Banks County Sheriff’s Office responds to viral video of deputies’ comments during arrest

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April 8, 2025

Banks County vid — A video allegedly shows Banks County officers making disparaging remarks on camera (Cierra Cruce/Facebook)

The Banks County Sheriff’s Office is addressing public outcry following a viral video that appears to show deputies making inappropriate comments about a young boy during an arrest on Blacks Creek Road in late March.

The video, widely circulated on social media earlier this week, shows officers—some in uniform, others in civilian clothes—on the front porch of a residence making disparaging remarks. The Banks County Sheriff’s Office has since confirmed that the comments were directed toward a child.

According to a statement from the sheriff’s office, deputies were at the residence on March 25 to execute an arrest warrant. Footage captured by a home surveillance camera shows individuals referring to someone as “trashy” and comparing them to “the offspring of the banjo player in Deliverance,” a reference to the 1972 film known for its portrayal of backwoods violence in the North Georgia mountains.

In the video, a man can be heard saying, “Where’s the cameras at? Disconnect that damn thing. They don’t need to know what we’re doing.” Moments later, a man in civilian clothing removes the camera from its mount, ending the recording abruptly.

Cierra Cruce, who posted the footage online, claims the remarks were directed at a young male child. The sheriff’s office says efforts to reach Cruce have been unsuccessful, and she is believed to have left the area.

But Cruce has contacted Now Habersham to confirm her account of the incident. She said she’s still in the area, stating she hasn’t had communication with Banks County authorities because she “doesn’t trust them.”

In a Facebook statement released Tuesday, April 8, the Banks County Sheriff’s Office acknowledged the incident and said an administrative investigation into the conduct of the deputies is ongoing.

“The actual resident and parent of the child referred to in the video had no interest in filing a formal complaint against our personnel,” the statement reads. “Even though we have not been able to make contact with the original poster, the administrative investigation continued into the conduct of the deputies depicted in the video.”

The department emphasized its commitment to transparency and said policy violations are being addressed through internal disciplinary procedures. Details on what disciplinary actions were taken have not been released.

During the March 25 operation, authorities say two individuals were arrested for outstanding warrants and one on drug possession charges, with deputies allegedly finding methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia—including syringes—in the same room as a child and one of the suspects.

The investigation remains ongoing regarding other allegations, according to police.

“It was reported that there were two deceased infants on the property,” the sheriff’s office states in a release. “Our team promptly obtained an additional search warrant to investigate the feticide claims. The Sheriff’s Office is treating these investigations with the utmost seriousness. The feticide investigation is currently ongoing, as are the drug-related offense cases. The safety and well-being of our community is our top priority, and we are committed to thoroughly examining all intricate aspects of this case.”

District 51 senator talks 2025 legislative session, possible plans for higher office

By

Brian Wellmeier

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April 8, 2025

On Friday, April 4, the final day of Georgia’s legislative session, Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega) told Now Habersham at the Capitol that he feels this year’s session was a positive one for Georgians, specifically for investments made in certain areas while also maintaining fiscal conservatism in passing a $37 billion budget.

“A lot of good, conservative legislation has passed (this session),” Gooch said. “Of course, our biggest focus every year is the budget. We just finished putting the final touches on the budget … state funds will be spent primarily on public safety and education. We’re proud of the work we’ve done on that.”

The 2026 budget, which passed through both legislative chambers Friday, contains considerable funding for lists of measures addressing mental health, improvements to public school systems, money for public universities and for the Georgia Promise Scholarship – which, after being passed last year, aims to give families in failing school districts the option of sending children to private schools through a voucher program.

“We don’t have a lot of (failing schools) in North Georgia, but we do have a few,” Gooch said. “…there’s a few scattered here and there. But that’s a good (program) that we think is important for the future of our youth – to develop the workforce of tomorrow.”

When asked about other accomplishments, Gooch noted newly-implemented cuts to the state income tax as well as rebates to Georgians in the amount of $1 billion (up to a $500 per person) of surplus funds that will go back in the pockets of taxpayers.

Under the revised plan, the income tax rate would drop to 5.19% for this year, down from 5.39%, according to the Georgia Recorder.

Long-term, Gooch said he’d ultimately like to see the state income tax abolished altogether, favoring a consumption-based sales tax model that’s been adopted in states like Florida, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, South Dakota and Wyoming.

Sen. Steve Gooch interacts with a boy visiting Georgia’s State Capitol Friday, April 4 (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)

Pointing to $6 billion in damage caused in South Georgia by Hurricane Helene last year, Gooch emphasized the importance of new funding intended to bring relief to that part of the state – particularly to the hard-hit agriculture industry.

“It’s going to take years to recover some of the losses down there, especially the tree farmers – that will be generational losses,” he said. “Agriculture is our number one industry.”

Like his Republican colleagues, Gooch touted the passage of Senate Bill 1, which prohibits transgender females from participating in women’s sports, as a win for Georgia’s GOP lawmakers.

“We believe that boys should compete against boys, and girls should compete against girls, so that was a priority of the caucasus,” Gooch said. “So, we’re really excited about that.”

New initiatives to close disparities in literacy among children seen across the state also was a key effort, according to Gooch.

Georgia’s fourth-grade reading scores have consistently failed to meet proficiency goals set by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). The persistent gap in literacy achievement has raised concerns about the state’s education system and its ability to ensure young learners develop critical reading skills at key stages of their education.

About $30 million in funding in the 2026 budget served as a continuation of House Bill 538, passed two years ago, in striving to improve literacy among the youth.

“We want to continue to put focus and increased efforts on that to increase reading skills,” Gooch said.

Sen. Steve Gooch (R-Dahlonega) poses alongside the design of a new license plate, which he pushed for, expected to be offered to Georgians (Brian Wellmeier/NowHabersham.com)

Gooch expressed pride in unveiling a new “America First” license plate design, motivated by President Donald Trump’s campaign slogan.

Gooch also said there’s been significant progress in reforming election laws to restore voters’ confidence in the system, as well as other advancements in enhancing access to broadband in rural areas – which he said will continue to be seen in the coming years.

On a final note, Gooch said he’s not ruled out running for higher office – specifically lieutenant governor, if current Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones makes a bid for governor following the departure of Gov. Brian Kemp, who is in his second term as governor.

Now Habersham will have more from lawmakers regarding the 2025 legislative session in the coming days.

New parking policy in Clarkesville seeks to free up space

By

Brian Wellmeier

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April 8, 2025

default — Downtown Clarkesville (Daniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com)

Parking changes will be coming to downtown Clarkesville.

During a work session Monday, April 7, Clarkesville City Council approved a policy change spearheaded by Councilman Brad Coppedge that will apply to businesses and tenants parking on the square. As a downtown business and property owner, Councilwoman Angelia Kiker recused herself from Monday’s vote. Councilman Franklin Brown wasn’t present during the work session.

According to language in the policy, prior to receiving a business license, all 26 (plus future applicants) establishments on the downtown square must acknowledge that the 88 (on-square) spaces will be designated for “customers only,” with business owners, employees and tenants expected to park in any of the 500 (off-square) spots, from Monday-Saturday between the hours of 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

To enforce the new policy, three cameras in the amount of $9,000 will be installed on the square as city officials monitor vehicles parked for an extended period of time.

Surveillance footage, viewed by three monitors, will be stored in tandem during a 14-day window, with the latter seven days available directly in a city system and the former seven days of footage accessible in a digital cloud.

Repeated violators could likely be cited with fines ranging from $50-$100 for infractions after multiple warnings.

As written, the policy includes a provision that downtown “retailers” would be “required” to monitor and email violation information (via “pics, vehicle descriptions, etc.”) to city officials.

Clarkesville City Manager Keith Dickerson said he feels the new policy strikes the right balance in terms of freeing up parking space downtown.

“I think it’s not going to deter people from coming (to Clarkesville),” Dickerson said. “I think not restricting it helps us, and I think this puts it more on the owners…this is not to run anybody out. Our downtown is humming along right now. I think a lot of that is a testament to business owners that have enforced the current parking (test program).”

With each space on the square potentially generating an estimated $300 a year in retail sales, and the newly-opened The Hush restaurant bringing in more consumer traffic, Coppedge has maintained that an ordinance is necessary to ensure parking remains available for downtown businesses to thrive.

“The monitoring is strictly a function of what we agreed to originally – if the retailers saw something, they would report something,” Coppedge said during the work session. “Then, it’s up to the city to manage it from there.”

The camera system is expected to be installed in the next 30-60 days, according to Dickerson.

To address security concerns, Dickerson said the city has brightened illumination of the lighting in the off-square lots since February.

Dickerson said employees in fear of walking to their cars during evening or nighttime hours can call the Clarkesville Police Department for an escort at any time.

“I think we’ve done exactly what I hoped we would do,” Clarkesville Mayor Barrie Aycock said after Monday’s meeting. “We have made an ordinance that we hopefully can try to enforce, but it’s not to restrict. It’s just to try to manage and keep our parking available for customers.”

Clarkesville implements 60 day moratorium on development

By

Brian Wellmeier

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April 8, 2025

Clarkesville City Council discusses moratorium during a work session Monday, April 7 (Brian Wellmeier/nowhabersham.com)

In a unanimous vote during a work session on Monday, April 7, Clarkesville leaders approved a 60-day moratorium on new development citywide.

Councilman Franklin Brown was absent from the meeting, but the measure passed without opposition.

The temporary halt aims to give city officials time to reevaluate zoning regulations, with a focus on residential density and architectural standards. Currently, Clarkesville allows for about 4 to 10 housing units per acre, though officials are considering reducing that threshold.

“(Growth) is going to happen all around us…I wouldn’t have any problem dropping (density) down,” Clarkesville City Manager Keith Dickerson said.

When Dickerson added that a “facade review” – the ability to reassess the visual appeal of proposed residential developments – is needed in Clarkesville, council members agreed.

“Absolutely,” Mayor Barrie Aycock said. “There is a lot of chatter about new construction that’s going up – which people feel is not worthy of our neighborhood.”

Councilwoman Angelia Kicker, who proposed the moratorium, said the move would lend the city time to revise aspects of growth and development in Clarkesville. “We have to have a moment to reevaluate and get these things right,” she said.

After the meeting, Dickerson, who described the city more as a retirement community, said an overall reappraisal of Clarkesville’s identity is essential moving forward.

“We need to own who we are,” Dickerson said. “We’re going to be a town of 2,400 people, and that’s probably what we should be. Unless (council) wants to grow, but I can tell you, going from 2,400 to 30,000 is real ugly.”

“That’s not what Clarkesville is,” Kiker replied, referring to the prospect of immense population growth. “I don’t know anybody that wants Clarkesville to be that. That’s not what they want to be.”

A study on zoning and density will be conducted during the moratorium, which could be extended as needed. Meanwhile, previously approved developments will move forward, but new applications will be on hold.

“We don’t want to turn into a neighborhood full of a bunch of 800 square-foot homes,” Dickerson said. “…we’ve got some potential for 200-300 homes, trying to go on a road where two people can barely pass each other, and there’s no right-of-way – or really no way to enlarge those roads because of the way the setbacks are.”

IRS to share immigrants’ tax info with DHS

By

Ariana Figueroa

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April 8, 2025

WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) — The IRS and Department of Homeland Security reached an agreement Monday to share tax information of immigrants who have final orders of removal to help immigration agents find and deport the immigrants, according to documents filed in court.

No information between the two agencies has been shared yet, according to the filings in federal court in the District of Columbia, but the partnership would impact more than 1 million immigrants with final removal orders, as the Trump administration carries out mass deportations of immigrants without permanent legal status.

According to a memorandum of understanding signed by Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and submitted to the court, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials can ask the IRS to provide information about immigrants with orders of removal or immigrants involved in criminal investigations.

Some of that tax information includes sensitive details such as current addresses and information about child tax dependents.

It would be the first time the IRS shared sensitive tax information to carry out immigration enforcement.

In 2023, immigrants in the country without legal authority paid more than $89 billion in taxes, according to the left-leaning think tank the American Immigration Council.

In order to file taxes without a social security number, someone who is not a U.S. citizen would use an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, or an ITIN. As of 2022, there were more than 5.8 million active ITINs, according to a report by the Treasury Department Inspect General.

Groups challenging information sharing

The government filed the document in a case brought by immigration rights groups the Centro de Trabajadores Unidos and Immigrant Solidarity DuPage. The groups are trying to block the IRS from sharing tax records with DHS for immigration enforcement, arguing that such sharing violates IRS disclosure laws.

The Trump administration moved Monday to dismiss the suit in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, arguing that “providing information to assist criminal investigations—is lawful.”

A hearing on a preliminary injunction to block such information sharing between IRS and DHS is set for April 16 before federal Judge Dabney L. Friedrich, whom President Donald Trump appointed in 2017.

Friedrich ruled against the groups last month, when they asked for a temporary restraining order following a story by The Washington Post that the agencies were considering sharing information in order to find immigrants to deport.

“A single news report about future cooperation between the IRS and DHS does not establish that the plaintiffs’ members are facing imminent injury,” according to the March 19 order.

William David Barrs, Sr.

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Now Habersham

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April 8, 2025

William David Barrs, Sr., a dedicated member of the Habersham County community and a cherished family man passed away on Monday, April 7, 2025, at the age of 68. Born on July 29, 1956, in Ludewici, Georgia, David devoted his life to his career and family, leaving an indelible mark on all who knew him.

For 48 ½ years, he was employed with Habersham County, where he retired as the Solid Waste Manager, a position that showcased his commitment to service and his strong work ethic. His professional journey was characterized by dedication and a genuine desire to improve the lives of those in his community. In addition to his work with the county, he also held the title of Chief at the Deep Creek Volunteer Fire Department during the 1990s, where he exemplified leadership and courage.

A member of the Hollywood Baptist Church, David’s faith was an integral part of his life. He often expressed that God and family were of utmost importance to him, principles that resonated deeply in his personal life. He was a man who treasured the outdoors, indulging in hobbies like deer hunting and farming, activities that brought him joy and peace.

David is survived by his beloved wife of 51 years, Lillian Ivester Barrs, and their children: William David Barrs, Jr. and his spouse Tammy; B.J. Barrs-Wade and her husband Jimmy; and Brian “Fred” Barrs and his wife Katrina. He was also a proud grandfather to Taylor, Brandon, Isaac, Haley Barrs, Woody Wade, Nicky Palmer, Samantha Wade, Kevin Wade, Kaitlin Barrs, Ayreka, Ashlee, and Mary Harrelson. In addition to his grandchildren, he was blessed with 11 great-grandchildren. William is further survived by his sisters and brothers-in-law, Margaret Collins and Hershel, and Mandy Hanke and Keith; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends who will carry his memory in their hearts.

He was preceded in death by his parents, William Thomas Barrs, Jr. and Grace Etwinda Gordon Barrs, and his brothers, Wallace Barrs and Danny Barrs.

Funeral services honoring David’s life will be held at 2:00 PM on Thursday, April 10, 2025, at Hollywood Baptist Church, with Dr. Don Samples officiating. Interment will follow the service in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

David will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend who lived a life of service and integrity. He leaves a legacy of love and commitment that will endure through all who had the privilege of knowing him.

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandmcentire.com.

McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.

Nervous senators from both parties press Trump trade rep on tariffs as high as 104%

By

Ashley Murray

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April 8, 2025

U.S. Senate Finance Committee tariffs hearing — U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer testifies before the Senate Finance Committee in the Dirksen Senate Office Building on April 8, 2025, in Washington, D.C. (livestream image)

WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) — U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer defended the Trump administration’s sweeping tariffs Tuesday as he faced senators from both sides of the aisle who relayed their constituents’ economic anxiety.

Democratic and Republican senators alike questioned how the policy will affect their states’ industries in the coming months.

“Whose throat do I get to choke if this proves wrong?” asked GOP Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina.

Greer told members of the Senate Committee on Finance that President Donald Trump’s national emergency declaration to trigger steep worldwide import taxes is “common sense.”

“Our trade deficit, driven by these non-reciprocal conditions, is a manifestation of the loss of the nation’s ability to make, to grow, and to build,” Greer said.

“The president recognizes the urgency of the moment. On the first day of his second term, President Trump issued a comprehensive memorandum setting out his trade policy direction. No other president has done this,” Greer continued in his opening statement.

Responses from around the world range from all-out retaliation to negotiation to capitulation. Chinese officials, who could see tariffs reach 104% after Trump threatened Monday to pile more on, said Tuesday they will “fight to the end.”

Tariffs launch just after midnight

The previously scheduled hearing on Trump’s trade agenda came less than a week after the president used his emergency powers to unveil new import taxes on products from nearly every country around the world.

Trump’s tariffs will begin just after midnight, hitting major exporters to the United States as well as poor and developing nations. They range from a 46% tax on Vietnam, whose major exports to Americans include tech products, to a 50% tax on Lesotho, a small African nation that exports diamonds to U.S. jewelers.

Claims from the administration that dozens of governments have reached out to negotiate buoyed U.S. and world markets Tuesday after three days of turbulence erased trillions of dollars in wealth.

Trump’s baseline 10% tariffs launched Saturday on trading partners, including allies who import more American goods than the amount of their own products they export to the U.S.

The tax on allies with a trade surplus drew the ire of Sen. Mark Warner, a Virginia Democrat. “Why did they get whacked in the first place?” he asked Greer, raising his voice.

Trump has exempted pharmaceuticals, oil and gas, critical minerals, and semiconductors from his new levies. Those imports are worth $665 billion, according to an analysis from the Atlantic Council, a think tank focused on U.S. foreign relations.

The levies come on top of Trump’s previously enacted 25% national security levies on foreign steel and aluminum, and foreign cars, as well as emergency tariffs at 20% on Chinese imports and 10% to 25% on products from Canada and Mexico.

‘Aimless, chaotic tariff spree’

Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the committee, announced at the hearing that he plans to fast-track a resolution “to end the latest crop of global tariffs that are clobbering American families and business members on both sides of the aisle.”

“Donald Trump’s aimless, chaotic tariff spree has proven beyond a doubt that Congress has given far too much of its constitutional power over international trade to the executive branch. It is time to take that power back,” the Oregon Democrat said in opening remarks.

Committee Chair Mike Crapo expressed some optimism that Trump’s tariff agenda would eventually boost American industries.

“Members and the public have questions and concerns about the recent tariff actions. That’s ok. We should think about tariff impacts and ask questions,” said Crapo, an Idaho Republican.

Once people “contextualize” Trump’s tariffs, “the real headline then becomes the fundamental shift in trade policy since President Trump’s inauguration — where the United States actually plans to do trade again,” Crapo said.

Oklahomans worried

But other senators wanted more assurance for small business owners who are contacting them for answers about the sudden economic turmoil.

Sen. James Lankford told Greer he’s heard from a constituent in Oklahoma who switched purchasing from China to Vietnam after Trump’s first administration targeted China with tariffs. Now, the company worries about the 46% tax it will have to pay on imports from Vietnam.

“Is there a timeline you’re dealing with?” the Republican asked Greer.

The trade representative said more than 50 countries, including Vietnam, have reached out to strike new trade agreements.

“We don’t have any particular timeline set on that,” Greer said. “What I can say is I’m moving as quickly as possible.”

“The time piece does matter to them,” Lankford said.

Lankford then asked if any industries, including garment manufacturers in Oklahoma, can apply for an exemption from import taxes on products they can only purchase from abroad.

“I know long term the hope is to have a more diversified (market). In the short term, they don’t have another option. How do you plan to handle that?” Lankford said.

Greer replied: “Senator, the president has been clear with me and with others that he doesn’t intend to have exclusions and exemptions, especially given the nature of the action. If you have Swiss cheese in the action, it can undermine the overall point.”

Warner grew heated during questioning with Greer, saying he’s hearing from Wall Street that business people viewed the U.S. market recovery Tuesday “as a good day in hospice.”

“We have 800,000 small businesses in Virginia. These tariffs are going to wallop them,” Warner said.

EU, other nations react

The European Union is scheduled to vote Wednesday on a list of targeted American imports the bloc of 27 nations plans to tax in response. Trump unveiled a 20% levy on EU products as part of his “Liberation Day” plans.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is staring down a 17% tariff from Trump, promised during an Oval Office meeting Monday that his country will “very quickly” even out trade with the U.S.

Trump wrote on social media Tuesday morning that he held a “great call” with South Korea’s acting president Han Duck-soo. Trump imposed a 25% tariff on South Korean exports into the U.S., which largely include cars, auto parts and electric batteries.

“Their top TEAM is on a plane heading to the U.S., and things are looking good,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

The comments came a day Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said he would lead negotiations with Japan, which faces a 24% levy. Americans mainly import cars, auto parts and construction vehicles from Japan.

The prospect of negotiation brought Japan’s stocks up overnight after flagging upon tariff uncertainty.

Library supporters pack the White County commission meeting

By

Dean Dyer

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April 8, 2025

Supporters of a new White County Library fill the county commission meeting room on April 7, 2025. (Dean Dyer/WRWH.com)

CLEVELAND, Ga. (WRWH) — Friends of the White County Library have a mission: They want the new Library built now and don’t want any further construction delays. The group turned out in force Monday at the White County Board of Commissioners meeting to impress upon the board their concerns.

Former White County Commissioner Terry Goodger, who spearheaded efforts to build the library when he was in office, reviewed how the efforts have progressed over the years. He said the proposed facility is estimated to cost $6.9 million. The county has obtained a $3 million grant from the state of Georgia.

Friends of the Library have been working since at least 2021 to get a new library built.

Former commissioner Terry Goodger speaks at the White County Commission meeting on Monday, April 7, 2025. (Dean Dyer/WRWH.com)

Goodger said the Friends have already raised over $200,000 to help with the project and want to do more. He told the commissioners, “I would like to see the library project to continue on and not stall out; the architect should go ahead and finish the plans so the project manager could get a not-to-exceed price so that the amount of additional funding will be known.”

Goodger also asked the board to allow them to sell sponsorships for the project, similar to how Lumpkin County did in building their new library facility.

Several other citizens followed Goodger in expressing the need for a new library and their support of it.

White County Commission Chairman Travis Turner, following about a dozen people who commented, told the group, “There’s no doubt where a majority of you stand regarding the library project. It’s not on our agenda for discussion this evening, but I feel confident that it will, shall we say, encourage some conversations on where we might be going in the coming weeks and months.”

The commissioners did indicate they are still pursuing federal funding through U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff’s office and encourage everyone to call the senator’s office at 470-786-7800 and let their feelings be known.

Patricia Anne Cothran

By

Now Habersham

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April 8, 2025

Patricia Anne Cothran, born December 15, 1934, passed from this life to her eternal home on Sunday, April 6, 2025, where she loved her loving husband, George D. Cothran, Jr.
She loved her family and her Savior, Jesus Christ, even more.

For 90 years, she showed others all the love of Jesus she could, especially her three children: George Cothran, III and his wife Cathy; Laura Richardson and her husband Lanny; Brad Cothran and his wife Lisa; as well as her five grandchildren and thirteen great-grandchildren.

The family will gather for a private graveside celebration on Wednesday, April 9, 2025.

An online guestbook is available for the family at HillsideMemorialChapel.com.

Arrangements are in the care and professional direction of Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, Clarkesville.

Baldwin City Council will hold spring retreat this week

By

Jerry Neace

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April 8, 2025

Baldwin council 3-10-2025-1 — The Baldwin City Council will hold its two-day spring retreat this week to discuss the 2026 budget and the strategic planning. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

The Baldwin City Council will hold its two-day spring retreat this week to prepare for the 2026 budget and discuss the city’s strategic direction for the future.

On the first day of the retreat, Thursday, April 10, the council will revisit discussions from their fall retreat and hear budget requests for 2026 from each department head. Each department will have approximately 45 minutes to present its budget needs and priorities.

Click here for a detailed schedule of each day’s activities.

On the second day, Friday, April 11, the council will review past strategic plans and receive updates from various committees. The rest of the day will focus on discussions regarding the city’s water and wastewater capital improvement plan and other long-term planning initiatives. The retreat will conclude with a wrap-up discussion and the assignment of key projects.

The retreat will be held at EMI’s Habersham Office, located at 202 Luthi Road in Alto. Both days of the retreat will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

White County dispatch team adapts in temporary relocation

By

Staff Report

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April 8, 2025

White County dispatchers work amid temporary transition (White County Public Safety/Facebook)

The White County 911 Communications Division has been recognized for its performance during a recent temporary relocation, a move that not only saw uninterrupted emergency response but also enhanced the county’s overall readiness, according to officials.

Last week, the 911 Communications Center shifted operations to an adjacent facility to allow for critical utility repairs at its primary dispatch center. While such transitions can pose logistical challenges, White County dispatchers sought to refine operations, train on backup systems and strengthen response abilities.

Over the course of the relocation, officials say dispatchers and command staff worked to configure and test systems at the alternate site. Comprehensive training sessions were conducted to ensure the team maintained communication services throughout the transition.

“This transition showed the strength and professionalism of our 911 team,” Don Strength, White County 911 Communications division chief said. “Their ability to adapt while continuing to provide high-quality service to our citizens is something we’re very proud of.”

Now that the primary dispatch center is back online, officials say the alternate facility will remain active as part of White County’s enhanced emergency response strategy. The backup site is fully operational and can serve as a second hub for 911 communications during periods of high call volume or in the event of future disruptions.

Free tire disposal for Hall County residents April 17 – 18

By

Nora Almazan

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April 8, 2025

unnamed — Hall County residents can dispose of tires free of charge at Hall County Landfill on April 17 - 18. (Hall County)

Hall County residents looking to dispose of old tires can do so free of charge on Thursday, April 17, and Friday, April 18, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hall County Landfill, located at 1700 Oakbrook Drive in Gainesville.

Tire Amnesty Days are offered exclusively to Hall County residents. A grant from the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) covers all costs, allowing residents to dispose of up to 10 tires for free.

“Tire Amnesty Days are an excellent way for our citizens to legally and safely dispose of old tires,” Hall County Solid Waste Superintendent Nathan Smith said. “This program also helps keep our roadways safe by keeping tires from being left behind on the side of the road or in other various locations around the County.”

Tires must be 20 inches or less in diameter and not attached to a wheel. Tractor-trailer, farm and agricultural tires will not be accepted.

Vehicles with more than 10 tires will be charged for overages, and car tags will be recorded to limit the number of tires per vehicle.

For more information, call 678-943-0756.