LATEST NEWS

The Swap Shop airs Monday-Friday from 8:30 am until 9:00 am on 93.1 FM and AM 630 WNEG. Our phone lines are open from 8:30 am until 9:00 am. The number to call is 706-886-1551. Fax items to 706-282-0189. Mail to Swap Shop, P.O. Box 1159, Toccoa, GA 30577. Please...

Rabun County Schools announce that Superintendent Dr. April Childers will be retiring from Rabun County Schools on September 30, 2024. Dr. Childers states, “After 30 years of dedicated service in education and five years of leading our remarkable school district, the time has come for me to embark on the next chapter of my life. This decision was not made lightly, but I am confident it is the right choice for me and my family. Serving as your superintendent has been the most rewarding experience of my professional career.” The Rabun County Board of Education is committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless transition. The district will be seeking input from the community, faculty, and staff throughout this process. If you would like to participate in the Community Input Survey for the Superintendent Selection Process, complete the survey below.

A great year is recognized for several of northern Georgia’s technical college students during the school year of 2023-2024. Seventeen North Georgia Technical College (NGTC) students were recently inducted into the National Technical Honor Society (NTHS) for the fall semester of 2023 and the spring semester of 2024. NTHS...

(Cleveland)- The City of Cleveland Police Department reports the following activities for the week ending June 11th, 2024. Officer responded to a two-vehicle accident on North Main Street at Helen Hwy. No injuries with minor damage to both vehicles. A citation was issued for following too close. Officer responded to...

Additional parking will be added at the Stephens County Historic Courthouse in time for the early voting for the November 5 General Election, which begins in October. Yesterday, Stephens County Commissioners approved moving forward with expanding the parking lot at the Historic Courthouse adjacent to West Tugalo Street. Currently, parking...

The Salvation Army of Toccoa’s food pantry is partnering with the Community Organized Relief Effort, or CORE Georgia, to provide a mobile health services drive providing free COVID-19 vaccinations tomorrow, June 13, at the Salvation Army Toccoa Service Center at 306 E. Franklin Street. The event will offer health services to the general public and target populations utilizing the Salvation Army Toccoa food pantry such as low-income and homeless populations. Mobile health services will be provided to eligible individuals including COVID-19 vaccinations and a $100 gift card.

Habersham County set its first public hearing for Monday, June 17, for the fiscal year 2025 budget with the clock ticking toward June 30. That hearing will take place at 6 p.m. on June 17 at…

Christian Cooper has found himself canoeing through the swamps of Louisiana and hiking a hundred miles through the dry heat of New Mexico. But most recently, Cooper found himself standing in front…

Several people in Rabun County took advantage of the first day of Early Voting in the runoff for sheriff, says Rabun County Elections Deputy Registrar Derik Pendrey. “Early Voting went well, we had 202 come in to vote with us on the first day of Early Voting.” Pendrey gives the time and dates for Early Voting. “Early Voting will be Monday through Friday this week, 9am to 5pm.” Only Republicans are eligible to vote in the runoff, adds Pendrey. “The Republican Party will be voting in this election. If you voted Democrat or Nonpartisan in May you’re not eligible to vote in this one.” If you did not vote at all in the May 21st Primary, you are still eligible to vote in the runoff for sheriff. Polls on June 18th for the runoff will be open from 7am to 7pm. All voting takes place at the Rabun County Voting Center, which is located at 184 South Main Street, Suite 102 in Clayton.

This week, the Rabun County Water and Sewer Authority (RCWSA) heard the May 2024 report from General Manager Brendan Thompson. “The May 2024 ending balance on RCWSA Operating Bank Account is $164,069.76. May 2024 Water System Total Billings: $ 336,848.45. May 2024 Wastewater System Total Billings: $ 204,222.24. May 2024 Water and Wastewater Total Billings: $ 541,070.69. May 2024 Accounts/Receivable (A/R’s) $ 391,270.15 as of 5-31-24. May 2024 Ninety-Two (92) Work Orders Completed. For the South Water System, Lake Rabun WTP pumped to distribution system volume for April 2024 was 27,539,000 gallons. Pumped to distribution system volume for May 2024 was 26,582,000 gallons; a decrease of 957,000 gallons or -3.5% from April 2024 to May 2024. Customers’ May 2024 meter readings were done May 23, 2024. Bills were sent out June 3, 2024. Seven new connections for the month of May 2024. Unaccounted for water volume for the month of May 2024 was 10.7%. For the North Water System, Little Tennessee WTP pumped to distribution system for April 2024 was 18,921,000 gallons. Pumped to distribution system volume for May 2024 was 19,633,000 gallons; an increase of 712,000 gallons or 3.8% from April 2024 to May 2024. Please note that the RCWSA’s Standard Operating Procedures has water from the LTWTP being brought to the Mountain City’s Distribution System and the City of Clayton Distribution System through the Control Valve. Meter Reading and Bills sent; same times as the South Water System. No new connections for the month of May 2024. Unaccounted for water volume for the month of May 2024 was 61.8%. Total Water System Unaccounted-For Volume Percentage for the month of May 2024 was 32.4%. At the Rabun County Water Reclamation Facilities and Collection Systems, regular preventive maintenance on motors and machinery. Completed Distribution and Collections Storage Facility at Stekoa Creek WRF. No new connections for the month of May 2024.” In addition, fire hydrant maintenance and valve exercising is ongoing system-wide.

The Sautee Nacoochee Center invites everyone to Simple Breakfast this Saturday, June 15 served from 8-10 a.m. This feast of pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice is free to all. Donations, which support the continuation of community breakfasts, are welcome. For more info, visit www.snca.org.

The Swap Shop airs Monday-Friday from 8:30 am until 9:00 am on 93.1 FM and AM 630 WNEG. Our phone lines are open from 8:30 am until 9:00 am. The number to call is 706-886-1551. Fax items to 706-282-0189. Mail to Swap Shop, P.O. Box 1159, Toccoa, GA 30577. Please...

A feral cat found near Westminster has been confirmed by DHEC as having tested positive for rabies. One person was exposed and has been referred to their health care provider. The stray cat, found near the Toccoa Highway and the Pickens Road, was sent to the DHEC Tuesday, June 4 and confirmed to have rabies the next day. If you believe you, someone you know, or your pets have come in contact with the cat, or another animal that potentially has rabies, please call DHEC in Anderson at 864/372-3270 during normal business hours or after hours and holidays 888/847-0902 (Select Option 2). Last year, four of 78 confirmed South Carolina rabies cases were in Oconee County.

The City of Baldwin approved its budget for fiscal year 2025 which included a salary increase for Chief Administrative Officer Emily Woodmaster. The budget was approved 3-2 with council members Joseph Satterfield and Maarten Venter voting no. This came after lengthy discussion of the millage rate increase that will come with the passage of the budget.

Last night in Westminster, a 4 to 3 vote decided that the mayor and the council may enroll in the state’s health insurance plan for employees – in spite of warnings about the high cost to the city’s budget and a cry that many Westminster senior citizens are struggling just to get by. A vote cast by Councilwoman Audrey Reese swung the tide in favor of the city’s elected leaders to qualify for “PEBA” – the South Carolina Public Employee Benefits Authority. Reese’s vote created tension with her fellow councilwoman Daby Snipes, who sits next to Reese. According to Snipes, it’s unfair to Westminster residents. Snipes alluded to comments by Judy Caywood, the leader of Westminster Seniors. If the vote had gone the other way, it would have excluded council members from what’s called a one-time irrevocable option. At present, only Mayor Ramey is covered, but there was no clear indication that any of the six council members will enroll. Ramey this morning issued the following clarifying comments to our original story. He said, “We did not vote to ‘opt in’ to the healthcare. Elected officials have already been eligible for years. ‘PEBA’ required a vote to either continue as we have been or to stop allowing elected officials to participate….Most council members have no desire or need to participate.” And, as for his participation, the mayor said, “I had to because my wife is enrolled through the school district and ‘PEBA’ would not allow her to cover me since I work for the city.”

There are many fascinating stories that come out of North Georgia. It’s rich history spans from the earliest Native American inhabitants to its days as a giant in the marble industry, the “mountain people,” moonshiners and revenuers, the first gold rush, and so many more!. Visitors to...