Friday, December 18, 2009
Saturday, December 12, 2009
MyCountyAlerts is adding three more counties
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
High Winds in Habersham
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Results are in for Clarkesville Runoff Election
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
MyCountyAlerts is on Storm Watch for Ida
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Regions Bank to close 121 Branches Company Wide
Evelyn Mitchell, a Regions spokeswoman, said the closings will take effect January 29 2010. It was not immediately clear how many other Georgia offices will be closed but some reports put the number at 16.
With the closing the company expects to realize future net cost saves of $21 million annually. Mitchell said employees at targeted branches will be relocated within the company.
The plans were announced as part of Regions third quarter earnings report.
"Regions is consolidating a total of 121 branches across its 1,900-branch footprint due to proximity to other locations or opportunity for performance improvement," according to the document. "These branches will be closed in early 2010 and will have minimal customer impact."
Story by BY DEAN DYER /WRWH
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Weather Watches in effect
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Habersham, White, and Dawson Counties Join in the Freeze WARNINGS
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
FLOOD WATCH ISSUED until Midnight Wednesday
Monday, September 28, 2009
Fake Check Scam Hits Company In Georgia
Consumers across the country have been receiving checks to do mystery shopping from a firm located in Atlanta, Georgia called High Country, Inc. This company, also known as High Country Outfitters, is a legitimate company, however, the offer and the checks are fake.
BBB received a call from this company’s bank asking us to alert consumers that since September 14, 2009, approximately 30 fraudulent checks are being presented on this company’s account each day.
Consumers are receiving fake checks in the mail after signing up online to do secret shopping, home remodeling and other various requests and are depositing these checks in banks across the United States.
Scams involving fake checks typically require the victim to deposit a check into their bank account then wire money back to the scammers. While the check may initially be deposited into the victim’s bank account—leading to a false sense of security—the fake check will ultimately be discovered within a couple weeks and the bank will take the funds out of the account. The victim of the scam is out whatever money they sent to the scammers and will be responsible for paying the bank back if their account is overdrawn.
Mystery Shopping Scam General Advice
The victim believes that they are going to earn a few hundred dollars by working for a company that provides mystery—or secret—shopping evaluations for businesses. The victim receives a letter in the mail along with evaluation forms, a check and detailed instructions. The victim is to deposit the check into their bank account, and then use the money to purchase items from specified stores and evaluate the customer service the rest of the money is theirs to keep for the work they did. Included in the list of stores to evaluate is Western Union or MoneyGram and the victim is told to wire as much as a couple thousand dollars back to their “employer” and rate their experience with the money wiring service.
BBB advises extreme caution when dealing with any company that sends a check and asks you to deposit the check in your account and then send them money. We know of no instance where the consumer actually made money and consider this to be a scam.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Nine counties added for FEMA public assistance including our Neighbor, Stephens County, three new counties gain individual assistance

ATLANTA - Georgia has received approval from the Federal Emergency Management (FEMA) to include three additional counties for individual assistance and nine counties for public assistance in the recent federal disaster declaration.
”The response to the recent floods in this state is inspiring,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “I want to thank Georgians for pulling together to help one another and FEMA for moving quickly and providing assistance.”
Residents and business owners in Bartow, Coweta, and Heard counties are now eligible for Individual Assistance which includes funding to help pay for temporary housing, home repairs and other serious disaster-related expenses. Low-interest loans from the U.S. Small Business Administration also will be available to help cover residential and business losses not fully compensated by insurance. The list of disaster declared counties for Individual Assistance now includes: Bartow, Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cherokee, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fulton, Gwinnett, Heard, Newton, Paulding, Rockdale, Stephens and Walker.
Those who sustained losses in these counties may apply for assistance by registering online at www.DisasterAssistance.gov or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or 1-800-462-7585 (TTY) for the hearing and speech impaired. The toll-free telephone numbers operate from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (local time) Monday through Sunday.
Carroll, Catoosa, Chattooga, Cobb, Douglas, Gwinnett, Paulding, Stephens and Walker counties are also now eligible for Public Assistance. This assistance provides funding on a cost-sharing basis to local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for the repair or replacement of damaged roads, dams, bridges, water treatment facilities, publicly-owned utilities and other types of infrastructure.
The federal declaration for public assistance also means that affected counties can apply to be part of a Hazard Mitigation Grant program, which provides assistance to state and local governments and eligible private nonprofit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards.
”The quick response from FEMA has been key to the state’s recovery efforts,” said Director Charley English of the Georgia Emergency Management Agency. “We will continue to work with federal officials to get help to additional areas struck by floodwaters.”
Governor Perdue made the request for a federal declaration after reviewing preliminary damage assessments across North Georgia earlier this week.
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Representative Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10) to Hold Town Meeting in Clarkesville, August 11, 2009

Representative Paul Broun, M.D. (GA-10) today announced that next week he will hold two health care town halls. On Monday, August 10 at 6:00 pm, Dr. Broun will host a town hall meeting at the Columbia County Board of Education. This will be an opportunity for constituents to share their questions and concerns on health care reform proposals under consideration in Washington. On Tuesday, August 11, Dr. Broun will host a second health care discussion, this one at North Georgia Technical College in Clarkesville at 6:00 pm.
“I believe that Congress can come together to develop a health care plan that will reduce costs and place you in charge of your own health care. But all ideas should be heard and any legislation that could change your health care should be crafted very carefully,” said Dr. Broun.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Monday, July 20, 2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Friday, July 10, 2009
Authorities Search for Suspects Wanted in Home-Invasion Murders of Parents of 16 Children - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Monday, July 6, 2009
South Carolina Police Say Man Killed in North Carolina is Spree Killer - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com
Taliban Says It Captured U.S. Soldier in Afghanistan - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News - FOXNews.com
Friday, July 3, 2009
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
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Elderly scam victim seeks to warn others
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Friday, June 19, 2009
Another Georgia Bank Taken over by the FDIC
MyCountyAlerts.Com Goes Live July 15th

CLARKEVILLE, GA. - www.MyCountyAlerts.Com goes live July 15, 2009 with all 5 Counties Habersham, White, Rabun, Dawson and Lumpkin Counties All Five Newspapers from those same counties will have their News Feed Live on the Site. Top Stories, Local Sports and The Obits will all be in One Site for Easy Access. MCA Systems has been working hard with NOAA in Greenville Spartanburg, SC. and Peach Tree City, GA to Automate the Weather Warning Systems into our Site. More things are to come as the Site Grows and More Counties are added. MCA System would like to Thank all of our Sponsors to Include "Little" Joe Hatfield of FIELDALE FARMS for his Gracious Donation and Support of the System.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Sunday, June 7, 2009
One Person Killed in Commerce Shooting
Updated: Sunday, 07 Jun 2009, 6:16 PM EDT
Published : Sunday, 07 Jun 2009, 6:02 PM EDT
- Edited By: Leigha Baugham | myfoxatlanta.com
COMMERCE, Ga. (MyFOX ATLANTA) - There was a shooting in Commerce Sunday, leaving one person killed. Police said the shooter was later wounded in a shootout with police.
Commerce police were called to a home on Troy Street. When officers arrived, shots were fired at them.
There was a brief standoff, and the shooter was shot by one of the officers. The man was transported to Grady Hospital.
The names of the shooting victim and the suspect had not been released as of Sunday evening.
Friday, June 5, 2009
FLOOD ADVISORY ISSUED until 7:15pm - June 5, 2009
FLOOD ADVISORY FOR... HABERSHAM COUNTY IN NORTHEAST GEORGIA... THIS INCLUDES THE CITY OF CLARKESVILLE.
Until 7:15pm
Thursday, June 4, 2009
FLASH FLOOD WATCH - Issued June 4, 2009
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Clarkesville declines annexation of county’s property

Tuesday, June 2, 2009 6:29 AM EDT
The Clarkesville City Council voted 4-1, with council member Bobby Webb opposed, Monday not to annex property purchased by Habersham County recently for a new judicial center.
Council member Franklin Brown made the motion not to annex the property, with council member Tina Evans providing the second.
The vote not to annex followed a failed motion by Webb to annex the property, located on Highway 17 (Toccoa Highway) at Hills Crossing Road.
See complete story in Friday’s edition of The Northeast Georgian.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
SAYING GOODBYE TO FAMILY, HELLO TO SERVICE
Tuesday, May 26, 2009 9:17 AM EDT
![]() |
| Special |
Cole and Jami Ivester of Turnerville say their goodbyes before he was deployed to Afghanistan last week. Ivester is the son of Steve and Brenda Ivester. Cole and Jami Ivester have an 11-month-old son, Lucas. Some 47,000 U.S. forces currently serve in Afghanistan, with 17,000 additional troops scheduled to arrive there. Meanwhile, NATO member countries and partners have more than 32,000 forces in country, U.S. Department of Defense documents show.
Habersham places 10 on All-Region soccer squads
By MARK TURNER
Thursday, May 21, 2009 2:50 PM EDT
![]() |
| MARK TURNER/Staff Habersham Central's Nolan Hemmer, No. 15, was named the 8-AAAA Player of the Year by the region coaches. Hemmer along with his brother Sawyer Hemmer, Newt Turk and Juan Vargas were selected to the First Team. |
Habersham Central is well represented on the 8-AAAA All-Region soccer team.
HCHS placed six players on the boys' squad while four players were picked for the girls' team. The All-Region squads are voted on by the boys' and girls' head coaches from 11 region schools.
The Raiders, who have won four consecutive 8-AAAA championships and advanced to the Class AAAA Sweet 16 this spring, had a region-high six players recognized.
Junior Nolan Hemmer, who led the team in scoring this spring, was picked as the league's Most Outstanding Player.
See the complete story in the Friday, May 22 edition of The Northeast Georgian.
Sunday, May 24, 2009

"Not only are the employees of the county affected, but the citizens as well," said Habersham County 9-1-1/Emergency Management Agency Director Lynn Smith.To read more of this story, pick up the May 22 edition of The Northeast Georgian.

To read more of this story, pick up the May 22 edition of The Northeast Georgian.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Two NE Ga. Chrysler dealerships on list to be closed
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
The company said its network is antiquated and has too many stores competing with each other. As a result, its dealerships in Cleveland and Clayton are among those on the chopping block.
Other Georgia dealerships included on Chrysler's closing list are Augusta, Calhoun, Claxton, Dalton, Decatur, Jackson, Milledgeville, two in Newnan, Savannah and Thomaston.
The automaker has about 3,200 dealers but says that's too many. It wants to have stronger, more profitable dealers with better facilities.
The dealers likely will have a right to appeal to get off the list. The move could have a devastating impact on cities across the U.S., costing jobs and tax revenue.
Meanwhile, GM is still keeping quiet on a Reuters report that it plans to eliminate 2,000 of its dealerships.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Georgia swine flu cases now at 8
BY THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Dr. Elizabeth Ford, head of the state Division of Public Health, said Wednesday the new cases are associated with a group of students from Eagle's Landing Christian Academy in McDonough.
None have been hospitalized. All were initially identified as students who traveled together on a field trip out of state. Officials could not confirm the destination of the trip.
Georgia officials say they are now able to confirm cases without the help of the Centers for Disease Control and prevention.
Ford said testing for swine flu will continue for hospitalized patients, but the department will use seasonal monitoring methods for all others.
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Updated: May 9, 2009 - 7:37pm - Body found confirmed to be of Missing Professor
ATHENS, Ga. – A professor wanted for killing his wife and two other people at a community theater two weeks ago was found dead in the north Georgia woods Saturday, his body covered in brush and dirt, officials said.
Two guns were found with the body of marketing professor George Zinkhan, who vanished after the April 25 shootings near the University of Georgia, said Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Joseph Lumpkin.
The guns matched those described by witnesses to the shootings, though police did not say how they believe Zinkhan died. Authorities hoped to have a cause of death by the end of Saturday.
Cadaver dogs found Zinkhan's body about 10 miles west of Athens in thick woods in Bogart, where he lived. Searchers — as many as 200 at one point — had been scouring the woods since his Jeep was found wrecked and abandoned in a ravine about a mile away a week ago.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation crime lab confirmed later Saturday that the body was Zinkhan.
Reached by phone at her home in Baltimore, his mother, Mary, said she was aware of the discovery.
"I've heard that news," she said. "I have nothing to say about it."
Zinkhan had been missing since police said he opened fire on a reunion for the Town & Gown Players, a local theater group.
He argued outside the theater with his wife, Marie Bruce, 47, a family law attorney who was serving as the group's president.
Police say he walked away briefly before returning with two handguns and killing her, along with Clemson University economist and actor Tom Tanner, 40, and Ben Teague, 63, a longtime theater group volunteer who was married to a popular UGA professor. Two other people were injured by bullet fragments.
Police at first said they had no motive for the shooting. The FBI said later friends and family indicated Bruce may have been considering a divorce.
Zinkhan was last seen dropping off his children, who were in the car during the shootings but weren't injured, with a neighbor. He said there was an emergency.
Bulletins were issued nationwide and authorities kept watch on airports in case Zinkhan tried to flee to Amsterdam, where he had taught part-time at a university since 2007. Federal authorities later revealed Zinkhan had an upcoming flight booked to Amsterdam, but the professor never showed up at the airport.
Zinkhan had been a professor in the university's Terry College of Business and had no disciplinary problems, school officials said. He had taught at UGA since the 1990s and was fired after the shootings.
"I express my sincerest condolences to the loved ones and friends of the victims of this tragedy," UGAPresident Michael Adams said. "Our hearts go out to each of them as they try to bring closure to and cope with the pain and sorrow these losses of life have caused them. May they ultimately find healing and peace."
Bob Covington, the neighbor who Zinkhan dropped his children off with after the shooting, called Saturday's discovery "another sad chapter to the story."
"For the community, the families, his kids and this neighborhood, this last chapter will provide some healing," Covington said. "It's been two weeks of people being on pins and needles, every time you see a police car. I think this will ease a lot of tension. People can get back to their lives and move on from this horrible tragedy."
___
Body Found Believe to be George Zinkhan
Law enforcement has reason to believe that human remains found near the scene where George Zinkhan's Jeep Liberty was discoverd are those of the missing UGA professor.
Saturday morning, cadaver dogs searching near the scene where George Zinkhan's Jeep Liberty was located last week discovered human remains. Law enforcement has reason to believe that the remains are those of George Zinkhan. The body is being taken to the GBI Crime Lab for positive identification.
Zinkhan's jeep was found in a ravine in a rural part of Athens-Clarke County just a few miles from his home. FOX 5 News was first to report that cadaver dogs were brought in on Friday to search the area. That search was unsuccessful yesterday but the canines were able to find a body Saturday.
Zinkhan is accused of shooting and killing three people including his wife at an Athens theater two weeks ago today. A nationwide manhunt has been underway for Zinkhan since that day.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
Second Case of the H1N1 Flu Confirmed in Henry County by the CDC

Updated: 4:36 pm EDT May 4, 2009
Possible Swine Flu Case Closes Henry Co. School

Updated: 12:40 pm EDT May 4, 2009
HENRY COUNTY, Ga. -- A possible case of swine closed a private school in Henry County on Monday until further notice.
An announcement on the Web site of the Eagle's Landing Christian Academy said the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the Henry County Health Department notified school officials that a middle school student may have a case of swine flu.
"This is a single suspected case that is not confirmed and is not cause for alarm," said Tim Dowdy, president of the school in the posting on the Web site.
Dowdy said the school is closed as the request of state officials "as a preventative measure."
He said the school will undergo a "deep-cleaning."
Sunday, May 3, 2009
May 3, 2009 - 6:55 am - MyCountyAlerts adds link to CDC

Friday, May 1, 2009
April 30, 2009 - 11:08pm - Two suspected cases that were sent to the CDC for confirmation of the virus.

One of the patients was being treated in Bremen and there was no word on where the other patient was receiving care.
State health officials already confirmed the first case of swine flu in Georgia. A 30-year-old Kentucky woman who had fallen ill during a trip to west Georgia.
The case was confirmed Thursday by the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Dr. Elizabeth Ford, head of Georgia's Division of Public Health, said at a news conference that the woman had traveled to Cancun, Mexico earlier this month. The people who were traveling with the woman to Mexico have tested negative for swine flu, Ford said.
Health officials refused to provide details about the woman's condition or say where she was being hospitalized. The LaGrange Daily News reported the woman was hospitalized with the West Georgia Medical System in LaGrange after being admitted on Sunday.
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Updated - April 30, 2009 - 3:01pm - Georgia Swine Flu Patient Was In Mexico

“Today’s confirmed case of the H1N1 flu in Georgia is a reason for precaution, not panic. I want to stress that it is an isolated case," said Gov. Sonny Perdue.
"The State of Georgia has worked diligently over the past several years to prepare for a situation like this, and we are partnering with local and federal officials to respond appropriately," Perdue said.
The patient, a 30-year-old female, is from Kentucky, but was visiting family members in LaGrange after returning from a trip to Cancun, Mexico on April 21. She has been hospitalized in LaGrange since April 26.
Mexico has been identified as the source of the swine flu outbreak.
Channel 2 Action News reporter Jeff Dore interviewed Jerry Fulks, CEO of West Georgia Medical System Hospital, live on Action News at Noon and Fulks said the patient was put into isolation on April 26 and was still there Thursday.
"The staff that works with her are using masks, gowns and other protection devices," said Fulks.
He said the hospital is not under quarantine.
"Our hospital is open; there has been no lockdown," Fulks said. "We continue to serve the needs of our patients."
Fulks said the patient's family in LaGrange has been checked and tested negative for swine flu.
Troup County health officials said Wednesday night during a public meeting that a sample from the patient was sent to the CDC for testing. The sample came back positive for swine flu.
The CDC lists cases of swine flu in at least 11 other states including Arizona, California, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New York, Ohio, South Carolina, and Texas.
In Alabama, officials shut down schools for about 31,000 students in Madison County because of two probable cases of swine flu.
Some schools also closed in California, Michigan and New York.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
April 29, 2009 - 5:52pm - World Health Organization raises pandemic alert to phase 5

World Health Organization raises pandemic alert to phase 5
Current level of influenza pandemic alert raised from phase 4 to 5
Based on assessment of all available information and following several expert consultations, Dr Margaret Chan, WHO's Director-General raised the current level of influenza pandemic alert from phase 4 to 5. She stated that all countries should immediately activate their pandemic preparedness plans. At this stage, effective and essential measures include heightened surveillance, early detection and treatment of cases, and infection control in all health facilities.
Swine influenza - update 5
29 April 2009 -- The situation continues to evolve rapidly. As of 18:00 GMT, 29 April 2009, nine countries have officially reported 148 cases of swine influenza A/H1N1 infection. The United States Government has reported 91 laboratory confirmed human cases, with one death. Mexico has reported 26 confirmed human cases of infection including seven deaths.
The following countries have reported laboratory confirmed cases with no deaths - Austria (1), Canada (13), Germany (3), Israel (2), New Zealand (3), Spain (4) and the United Kingdom (5).
Further information on the situation will be available on the WHO website on a regular basis.
WHO advises no restriction of regular travel or closure of borders. It is considered prudent for people who are ill to delay international travel and for people developing symptoms following international travel to seek medical attention, in line with guidance from national authorities.
There is also no risk of infection from this virus from consumption of well-cooked pork and pork products. Individuals are advised to wash hands thoroughly with soap and water on a regular basis and should seek medical attention if they develop any symptoms of influenza-like illness.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
LARRY LaPRADE ESTATE AUCTION
Monday, April 20, 2009
Habersham County 911 Over-the-Air System Back up
Habersham County 911 Over-the-Air System Down
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Friday, April 10, 2009
April 10, 2009 - A TORNADO WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 645 PM
NORTHERN HABERSHAM COUNTIES.
AT 600 PM EDT.NATL WEATHER SVC DOPPLER RADAR CONTINUED TO
INDICATE A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM CAPABLE OF PRODUCING A TORNADO. THIS
STORM WAS LOCATED NEAR BATESVILLE.OR ABOUT 9 MILES NO. OF
CLARKESVILLE.MOVING NE AT 35 MPH.
THE TORNADO WILL BE NEAR.
NACOOHE LAKE BY 610 PM EDT.
LAKEMONT & LAKE RABUN BY 615 PM EDT.
TIGER BY 620 PM EDT.
CLAYTON BY 625 PM EDT.
MTN CITY BY 630 PM EDT.
PINE MTN BY 645 PM EDT.
MOBILE HOMES & VEHICLES SHOULD BE ABANDONED FOR STURDIER SHELTER.
OTHERWISE.GO TO AN INTERIOR ROOM ON THE LOWEST LEVEL OF YOUR HOME
OR PLACE OF BUSINESS. MAKE SURE THERE ARE AS MANY WALLS & FLOORS
BETWEEN YOU & THE OUTSIDE AS POSSIBLE.
April 10, 2009 - TORNADO WATCH ISSUED AT 3:10pm
The NWS Storm Prediction Center has issued a
Tornado Watch for portions of
central and eastern Alabama
northern Georgia
far western North Carolina
Effective this Friday afternoon and evening from 340 PM until
1000 PM EDT.
...This is a particularly dangerous situation...
Destructive tornadoes...large hail to 3 inches in diameter...
thunderstorm wind gusts to 70 mph...and dangerous lightning are
possible in these areas.
The Tornado Watch area is approximately along and 70 statute
miles east and west of a line from 55 miles west northwest of
Asheville North Carolina to 30 miles southeast of Anniston
Alabama. For a complete depiction of the watch see the
associated watch outline update (wous64 kwns wou4).
Remember...a Tornado Watch means conditions are favorable for
tornadoes and severe thunderstorms in and close to the watch
area. Persons in these areas should be on the lookout for
threatening weather conditions and listen for later statements
and possible warnings.
Other watch information...continue...ww 131...ww 132...ww 133...
Discussion...intense mid/upper level system and associated jets will
continue to focus outbreak of supercells ewd across ww this evening.
Very favorable environment in place for large...damaging hail along
with potential for long-tracked/damaging tornadoes. Tornado threat
will be enhanced along and south of wedge surface front over GA/al
counties within ww.
Aviation...tornadoes and a few severe thunderstorms with hail
surface and aloft to 3 inches. Extreme turbulence and surface
wind gusts to 60 knots. A few cumulonimbi with maximum tops to
500. Mean storm motion vector 25040.
April 10, 2009 - The NWS has Issued a SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued a
* Severe Thunderstorm Warning for...
northern Habersham County in northeast Georgia
Rabun County in northeast Georgia
northwestern Oconee County in upstate South Carolina
* until 215 PM EDT
* at 134 PM EDT...National Weather Service Doppler radar indicated a
severe thunderstorm capable of producing nickel size hail. This
storm was located 8 miles northwest of Clarkesville...or about 5
miles south of Batesville...and was moving northeast at 45 mph.
* The severe thunderstorm will be near...
Batesville by 140 PM EDT...
nacoohe lake by 145 PM EDT...
Lake Rabun and Turnerville by 150 PM EDT...
Lakemont and Tallulah Falls by 155 PM EDT...
Clayton by 200 PM EDT...
although large hail to the size of nickels is the main threat with
this severe thunderstorm...brief damaging winds could also occur.
To report damaging winds...large hail...or flooding...through our
automated reporting system...call our toll f
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Bank Robbed in Commerce Georgia
Commerce Police Chief John Gaissert said it happened about 9:30 at the UCB branch on Homer Road.
Gaissert said the robber was a black man, 5'8"-5'10" tall, weighing 220-240 pounds, wearing a black sweatshirt and "what looked like gauze" over his face.
He said the suspect may have fled in a "red vehicle." Investigators are not sure of that, however, but witnesses told police they saw a red vehicle leaving the area around the bank at a high rate of speed about the time of the robbery, heading toward Commerce and there was no other information on the vehicle, such as make and model.
Gaissert said not one was injured in the holdup and the robber escaped with an undisclosed amount of money.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
April 2, 2009 - Wind Advisory in effect from midnight tonight to 6 PM EDT
...Wind Advisory in effect from midnight tonight to 6 PM EDT
Friday...
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued
a Wind Advisory...which is in effect from midnight tonight to
6 PM EDT Friday.
As a cold front crosses the area Friday morning...winds will
increase immediately along the front especially over the southern
Escarpment and south facing slopes. Behind the front...westerly
winds will become gusty on Friday. Winds across the North Carolina
and Georgia mountains will generally reach 15 to 25 mph with gusts
as high as 40 mph during the greatest period of mixing in the
afternoon. These winds combined with the wet ground conditions
caused by recent rainfall will create a situation favorable for
isolated trees and power lines to fall. Wind speeds and gusts will
diminish quickly after sunset across most of the mountains except
for locations in the northern mountains and Escarpment which will
hang on to some lingering wind gusts.
Precautionary/preparedness actions...
A Wind Advisory means that winds of 35 mph are expected. Winds
this strong can make driving difficult...especially for high
profile vehicles. Use extra caution.
Friday, March 20, 2009
FirstCity becomes the eighth Georgia-based bank to fail since the economy began sliding into crisis last August

SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Stockbridge, Ga.-based FirstCity Bank became the 18th U.S. bank failure of 2009 on Friday, as the effects of the credit crunch continue to ripple throughout the financial system.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. said in a statement that it will mail checks to FirstCity's insured depositors Monday morning, and that the failed bank's direct deposits from the federal government such as Social Security and Veterans' payments will be transferred to SunTrust Banks Inc. (STI:
SunTrust Banks Inc
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FirstCity had $297 million in assets and $278 million in deposits as of March 18, the FDIC said. It also had roughly $778,000 in deposits that exceeded the federal deposit insurance limit of $250,000.
FirstCity becomes the eighth Georgia-based bank to fail since the economy began sliding into crisis last August, according to FDIC data. The last Georgia bank to fail was Freedom Bank of Georgia on March 6, the FDIC said.
The FDIC estimated that the cost of FirstCity's failure to its deposit insurance fund is roughly $100 million.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
March 1, 2009 - 5:25pm - Winter Weather Advisory Alert

Alert: Rabun, Habersham, Stephens
...WINTER STORM TO AFFECT THE REGION THROUGH TONIGHT...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST
MONDAY...
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM EST
MONDAY.
RAIN WILL CHANGE OVER TO SNOW ACROSS THE MOUNTAINS OF NORTHEAST
GEORGIA AND THE GOLDEN CORNER OF UPSTATE SOUTH CAROLINA LATE THIS
AFTERNOON. THE SNOW WILL TAPER OFF A LITTLE BEFORE MIDNIGHT.
ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 3 INCHES ARE EXPECTED...WITH LOCALLY HIGHER
AMOUNTS ACROSS SOUTHERN PICKENS AND OCONEE COUNTIES.
THE COMBINATION OF SUSTAINED NORTHEAST WINDS OF 20 TO 30
MPH...SATURATED GROUND AND WET SNOW WILL DOWN NUMEROUS TREES
ACROSS THE REGION. THIS WILL BLOCK ROADS AND CAUSE POWER OUTAGES.
LATER TONIGHT...TEMPERATURES WILL FALL WELL BELOW FREEZING. WHILE
THE SNOW WILL LAY MOST DEEPLY ON GRASSY SURFACES...THE FREEZING
TEMPERATURES WILL RESULT IN BLACK ICE...WHICH WILL MAKE DRIVING
VERY DANGEROUS EVEN WHERE ROADS ARE NOT SNOW COVERED.
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.
Rabun, Habersham, Stephens
March 1, 2009 - 6:18am - Winter Weather Advisory Alert

.A STRONG UPPER LEVEL LOW WILL MOVE ACROSS THE DEEP SOUTH AND TO
THE CAROLINA COAST TODAY. THIS SYSTEM WILL SPREAD PRECIPITATION
ACROSS THE WESTERN CAROLINAS AND NORTHEAST GEORGIA...BEGINNING AS
RAIN THIS MORNING...AND THEN CHANGING OVER TO SNOW THIS AFTERNOON
AND EARLY THIS EVENING. THE PRECIPITATION SHOULD MOVE EAST OF THE
WESTERN PIEDMONT OF NORTH CAROLINA EARLY MONDAY MORNING.
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO 7 AM EST
MONDAY...
THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG HAS ISSUED
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW...WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM NOON
TODAY TO 7 AM EST MONDAY. THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN
EFFECT.
WIDESPREAD RAIN WILL REDEVELOP ACROSS NORTHEAST GEORGIA AND THE
WESTERN PART OF THE UPSTATE THIS MORNING...AND THEN MIX WITH AND
CHANGE TO SNOW AS THE AFTERNOON WEARS ON. THE MAIN BAND OF
PRECIPITATION WILL MOVE TO THE EAST OF THE REGION BY LATE
AFTERNOON WHICH WILL LIMIT THE POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT SNOW
ACCUMULATION. AT THE PRESENT TIME...THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR ONE
OR TWO INCHES OF SNOW...MAINLY ACROSS THE AREA FROM TOCCOA AND
FRANKLIN SPRINGS TO CLEMSON AND PICKENS. THE HIGHER ELEVATIONS OF
NORTHEAST GEORGIA MIGHT GET AN INCH OR LESS. HOWEVER...A BAND OF
HEAVY SNOW IS POSSIBLE ACROSS THE REGION TONIGHT. IF THIS HAPPENS
AS FAR WEST AS EXTREME NORTHEAST GEORGIA...THE ADVISORY MAY BE
UPGRADED.
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS AND LIMITED VISIBILITIES...AND USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.
Target Area:
Rabun, Habersham, Stephens, Franklin
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
February 11, 2009 - The NWS has ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WARNING UNTIL 7PM

Back to Summary
THE NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER HAS ISSUED A SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH UNTIL 10:00PM EST

High Wind Warning in effect from 7 am this morning to 6 am EST Thursday
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
High Wind Watch in Effect Feb. 11, 2009
Wednesday night...
The National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg has issued
a high wind watch...which is in effect from Wednesday morning
through late Wednesday night.
A cold front will move into the North Carolina mountains
Wednesday evening. Strong south winds of 25 to 40 mph...with
gusts up to 60 mph...are possible Wednesday afternoon and evening.
The area most at risk for damaging winds ahead of the front will
be the mountains of northeast Georgia...the mountains of the
western upstate South Carolina and the North Carolina mountains
along and south of the balsams.
Behind the front...the threat for damaging winds will shift to the
northern mountains...French Broad valley and far western foothills
of North Carolina.
A high wind watch means there is the potential for a hazardous
high wind event. Sustained winds of at least 40 mph...or gusts of
58 mph or stronger may occur. Continue to monitor the latest
forecasts.
Monday, January 19, 2009
January 19, 2008 - WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY

.WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO
12 PM EST TUESDAY.
GAZ010-017-018-026-028-029-
/O.NEW.KGSP.WW.Y.0007.
RABUN-HABERSHAM-STEPHENS-
PICKENS MOUNTAINS-GREATER OCONEE-GREATER PICKENS-ANDERSON-
ABBEVILLE-GREENWOOD-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF.CLAYTON.CLARKESVILLE.
HARTWELL.ELBERTON.ANDERSON.
452 AM EST MON JAN 19 2009
.WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO
12 PM EST TUESDAY.
THE NATL WEATHER SVC IN GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG HAS ISSUED
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW.WHICH IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM
THIS EVENING TO 12 PM EST TUESDAY.
A STRONG LOW PRESSURE CENTER WILL MOVE TO OUR SO. TONIGHT
PRODUCING WIDESPREAD PRECIPITATION. TEMPS WILL FALL TONIGHT
CAUSING THE RAIN TO CHANGE TO SNOW DURING THE EVENING. THE SNOW
WILL TAPER OFF TUES MORNING. BY THE TIME THE SNOW ENDS.SNOW
ACCUMULATIONS WILL BE AROUND AN INCH ACROSS MOST OF THE COUNTIES
ALONG THE SAVANNAH RIVER VALLEY. ACCUMULATIONS OF 1 TO 2 INCHES.
WITH ISOLATED HIGHER AMOUNTS ARE POSSIBLE OVER THE NORTHEAST
GA MTNS & THE OCONEE & PICKENS MOUNTAINS.
A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW MEANS THAT PERIODS OF SNOW
WILL CAUSE PRIMARILY TRAVEL DIFFICULTIES. BE PREPARED FOR SNOW
COVERED ROADS & LIMITED VISIBILITIES.& USE CAUTION WHILE
DRIVING.







