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Alto traffic stop results in trafficking, firearm charges

By
Kevin Angell
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Alto arrest on Gainesville Hwy
(Credit: Colleen McNamara Nix, Facebook)

ALTO, Ga. — A traffic stop on Gainesville Highway has led to the arrest of 59-year-old Edwin A. Noble of Cumming, Ga., on multiple felony charges, including trafficking and possession of firearms by a convicted felon.

According to Interim Chief Sean Rogers of the Alto Police Department, an officer conducted a stop just after 4 pm on a 2019 BMW that was passing through the “City Limits of Alto.” During the stop, the officer discovered that the registered owner of the vehicle “returned with wanted firearm charges.” The officer called for backup before proceeding with the investigation.

Edwin A Nobile booking photo
(NowGeorgia.com) – HCSO booking photo of 59-year-old Edwin Noble of Cumming, Ga.

Once backup arrived, the vehicle was searched. Chief Rogers confirmed that “additional firearms [were] located inside the vehicle” at the time of the arrest.

Habersham County Jail records show Noble was booked Dec. 29 just before 7 p.m. and faces a significant list of charges, including three counts of Possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He is also charged with trafficking (drug-related), possession with intent to distribute, possession of methamphetamine, possession of a controlled substance, and possession of drug-related objects. Noble is currently being held without bond.

Tractor-trailer crash knocks out power, causes delays in Lavonia

By
Patrick Fargason
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The Lavonia Police Department reports a tractor-trailer hit a power pole resulting in an outage on Shuford Street. (Lavonia Police Department)

LAVONIA, Ga. – A tractor-trailer struck a power pole in Lavonia, knocking out power and causing traffic delays, according to the Lavonia Police Department.

The crash occurred on Shuford Street. No injuries were reported, however Georgia Power reports that six of their customers are affected by the outage.

The crash occurred earlier this afternoon and prompted a power outage in the area. Georgia Power crews are on scene working to make repairs, with an estimated restoration time of 4:30 p.m.

Lavonia Fire Department crews and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement officers are on the scene. Authorities said motorists should expect delays in the area and are urged to seek alternate routes while crews work to secure the scene and restore service.

Police advised residents experiencing a power outage that the crash is the cause and said updates will be provided as the situation develops.

This is a developing story. Now Habersham has reached out to the Lavonia Police Department for further details on the crash.

Pulling for Patriots spots filling up quickly 

By
Mitzi Oxford
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The House of Heroes skeet shoot fundraiser is a popular event.

The annual skeet shooting event benefitting the House of Heroes of the Chattahoochee Valley will be held on February 21, 2026, but competitors are encouraged to register soon.  

Pulling for Patriots is hosted at W.C. Bradley Farms, 5793 GA Hwy 39 in Omaha, Georgia. Four person teams can register for $500, or individual registration is $125 each. 

The fee includes 100 rounds of sporting clays, 12 shooting stations, and breakfast and lunch. 

7:00 AM – Registration Opens
7:00-8:30 AM – Warm-ups
8:30 AM – Safety Briefing
9:00 AM – Morning Flight
11:00 AM-12:00 PM – Warm-ups
11:30 AM – Safety Briefing
12:00 PM – Noon Flight
2:00 PM – Safety Briefing
2:30 PM – Afternoon Flight
5:30 PM – Awards/Raffle Drawing 

Bring your own ammo and ATV. Guns can be shared between team members. Mandatory safety briefings will be held for all participating shooters before each flight.  

To register, click Here or for more information, call 706-569-7011. 

The mission of House of Heroes is to recognize and honor military and public safety veterans and their spouses who have faithfully served our country. The organization’s goal is for every veteran and their family to live in a safe, well-maintained home, honored with the care and dignity they deserve. 

Red Flag Warning issued for Northeast Georgia amid dangerous fire conditions

By
Staff Report
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PEACHTREE CITY, Ga. – A Red Flag Warning has been issued for Northeast Georgia this afternoon and evening as dry air and breezy conditions create a heightened risk for wildfires, according to the National Weather Service.

The warning covers Habersham, Hall, White, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Banks, Franklin and Hart counties. Forecasters said low relative humidity combined with gusty winds could allow any fire that starts to spread rapidly and become difficult to control.

“A Red Flag Warning has been issued for this afternoon and evening,” the National Weather Service said in a social media post. “Dry, breezy conditions will lead to dangerous fire weather. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged as any fires that develop could be expected to spread rapidly.”

The National Weather Service distinguishes between a Fire Weather Watch and a Red Flag Warning. A Fire Weather Watch means critical fire weather conditions are possible, while a Red Flag Warning means those conditions are occurring or imminent. Critical fire weather typically includes warm temperatures, low humidity and strong, gusty winds.

Officials urge residents to avoid outdoor burning, properly dispose of smoking materials and use extra caution with any activity that could spark a fire. Even small flames can quickly grow under Red Flag conditions.

Residents are encouraged to stay alert for changing weather conditions and to follow guidance from local fire and emergency officials.

Phone scam targets Fort Benning

By
Robbie Watson
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Phone scam targets Fort Benning/NowGeorgia.com
The Fort Benning Garrison warned the military community about a sophisticated phone scam targeting Fort Benning. According to their Facebook page the callers are convincing, professional, and use “official” language to create panic. Please read the details below to ensure you don’t fall victim.
🛑How the Scam Works
A caller poses as a Harris County Deputy Sheriff (or local law enforcement). To build credibility, they may:
-Use your full name and home address.
-Claim you missed Jury Duty on a specific date.
-Provide fake “Bench Warrant” or “Summons” numbers.
-Tell you the call is being recorded for “official purposes.”
-Claim a “Certified Letter” was signed for at your address.
💸 The “Hook”
They will tell you to drive to the Sheriff’s Office immediately to verify your signature. HOWEVER, while you are in your car, they will claim you must pay a “fine” (often $1,500 – $3,000) over the phone to “place a hold on the warrant” so you aren’t arrested on the way there.
💡 THE TRUTH
Law Enforcement will NEVER call you to demand payment of a fine over the phone to avoid arrest.
Warrants are not “held” via credit card, gift card, or wire transfer payments.
Real deputies will never insist you stay on a continuous phone call while you drive to the station.
✅ What To Do If You Get This Call
HANG UP. Do not provide any financial or personal information.
VERIFY. If you are concerned, call the Harris County Sheriff’s Office or your local law enforcement directly using a verified number from their official website.
REPORT. If you are a Service Member, notify your chain of command or the Military Police if you shared sensitive information.
Remember: If someone demands immediate payment over the phone to “clear a warrant,” it is 100% a scam.

Demorest lifts Boil Water Advisory

By
Joy Purcell
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(NowHabersham.com)

The Demorest Water Department has lifted the Boil Water Advisory it issued over the weekend following a water main break. The advisory affected city water customers on the south end of Habersham County, including Crane Mill Road, King Road, Mud Creek, Underwood Road, Mount Zion Road west of Ga. 365, and Alonzo Wade Road.

Testing confirmed there is no public health concern. Affected customers may resume normal water use.

Judge halts Georgia execution over inmate’s concerns about the clemency process

By
Jeff Martin
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Entrance to the Georgia Diagnostic Prison where the state death chamber is housed. (Photo by NeilATL/Wikimedia Commons)

KENNESAW, Ga. (AP) — A Georgia judge on Monday ordered a temporary pause to a December execution that was already put on hold, saying questions about the state’s clemency process must be addressed before Stacey Humphreys ‘ death sentence could be carried out.

Humphreys, 52, was facing scheduled execution Dec. 17 but the procedure was paused just days before he was to have received a lethal injection.

He was convicted of malice murder and other crimes in the 2003 shooting deaths of Cyndi Williams, 33, and Lori Brown, 21, at the real estate office where they worked in Cobb County, northwest of Atlanta.

At issue: Humphreys’ lawyers contend that two members of Georgia’s parole board have conflicts of interest which would taint their participation in a clemency hearing.

Humphreys’ lawyers earlier this month filed a petition asking a judge to order the two members of the parole board to recuse themselves from considering his clemency petition.

The lawyers said one of those board members, Kimberly McCoy, was previously a victim advocate with the Cobb County district attorney’s office at the time of Humphreys’ trial and was assigned to work with victims in the case.

Georgia death row inmate Stacey Humphreys is scheduled to be executed on Dec. 17, 2025, for murdering two Atlanta realtors in 2007. (Source: Georgia Department of Corrections)

Another board member, Wayne Bennett, was the sheriff in Glynn County, where the trial was moved because of pretrial publicity. Humphreys’ lawyers say Bennett oversaw security for the jurors and Humphreys himself during the case.

In an order filed Monday, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney wrote that “pressing ‘pause’ on the execution machinery until we answer the non-frivolous question raised by Petitioner concerning the proper composition of the Board for his clemency hearing is the correct course of action.”

He ordered lawyers for both sides to file additional legal briefs on the issue by Jan. 19.

Additionally, the judge wrote in his order that Humphreys deserves to have the conflict of interest question researched and argued thoroughly so that a parole board free of conflicts of interest can decide his case at a clemency hearing.

Bijan Robinson has longest rush TD in Falcons history, has team’s most scrimmage yards in a season

By
Maura Carey
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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson (7) scores a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 21, 2025, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)

ATLANTA (AP) — Bijan Robinson had a Falcons-record 93-yard rushing touchdown Monday night, one of two ways he entered their record book in a Monday Night Football win over the Rams.

Robinson took off for the TD with 1:23 remaining in the second quarter. The running back took the ball coast-to-coast directly after Xavier Watts picked off Matthew Stafford at Atlanta’s 7-yard line. It was Stafford’s second pick of the night.

Warrick Dunn was the Falcons’ previous record holder with a 90-yard rushing touchdown against the Giants in October 2006.

The score was the longest of Robinson’s professional career. The third-year running back rushed for an 81-yard touchdown in Atlanta’s upset of Buffalo in October.

“That was just one of those plays where I had to make a guy miss in the hole, and I was trying to find another crease, and the crease came about, and I was like, ‘Man, I gotta take off,'” Robinson said after the game. “I kept kind of looking back to see if I was free. And I mean, I was free, and we got the touchdown. So that was a really big momentum shift for our team.”

Not long into the second half, Robinson added another record by breaking the franchise’s record for yards from scrimmage in a single season. He entered with 2,026, 150 behind William Andrews’ longstanding record of 2,176 yards, which was set in 1983.

Robinson finished the game with 195 rushing yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. He also caught five passes from Kirk Cousins for 34 yards and a score, bringing his total yardage to 2,225 this season.

“(To get) 2,200 yards from scrimmage this year is outstanding,” Cousins said. “Dalvin Cook had almost 2,000 one year, and I didn’t think I’d ever get to see that again. So, you know, what he can do in both the run game and pass game is very unique.”

The two-time Pro Bowler leads the league with 140.9 yards from scrimmage per game this season. He enters a Week 18 matchup against the Saints 284 yards shy of the all-time record (2,509), set by Chris Johnson in 2009.

Alto council vote clears path to file 2024 audit with state

By
Patrick Fargason
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The Alto Town Council approved a budget amendment for 2024 allowed them to submit their audit to the state. (Patrick Fargason/NowGeorgia)

ALTO, Ga. — The Alto Town Council unanimously approved a final amendment to the town’s 2024 budget during a called meeting Monday night, clearing a key step needed to complete the town’s state-mandated audit.

Council approved the amendment without objection.

Following the vote, Councilwoman PJ Huggins said the amendment was required to finalize the town’s 2024 audit.

“We had just finished our 2024 audit, and we have to amend the budget with anything that needed to be amended so the audit can be submitted to the state,” Huggins told Now Habersham.

After the meeting, Finance Officer Lisa Turner said the reconciled 2024 budget showed a deficit of $27,201. Turner said finalizing the 2024 numbers allows her to begin reconciling the town’s 2025 finances, a necessary step before work can move forward on a proposed 2026 budget.

Turner said she hopes to file the required paperwork for the 2024 audit with the state by Wednesday’s deadline.

The vote comes amid ongoing budget challenges for Alto. Council members have previously been told that unreconciled 2025 finances and audit-related workload have delayed development of a draft 2026 budget. Turner has said work on the state-mandated 2024 audit consumed much of her time, limiting progress on future budget planning.

Council has indicated it will continue working with staff and outside consultants to reconcile past finances and move toward adopting a 2026 budget once accurate numbers are available.

Stephens County sheriff warns of scam targeting inmates’ families

By
Staff Report
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TOCCOA, Ga. — The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a scam targeting the families of inmates housed at the Stephens County Jail.

According to the sheriff’s office, scammers are obtaining personal information about inmates and impersonating jail sergeants to contact family members by phone. Callers reportedly claim they can arrange a pretrial diversion for an inmate in exchange for a substantial payment, promising the charges will be cleared once the diversion is completed.

The sheriff’s office said those claims are false.

Jail sergeants and staff do not have the authority to offer pretrial diversions, officials said. Any legitimate information about pretrial diversion programs would come directly from a district attorney’s office or a state solicitor’s office.

The sheriff’s office emphasized that jail employees will never call family members to request money in exchange for legal relief for an inmate.

Anyone who receives a call of this nature is urged not to send money and to report the incident to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office at 706-886-2514 or to the nonemergency dispatch line at 706-779-3911.

No. 23 Georgia rallies in the 2nd half to beat Long Island University 89-74

By
Rick Farlow
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Georgia center Somto Cyril, center, dunks during the first half of an NCAA college basketball game against Western Carolina, Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025, in Athens, Ga. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Marcus “Smurf” Millender scored 14 points and No. 23 Georgia rallied in the second half to beat Long Island University 89-74 on Monday night.

Georgia (12-1) took its first lead — at 48-47 — on Justin Bailey’s 3-pointer early in the second half. Bailey finished with 13 points. Blue Cain added 12.

Greg Gordon led Long Island (6-7) with 20 points.

Georgia was outscored 48-32 in the paint in its nonconference finale. The Bulldogs shot 46% from the field.

Long Island made 11 of its 16 shots from the field and had an 11-point lead in the first half. The Sharks scored 15 points off 10 Georgia turnovers.

Georgia used a 13-0 run to cushion its lead. The Bulldogs led by 15 points.

Joe David Seay

By
Now Habersham
-

Joe David Seay, age 70, of Alto, Georgia, passed away on Sunday, December 21, 2025.

Mr. Seay’s wishes were to be cremated with no formal services held.

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

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