David W. Rayford, age 82, of Demorest, Georgia, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
Mr. Rayford was born on July 13, 1943, in Washington, D.C., to the late Elmer Carr Rayford and Elva Izora Coghill Rayford, and he was raised in Pasadena, Maryland, where he was a long-time resident. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his loving wife of 50 years, Peggy L. Rayford; brother, John Edgar Rayford; and sister, JoAnn Rayford.
In 1970, David married the love of his life, Peggy, originally from Glen Burnie, Maryland. Together, they built a life centered on love, dedication, and quiet strength. They created a home filled with love and laughter, raising their son, Larry, where they spent many happy years building memories that would last a lifetime. David dedicated many years of his career to General Electric before retiring. Never one to sit still, he proudly became the owner and operator of his auto shop, “Arundel Foreign Car,” where his passion for automobiles and his strong work ethic shone through. He also worked alongside his brother John in the car repossession business, a venture John owned, strengthening not only their livelihood but their brotherly bond. Peggy worked for over 20 years at a Hallmark store, News Center, where she was a manager, known for her kindness and warm spirit. A true enthusiast at heart, David loved the water and spent countless peaceful hours boating, taking pride in the many boats he owned over the years. He was also a devoted vintage car enthusiast, with a special fondness for muscle cars. Car shows became treasured outings for David and Peggy, days spent side by side, admiring craftsmanship and sharing stories with others. Beyond their hobbies, David and Peggy shared a deep love for wildlife. Their back deck was often visited by generations of raccoons, whom they watched and cared for with delight. Their home was also filled with the companionship of beloved cats, each cherished and treated as family.
Survivors include son and daughter-in-law, Lawrence “Larry” and Erika Rayford, of Martin; grandchildren, Amanda L. Maynard, Laura A. White (Josh), Lawrence A. Rayford Jr. (Gelisia); great grandchildren, Josh Maynard Jr., Adam Maynard, Wyatt Maynard, Gracie Maynard, Andrew Maynard, Evelyn White, Alessia White, Everett White, Jasper White, Manuel “Manny” Crespo (Rayford); and brother, Eddy Carr Rayford (Barbara); nephews, Brian Rayford, and Sean Rayford.
Mr. Rayford’s wishes were to be cremated and a celebration of life will be held at a later date in Pasadena, Maryland.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel at 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia 30535. Telephone: 706-778-1700.
Richard Lee Dixon, 77, of Clayton, passed away Monday, February 16, 2026, surrounded by his loved ones.
Born April 17, 1948, in Franklin, North Carolina, he was the son of the late Coil Frank Dixon, Sr. and Mary Frances Whitmire Dixon.
Lee was a lifelong automotive enthusiast who especially enjoyed restoring Volkswagens. He turned his passion into a successful business, operating a VW parts store in South Carolina for many years and selling Volkswagen parts throughout the Southeast, from Manassas, Virginia, to Jacksonville, Florida. He was also a devoted fan of NASCAR.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Jimmy David Dixon.
He is survived by his loving wife of 39 years, Olivia Cook Dixon; two sons, Evan Dixon (Jill) and Michael Dixon (Hayley); one daughter, Jessica Mishler (Glenn); grandchildren, Krista Scott (Clint), Kassidy Dixon, Kenlee Dixon, Tevan Dixon, and Garrett Lindsey; and great-grandchildren, Maylian Dixon, Kelton Dixon, Taytum Scott, Hadlee Scott, and Raela Herrera. He was also survived by two brothers, Teddy Dixon (Sandra) and John Dixon (Martha); two nephews, Marty Dixon (Savannah) and John Dixon; three nieces, Crystal Buchanan (Matthew), Norma Jordan (Cliff), and Sherry Dixon; and a sister-in-law Teresea Crowe (Bryan).
The family will receive friends from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 22, 2026, at Clayton Church of God, 255 Stekoa Falls Road, Clayton, Georgia. A Celebration of Life will follow at 4:00 p.m., with Reverend Marty Dixon officiating.
He will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved him.
A widely publicized raid on the county’s election warehouse has revived speculation over whether the State Election Board would attempt to take over Fulton County’s election operations. (Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder)
WINDER, Ga. (Georgia Recorder) — Georgia’s State Election Board did not move to take control of Fulton County’s elections at a closely watched meeting this week, but at least one board member left the door open for future intervention.
In the aftermath of a widely publicized raid on the county’s election warehouse in January, there has been renewed speculation over whether the board would attempt to take over election operations in the county, which is a Democratic stronghold and home to much of the city of Atlanta.
On the first day of a two-day meeting held in Winder, board member Janelle King signaled she had not closed the door on taking further action once more information became available.
“I’m waiting to see what happens with the DOJ and the FBI seizure, and see what comes out of that,” she told reporters Wednesday.
Roughly 700 boxes of election records were seized during the raid, which coincided with President Donald Trump’s repeated calls for the Republican Party to “nationalize” voting and take over elections in the United States in “15 places.” Fulton County Commission Chair Robb Pitts has filed a lawsuit against the federal government seeking the return of the documents. A hearing in that case is scheduled for next Friday.
The State Election Board also passed a measure this week seeking access to the Fulton County election records once they have been returned from the U.S. Department of Justice’s custody.
At least one state lawmaker, Cumming Republican state Sen. Greg Dolezal, has publicly called for the Trump-aligned board to take over elections in Fulton County, claiming that the county has failed to properly maintain its voter rolls. Trump also boosted a story about Dolezal’s push in a social media post Tuesday.
Dolezal continued to call for a state takeover as the board was meeting in Winder.
“We’ve seen the shenanigans of 2020,” he said in a speech Wednesday in the state Senate. “We’ve seen broken laws in 2024. We’ve seen gross negligence in the maintenance of the voter rolls, and unfortunately, it is now time for the State Election Board to step up and step in and begin the process of replacing the election superintendent in Fulton County.”
Fulton County Commission Chair Robb Pitts appeared at the second day of February’s State Election Board meeting. (Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder)
Pitts, who appeared at the meeting Thursday, said that county officials had and would continue to obey the law.
“As long as we’re compliant with the laws, I’m satisfied, and we have released everything that we were legally required to do,” he said. “But we were not, unless directed to do so, going to release anything that would contain any personal information, people who voted absentee, personal identification, name, address, telephone number, Social Security, things like that. We’re not going to do that.”
Under a sweeping election law passed in 2021, the State Election Board was empowered to take over underperforming county election boards, though the board voted down a similar push to take over Fulton County’s elections in 2023. The panel is primarily tasked with overseeing cases involving potential violations of election laws and issuing guidance to help elections run more smoothly.
Fulton County, a Democratic stronghold which is home to much of the city of Atlanta, was also at the center of President Donald Trump’s baseless claims that the 2020 election was stolen in Georgia and other swing states. Two recounts, including one done by hand, affirmed former President Joe Biden’s narrow victory in Georgia.
The central claims used to justify last month’s FBI raid include allegations of missing ballot images, duplicated ballots, irregularities with tabulator tapes and other issues that have been widely debunked in the more than five years since the election. Additionally, previous investigations into the 2020 election did not find any merit to the claims of rampant voting fraud or intentional misconduct by Fulton election workers and leadership.
The Rev. Willie “Bo” Barber II of Prospect AME Church in the Columbus area speaks outside a State Election Board meeting held in Winder, Georgia. (Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder)
Ahead of this week’s meeting, held in Winder, a group of Georgia-based faith leaders gathered to speak out against what they saw as an attack on the voting rights of Fulton County residents.
“What happened in Fulton County does not stay in Fulton County,” said the Rev. Willie “Bo” Barber II of Prospect AME Church in the Columbus area. “It also travels into Newton County, into Bibb County, Muscogee County, Chatham County, all over the state of Georgia.”
Barber also voiced concerns that the seizure of election documents would lead to voters staying home on election day out of fear of the federal government.
“It will set a precedence that says that the private information of individuals — showing how we vote, showing where we live — will be fodder for those that would hold up injustices,” he said.
Democrats in the state Legislature also echoed those sentiments.
“It is ridiculous that we’re spending taxpayer money trying to make Trump feel better,” said Sen. Nikki Merritt, a Grayson Democrat who chairs the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. “I think there is a move to interfere with our elections in the state of Georgia, and this is just a step in that direction.”
On Wednesday, the board also voted to subpoena Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger over a case involving an alleged double voter in Fulton County. The board subsequently voted 3-0 to allow the executive director to hire a private investigator for a pilot project Thursday.
The board’s next meeting will be held on March 18 at Marietta City Hall.
Len Carter, age 71, of Lula, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at his daughter’s home, surrounded by his loving family.
Born on August 3, 1954, in Sumter, South Carolina, Len was the son of the late Fred George Carter, Sr. and Maudie Mae Tench Carter. A devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and friend, Len lived a life marked by humility, kindness, and quiet strength. He never sought the spotlight, preferring instead to serve faithfully in the background, always placing others before himself.
Len retired from Peachtree Doors after more than 28 years of dedicated service. Following his retirement, he continued his strong work ethic as a custodian with the Banks County Schools, where he was appreciated for his dependability and warm spirit. He attended Silver Shoals Baptist Church.
In his spare time, Len treasured traveling with his beloved wife, Judy, especially enjoying trips to Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg, and many other special destinations they explored together. He was an avid fan of Dale Earnhardt Racing, proudly cheered for the Georgia Bulldogs, and enjoyed watching wrestling.
Above all, Len’s greatest joy in life was his family. He adored his grandchildren and was passionate about attending their events whenever possible. Whether sitting in the stands or quietly offering encouragement, he was their constant supporter and proudest fan. His grandchildren and great-grandchildren brought immeasurable happiness to his heart.
In addition to his parents, Len was preceded in death by his brothers, Robert Lee Carter and Raymond Joseph Carter, and by his brother-in-law, Alan Reynolds.
Survivors include his loving and devoted wife of 39 years, Judy Reynolds Carter, whom he adored; daughters and sons-in-law, Lisa and Raymond Welborn, Charmian and Earl Roach; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Lori Thompson; grandchildren, Brett and Ally Roach, Austin and Kelsey Thompson, Hunter and Maddie Thompson, Colton and Erica Carter, and Dawson and Laney Welborn; great-grandchildren, Lily and Nate Roach, Oakland, Jordan, Callie, and Beckham Thompson, and Remington and Walker Carter; sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Cheryl and Kenneth Mooney; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Scott and Cindy Reynolds; sister, Shirley Carter Stephens; brother, Fred George Carter, Jr., along with numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives, and many cherished friends.
At Len’s request, he will be cremated and private services will be held.
Skip Henderson will not endorse candidate in race for mayor (Robbie Watson/NowGeorgia.com)
There’s a battle brewing in the race to replace Skip Henderson as the next mayor of Columbus. It’s a race Henderson is content to watch from the sidelines. The current mayor said he will not be endorsing a candidate to take his seat.
“I just never have from the first day I was even elected on council I didn’t. I just made a decision if I’m going to serve the entire community and try to maintain the confidence that they have in me then I can’t pick a candidate and side with somebody over somebody else that’s running. Maybe it’s the coward’s way out but it’s legitimately a concern. I don’t want any subset of Columbus to feel like we’re not on their side too,” Henderson said.
Based off campaign finance disclosures two front runners have emerged in the race for mayor. City councilor Joanne Cogle and former city manager Isaiah Hugley have raised a substantial amount of funds compared to the other contenders who have filed a Declaration of Intention to run for mayor. Those include Jaketra Bryant, Steven Kelly and Mark Lajoye. Qualifying for the race begins in March. Election day is May 19.
The Opelika Police Department has arrested Michael Leon Green, 26, and Dante Kharari Brundidge, 28, both from Tuskegee, on arson charges. The arrests stem from two separate fires that occurred at Opelika childcare facilities in January 2026.
On January 13, 2026, at approximately 3:23 a.m., the Opelika Fire Department (OFD) responded to a structure fire at By His Grace Daycare & Learning Center, located at 311 South 6th Street. Days later, on January 19, 2026, just after 11:30 p.m., OFD responded to a second structure fire at the Children Palace Learning Center, located at 116 Columbus Parkway. Firefighters successfully extinguished both fires, and no injuries were reported in either incident.
During the initial investigations, authorities discovered glass mason jars filled with an accelerant at both locations. Evidence gathered from the scenes led investigators to identify Green and Brundidge as the suspects.
Green was arrested on February 18 and Brundidge on February 19, 2026. Both were booked into the Lee County Jail.
We would like to thank ALEA and the U.S. Marshals for their assistance on this case. If you have any information about these incidents, please contact the Opelika Police Department Detective Division at (334) 705-5220. Tips can be submitted through our Opelika Police Mobile App.
Joshua Willams faces multiple felony charges after child sexual abuse material was found on his phone. (Hall County Sheriff's Office)
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — A Gainesville man faces multiple felony charges after Hall County investigators found child sexual abuse material (CSAM) on his cellphone, authorities said.
Investigators with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children Unit arrested Joshua Michael Williams, 43, on Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at a location on Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Gainesville, according to Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer BJ Williams.
Williams, who reports he is homeless, was charged with three felony counts of sexual exploitation of children. He is being held without bond at the Hall County Jail.
The investigation began last summer. On June 30, 2025, Williams — a convicted sex offender — went to the Sheriff’s Office headquarters to meet with an investigator assigned to the agency’s Sex Offender Registration and Tracking Unit. During that meeting, investigators determined Williams had violated the terms of his probation, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Williams later submitted his cellphone to investigators. After processing and analyzing the device, investigators located three images of child sexual abuse material, authorities said.
All information was provided by the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
The comfort Harvey feels with his new owner, Chandler Jordan, is evident days after going home with Chandler and his wife, Amberly. (Riley Moody/NowGeorgia.com)
CLAYTON, Ga. – Harvey has a home!
The waggly, canine ball of joy, long known as the “unadoptable” mascot of the Habersham County Animal Shelter, has found his people: Specifically, Chandler and Amberly Jordan of Clayton. The young couple spotted Harvey on an adopt-a-pet website, zeroed in on him, spoke to shelter director Madi Nix, met Harvey, and fell in love. They brought him home on February 6.
The Jordans are what Nix calls “unicorn adopters,” which is what Harvey needed. Despite a jolly, affectionate, and outgoing nature, Harvey has a bit of a “jealousy” problem—he regarded other living creatures as his enemies when it came to food, water, or toys. Nix called him a “resource guarder,” in pet-speak. That made his life complicated in the crowded shelter, and made Nix wary of giving him to any home with children or pets, where Harvey might feel challenged by a little boy or beagle moving in on his treasures.
Enter the Jordans, married just a few years, and without pets or children. Neither spouse had owned a dog since childhood, but they were ready for one, in a newly secured home near the peak of a spacious mountain east of downtown Clayton.
First visitors
Harvey is the same lovable lug he has always been, just with new parents, new digs, and a new life. (Riley Moody/NowGeorgia.com)
Harvey greeted three visitors on Thursday in his customary fashion, sniffing, pressing against them for hugs and touches, licking hands, and looking up at their appreciative faces for approval. His expressive eyes watched for affection eagerly, and he returned it, multiplied.
Madi Nix spelled out her feelings in a long, emotive Facebook post earlier this week:
“I loved a dog for 946 days knowing he would never be mine,” she wrote. “He finally got everything he deserved. In the overcrowded shelter system, time is the one thing dogs like Harvey rarely get.”
“Harvey came to the Shelter as an 80-pound mixed-breed dog with opinions. Loud ones. He arrived (without incident) as a ‘911 call,’ which honestly tracks—because Harvey never whispered a single thought in his entire life. He always loved to be ‘extra.’”
Harvey won Best Costume at the annual Dogs of Summer Pet Pageant fundraiser for the Habersham County Animal Shelter. (Photo by Kilah Rich)
Habersham County Animal Care and Control Director Madi Nix ‘tames’ the lion-hearted Harvey at the Dogs of Summer pageant on August 23, 2025. At the time, he had lived at the shelter for 780 days. (Photo by Carly McCurry)
Harvey’s most recent media appearance was in an article about the shelter’s hard-to-adopt pets, some of whom, regrettably, must be euthanized. But that was never going to be Harvey’s fate, Nix knew. She loved him so much that she often took him home, even though he had to be separated from her other dogs.
“I always joked that the 2 percent Chihuahua in his DNA was responsible for the bad attitude. The 17 random breeds making Harvey who he was always made me giggle. They ranged from Great Pyrenees to Beagle, Dalmatian to Cocker Spaniel, and everything in between.”
Harvey learns anew
Michael and Melissa Campanale, dog trainers with Limitless K9 in Alto helped train Harvey. (photo submitted)
Along the way to redemption, Harvey got some help from Michael and Melissa Campanale, married dog trainers with seemingly endless patience.
With funding donated by shelter supporters, the Campanales, who run Limitless K9 in Alto, immediately zeroed in on Harvey’s (only) bad trait—the resource guarding.
“It’s hard to say what his life was like before,” Michael says. “I don’t know that it was negative or neglectful, but I do think that he was just not in the best environment with people.”
The trick, he says, is to replace a dog’s fears with assurances that he’ll get what he wants and needs.
“If you take a dish of food away, you immediately replace it with another,” Campanale says. “They learn to trust things they were once insecure about.”
Harvey lived with the Campanales for five weeks or so, and took giant steps to trust and engage better with people.
“I liked Harvey right away,” the trainer says, “but even with more severe cases…they’re still seeing the structure right away…We see the cues in their body language. They never get a chance to go full-on with those (bad) behaviors. We build good habits before we go into addressing the bad ones.”
The training seems to have worked out nicely; Amberly says there’s scarcely been a problem since they brought Harvey home, and the one time he showed teeth, she applied the calming techniques suggested by the Campanales. The trainers plan to stay in touch and were planning their first visit to the Jordans on Friday.
Instant love
Chandler and Amberly Jordan with Harvey. The couple adopted him after seeing him on an pet adoption website. They said they didn’t know they were adopting a celebrity canine. (Riley Moody/NowGeorgia.com)
Nix wanted journalists to wait to write about Harvey’s move until his place with the Jordans was secure, since some shelter dogs are returned within weeks. Harvey himself had previously been sent to a dog rescue in the Hamptons with the hope they could find him a home. They couldn’t. Nix traveled north to bring Harvey back south. As for his placement with the Jordans, Amberly said, Nix needn’t have worried. Asked when she decided Harvey was a keeper, his new owner replied, “on the way home from the shelter.”
The Jordans report that Harvey happily waits quietly while they prepare his food, lies down and stays when asked, and doesn’t seem to mind climbing into his crate for the night, or when his new owners are away for work during the day. Amberly runs a house-cleaning business, and Chandler works for an electric company, so both jobs take them out of the house.
But now, they come home, not to an empty house, but to the irrepressible joy of their newest family member.
“Did you know you’re a famous dog?” Amberly coos to him while she lays an arm on his silken back.
Defendant Edrick Faust with his counsel during day three of the Tara Baker murder trial. (WUGA)
(WUGA) – The man convicted of murdering University of Georgia law student Tara Baker will spend the rest of his life behind bars. On Thursday, Chief Superior Court Judge Lisa Lott sentenced Edrick Faust to life in prison, plus 45 years. Baker’s mother, Virginia had her statement read by her son-in-law.
“There are no words to fully express the horror of what this monster did to my daughter, Tara,” For weeks I have sat in this courtroom, forced to look at evil, to hear details I never wanted to know. I have endured it only for her sake.”
Baker’s older brother, Adam, also addressed the court.
“An entire branch of our family tree was severed irreparably on that one day to satisfy on man’s depravity,” he said.
He also told Faust he harbored no hate toward him.
“Today sitting in this courtroom face to face, I can honestly say I have forgiven you. I harbor no hate in my heart. I’ve given that all to God.”
Tara baker was murder in 2001. Faust was arrested in 2024 due to DNA evidence.
Abby Jackson, center, holds a certificate of recognition from the Habersham County Board of Commissioners honoring her induction into the Habersham County Agriculture Hall of Fame. (Patrick Fargason/NowGeorgia.com)
CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — The Habersham County Board of Commissioners opened Monday’s meeting with a series of recognitions highlighting agriculture, public safety and county service during recent winter storms.
Commissioners honored a local entrepreneur for her agricultural legacy, recognized a deputy and an EMT for life-saving actions and applauded county crews for 10 days of work during dangerous weather conditions.
Agriculture Hall of Fame
Commission Chairman Bruce Harkness recognized Abby Jackson for her induction into the Habersham County Agriculture Hall of Fame during the annual Farm-City Breakfast hosted by the Habersham County Farm Bureau in November 2025.
Harkness said Jackson’s life’s work reflects the county’s agricultural heritage through farming, conservation, agritourism and entrepreneurship.
Raised in a farming family in Habersham County, Jackson later returned home after working for Motorola and Pfizer to establish Blackhawk Fly Fishing on the Soque River with her husband, John, in 1997. The business has grown into a premier outdoor destination and contributor to the local economy.
Jackson also launched Abby J’s Gourmet, a specialty food brand built around Georgia Grown ingredients. Her sweet pickles earned a Flavor of Georgia award in 2016.
Harkness highlighted her environmental stewardship, including preservation efforts involving more than 2,400 hemlock trees along the Soque River, as well as her family’s longstanding donations of farm produce to the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia.
“Through her business, her dedication to agriculture, her environmental stewardship and her generosity toward others, she has strengthened both our agricultural heritage and our community as a whole,” Harkness said.
Deputy de-escalates hostage situation
Deputy Andra Townsend, center, is recognized by the Habersham County Board of Commissioners for her role in de-escalating a hostage situation during a Jan. 11 domestic violence call. (Patrick Fargason/NowGeorgia.com)
Habersham County Sheriff Robin Krockum recognized Deputy Andra Townsend for her response to a Jan. 11 domestic violence call near Baldwin that escalated into a hostage situation.
Townsend, who has more than 21 years of law enforcement experience and has served with the county for more than eight years, arrived to find a man holding his wife at gunpoint.
Through communication and negotiation, Townsend was able to gain the suspect’s trust and persuade him to surrender without further incident.
“She was able to remain professionally calm and diffuse that situation,” Krockum said. “That’s exactly what we want.”
Krockum noted Townsend has handled similar high-risk situations in the past, including an armed mental health crisis call in the Denver area last year.
EMT walks through ice to reach patient
Josh Garrett, center, receives a certificate of recognition from the Habersham County Board of Commissioners for his actions during a January winter storm, when he walked more than a mile in hazardous conditions to assist an elderly resident. (Patrick Fargason/NowGeorgia.com)
Commissioner Ty Akins recognized EMS employee Josh Garrett for his actions during the January winter ice storm.
On Jan. 25, as hazardous conditions left roads blocked by fallen trees and power lines, Garrett and his crew were dispatched to Ernest Nations Road to assist an elderly woman concerned about her oxygen supply.
When their unit could not pass, Garrett used a chainsaw to clear debris. When that was no longer possible, he continued on foot — carrying medical gear, oxygen tanks and the chainsaw — for approximately a mile and a half to reach the patient.
He assessed her oxygen levels and helped arrange safe relocation to a home with power.
“Josh walked approximately a mile and a half through hazardous winter conditions to reach the citizen in need,” Akins said. “Your commitment to going the extra mile, quite literally, made a real difference in someone’s life.”
Rotary honors storm response crews
County Manager Tim Sims speaks during the Feb. 16 Habersham County Board of Commissioners meeting, recognizing EMS, road department and fleet services crews for their work during recent winter storms. (Patrick Fargason/NowGeorgia.com)
County Manager Tim Sims also recognized county employees after accepting an award from the Rotary International during a recent Habersham Rotary Club meeting.
The award honored the work of EMS personnel, road department crews and fleet services during 10 consecutive days of winter storm response.
“For 10 straight days, 10 long, demanding days, they worked tirelessly,” Sims said. “They didn’t do it for recognition. They did it because that’s what public servants do.”
Crews cleared roads before daylight in freezing temperatures, responded to emergencies and repaired equipment while many were away from their families.
While the award bore the county’s name, Sims said the credit belonged to the employees.
“Your dedication, sacrifice and teamwork kept Habersham County safe, connected and cared for during some very challenging days,” he said.
Commissioners presented plaques to representatives from the three departments as the meeting concluded its recognitions.
Habersham County School Resource Officers responded to a man walking near the Ninth Grade Academy with a crossbow. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com)
MT. AIRY, Ga. – A man seen carrying a non-functioning crossbow near the Habersham Ninth Grade Academy on Thursday morning was simply passing through the area.
A school employee and parents reported seeing the man on Owens Circle as students and staff arrived in the morning.
Habersham County Sheriff’s Office deputies, Habersham County Board of Education Police Department officers, and the Georgia State Patrol mounted a swift joint response. They worked together to safely contact the man on GA 197 near the GA 365 ramp.
When the officers found the man, he was walking away from the schools. He held a non-functioning crossbow and had the handle of a machete sticking out of his backpack.
The man, who travels exclusively on foot, told deputies he walked along the road behind the school to avoid creating a panic. He was simply heading home and had no ill intent toward the school or community.
“He did not at any time come onto the school campus,” Habersham County Board of Education Police Chief Murray Kogod said.
Law enforcement personnel know the man and confirm he regularly walks in that area for transportation.
Habersham County Sheriff Robin Krockum and Chief Kogod stressed that students, staff, and parents were never in danger. The successful resolution highlighted the great teamwork and joint efforts of all responding agencies to secure the area.
“I commend our personnel, officers from the school police department, and the Georgia State Patrol for their immediate response to ensure there was not a threat to our school community,” Krockum said.
FRANKLIN COUNTY, Ga. — Two separate crashes early Thursday morning shut down both northbound lanes of Interstate 85 for approximately 2.5 hours in Franklin County, according to Georgia State Patrol Post 52 in Hartwell.
Sgt. J.R. Dean said Trooper First Class Pratz responded around 3:53 a.m. Feb. 19 to a three-vehicle crash near mile marker 157 that resulted in a complete road blockage.
The preliminary investigation found a 2007 Volvo tractor-trailer driven by Andrey Tarasyuk, 42, of Gaffney, South Carolina, and a 2021 Freightliner tractor-trailer driven by Dennis Melton, 53, of Fitzgerald, were traveling north in the right lane. A 2015 Honda Civic driven by Philip Royle, 41, of Eastanollee, was traveling north in the left lane.
According to Dean, the Freightliner was traveling slowly with its hazard lights activated when the Volvo, which was following too closely, struck the rear of the Freightliner.
Debris from the crash then struck the Honda in the left lane, causing it to travel off the left shoulder, hit a guardrail and come to a controlled stop.
Tarasyuk was transported by Franklin County EMS to Piedmont Athens Regional Medical Center with minor injuries. Melton and Royle reported no injuries.
While troopers were investigating, a second crash occurred in the same northbound lanes.
Dean said a 2005 Chevrolet tow truck driven by Tommy Atkins, 73, of Carbon Hill, Alabama, and a 2024 International tractor-trailer driven by Ricardo Hall, 47, of Camilla, were traveling north in the right lane. The Chevrolet was following too closely and struck the rear of the International.
Tommy Atkins was transported by Franklin County EMS to St. Mary’s Sacred Heart Hospital with minor injuries. His passenger, Larry Atkins, 75, of Carbon Hill, reported no injuries. Hall also reported no injuries.
Both northbound lanes of I-85 were closed for about 2½ hours while troopers investigated and crews removed the vehicles.
Charges are pending against the drivers of the Volvo and the Chevrolet, Dean said.
