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Tractor-trailer overturns, shuts down East Mize Road in Demorest

By
Patrick Fargason
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A tractor-trailer overturned on E. Mize Rd. near Preferred Way Ln. Friday morning. (Patrick Fargason/NowGeorgia.com)

DEMOREST — A tractor-trailer overturned on East Mize Road early Friday, forcing authorities to shut down the roadway in both directions as crews worked to clear the scene.

At 7:38 a.m. wreck occurred just east of Preferred Way Lane. East Mize Road, which runs between the Double Bridge Connector and Demorest-Mt. Airy Highway, was closed in both directions near the crash site before reopening shortly after 11 a.m.

Habersham County sheriff’s deputies and Habersham County EMS personnel responded to the scene.

According to Capt. Crystal Zion of the Georgia State Patrol, a 2019 Western Star tractor-trailer was traveling east on East Mize Road approaching Preferred Way Lane when the driver failed to maintain his lane while descending a grade.

The accident caused E. Mize Rd. to be shut down in both directions by Habersham County Sheriff’s Deputies. No other details were immediately available. (Patrick Fargason/NowGeorgia.com)

“The tractor-trailer driven by Cesar Prado Isais, age 45, from Gainesville, Ga., failed to maintain his lane with his rear tires,” Zion said in a statement. “Once off the roadway, Mr. Prado attempted to regain control but over-corrected the tractor-trailer to overturn onto its right side.”

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating the crash. No additional details, including whether the driver was injured or if charges are pending, were immediately available.

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

Sip, Stroll, and Shop brings new energy to Clayton

By
Veronica Respress
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The rooftop of Friends American Grill in Clayton during the city's Sip, Stroll, and Shop happening all weekend long. (Veronica Respress/NowGeorgia.com)

CLAYTON, Ga. – Cabin fever? Why wait until spring to enjoy the quaint mountain town of Clayton?

On February 19, Destination Clayton GA launched the town’s first-ever “Sip, Stroll, and Shop” event — a festive promotion designed to draw visitors downtown during what is typically a slower season. The event runs Thursday through Sunday from February 19 through March 8 in Clayton’s restaurant district.

Visitors outside of Clayton’s Universal Joint during the city’s Sip, Stroll, and Shop event. (Veronica Respress/NowGeorgia.com)

Organizer Eliana Swanson explained the timing behind the initiative. “After Christmas, things slow down here anyway, but the weather this year really did not help,” she said, referencing the extreme cold snap that kept many indoors earlier this winter.

But with temperatures hovering near 70 degrees this past Saturday, downtown Clayton quickly became the place to be. Sidewalks buzzed with shoppers, restaurant tables filled, and the atmosphere felt more like spring break than late winter.

“We need people to see that Clayton is a year-round destination location,” Swanson added.

A glance at the rooftop at Friends American Grill and the steady flow of patrons throughout the district suggested the mission is well underway.

Local retailers are already seeing the benefits. Jessica and Daniel Evans, two of the owners of Keels & Kollars Clothing Co., shared their enthusiasm. “Business has been real good,” they said.

With two more weekends remaining, visitors still have time to experience Sip, Stroll, and Shop for themselves. The shops, restaurants, and scenic charm of downtown Clayton are ready to welcome guests — proving that in the North Georgia mountains, there’s no need to wait for spring to get out and explore.

Bill Clinton says he ‘did nothing wrong’ with Epstein as he faced grilling over their relationship

By
Stephen Groves
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Former President Bill Clinton is seen posing with a woman, whose face is redacted, on his lap in one of the images released by the Department of Justice on Dec. 19, 2025, as part of a trove of Epstein case files. (Photo by Department of Justice)

WASHINGTON (AP) — Former President Bill Clinton told members of Congress on Friday that he “did nothing wrong” in his relationship with Jeffrey Epstein and saw no signs of Epstein’s sexual abuse as he faced hours of grilling from lawmakers over his connections to the disgraced financier from more than two decades ago.

“I saw nothing, and I did nothing wrong,” the former Democratic president said in an opening statement he shared on social media. The closed-door deposition ended after more than six hours of questioning from lawmakers who said he answered every question posed to him.

The deposition in the Clintons’ hometown of Chappaqua, New York, marked the first time a former president has been compelled to testify to Congress. It came a day after Clinton’s wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, sat with lawmakers for her own deposition.

Bill Clinton has also not been accused of any wrongdoing, and Republican members of the House Oversight Committee did not immediately level any accusations against the Clintons as they departed Chappaqua. They planned to review the depositions but said their attention was mostly shifting to other individuals.

Lawmakers are grappling with what accountability in the United States looks like at a time when men around the world have been toppled from their high-powered posts for maintaining their connections with Epstein after he pleaded guilty in 2008 to state charges in Florida for soliciting prostitution from an underage girl.

“We have questions about anyone who spent time with Epstein post-conviction,” said Republican Rep. James Comer, the chair of the House Oversight Committee. “Once you knew Jeffrey Epstein was a sex offender, why did you continue a relationship?”

Bill Clinton, in his opening statement, said that he had long stopped associating with Epstein by the time of his 2008 guilty plea. He also said it would be difficult to recall the specifics of events from more than 20 years ago, but expressed certainty that he had not witnessed signs of Epstein’s abuse.

Republican Rep. John McGuire accused Bill Clinton of having “selective memory” during the questioning, but other GOP members departed acknowledging that he had handled the deposition with skill and candor. Comer called Bill Clinton “charming” during the questioning.

“Clinton was quite candid, perhaps more candid than his attorneys were comfortable,” said Republican Rep. Nick Langworthy.

Republicans finally get a chance to question Bill Clinton

Republicans have wanted to question Bill Clinton about Epstein for years, especially as conspiracy theories arose following Epstein’s 2019 suicide in a New York jail cell while he faced sex trafficking charges.

Those calls reached a fever pitch late last year when several photos of the former presidentsurfaced in the Department of Justice’s first release of case files on Epstein and Maxwell, a British socialite who was convicted of sex trafficking in December 2021 but maintains she’s innocent. Bill Clinton was photographed on a plane seated alongside a woman, whose face is redacted, with his arm around her. Another photo showed Clinton and Maxwell in a pool with another person whose face was redacted.

Epstein also visited the White House several times during Clinton’s presidency, and the pair later made several international trips together for their humanitarian work. Comer claimed the committee has collected evidence that Epstein visited the White House 17 times and that Bill Clinton flew on Epstein’s airplane 27 times.

Democratic lawmakers said they also posed tough questions to Bill Clinton about his relationship with Epstein and Maxwell.

“We are only here because he hid it from everyone so well for so long,” Bill Clinton said in his opening statement. “And by the time it came to light with his 2008 guilty plea, I had long stopped associating with him.”

Bill Clinton also went after Comer for calling his wife before the committee, telling him that “including her was simply not right.”

Comer said the committee was working to quickly publish a transcript and video recording of both days of depositions.

Has a precedent been set?

Democrats, who have supported the push to get answers from Bill Clinton, are arguing that it sets a precedent that should also apply to President Donald Trump, a Republican who had his own relationship with Epstein.

“I think that President Trump needs to man up, get in front of this committee and answer the questions and stop calling this investigation a hoax,” said Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the committee, on Friday.

Comer has pushed back on that idea, saying that Trump has answered questions on Epstein from the press. Republicans also said they have not come across any evidence that Trump did anything wrong in his relationship with Epstein.

Trump on Friday expressed remorse at Bill Clinton being forced to testify. “I like Bill Clinton, and I don’t like seeing him deposed,” he told reporters as he departed the White House en route to Corpus Christi, Texas.

Democrats are also calling for the resignation of Trump’s Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Lutnick was a longtime neighbor of Epstein in New York City but said on a podcast that he severed ties with Epstein following a 2005 tour of Epstein’s home that disturbed Lutnick and his wife.

The public release of case files showed that Lutnick actually had two engagements with Epstein years later. He attended a 2011 event at Epstein’s home, and in 2012 his family had lunch with Epstein on his private island.

“He should be removed from office and, at a minimum, should come before the committee,” Garcia said of Lutnick.

Republican Rep. Nancy Mace questioned Hillary Clinton about Lutnick’s relationship to Epstein during the deposition on Thursday. On Friday morning, Mace joined in calling for the commerce secretary to come before the committee.

“I believe we will have the votes to subpoena him,” Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna said.

Earnest “Ernie” Moody

By
Now Georgia
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Earnest “Ernie” Moody, age 78, of Alto, Georgia, went to his Heavenly Home on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Mr. Moody was born on July 28, 1947, in Habersham County, Georgia, to the late Henry and Alda Williams Moody. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Josh Moody; sisters, Cora Lee Ansley, Inis Crumley, and Evelyn Crocker.

Mr. Moody proudly served his country in the United States Navy, completing two tours during the Vietnam War. His time in the service reflected his courage, dedication, and deep sense of duty. Following his honorable discharge, Ernest made his home in California, where he worked as a truck driver. During those years, he developed a lifelong love for cooking, especially Italian cuisine. He became well known among family and friends for his delicious spaghetti and pizza, skills and recipes he perfected while living on the West Coast. After returning to Georgia, Ernest continued his strong work ethic, dedicating many years to Fieldale Farms and later to Magnolia Windows and Doors. He was dependable, hardworking, and took pride in providing for his family. Above all, Ernest loved the Lord deeply. He was a faithful member of New Life Fellowship Church, where he cherished his church family and remained steadfast in his faith.

Survivors include his sisters and brothers-in-law, Wanda and Clifford Dills, of Alto; Diane and Ron Heimberger, of Alto; brother and sister-in-law, Larry and Carolyn Moody, of Alto; and numerous nieces and nephews, as well as great-nieces and great-nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 1, 2026, at the New Life Fellowship Church with Rev. Tracy Davidson officiating. Interment will follow in the Demorest City Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 4:00 pm to 6:00 p.m., Saturday, February 28, 2026, at the Whitfield Funeral Home, South Chapel.

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

Fire marshal: Hoschton house fire intentionally set; suspect arrested

By
Joy Purcell
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HOSCHTON, Ga. — A Thursday night house fire in Hoschton is under investigation after officials determined it was intentionally set.

At approximately 7:40 p.m. on February 26, Hall County Fire Rescue responded to the 5600 block of Grand Reunion Drive following reports of a residential fire.

According to Hall County Fire Rescue, first arriving crews found flames burning on the front porch of a small two-story home. Firefighters quickly extinguished the blaze. No occupants were at the residence at the time of the fire, and no injuries were reported.

The Hall County Fire Marshal’s Office conducted a formal investigation at the scene and determined the fire was intentionally set.

“HCFR’s Accelerant Detection Canine, Officer Apollo, also alerted at the scene that an accelerant was used,” said HCFR Public Information Officer Kimberlie Ledsinger.

The Hall County Sheriff’s Office arrested one suspect in connection with the case. Now Georgia reached out to Hall County Sheriff’s officials but they have not responded to our request for more information.

Singer-songwriter Neil Sedaka at age 86

By
Associated Press
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FILE - Recording artist Neil Sedaka (Photo courtesy: Neil Sedaka/Facebook)

NEW YORK (AP) — Neil Sedaka, the hit-making singer-songwriter whose boyish soprano and bright melodies made him a top act in the early years of rock ‘n’ roll and led to a second run of success in the 1970s, has died.

Sedaka, whose hits included “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do” and “Laugher in the Rain,” died Friday at age 86.

“Our family is devastated by the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father and grandfather, Neil Sedaka,” his family said in a statement. “A true rock and roll legend, an inspiration to millions, but most importantly, at least to those of us who were lucky enough to know him, an incredible human being who will be deeply missed.”

No other details of his death were immediately available.

A key member of the Brill Building songwriting factory, Sedaka teamed with lyricist and boyhood neighbor Howard Greenfield on songs that reflected the teen innocence of the post-Elvis/pre-Beatles era of the late 1950s-early 1960s, including “Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen,” “Calendar Girl” and “Oh! Carol,” a lament for his high school sweetheart, Carole King.

After a long dry spell, he reemerged with such smashes as “Laughter in the Rain” and “Bad Blood.” The Captain & Tennille’s cover of his “Love Will Keep Us Together” was a chart-topper in 1975.

Short and dark-haired, with a big smile and high-pitched voice, he was a Juilliard-trained, Brooklyn-born son of a Jewish taxi driver who began performing as a teen and kept at it for decades.

Sedaka still played dozens of concerts a year well into his 80s. He retained the enthusiasm and broad vocal range of his youth and never tired of the standards he had sung hundreds of times.

“Past 70, Pavarotti told me the vocal cords are not what they used to be. I’m very fortunate that my voice has held,” he told The Associated Press in 2012. “It’s nice to be a legend, but it’s better to be a working legend.”

Sedaka’s songs sold millions worldwide and have been covered by a range of performers, from Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra to The 5th Dimension and Nickelback. Sedaka helped propel the career of Connie Francis with “Stupid Cupid” and “Where the Boys Are,” the latter for the soundtrack of the movie with the same name. The Captain & Tennille received a best-album Grammy thanks largely to “Love Will Keep Us Together” and included a nod to Sedaka at the end of the song, when Toni Tennille exclaimed “Sedaka’s back!”

Falcons dismiss assistant coach LaTroy Lewis after rape accusation

By
Associated Press
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LaTroy Lewis (Facebook)

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons dismissed assistant defensive line coach LaTroy Lewis on Friday, just hours before he was named as a suspect in a sexual assault case.

The dismissal came shortly after the Falcons said they were looking into allegations that surfaced on social media.

“We are aware of allegations regarding LaTroy Lewis,” the Falcons said in a statement before making the move to fire Lewis. “We are in the process of gathering information and will have no further comment at this time.”

A direct message seeking comment was sent to Lewis on social media.

The allegations date to Lewis’ time at the University of Michigan, where he served as a graduate assistant for the 2022 season before being promoted to assistant defensive line coach for the next two seasons.

“The Ann Arbor Police Department was just recently made aware of allegations regarding a sexual assault reported to have occurred on December 5, 2024,” Ann Arbor Police spokesman Chris Page said. “The suspect in this investigation is LaTroy Lewis.

“The AAPD Detective Bureau launched an immediate investigation into the incident. This investigation remains active and ongoing.”

Karen Truszkowski, the attorney of the woman accusing Lewis of sexual assault, said her client filed an incident report with Ann Arbor police and requested a protective order against Lewis.

The woman and Lewis connected on a dating app in July 2024, and she claims his behavior became aggressive via text message and phone calls, according to Truszkowski. They met for the first time at an Ann Arbor hotel in December 2024, when she told police Lewis that raped her, according to Truszkowski.

The Milford (Michigan) Police Department responded the next month to a 911 call from the woman’s neighbors, who heard raised voices, according to Truszkowski. The attorney said her client and Lewis told the police that their argument was not physical.

Truszkowski said her client told Milford police that Lewis was a coach at Michigan, saying she didn’t want to talk about it. She was afraid to tell the police at the time that Lewis had physically abused her, according to Truszkowski.

A request was sent to Ann Arbor Police to obtain the police report and protection order tied to the allegations against Lewis that were published on social media by podcast host Justin Spiro.

Lewis coached under former Michigan coaches Sherrone Moore and Jim Harbaugh. Moore was fired in December after having an inappropriate relationship with a staff member and charged with three crimes, including felony home invasion and stalking.

“As we have noted, the university launched an investigation of the circumstances and conduct leading to Sherrone Moore’s firing, as well as a broader culture review of the athletic department,” Michigan spokesman Paul Corliss said Friday. “We continue to urge anyone with relevant information to reach out to the law firm conducting the investigation.

“The work is ongoing, and we will be able to share more when it is completed.”

The 32-year-old Lewis, who is from Akron, Ohio, was a standout linebacker at Tennessee and played in two NFL games with the Houston Texans during the 2017 season.

Lewis was hired by the Falcons earlier this month after he spent the 2025 season as Toledo’s defensive line coach.

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School launches land conservation project

By
Megan Morris
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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is partnering with Naturion for a land conservation project. (photo submitted)

RABUN GAP, Ga. — Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School has entered into a long-term partnership with Naturion to restore and permanently protect a tract of school-owned land southwest of its central campus.

The ecological initiative will revive underused pasture and wetlands off School Farm and Indian Lake roads, restoring the property to its natural state and placing it under a perpetual conservation easement. School officials said the designation ensures the land will never be sold or developed, preserving a natural buffer around campus and maintaining the rural character of the area.

“For two years, the Board of Trustees and staff have explored land mitigation as a way to best steward our land and ensure the mission of the school,” Head of School Jeff Miles said. “This collaboration with Naturion is a win-win that enables us to restore the natural beauty and health of our watershed while protecting the school’s borders from development forever.”

Miles said the partnership allows the school to retain ownership and stewardship of the property while generating additional resources to reinvest in scholarships and preservation of its historic facilities and residential campus.

Naturion will oversee a multi-year restoration process that includes stabilizing stream banks and planting native vegetation to improve water quality and biodiversity.
In addition to environmental benefits, the site will serve as an outdoor classroom for students. School officials said native plantings and stream restoration features will provide hands-on learning opportunities in biology, ecology and land conservation.

“The opportunities that this project creates for our students to interact with nature while further exploring important curricular concepts result in powerful learning and connect today’s students with those throughout our school’s history,” Miles said.

Community members may see subcontractors on-site in the coming weeks as preliminary work begins.

White County begins long-range planning for new courthouse, other capital projects

By
Dean Dyer, WRWH Radio
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White County Commission Chairman presents Project Timeline through 2034. (Dean Dyer/WRWH Radio)

CLEVELAND, Ga. – The White County Board of Commissioners this week approved a new five-year comprehensive plan for the county. During that meeting, Commission Chairman Travis Turner presented a plan for the board to study and possibly implement that highlights capital projects now through 2034.

The plan takes into consideration projects currently underway or soon to be implemented.

One of the future projects is the construction of a new county courthouse. Turner told his fellow commissioners that a new courthouse would be the largest single capital project that the county has ever taken on.

“This is a proposed timeline, a conversation starter,” he said, “It is something that the county will have to prepare for,” Turner said.

He said that sometime later this year, possibly in September, the county will break ground on the new county library and will be looking at issuing some bonds to cover the cost above the state grant funds they receive.

Turner noted that at the existing courthouse, they are running out of room, and in the future, they hope to utilize the current City of Cleveland City Hall building, which is owned by the county, when they move to a new location, and when the new library is finished the current library building will be available to use. This will help to open up some of the space at the current courthouse.

(Source: White County Board of Commissioners via WRWH Radio)

He pointed to the timeline down the road to 2033 for the construction of a new courthouse facility.  There are many steps that will need to be taken before we get to that point, but Chairman Turner said the planning needs to start now.

“We have a responsibility to our community and the future board to look at long range, where do we want to go and leave a future board or future boards the options to be prepared for such a monumental project,” commented Turner.

The commissioners have a planning retreat set for March 5, at which time this and other items are expected to be discussed.

Pedestrian-train collision in Lula ruled apparent suicide

By
Joy Purcell
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(NowGeorgia.com)

LULA — The death of a pedestrian struck by a train Thursday afternoon in Lula appears to be a suicide, according to a preliminary investigation by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.

The finding is pending confirmation through an autopsy by the medical examiner.

Deputies and Hall County Fire Rescue were dispatched at approximately 3 p.m. Thursday to the intersection of McLeod Street and Main Street, where a man was struck by a Norfolk Southern train and died at the scene.

Authorities have identified the man as Douglas Michael Fadool, 64, of Lula.

Investigators with the sheriff’s office responded to the scene, and Norfolk Southern Railway temporarily halted train traffic in the area during the investigation. The intersection was closed for approximately two and a half hours and reopened around 5:30 p.m.

Officials said the incident occurred in a public area during daylight hours and resulted in a road closure. Typically, the sheriff’s office does not proactively release the names of individuals in suicide cases. However, due to the public nature of this incident, authorities included the man’s identity in the update.

The investigation remains ongoing pending final confirmation from the medical examiner.

Thomas Norman Williamson

By
Now Georgia
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Thomas Norman Williamson, age 77, of Clarkesville, Georgia, passed away on Thursday, February 26, 2026.

Mr. Williamson was born on October 15, 1948, in Hayesville, North Carolina, to the late Elmer Rich Williamson and Rose Doyle Williamson. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister, Gloria Rogers, and his brother, Elmer Williamson, Jr.

Mr. Williamson was a United States Army Veteran, having served during the Vietnam War. He served as a heavy equipment operator throughout his career.

Survivors include his loving wife of 21 years, Susan Renee Chitwood Williamson, of Clarkesville; daughters, Taleatha Bailey, of Ocean Isle Beach, NC; Dorothy Chitwood, of Cornelia; sons, Timmy Williamson, of Virginia; Jess Chitwood, of Clarkesville; six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Mr. Williamson’s wishes were to be cremated, and a service will be announced.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Habersham County 4-H Student Summer Activity Funds, 555 Monroe Street, Clarkesville, Georgia 30523.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel at 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia 30535. Telephone: 706-778-1700.

White County United Way distributes $80,000 to local agencies

By
Dean Dyer, WRWH Radio
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United Way agency recipients and board members. (Dean Dyer/WRWH)

CLEVELAND (WRWH) — United Way of White County distributed $80,000 on Thursday to 12 community agencies serving residents across the county.

United Way Board Vice Chairman Nathan Eason thanked the partner agencies for their work and presented checks to White County Food Pantry, White County Caring and Sharing, White County 4-H, White County Family Connection, BRIDGE Recovery, Community Helping Hands Clinic, Family Promise of White County, Catalyst Christian Learning Center, Enotah CASA, South Enotah Child Advocacy Center, Circle of Hope and White County Backpack Buddies.

Eason said the organization’s major annual fundraisers include the Darrel Chaney Celebrity Golf Tournament, now in its 25th year and set for April 19-21, the fall bucket drives in Cleveland and Helen, and the White County Turkey Trot.

He also emphasized the need for more businesses and employees to participate in payroll deduction through the “Easy Way” program.

“One of the biggest needs, I think, is getting more businesses involved in payroll deduction,” Eason said. “That can be an easy way to fundraise, and we can grow our fundraising abilities through more businesses participating in that.”

The United Way of White County board is made up entirely of volunteers. According to the organization, 97 percent of the money raised goes directly to community agencies serving White County residents.

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