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Friendship Elementary School experiences temporary lockdown Thursday

By
Jerry Neace
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(Hall County Schools)

Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) arrested a Dacula man who prompted school officials  to temporarily lockdown the exterior of Friendship Elementary School in Buford Thursday.

According to a press release issued by HCSO, Jhourdan Gibbs, 23, of Dacula was arrested by investigators at his residence in Dacula.

The incident unfolded around 8:45 a.m. when an unknown adult man, later identified as
Gibbs attempted to enter the front door of Friendship Elementary School.

According to HCSO, Gibbs first pulled on the door handle and then signaled for assistance via the outside intercom. He told a front office employee who answered the intercom he wanted to come inside to use the restroom. When the employee refused, Gibbs went to other exterior doors in an apparent attempt to enter the school building.

School employees immediately contacted law enforcement as the school was placed on an
external lockdown. Gibbs left the school property in his vehicle.

HCSO investigators were able to track Gibbs to his residence in Dacula with the assistance of camera footage from the school. After questioning him, investigators placed Gibbs under arrest.

He is charged with criminal trespass, loitering at a public school and disruption
of a public school, all misdemeanor offenses.

When the incident occurred Thursday morning, Principal Abigail Celli sent a message to parents informing them of the external lockdown.

According to the message, Celli told parents “At approximately 8:45 this morning, Friendship Elementary School went into an exterior lockdown because an unknown adult tried to enter the building.” She assured parents that all students were in their classrooms and were safe.

She told parents that law enforcement was contacted and were on campus at the time of her sending the message. Celli added that the individual had left the grounds and that officers verified that the scene was secured.

She praised students and faculty for doing an amazing job for quickly and calmly responding to the incident. “The safety of our Falcon family is always our number one priority,” Celli reassured parents.

Early Thursday afternoon, Hall County Schools Director of Communications and Athletics Stan Lewis confirmed the incident and said that the school was locked down for about 30 minutes.

As of Thursday afternoon, Gibbs remained in the Hall Detention Center.

Habersham School System seeks nominations for Lifetime Achievement Award

By
Staff Report
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The 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award recipient, Dr. Aaron Scott, with Doug Westmoreland, BOE Chairman, Dr. Jonathan Stribling, Principal HCHS, and Patrick Franklin, Assistant Superintendent. (Nora Almazan/Now Habersham)

Habersham County School System is accepting nominations the 2025 Habersham Central Lifetime Achievement Award.

Nominees must have received a diploma from Habersham Central between 1970 to 2000. The award will recognize an individual who has had significant impact within their profession at the local, state and/or national levels.

The selected recipient will be honored during the Class of 2025 graduation ceremony. A photo and professional biography of the recipient will later be displayed at Habersham Central.

Nomination forms are available at https://tinyurl.com/2u276ru2 or may be requested by contacting Dr. Martha Cantrell at 706-754-2110, ext 128 or at [email protected].

February 15 is the nomination deadline.

Hiawassee woman, alleged gang member rearrested in Towns County

By
Brian Wellmeier
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Ronald Shane Lowery and Christine Lynn Cardona are arrested in Towns County (Towns County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)

A Hiawassee woman and an alleged gang member have again been arrested in Towns County, according to authorities, after the two were booked on drug charges Sunday.

Police say the Towns County Sheriff’s Office received a call at 728 Twin Mountain Rd. on Sunday, Dec. 1, in reference to threats against a 14-year-old victim.

Upon arrival, an officer saw a man and a woman in a vehicle located on the property, according to a report of the incident. Approaching the vehicle, the officer allegedly detected a strong odor of marijuana.

Authorities say Ronald Shane Lowery, 38, of Hiawassee, “became irate” and immediately “resisted” deputies. Probable cause to search the vehicle was established, according to the report, and marijuana was allegedly found inside.

Lowery had previously been arrested on Nov. 22 for felony possession of methamphetamine and drug related-objects and was released on Dec. 1 on a $5,000 bond.

On Sunday, Lowery was charged with willful obstruction of law enforcement officers (two counts) and possession of marijuana less than one ounce.

The vehicle’s female occupant, Christine Lynn Cardona, 49, of Hiawassee, had been arrested with Lowery for similar charges on Nov. 22 before she was released on a $1,000 bond two days later, according to authorities.

Cardona also was arrested and charged with willful obstruction of law enforcement officers and possession of marijuana less than one ounce. Lowery and Cardona are being held at the Towns County Detention Center without bond.

Police say Lowery is a member of the GhostFace Gangsters, a violent white supremacist group.

Toccoa man arrested on drug charges in Stephens

By
Brian Wellmeier
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Photo of evidence police say was found on Charles Reed, 42 of Toccoa (Stephens County Sheriff's Office/Facebook)

A Toccoa man was arrested for drug possession after a November traffic stop in Stephens County, according to authorities.

On Wednesday, Nov. 27, a deputy with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office’s STING unit conducted a traffic stop on a red Dodge Ram 1500, which police say had no tag.

The vehicle driven by Charles Reed, 42 of Toccoa, had been stopped by officers near Rumsey Avenue when the deputy allegedly observed a THC vape pen “hidden next to the driver’s seat,” according to a report by police.

Reed and a passenger were removed from the vehicle as deputies searched the interior and the occupants. A deputy allegedly located drug-related objects on Reed’s person. Authorities say a search of the vehicle led officers to discover a black box containing suspected methamphetamine.

Reed was arrested and transported to the Stephens County Jail without incident. He’s been charged with two counts of possession of schedule I controlled substance, possession of drug-related objects and a tire violation.

Reed was released from the Stephens County Jail on Nov. 30 on a $22,000 bond, according to police.

Habersham’s Christmas parade comes through Cornelia tonight

By
Brian Wellmeier
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Habersham EMC lights up Clarkesville, and spirits, during in the Habersham County Christmas Parade on Thursday, December 7, 2023. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

Cornelia is hosting the annual Habersham County Christmas Parade this year.

The event will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5.

The parade will begin at Cornelia Elementary on Old Cleveland Road before the procession moves down North Main Street and ends at Clarkesville Road.

Route of Habersham’s Christmas parade through Cornelia (Cornelia Main Street/Facebook)

Expect traffic at areas along Clarkesville Road and Old Cleveland Road to be blocked, and North Main Street will be blocked off by 6:15 p.m. Delays and detours are expected.

Judge to rule soon in Fulton DA Willis fight against Georgia Senate panel subpoena

By
Stanley Dunlap
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On Aug. 14, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis unveiled a grand jury’s charges against former President Donald Trump and 18 others as part of a wide-ranging RICO case. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)

(Georgia Recorder) — A Fulton County judge is expected to rule in the coming weeks on whether a special state Senate investigations committee has the authority to compel Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to testify.

A debate over the subpoena powers of a Georgia legislative committee played out Tuesday during a three-hour hearing before Fulton County Superior Court Judge Shukura Ingram.

In September, Willis refused to appear before the Senate Special Committee on Investigations that is conducting an inquiry into her alleged misconduct. Instead, her attorney asked a judge to block the subpoena pending a ruling whether state lawmakers can force her to appear before their committee.

The bipartisan committee was formed by GOP Senate leadership in connection with Willis taking on the investigation that led to racketeering charges against former President Donald Trump and 18 of his allies for allegedly trying to overturn the 2020 presidential election in Georgia and several other swing states.

Republican state lawmakers trained their sights on Willis after a February court hearing made public that Willis had been in a romantic relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade, the attorney she hired to lead the probe.

Willis attorney and ex-Georgia Gov. Roy Barnes argued Tuesday that under Georgia law, both the House and Senate must agree by joint resolution or by statute that ethics committees have subpoena powers.

“They did that by statute, the General Assembly knows how to grant subpoena power committees, as it’s done so in the past, and the General Assembly and the framers of the Georgia constitution know how to distinguish between the General Assembly as a whole and an individual chamber such as the House and the Senate,” he said.

Barnes said there are good reasons why one chamber doesn’t have authority to unilaterally issue subpoenas against another public official or governing body. Furthermore, he argued Tuesday that the committee was seeking an overly broad amount of documentation and was intending to ask intrusive questions that exceeded its scope of authority.

“What if the Senate decided they were going to form a committee to investigate the House,” Barnes said. “Call the speaker, let’s subpoena him. Why are you not calling Senate bills up? That is ridiculous. And it’s the reason that the power has been kept from individual houses, and has to be devised by statute.”

The Fulton County election interference case against Trump took another detour last month after a Georgia Court of Appeals canceled a hearing set for Thursday to consider a petition from Trump and co-defendants who want to disqualify Willis due to her prior romantic relationship with Wade. The future of the case was placed in doubt after Trump won the Nov. 5 presidential election over Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris.

The special investigative committee will formally dissolve before the new legislative session begins in January. Its chairman, Sen. Bill Cowsert, a Republican from Athens, has suggested changes that would add new safeguards to what is now left to the discretion of state prosecutors when they appoint a special counsel.

Senate committee attorney Josh Belinfante said Tuesday that the Supreme Court of Georgia gives the Georgia Legislature broad powers to have its committees issue subpoenas. The committee is tasked with determining if there should be budgetary limitations on the hiring of special assistant district attorneys, he said.

“They’re not taking the position on whether the district’s attorney has done right or has done wrong, the Court of Appeals has that question,” Belinfante said. “The state Senate is entitled to investigate whether there is a need to reform practices, and it specifically identifies there’s state money that flows to district attorney’s offices.”

Christmas tree from Alaska, gingerbread Capitol sweeten the season in D.C.

By
Ashley Murray
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A replica of the U.S. Capitol made out of gingerbread, and featuring the official state flowers of all 50 states, is pictured on Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON (Georgia Recorder) — The holiday season kicked off on Capitol Hill this week with the official Christmas tree lighting ceremony and the unveiling of a gingerbread replica of the U.S. Capitol — complete with sugar flowers representing all 50 states.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana and the Alaska congressional delegation illuminated the 80-foot 2024 Capitol Christmas Tree on the West Front lawn Tuesday evening.

Sen. Dan Sullivan of Alaska said the tree “is a really good substitute to give you a sense of our majestic state.”

“Imagine tens of thousands of trees just like this blanketed in several feet of snow. It’s a magical place, it’s a magical time of year, and for us Alaskans, this is a slice of home right here in the capital,” Sullivan said.

The Sitka spruce, Alaska’s official state tree, was harvested on Oct. 19 from the Tongass National Forest on Zarembo Island.  A self-contained watering system built by local high school students kept the tree alive on its weeks-long journey to Washington, D.C.

Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska recounted for the ceremony crowd the tree’s 752-mile trip by sea and more than 4,000-mile truck ride through the lower 48 states. Murkowski and Sullivan praised the “masterful driving” by Teamster truckers Fred Austin and John Schank, who delivered the tree safely to the Capitol.

“You think about the logistics. This is a huge, massive tree. It did not come in parts that are assembled. So it (arrived) on one huge 80-foot-plus flatbed,” Murkowski said.

“You can’t get this thing around corners and do it easily,” Murkowski added.

Fourth-grader Rose Burke of Kenai, Alaska, who won Murkowski’s essay contest, read her piece of writing titled “Alaska’s Christmas Tree” before helping Johnson switch on scores of colored lights.

The tree is adorned with thousands of handmade ornaments created by Alaskan school students and community volunteers.  Historian and Teehitaan clan leader Mike Aak’wtaatseen Hoyt designed a logo for the tree featuring the Tlingit words “kayéil’, sagú and ka toowúk’é,” which means “peace, happiness, and joy” in English.

The tree will be lit from sundown to 11 p.m. Eastern every day through Jan. 1. The Capitol tree lighting ceremony began in 1964.

Gingerbread Capitol

Another holiday tradition is underway in the Cannon House Office Building. A gingerbread model of the U.S. Capitol was wheeled into the building’s rotunda Sunday. The 8th annual deliciously scented replica, themed “United in Bloom,” presents a snowy scene brightened by the official flowers from each of the 50 states.

Just over 350 flowers, crafted from sugar, stand out from the white fondant and icing snow. The flowers alone took more than 100 hours of labor by pastry chef Audrey Angeles, owner of the local Frost and Flourish Bakery and Patisserie.

The gingerbread model was constructed by a team of six culinary professionals led by Fred Johnson III, executive chef for Sodexo, the food service provider for the U.S. House, and a native of Norwalk, Ohio.

Johnson, who led a long and distinguished career cooking for U.S. military personnel and President Barack Obama, has baked and constructed the gingerbread replica since 2017. This year’s model is made of 125 pounds of gingerbread that Johnson baked in an oven on the Capitol complex grounds.

Johnson said his team of pastry chefs added roughly 30 pounds of fondant icing to decorate 365-degrees around the model, the first time the team has done so as the replica is usually displayed against a wall. Visitors will see a detailed fondant carousel and will again be able to spot pandas in the display — a nod to their return to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

“I think the success of this year’s model was allowing people to come up with their ideas and just do it,” Johnson said.

The team worked each Sunday for six weeks decorating and detailing the entirely edible model that features white candy cane pillars and Isomalt windows.

“The dome was the one thing that stressed me out in 2017,” Johnson said.

He’s since developed a system to mold the dome out of Rice Krispies Treats and form the gingerbread around it and cut the windows. Through a careful process of freezing, baking and peeling, Johnson can place the dome on top.

“I’ve got it down to a science now,” Johnson said.

The gingerbread Capitol will be on display throughout the holiday season.

HabCo Comm. approves animal shelter financing, gymnastics privatization

By
Jerry Neace
-
The Habersham County Commission discusses the animal shelter finance options during its called meeting Tuesday night. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

In a special called meeting on Tuesday evening, the Habersham County Commission made key decisions regarding the county’s animal shelter project and the future of the gymnastics program. After months of discussion and public input, commissioners voted to move forward with both the financing for a new animal shelter and the privatization of the county’s gymnastics program.

Shelter financing

The commission approved a financing plan for the county’s new animal shelter, with a focus on the Certificate of Participation (COPS) financing option. The decision came after extensive discussions over alternative options, including reactivating the Industrial Development Authority (IDA).

Finance Manager Tim Sims presented the commission with three potential financing schedules for the $6.85 million project: 10, 15, and 20-year terms. Sims recommended the COPS option based on consensus of the commission over the IDA, a now-dormant entity that would require legislative action to reactivate.

Sims explained the different annual payments for each term. The 10-year payment schedule would cost approximately $890,000 annually, while the 15-year term would reduce that amount to just over $660,000. The 20-year term would lower the annual payment further to about $550,000. Sims noted that the interest rate of 5.15% could decrease once the financing went to bid, saving the county money.

Commissioners had mixed opinions on the issue. Commissioner Bruce Harkness expressed concerns about the long-term cost, pointing out that although the 15- and 20-year terms offered lower annual payments, taxpayers would end up paying significantly more over the life of the loan.

Commissioner Bruce Palmer proposed reconsidering the IDA option to secure a lower interest rate, but County Attorney Donnie Hunt explained the challenges of reactivating the authority. After further discussion, the commission decided to proceed with the COPS financing option with an early payoff provision, which passed by a 3-2 vote. Commissioners Jimmy Tench and Palmer voted against the measure.

Gymnastics privatization

The second major decision of the night was the privatization of the county’s gymnastics program, a move prompted by feedback from citizens during the budget process. After an open request for proposals (RFP) that closed in late October, only one vendor submitted a bid to take over the program.

North Georgia Reigns Gymnastics, located in Cleveland, was the sole bidder. At a commission meeting last month, owner Neva Daniels expressed her willingness to take over the program, assuring the commission that it would remain affordable and uninterrupted for Habersham County families.

Finance Manager Tim Sims discusses the next steps for privatizing the gymnastics program. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

Sims presented the details of the proposal, which included a $25,000 offer to purchase all gymnastics equipment. If approved, Daniels would look to invest an additional $35,000 to upgrade both the facility and equipment. She would also assume responsibility for running the programs, with the goal of a smooth transition that would not disrupt the upcoming season.

The proposal also includes subleasing the gymnastics facility to the vendor for two years to keep costs of the program low. This strategy aims to keep program costs manageable while ensuring the vendor has the necessary resources to run the program effectively. Sims mentioned that the equipment was appraised at $197,000 by a gymnastics specialist.

Sims explained to the commission that at this point staff needed further guidance on keeping the program in-house or privatize it. If the commission moved forward with privatizing the program, there would be several things that needed to be negotiated with the vendor for a final contract. He stated that the price of the equipment, program fee caps, a timeline to take over the program, and subleasing the facility would be part of the contract.

The commission discussed whether to continue operating the program in-house or privatize it. After further deliberations, the commission voted to move forward with privatization, passing the measure with a 3-2 vote. Commissioners Tench and Palmer again dissented.

Next steps

Both decisions are expected to have significant impacts on the county’s finances and community programs. The animal shelter financing will move forward with the COPS option, while negotiations with the gymnastics vendor will continue to finalize the terms of the contract.

The financing and gymnastics privatization contracts will come back to the commission in the coming months for final approval.

Trump taps former Georgia U.S. Sen. Loeffler to lead Small Business Administration

By
Jill Nolin
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Former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler exits an Atlanta polling place in October while working as a poll monitor during the 2024 election. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)

(Georgia Recorder) — Former Georgia U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler has been announced as President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to lead the Small Business Administration.

Trump made the announcement Wednesday night on his social media site Truth Social, citing her business background and her help to “secure the Big Election Win in Georgia!”

“Kelly will bring her experience in business and Washington to reduce red tape, and unleash opportunity for our Small Businesses to grow, innovate, and thrive,” Trump wrote. “She will focus on ensuring that SBA is accountable to Taxpayers by cracking down on waste, fraud, and regulatory overreach.”

In a statement Wednesday, Loeffler said small businesses are the “beating heart of our economy and the gateway to the American Dream.”

“The America First Agenda will unleash a new era of growth and opportunity for job creators and innovators!” Loeffler said.

Loeffler, who is currently serving as co-chair of Trump’s inaugural committee, is one of his biggest donors and a staunch ally.

She was a business executive and co-owner of the Atlanta Dream WNBA team when she entered politics, and her husband is the CEO of the Atlanta-based Intercontinental Exchange, which owns the New York Stock Exchange.

But Loeffler wasn’t widely known in Georgia before Gov. Brian Kemp appointed her to the Senate in late 2019 to finish the term of Sen. Johnny Isakson. Kemp tapped Loeffler for the vacancy over Trump’s preferred choice to replace Isakson, ex-Congressman Doug Collins.

When Loeffler was on the ballot in 2020, Collins also ran for the seat in a crowded race that was ultimately won by now-Sen. Raphael Warnock in a nationally watched runoff.

Now, the former political rivals – Loeffler and Collins – could both serve in Trump’s cabinet. Collins is Trump’s pick to lead the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Since leaving office, Loeffler has channeled her energy into Greater Georgia, which she started in 2021 as an answer to the left’s voter engagement machine. The group focuses on registering voters, reaching out to minority groups traditionally overlooked by the GOP and educating people about Georgia’s election system. Greater Georgia announced last month that the group helped to register 7,000 new conservative voters and re-engaged over 4,000 inactive conservative voters ahead of this year’s presidential election.

Loeffler spoke to Buckhead Young Republican volunteers and Greater Georgia interns at a phone banking event in Buckhead in early October. (Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder)

During her year in the Senate, Loeffler was one of the wealthiest senators. Her stock trades during the pandemic drew intense criticism, though she was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing.

Loeffler was asked last month about the prospects of landing a cabinet position on the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, including whether she would take steps to avoid a conflict of interest.

“Of course, and I certainly did that in 2020,” Loeffler said. “Will it stop allegations? No, that’s just part and parcel – and now it’s a badge of honor – but I will always do the right thing. I will always over comply and be more conservative in any case, but I certainly don’t want to put the cart ahead of the horse.”

At the time, Loeffler was rumored to be a leading choice for secretary of agriculture. But Trump ultimately appointed Brooke Rollins of Texas, the president and CEO of the pro-Trump America First Policy Institute, to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

One of Loeffler’s final acts as a senator was to vote to certify the election results for the 2020 election. Loeffler, who had lost her election at that point, had said earlier that she planned to object to certification but reversed course after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

“I cannot now in good conscience object to the certification of these electors,” Loeffler said on the Senate floor at the time. She added that the violence that played out was “a direct attack on the very institution my objection was intended to protect.”

Commerce business reopens after damaging fire

By
Joy Purcell
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Fire interrupted the work day at Noviland International in Commerce on Nov. 3, 2024. (Banks County Fire and Emergency Services)

Employees at a wholesale furniture warehouse in Commerce returned to work Wednesday after a fire forced them from the building and shut down operations.

Banks County firefighters responded to the blaze at Noviland International at 100 Pottery Road around 12:46 p.m. on Tuesday, December 3.

Banks County Fire Chief Steve Nichols says crews arrived to find a large area of merchandise and outdoor furniture on fire. The fire was spreading to three buildings on either side of the main building and had already extended into each building.

Firefighters immediately deployed lines to stop the fire from spreading further into the buildings. They evacuated employees to a safe area. Crews used additional lines and ladder trucks to extinguish the flames.

(Banks County Fire and Emergency Services)
(Banks County Fire and Emergency Services)

While the fire was contained within the structures, all three buildings sustained moderate to heavy damage. The merchandise and outside inventory were destroyed.

Fire departments from Commerce, Bold Springs, Jackson County CI, and LACI provided mutual aid. Units remained on the scene for more than six hours.

The Banks County Fire Department and State Fire Marshal’s Office are investigating the cause of the fire.

We are NOW and we need YOU!

By
Joy Purcell
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Now Habersham Fundraiser 2024 Progress Bar

Now Habersham Fundraiser 2024 Progress Bar

Ten years. A decade. A tenth of a century. That’s how long Now Habersham has been bringing you the stories that matter most to Northeast Georgia. Since I launched this venture in 2014, we’ve covered thousands of stories impacting you, your friends, and your neighbors. This is our home, and we’re dedicated to telling its stories with care, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to truth.

My name is Joy Purcell, and I founded Now Habersham because I believe in the power of local journalism to connect and uplift our community. In today’s rapidly changing media landscape, local news often takes a backseat to national headlines. But our stories deserve to be told—by those who live here, understand our history, and share our hopes for the future. That’s where Now Habersham comes in.

We are Now and we tell our community’s stories through local eyes, offering insights and perspectives you won’t find anywhere else. Whether it’s reporting on local government, highlighting a neighbor’s inspiring journey, or providing critical information during emergencies, our mission is to keep you informed and engaged.

But we can’t do it without you.

Your support is essential to sustaining and growing Now Habersham. By contributing, you enable us to:

  • Expand our coverage to ensure every voice in our community is heard.
  • Hire more reporters who share our passion for Northeast Georgia.
  • Deliver the high-quality, independent journalism you deserve.

We refuse to charge for obituaries because we believe everyone deserves to have their story told.

We’ve made a conscious choice not to put our stories behind a paywall. Everyone deserves access to trustworthy, local news. That’s why we’re asking for your help. For as little as $7 a month, you can support our mission and enjoy ad-free stories for an even better experience.

Support Now Habersham

Your contribution makes a direct impact, helping us keep Northeast Georgia’s stories alive and vibrant. Together, we can ensure that our community continues to have a trusted source of news that reflects our shared values and aspirations, delivered directly to you in a timely manner.

Thank you for believing in the power of local journalism. Thank you for trusting us as your local news source. I promise we will continue to work hard every day to deserve your trust and serve you and this community with integrity and dedication. With your support, we can continue to serve Northeast Georgia for years to come.

Child airlifted to hospital after being hit by SUV

By
Joy Purcell
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File photo (Daniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com)

A 5-year-old girl was seriously injured when she was struck by a vehicle Tuesday afternoon in Franklin County, the Georgia State Patrol says.

The incident happened around 2:49 p.m. at a house on Carroll Church Road.

According to troopers, a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling in the driveway and hit the young girl. The driver, 58-year-old Kenneth Cash, told troopers he was unable to see the child before striking her.

Life Flight transported the girl to Prisma Health Care in Greenville, South Carolina. State troopers say she was able to speak with medical personnel.

Troopers from Post 52 in Hartwell investigated the crash with assistance from the State Patrol’s Specialized Collision Reconstruction Team. They say there is no indication the driver was impaired, and no charges have been filed.

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