Home Blog Page 14

Matthew Douglas Wosotowsky

By
Now Georgia
-

Matthew Douglas Wosotowsky, 45, died at his home in Sautee Nacoochee, Georgia.  He was the son of Diane Vignovich Wosotowsky and the late Edward Paul Wosotowsky of Leesburg, Georgia. He is survived by his brother, Adam, of Lilburn, Georgia, and two nieces, Anastasia and Isabella.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents: Walter and Mildred Wosotowsky and Fred and Bertha Vignovich of Monaca, PA.

He is also survived by several aunts, uncles and cousins, all of whom live in various parts of the United States: Nadine and Pat Docherty of Grafton, WV; Amy and Bill Worfel of Grand Rapids, MI; Fred and Barbara Vignovich of Charleston, SC; Sharon Spitznogle (Arnie) of Lima, OH; Mike and Ruth Wosotowsky of Ellwood City, PA; Pete and Kim Wosotowsky of Concord, OH; and Bob (Donna) Wosotowsky of Orange, TX.

Matthew was born on February 19, 1980, in Albany, Georgia.  He attended Dougherty County Schools and graduated from Deerfield Windsor Academy in 1998.

He graduated from the University of GA with a B.S.  and M.F.R in Forestry and Forest Ecology (1998-2005) and a Juris Doctorate from John Marshall Law School (2008-2011).  He was a Forest Technician and a Dendrology Teaching Assistant during his time at UGA while earning his master’s degree, and was the Circulation Desk Manager and Legal Research Assistant at the John Marshall Law Library during law school.

In 2012, he was a Contract Policy Analyst for the Georgia Forestry Association. Later that year, he was hired as Legal Counsel to the GA House Judiciary: Non-Civil Committee at the GA House of Representatives. In addition to the Non-Civil Committee, Matthew became the Attorney Judiciary to the GA House Science and Technology Committee, GA House Industry and Labor Committee, GA Regulated Industries Committee, GA House Budget and Research Office, and GA House Judiciary Juvenile Committee.

In 2021, he became the Legislative Director for the GA Department of Human Services.   During Matthew’s tenure at DHS, he played an instrumental role in the development of several child welfare-related legislative initiatives, which were ultimately signed into law by Governor Kemp.

From his time working during high school, college, law school,  the GA House of Representatives, and the GA Department of Human Services, he would often say that he had the pleasure of directly working for many fine people and learned much from their varied styles of leadership.

In 2023,  he moved to Sautee Nacoochee, GA, where he was applying his vision, knowledge, and skill to develop family-owned land.

Matthew was an avid outdoorsman and was concerned with wildlife, environmental issues, and protection.  He entered barbecue competitions with his ex-wife, Amanda Holland Wosotowsky, and her family. He was co-captain of the high school soccer team and participated in swimming, karate, and co-ed softball.

Matthew was an avid reader and had a passion for learning. He had many friends, was beloved by his family and truly enjoyed being around people. He had a generous spirit and was willing to take time to help others. “Every child should have the opportunity to grow up in a caring home like his” was a philosophy he brought to his work at the GA Dept. of Human Services.

A Celebration of Life will be held Sunday, April 12, 2026, at the Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center from 1:00 – 4:00.  Family and friends are invited to celebrate and visit this part of GA that he had come to love.

Memorials may be made to Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center, Clark’s Christmas Kids in Atlanta, GA, Gillionville Forest Baptist Church in Albany, GA, or a local charity of your choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, South Chapel at 1370 Industrial Boulevard, Baldwin, Georgia 30511. Telephone: 706-778-7123.

Troup County man charged with trafficking large amounts of marijuana

By
Robbie Watson
-
Troup County man arrested for trafficking marijuana (NowGeorgia.com)

In March of 2025, the LaGrange Police Department’s Special Investigations Unit began receiving information on a possible drug trafficker within Troup County. As part of the preliminary investigation, John Poythress IV was identified, and it was determined that Poythress was trafficking large amounts of marijuana into the City of LaGrange. Over the next several months, members of the Special Investigations Unit continued gathering intelligence on Poythress using a number of covert resources.

On February 25, 2026, investigators determined that Poythress was in possession of a large amount of marijuana and was currently transporting it back to LaGrange. At approximately 10 pm that evening, members of the Special Investigations Unit, along with members from the patrol division and K9 division, conducted a traffic stop on Poythress as he entered the City of LaGrange. During this encounter, investigators located 30 pounds of marijuana along with a handgun, hidden inside the vehicle Poythress was driving.

Based on the evidence recovered during the traffic stop and information gathered throughout the investigation, investigators obtained and executed a search warrant at Poythress’s residence located at 2 Burke Street later that evening. During the search, investigators located an additional 15 pounds of marijuana, along with two firearms.

In total, investigators located approximately 45 pounds of marijuana and 3 firearms. Poythress was transported to the Troup County Jail, where he is charged with Trafficking Marijuana and Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony.

Anyone with information pertaining to this investigation is encouraged to contact Sergeant Clint Stephens at 706-883-2646.

Individuals who wish to remain anonymous can submit tips through the Tip411 system. This can be done via the mobile application, through the online portal, or by texting the keyword LAGRANGE to 847411. These channels are designed to ensure the public can share critical information confidentially and securely.

Repeat offender guilty of armed drug trafficking in Columbus

By
Robbie Watson
-
Nimesh Vijay Desai guilty of armed drug trafficking (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com)

A Georgia man with a violent criminal past whose supervised release was revoked for a prior federal conviction for assaulting a law enforcement officer was found guilty by a federal jury of possessing fentanyl, methamphetamine and heroin while illegally possessing seven firearms and ammunition.

Nimesh Vijay Desai, was found guilty of one count of possession of methamphetamine, one count of possession of fentanyl, one count of possession of heroin, one count of possession of a firearm and one count of possession of firearm and ammunition by a convicted felon on March 4, following a three-day trial that began on March 2, before U.S. District Clay Land. The defendant faces a maximum of 15 years in prison. A sentencing date will be scheduled by the Court. There is no parole in the federal system.

“Violent offenders will face justice at the federal level in the Middle District of Georgia, where there is no parole,” said U.S. Attorney William R. “Will” Keyes. “Working alongside law enforcement, we will use every available resource to track down and hold accountable repeat criminals with firearms, fentanyl and other deadly illegal drugs.”

“This defendant callously picked up right where he left off from prior convictions,” said FBI Georgia Acting Special Agent in Charge Peter Ellis. “The FBI will continue to investigate anyone who repeatedly violates the law by illegally arming themselves and committing crimes that continue to harm the community.”

According to court documents and statements referenced at trial, law enforcement executed two searches on Feb. 28, 2024, at a Columbus apartment and a storage unit leased to Desai, resulting from an ongoing investigation into armed drug trafficking in the community. During the searches, agents seized 2.2 kilograms of methamphetamine and 800 grams of fentanyl and heroin, along with scales and grinders often used in the distribution of illegal drugs, and $12,800.

Law enforcement also recovered seven firearms and numerous rounds of ammunition, including magazines, all belonging to Desai. At the time of the searches, Desai was on federal supervised release for his 2012 convictions in the Middle District for distributing methamphetamine, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking and assaulting federal agents with a deadly weapon. Desai is currently serving 60 months in federal prison because of a revocation of his supervised release for these prior convictions.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organizations and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime.

FBI investigated the case with assistance from the Harris County Sheriff’s Office.

Criminal Chief Leah McEwen is prosecuting the case for the Government.

Baldwin postpones special council meeting on personnel

By
Patrick Fargason
-
The Baldwin City Council. (Patrick Fargason/Now Habersham)

BALDWIN, Ga. — The Baldwin City Council has postponed a special called meeting that was scheduled for Friday evening.

City Clerk Erin Gathercoal announced that the meeting, originally set for Friday, March 6, at 5 p.m., has been rescheduled for Monday, March 9, at 5 p.m.

The meeting will take place in the Baldwin Municipal Courtroom, located at 155 Willingham Avenue.

The session is scheduled as an executive session to discuss personnel matters.

“We apologize for any inconvenience,” Gathercoal said in an email notifying officials and media of the change.

City officials did not provide a reason for the rescheduling. An updated public notice and agenda were issued following the change.

The meeting comes amid a series of recent developments involving city employees.

As first reported by Now Georgia, the city’s accountant became the subject of an investigation tied to allegations involving a purported $1.7 million property “prank.” City officials have declined to publicly discuss the specifics of that inquiry.

Separately, the Baldwin Police Department has also been under scrutiny after sources reported that a majority of the department’s officers recently resigned. City leaders confirmed that an investigation involving the police department is underway but have not released details about the circumstances surrounding the departures.

It is not known whether Monday’s executive session is connected to either matter.

Because the meeting is scheduled as an executive session, the council will discuss the personnel issue privately. Any official action, if taken, must occur after returning to open session.

Stay with Now Georgia for updates as more information becomes available.

Hall County Sheriff’s Office says operations continue normally after Sheriff Couch’s DUI arrest

By
Kevin Angell
-
Hall County Sheriff Chief Deputy Kevin Head, is currently in command of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. (Hall County Sheriff's Office)

GAINESVILLE, Ga. — The Hall County Sheriff’s Office says it continues to operate normally following the arrest of Sheriff Gerald Couch on DUI charges last week, with Chief Deputy Kevin Head currently overseeing the agency’s operations.

In a statement released Friday, March 6, Head said the agency remains fully functional and committed to serving the public while the situation involving the sheriff continues to unfold.

“We understand that the citizens of Hall County may have concerns regarding the operation of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office following last Friday’s arrest of Sheriff Gerald Couch,” Head said. “Please be assured that the Hall County Sheriff’s Office continues to operate normally and remains fully committed to serving our community.”

Leadership transition

Head said that under the structure of the sheriff’s office, command automatically transfers to the chief deputy if the sheriff is absent or unable to perform his duties.

“As Chief Deputy, I am currently in command of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office,” Head said. “In my established role, I already oversee the day-to-day operations of the agency, and I will continue to ensure there is no disruption to law enforcement services or public safety operations.”

Head also noted that the authority to suspend an elected sheriff rests with the governor under Georgia law.

“Because the position of Sheriff is a constitutionally established elected office under Georgia law, any decision regarding suspension from office falls under the authority of the governor,” Head said. “The governor has been notified of Sheriff Couch’s arrest, and the Sheriff’s Office will fully cooperate with any review or action initiated by the governor’s office.”

Conflicting statements about sheriff’s condition

In the same release, Head said the sheriff’s office would not comment on matters related to Couch’s personal life.

“We will not comment on matters related to Sheriff Couch’s personal life, including his health,” Head said, adding that questions on those issues should be directed to Couch.

However, statements Head reportedly made to Georgia State Patrol at the scene of the arrest appear to conflict with that position.

According to the state patrol incident report, Head and Capt. James Alexander followed Couch to his residence shortly before the traffic stop because they “were coming to pick up Sheriff Couch’s county vehicle due to him having some alcohol issues.”

The report by Sgt. J. Hedden also states that Head told troopers Couch had recently been at the hospital with a high blood alcohol concentration level. Head further advised that a friend had spoken with Couch earlier that day and warned him he should not be driving.

Now Georgia previously contacted the Hall County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Office asking whether Couch’s absence from the office in late 2025 was connected to the alcohol issues mentioned in the patrol report. Other than Friday’s statement, the agency has not responded to that inquiry.

Details of the arrest

Couch was arrested Feb. 27 following a traffic stop that resulted in charges of driving under the influence, failure to maintain lane and possession of an open container in the passenger area of a vehicle.

As previously reported by Now Georgia, Georgia State Patrol was called to assist after Hall County deputies suspected Couch was under the influence. A patrol report states his blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal limit at the time of the stop.

The encounter occurred in the 4400 block of Ledan Extension Road.

Couch was taken into custody and later released.

Agency response

Head emphasized that most sheriff’s office employees had no involvement in the incident and asked the public to continue supporting the agency’s staff.

“Other than those personnel required to carry out their professional duties in this past Friday’s incident, the majority of our deputies, detention officers and civilian staff of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office had no involvement in this incident,” Head said.

“These men and women continue to report to work each day dedicated to protecting the citizens of Hall County. I respectfully ask that they be treated with the same professionalism and respect they show the community and that the actions of one individual not diminish the integrity and commitment of the entire agency.”

“The Hall County Sheriff’s Office remains focused on its mission to serve and protect the people of Hall County,” he said.

Stay with Now Georgia for updates as this story continues to develop.

US House also rejects restraint on Trump’s war power in Iran

By
Ashley Murray
-
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on March 3, 2026. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) — House Republicans and a handful of Democrats followed the Senate in blocking a measure Thursday to stop President Donald Trump from furthering the war in Iran without authorization from Congress.

The joint war with Israel that began six days ago has already claimed the lives of six U.S. troops and injured and killed dozens of civilians across Israel and the Persian Gulf nations. Iranian officials say more than 1,000 have been killed since Saturday, according to multiple reports.

The War Powers Resolution sponsored by Reps. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., and Thomas Massie, R-Ky., failed in a 212-219 vote. Massie was the lone Republican to sign on to the measure.

Massie and Rep. Warren Davidson, R-Ohio, broke ranks with Republicans to vote in favor of limiting Trump’s hand in Iran. But Democrats Greg Landsman, D-Ohio, Jared Golden, D-Maine, Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, and Juan Vargas, D-Calif., joined the majority of Republicans in opposing the War Powers Resolution.

Golden issued a statement following the vote saying he is reluctant to support a halt to the current fighting, despite Trump’s lack of clarity.

Servicemembers are “actively engaged in hostilities, our allies are under attack and the Iranian regime is more desperate than ever to reassert its power. While I do not believe that an abrupt about-face is a good course of action given the reality on the ground, that should not be construed as my approval,” Golden said.

Davidson wrote on social media Monday that he wants to “review the intelligence behind the Iran strikes. I’m open to being persuaded these strikes were necessary. But I do not support a regime-change war, and any boots on the ground or prolonged conflict requires authorization from Congress.”

House lawmakers otherwise split along party lines, with Republicans offering resounding support for the intervention.

Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., described the War Powers Resolution as a “a terrible, dangerous idea.”

During debate on the House floor Wednesday, Rep. Brian Mast, R-Fla., said Trump “is utilizing his constitutional Article II authority to defend the United States of America against that imminent threat that we agree upon.”

Mast sponsored a separate, symbolic resolution reaffirming Iran as the largest state-sponsor of terrorism. The measure passed Thursday in a 372-53 vote. Two members voted present. All who voted “no” or present were Democrats.

Rep. Gregory Meeks, D-N.Y., who argued for the War Powers Resolution on the floor Wednesday, said the U.S. is now involved in a conflict with Iran “at President Trump’s own behest.”

“What is the strategy for preventing regional escalation, and what is the plan for the day after? What will this cost the American people? Because the American people deserve those answers, and Congress deserves a vote,” Meeks said.

House vote echoes Senate

A similar War Powers Resolution failed in the U.S. Senate Wednesday when all but one Republican, Kentucky’s Rand Paul, voted against it. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., was the only Democrat to join Republicans in opposing the measure.

Republicans, joined by Fetterman, have blocked other attempts to rein in Trump’s military interventions during his second term. A War Powers Resolution to stop Trump from further operations in Venezuela failed in the House and Senate in January.

The U.S. apprehended Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and his wife on Jan. 3 on drug trafficking and weapons charges. Maduro remains in U.S. custody while awaiting trial. His arrest followed months of a U.S. bombing campaign on alleged small drug boats in the Caribbean Sea that have killed more than 130 people, according to the human rights-focused Washington Office on Latin America, which has joined a chorus of critics who argue the strikes are illegal.

Congress overrode a veto by President Richard Nixon in 1973 during the ongoing Vietnam War to pass the War Powers Resolution as a check on presidential power

Strikes continue

U.S. and Israel continued strikes on Iran Thursday.

Trump urged all Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps members and police to lay down their arms and “accept immunity.” Otherwise, they’ll face “absolute guaranteed death,” he said at an unrelated White House event Thursday afternoon.

“We also urge Iranian diplomats around the world to request asylum and to help us shape a new and better Iran with great potential,” Trump said.

The war widened its reach as Azerbaijani officials said two drones from Iran struck an airport and other civilian targets inside the NATO ally’s borders.

“These acts of aggression will not remain unanswered,” according to a statement Thursday from Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Defense.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told NBC News Wednesday night that if the U.S. launches a ground invasion, “we are confident that we can confront them, and that would be a big disaster for them.”

White House press secretary told reporters Wednesday American ground troops are “not part of the current plan” but did not rule out that it’s an option “on the table.”

All six U.S. troops killed by an Iranian drone in Kuwait Sunday have been identified by the Pentagon.

Jennifer Shutt contributed to this report.

Planning Commission advances new Habersham development code with recommended changes

By
Patrick Fargason
-
The Habersham County Planning Commission met Tuesday to approve the county's unified development code. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com)

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — The Habersham County Planning Commission has unanimously approved a proposed new development code and zoning map, clearing the way for the measure to move to the Habersham County Board of Commissioners for final consideration.

The vote came during a public hearing held March 3 at the Habersham County Courthouse. Planning commissioners voted 5-0 to recommend approval of the county’s proposed Unified Development Ordinance with several modifications suggested by the board.

The ordinance represents a major overhaul of the county’s development rules and zoning structure, part of a broader effort county leaders say is intended to manage growth while protecting Habersham’s rural character.

Recommended changes

Before voting to recommend the ordinance, the planning commission proposed several adjustments to the draft code.

Among the changes, commissioners recommended lowering the minimum home size in subdivisions from 1,800 square feet to 1,500 square feet and removing residential uses from the county’s General Industrial zoning district.

The commission also recommended:

  • Eliminating curb and gutter requirements in rural residential, conservation and agricultural districts
  • Requiring traffic studies only for developments generating more than 50 peak-hour trips per day
  • Requiring closed-loop cooling systems for data centers, along with a 500-foot setback from the nearest residence and sound barriers
  • Establishing a 1,500-foot setback requirement between cell towers and existing buildings

Planning and Development Director Mike Beecham presented the ordinance to commissioners and asked whether they wanted any changes before forwarding it to the county commission for consideration.

Public comment

Several residents spoke in opposition to the proposed ordinance during the public hearing, including Bruce Carlyle, Chris Rudden, Henry Lovell and Eddie Davidson.

After public comment closed, the planning commission discussed the proposal and approved a motion to recommend the ordinance with the listed changes. The vote was unanimous.

Separate cell tower request approved

During the same meeting, the planning commission also approved a separate request related to a proposed telecommunications tower.

Cellco Partnership, doing business as Verizon Wireless, sought approval to install a 185-foot monopine-style cell tower on Commerce Parkway.

Representatives for the applicant said the site met the company’s criteria for tower placement. Several nearby property owners spoke in opposition, raising concerns about potential radio-frequency exposure near a child day care facility.

Commissioners ultimately approved the request unanimously.

Next step

The planning commission’s recommendation on the Unified Development Ordinance now goes to the Habersham County Board of Commissioners, which will make the final decision on whether to adopt the new development code and zoning map.

The proposed ordinance is part of a broader county effort to update land-use rules as development pressure increases across Northeast Georgia.

GBI: Multi-agency ‘Operation Silent Hand’ dismantles North Georgia drug trafficking organization

By
Patrick Fargason
-
(Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com)

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Sixteen people have been arrested following a months-long multi-agency investigation into a drug trafficking organization operating across North Georgia.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) announced Wednesday that agents and partner agencies dismantled the network during “Operation Silent Hand,” a coordinated effort targeting the distribution of methamphetamine, fentanyl and oxycodone in Hall, Habersham, Franklin, Stephens, White and Gwinnett counties.

Drug task force agents descend on a property off Hwy. 17 in northwest Habersham County during a drug and racketeering investigation on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com)
Law enforcement descended on a house off Minyard Lane just outside of Clarkesville on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. Officers fanned out across the county on Wednesday arresting suspects in a racketeering case, according to ARDEO SAC Ken Howard. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com)
(Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com)

On March 4, law enforcement officers executed nine search warrants and 16 arrest warrants across the region. Investigators say the organization maintained contacts in metro Atlanta to help facilitate the trafficking of illegal narcotics and diverted pharmaceutical opioids.

During the investigation, agents seized about 32 kilograms of methamphetamine, four pounds of fentanyl, numerous diverted pharmaceutical opioids and multiple firearms, according to Ken Howard, special agent in charge of the GBI’s Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office.

Sixteen suspects are charged with violating Georgia’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO):

Alto
Haven Douglas Allen, 31
Rodney Wayne Crump, 59

Canon
Randall Stewart Hill, 57
Bart William Starks, 58

Cleveland
Leslie Nicole Brown Cedillo, 39

Cornelia
Sarita King Davidson, 60

Demorest
Chad O’Neal Davis, 54
Kandi Nicole Stewart, 48
Linda Waddell Thompson, 62

Gainesville
Arthur Lee Poore, 63

Lula
Tonya Doster Pitts, 51
William Doug Allen, 54

Mount Airy
Breann Denae Coalley, 54
Mona Lisa Summers, 62

Toccoa
Amy Michelle Williams, 51
Yvonn Parker Brown, 64

During the investigation, agents seized about 32 kilograms of methamphetamine, four pounds of fentanyl, numerous diverted pharmaceutical opioids and multiple firearms. (GBI)

All suspects were booked into the Hall or Habersham county jails.

The investigation remains active, and additional arrests and charges are possible, Howard said.

The arrests follow a daylong law enforcement operation across Habersham County on Wednesday. As previously reported by Now Georgia, agents were seen at several locations throughout the county, including a residence on Minyard Lane near Clarkesville, areas off Highway 17 in northern Habersham County and along Crane Mill Road to the south.

Habersham County Sheriff Robin Krockum confirmed his office assisted with the operation.

The investigation involved multiple agencies, including the GBI Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, the FBI North Georgia Major Offenders Task Force and sheriff’s offices in Habersham, Stephens, Franklin, Banks and Gwinnett counties, as well as the Toccoa Police Department.

Anyone with information related to drug activity is encouraged to contact the GBI ARDEO at 706-348-7410 or submit an anonymous tip through the GBI’s See Something, Send Something app.

Clarkesville explores upscale inn downtown modeled after historic courthouse

By
Joy Purcell
-
A rendering by Lew Oliver Inc. of the style of inn being considered for the downtown Clarkesville square. (Source: Lew Oliver Inc. via City of Clarkesville)

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — City leaders in Clarkesville say long-discussed plans for a new inn could help strengthen the local economy while preserving the community’s small-town character.

In a statement released March 4, the city said development of an upscale inn has been under consideration for more than a decade, though officials say the right opportunity has only recently emerged. While the project remains in the planning stages, early concepts include a ground-level marketplace, public meeting space, and a dining establishment with a rooftop bar.

Officials say the effort is part of a broader strategy to support economic growth while protecting the qualities that define Clarkesville. The city recently hired a new economic development director and established a Downtown Development Authority — steps leaders say position the community to guide future projects with residents’ needs in mind.

“We recognize as a city that what we have here in Clarkesville is truly unique, which is why everything that we do is done with great care and scrutiny to ensure that we maintain the small-town feel which we all know and treasure,” the statement read.

City leaders said the goal is to strengthen the local economy and generate new revenue without increasing the burden on taxpayers, particularly as population growth across Georgia brings increasing development pressure to Northeast Georgia communities.

Historic inspiration for new design

Photo of the original Golucke-designed courthouse on the Clarkesville, Georgia, square circa 1950s. (Source: City of Clarkesville)

Plans for the inn may incorporate architectural elements inspired by Clarkesville’s historic courthouse, built in 1898 and designed by noted Georgia architect J.W. Golucke, who designed numerous courthouses across the state.

The courthouse, which was removed in the 1960s, featured classical architectural elements that many longtime residents still remember.

City leaders say the proposed inn could include design features inspired by Golucke’s work to honor the city’s history while shaping its future. The city also plans to build a new fire station on the same property where the inn would be located.

Additional improvements considered

The development under consideration would also include public parking and landscaped green space. Officials said the fire station and the inn would remain separate projects, though the city hopes both could move forward “simultaneously.”

The existing veterans’ memorial on the property will remain in place. The memorial marks the site where soldiers once boarded buses to deploy during World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The names of those who never returned home are engraved on the monument.

City leaders said they also plan to include beautification improvements around the memorial to further honor those who served.

Years in the making

Officials emphasized that the project remains in the early planning stages, although the property’s redevelopment has been discussed for more than a decade. In 2015, the Georgia Downtown Renaissance Partnership presented plans to Clarkesville to update much of the downtown square following a devastating fire. Those plans included revitalization of the courthouse property.

(Source: Lew Oliver Inc. via City of Clarkesville)

Clarkesville is now working with developer Lew Oliver, who presented his redevelopment plans to the city in 2020. Since then, Oliver has played a key role in Clarkesville’s long-term planning and design efforts, promoting a vision of new urbanism that blends traditional town planning with modern architectural elements. His previous work includes large-scale developments such as Avalon in Alpharetta and Trilith in Fayette County.

In 2021, Clarkesville officials asked Habersham County to sell the courthouse property to Oliver for $10 so work on the project could begin. Commissioners rejected the proposal, objecting to the idea of effectively giving away the property.

After years of negotiations and unsuccessful efforts to find other buyers, Habersham County commissioners voted in February 2025 to sell the courthouse property to the city of Clarkesville for $1 million.

Since then, the city has moved forward with preparations for redevelopment, including demolition of the courthouse that replaced the Golucke-designed structure, which Clarkesville now hopes to revive.

Public input welcome

City officials recently released photos and drawings of the historic courthouse and said preliminary renderings of the proposed inn will be released once they are complete so that residents can review the concepts and provide feedback.

“Delays in the process are not planned, as we anticipate moving forward with this project quickly and efficiently,” the city said.

The Clarkesville City Council meets on the first Monday of each month at 6 p.m. at Clarkesville City Hall, 123 N. Laurel Drive. Residents are encouraged to attend meetings and share questions, comments, or concerns about the project.

City leaders say their focus remains on balancing growth with preservation.

“We are invested in our community and are committed to making the best choices possible to serve our constituents,” the city said in its statement.

High-profile GOP property tax overhaul fails to clear the House

By
Jill Nolin
-
Bonaire Republican Rep. Shaw Blackmon, chair of the House Ways and Means committee, listens to lawmakers opposed to a House proposal to overhaul property taxes during a session of the Georgia House of Representative at the state Capitol in Atlanta on March 3, 2026. (Alander Rocha/Georgia Recorder)

(Georgia Recorder) — A sweeping GOP proposal that would overhaul local property taxes failed to pass Tuesday, with nearly all House Democrats opposing the measure over concerns about the impact to public services and schools back home.

The proposal was rolled out with much fanfare in late January, with Speaker Jon Burns calling the proposal “historic” at the time. House Republicans say their ultimate goal is to eliminate property taxes on Georgians’ primary homes, but the current version would significantly reduce those taxes over time.

To do that, though, requires amending the state constitution, which needs two-thirds votes in both chambers and approval from voters. That means Democratic support would be necessary to put the question on the ballot for voters, but only one House Democrat voted for the measure Tuesday, causing it to fail with a 99-to-73 vote – well short of the 120 needed votes.

Rep. Chas Cannon, a Moultrie Republican who is also a county administrator, makes the case for how the GOP plan could work on the local level, using his county as an example. (Alander Rocha/Georgia Recorder)

The House is set to reconsider the vote Wednesday.

Critics of the bill say it would only benefit homeowners – leaving out renters – while hampering local governments’ ability to pay for services and leading to higher sales taxes. They accused Republicans of serving up an election-year gimmick.

But proponents of the measure say drastic change is needed to stop rising property taxes and help people stay in their home.

Talking to reporters after Tuesday’s vote, House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration, a Mulberry Republican, blasted Democrats for opposing the bill. He argued the constitutional amendment was needed to provide “transformative relief.”

“They care more about tax collectors than they do Georgia homeowners. That’s very unfortunate. I’m sad to see this result. I hope that they’ll reconsider their position so that we can provide the relief that Georgians are calling for,” Efstration said.

One piece of the House GOP plan was finalized Tuesday when Gov. Brian Kemp signed off on the amended budget for this year that offers about $2 billion in taxpayer relief, including one-time property tax break for homeowners that the House successfully had added. The budget also now includes funding for another cut to the state’s income tax rate.

But the big long-term changes that House Republicans are seeking have struggled to gain broad support. The two-part proposal had undergone multiple revisions, with changes made shortly before hitting the House floor for a vote Tuesday. Efstration said House Republicans were evaluating their options in the face of potentially unwavering Democratic opposition.

House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley from Columbus makes a speech during a session of the Georgia House of Representative at the state Capitol in Atlanta on March 3, 2026. (Alander Rocha/Georgia Recorder)

House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley, a Columbus Democrat, dismissed the proposal as an election-year appeal to voters and cautioned against making such a drastic change permanent in the state constitution.

“What we are seeing here today is an exercise in cold, hard politics. It’s simply about what voters do you want to drive out to the polls,” Hugley said during the debate over the measure, adding that “the math’s just not mathing.”

Hugley told reporters after the vote that the current proposal was an improvement from earlier iterations but still not one she could support. She noted that other House GOP proposals, like a package of insurance-related bills, were the result of careful and public study last year.

“This is a very important change to our tax structure. We’re talking about a constitutional amendment, and once that’s done, there is no going back,” Hugley said.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. Shaw Blackmon, a Bonaire Republican who chairs the House’s tax-writing committee, argued the plan is needed because of the unsustainable trajectory of rising property taxes.

The proposal would reduce the taxable value on homes over a decade, assessing taxes on homes based on 10% of their fair-market value as opposed to 40% as is done today.

An association that represents counties at the state Capitol estimates the lost revenue to equal about $4 billion. Local governments would be able to make up the lost revenue with sales taxes, to a point, and those that still come up short would receive state grants funded through the discontinuation of the state’s controversial data center tax credit.

“Home ownership is fundamental to the American dream, and as elected officials, we have the awesome responsibility of fostering and enabling that dream,” Blackmon said.

“This major step is seen by some as revolutionary, but in my mind, it’s rather simple. Do we allow this measure to go before the people and allow them to have a voice in solving this unsustainable burden?” he said.

Kristi Noem out as DHS secretary; Trump to tap Oklahoma Sen. Mullin

By
Ariana Figueroa
-
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is sworn in before she testifies during a Senate Judiciary Committee oversight hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, March 3, 2026. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)

WASHINGTON (States News) — President Donald Trump Thursday said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem will be leaving the post for a job as a special envoy, following an appearance before a U.S. Senate panel this week that provoked bipartisan criticism of her handling of the department that is tasked with fulfilling the administration’s mass deportation campaign.

Oklahoma GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin will lead the Department of Homeland Security, the president wrote on his social media site, Truth Social.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol on March 3, 2026. (Photo by Ashley Murray/States Newsroom)

“I thank Kristi for her service at ‘Homeland,’” Trump wrote.

In a heated hourslong oversight hearingbefore senators, Republicans on Tuesday grilled Noem over her handling of the awarding of no-bid contracts to close allies and slow disaster relief response.

Also cited were multiple video recordings that contradicted her statements that two U.S. citizens killed by her federal immigration officers in Minneapolis were “domestic terrorists.”

Senate Democrats have refused to approve funding for the Department of Homeland Security, now at day 19 of a shutdown, unless certain policy changes are made to immigration enforcement tactics.

Noem, the former governor of South Dakota, will move to a new role as a special envoy for a new “Security Initiative in the Western Hemisphere,” Trump said.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

David Bruce named Cleveland Police Officer Of The Year

By
Dean Dyer, WRWH Radio
-
Cleveland Police Officer David Bruce (third from right) accepts his award as Police Officer of the Year from the Cleveland City Council during the council's meeting on March 4, 2026. Pictured are, from left to right: Police Chief Jeff Shoemaker, Council members CJ McDonald, Jeremy McClure, Mayor Josh Turner, Bruce, and council members Nan Bowen and Annie Sutton. (Dean Dyer/WRWH Radio)

CLEVELAND, Ga. – Cleveland police officer David Bruce has been awarded the “Officer of the Year for 2025” in the Cleveland Police Department.

Police Chief Jeff Shoemaker made the announcement during the March 2 Cleveland City Council meeting. Shoemaker said Bruce, who works in the department’s traffic division, was overwhelmingly selected by his peers for the award.

“He is out there every day making sure that our roads are safer and people are doing what they are supposed to do; he’s our go-to guy,” commented Chief Shoemaker.

1...131415...2,980Page 14 of 2,980