out. Others are staying to help as the second hurricane in two weeks approaches. Casey Lane and her 11-year-old son Daniel, from Dillsboro, are in Daytona Beach after their vacation was cut short.

A Seneca woman, 33-year-old Brittany Sue Hoke, remains in the Oconee County Detention Center on a $11,552.50 surety bond after her weekend arrest during a burglary investigation. Deputies responded to a burglary in progress on S. Walnut Street late Saturday, where Hoke resisted arrest and provided false information. She was found in the home’s bathroom after refusing to leave when asked by the homeowners. Hoke faces charges of First Degree Burglary, Resisting Arrest, Breach of Peace, and Giving False Information. The investigation by the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is ongoing.

The Rabun County-Commerce game didn't dissapoint. There was almost 1,000 yards of combined offense, most of which came on the ground. However, The Tigers held off the Wildcats in the back-and-forth battle at Ray Lamb Field to highlight Week 8. Buford continued the train trip around the region, knocking off...

His name was immediately recognizable to most in the community – his warm smile and strong handshake perhaps even more so – and whether it was his status as a gridiron legend, or his reputation as one of the kindest, most generous men in this or any other county, Billy Shaw was an integral part of the culture and character of Toccoa/Stephens County.

SUBSCRIBE FOR ACCESS TO BLITZ EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ($5.99/month) We’ve got some major shuffle going on following an interesting Week Eight. Here are the new BLITZ Power Rankings!. Jefferson (RECORD: 5-2 / LAST RANK: #1 (N/A) Commerce (RECORD: 4-3 / LAST RANK: #4 (^2) Rabun County (RECORD: 5-2 / LAST...

A single-vehicle wreck on Ga. 197 South outside Clarkesville Friday afternoon resulted in no injuries. The wreck, between Raccoon Lane and Donald Cleveland Road, was reported at 3:51pm. Units from Clarkesville Fire Department, Habersham County Emergency Services, and Habersham County Sheriff’s Office responded initially, then fire and Emergency Services units were released due to no injuries to the driver. Ga. 197 was reduced to one lane initially, then shut down in both directions to allow towing operators to recover the overturned vehicle from the bottom of about a 15-foot embankment. The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office is investigating.

The City of Clayton is accepting donations for Asheville, NC, says Clayton City Manager Trudy Crunkleton. “We are collecting two things that they have asked specifically for: rubber boots and coats. We know we are going to be going into the winter season here before long and those requests have come out of North Carolina. We are collecting items here at City Hall. The drop off is very easy, it is right in our community room here and we do have plans for people to take the items up this coming weekend. So, all week long we’ll be collecting items and probably still into next week as we know this need is going to continue for months to come.” Clayton Police Chief Andy Strait says one of his officers recently led a convoy of local donations up there. “Rabun County Fire and EMS had a huge convoy that went up to Asheville Friday morning and they needed a police escort to get into the area because there are so many folks coming in and they want to make sure that law enforcement is present during those escorts. So, the Clayton Police Department volunteered to escort the convoy up and Sgt. Beck escorted them to Asheville and I believe he got back around 6:30pm Friday evening. So, it was an all day event. They carried a tractor-trailer load, a couple of enclosed trailers and several large U-Haul trucks that had everything from clothing to food to tools to cut trees and just anything that we could come up with to get up there to our neighbors to the north. We definitely keep our neighbors in our thoughts and prayers at all times. I just cannot imagine whole communities being devastated like that. Anything that we can do to help, that’s Americans helping Americans, that’s what we do.” Donations can be made between 8am to 5pm at Clayton City Hall, which is located at 837 Highway 76 West.

SUBSCRIBE FOR ACCESS TO BLITZ EXCLUSIVE CONTENT ($5.99/month) Throughout the football season, Habersham EMC powers our Linemen of the Week. This week’s winners are Commerce’s O-Line and Elijah Odom (Dawson County) for the DL. COMMERCE O-LINE. Commerce’s entire O-Line deserves the nod here. The unit paved the way...

The closure of the Stephens County Boys and Girls Club, announced last Friday in a press release to WNEG News, continues to garner concern and comment from citizens, and WNEG News is continuing to investigate the circumstances that led to the closure, and follow up on talk regarding potential future programs.

TL;DR – Siler Bald Hike from Wayah Gap via Appalachian Trail. Trailhead: Wayah Gap picnic area, near Franklin, NC. Difficulty: Moderate, easy enough for families/kids. Trail: Well-maintained, white-blazed Appalachian Trail (AT) Views: 360-degree panoramas from the grassy summit. Dog-Friendly: Yes, on a leash. Best For: Clear days for maximum...

The Oconee County Conservatives (OCC) announce with deep sorrow the passing of Roel Cruz, their President, on October 3, 2024. A U.S. Army veteran and dedicated patriot, Roel was a steadfast leader committed to conservative values and the principles of the OCC. His service extended to representing Oconee County on the Appalachian Council of Governments (ACOG), advocating for the county’s interests at the regional level. Under his leadership, the OCC grew in influence, achieving significant electoral victories, including a June primary sweep. Matthew Durham, OCC Board Chairman, expressed his sorrow, describing Roel as a trusted friend, a brother in faith, and an inspirational leader. The OCC Board extends its deepest condolences to the Cruz family and is committed to honoring Roel’s legacy by continuing his mission.

TOP-5 (WEEK EIGHT) 232 rush yds, 61 rec yds, 86 KR yds – 379 TOTAL YDS.

NORTH CAROLINA (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A groundswell of volunteer help from across North Carolina has become a large part of the recovery from the floods that came as a result of Tropical Storm Helene. Queen City News caught up with two volunteers.  One, a veterinarian from Marshville, has been offering his services for free […]