WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) — The second partial government shutdown in 2026 began at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, after lawmakers left the nation’s capital without reaching a deal on changes to immigration enforcement tactics at the Department of Homeland Security.
The department’s shutdown is also likely to go on for some time. With Congress out next week for the Presidents’ Day recess, lawmakers are not expected back on Capitol Hill for votes until Feb. 23.
A procedural vote to approve funding for the Homeland Security bill for fiscal year 2026 failed Thursday to gain support from Senate Democrats because constraints to immigration enforcement were not included, such as an end to agents wearing face coverings.
Even with the president’s border czar, Tom Homan, announcing Thursday, the withdrawal of the thousands of federal immigration officers from Minneapolis, Democrats argued it’s not enough.
“Without legislation, what Tom Homan says today could be reversed tomorrow on a whim from (President) Donald Trump,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said on the Senate floor Thursday.
Asked by the press pool Friday about cutting a deal on the shutdown, Trump said, “We’ll see what happens. We always have to protect our law enforcement.”
After the Senate vote failed 52-47, members of Congress emptied out of Washington for the recess. Some were off to Munich, Germany for a major security conference.
ICE still has cash at hand
While the agency Trump tasked with carrying out his mass deportation campaign of immigrants will shut down, enforcement will continue because Congress allocated a separate stream of money, about $75 billion for U.S. Immigration and Enforcement Services.
During last fall’s government shutdown, which lasted a record-breaking 43 days, immigration enforcement continued.
The other agencies within DHS that will be shut down but continue to operate because they include essential workers include the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Secret Service, the Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration, and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, among others.
In general, any employees who focus on national security issues or the protection of life and property would continue to work through a shutdown, while federal workers who don’t are supposed to be furloughed.
Neither category of employees will receive their paychecks during the funding lapse, though federal law requires they receive back pay once Congress approves some sort of spending bill.
Democratic mayors call for GOP to accept proposals
Democrats have pushed for policy changes after federal immigration officers killed two U.S. citizens in Minneapolis, where a deportation drive is set to wind down after the city faced more than two months of aggressive immigration enforcement.
Renee Good was shot and killed by an immigration officer on Jan. 7, which prompted a bipartisan agreement to enact some guardrails, such as $20 million in funding for immigration agents to wear body cameras.
But a second killing by federal immigration officers, that of Alex Pretti on Jan. 24, prompted the Senate to decouple the Homeland Security measure from a package of spending bills, as Democrats floated proposals meant to rein in enforcement tactics, and prompted a four-day partial shutdown. A two-week funding patch was set for negotiations, and it expires at midnight Friday.
Democratic mayors hailing from the major cities of Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, New Orleans, and Portland, Oregon, Friday issued a letter that called on the top Republicans in Congress, Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota, and House Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana, to accept the proposals before DHS entered a shutdown.
“When federal agents operate in our streets without identification, without warrants, and without accountability, that trust is shattered,” they wrote. “All of us agree that for so long as the agency exists, new funding for the Department of Homeland Security must be conditioned on the comprehensive 10-point framework released last week.”
Those policy suggestions include requiring immigration officers not to wear masks and identify themselves, which has drawn strong opposition from Republicans and the leaders of ICE and Customs and Border Protection, who argue the face coverings prevent their agents from being doxxed.
Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., sent the proposals over to the White House, but said the Trump administration’s response was “incomplete and insufficient in terms of addressing the concerns Americans have about ICE’s lawless conduct.”
According to the contingency plan for DHS, the agency expects about 20,000 employees out of 271,000 to be furloughed in the event of a government shutdown.
Toccoa Police Department has arrested Victoria Galliher of Toccoa after she failed to appear in court in connection with the 2022 death of her infant child. (Toccoa Police Department)
TOCCOA, Ga. — A Toccoa woman accused in the 2022 death of her infant child is behind bars after failing to appear in court, prompting officers to activate outstanding murder warrants and move quickly to locate her.
The Toccoa Police Department arrested Victoria Galliher on February 13 without incident. She was transported to the Stephens County Jail, where she remains held pending further judicial proceedings.
Galliher’s failure to report to court triggered the immediate activation of warrants for second-degree murder related to the infant’s death.
“This case originated in 2022 when Toccoa Police Investigators conducted a child death investigation,” said Toccoa Police Chief Bruce Carlisle. “Casey Pugh and Victoria Galliher were identified as the suspects in the death of the child. The case was presented to a Stephens County Grand Jury who returned a True Bill Indictment for cruelty to children in the 1st degree and 2nd degree murder.”
According to Carlisle, arrest warrants were issued by the superior court after both defendants failed to appear earlier this month.
“Galliher was arrested without incident by Toccoa Police Investigators in Toccoa on this date, and Pugh was later arrested in Habersham County on this date, as well,” Carlisle said. “A special thank you to Habersham County Sheriff’s Office and Cornelia Police Department for assisting Toccoa Police Investigators in Pugh’s arrest.”
FILE - Colin Gray, 54, the father of Apalachee High School shooter Colt Gray, 14, sits in the Barrow County courthouse for his first appearance, Sept. 6, 2024, in Winder, Ga. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson, File)
(GPB News) – The trial of Colin Gray, the father of the suspected Apalachee High School shooter, will begin on Monday, after a days-long jury selection process in neighboring Hall County.
Prosecutors have charged Gray with 29 counts, including second-degree murder, involuntary manslaughter, and multiple second-degree counts of cruelty to children.
If convicted, it would be the first time in state history that a parent would be found liable for providing a weapon used in a school shooting, mirroring the conviction of Jennifer and James Crumbley in Michigan.
Both prosecutors and Gray’s attorneys agreed to choose from a pool of jurors in Hall County, citing concerns that a jury of residents of Barrow County, site of the killings, would bring in their own biases about the case.
Kay Levine is a professor of law at Emory University. She said it’s not unusual to see this happen in cases that get a lot of public attention.
“Lots of people who live in the community heard about it and they heard some details that were being reported in the press,” she said. “They may have heard some side commentary about the people who were involved, and prosecutors, defense attorneys, and the judge need to make sure that the only evidence that the jurors are going to hear is the evidence that is produced in court.”
The alleged shooter, Colt Gray, last appeared in court in December, represented by a new defense attorney. That attorney told Chief Judge Nicholas Primm that a mental evaluation is still ongoing for Gray, and its findings would be ready by mid-March.
Last May, Gray’s previous attorney told the court he’d likely be ready to plead guilty after the evaluation was concluded.
Chase Elliott, (9) takes the checkered flag during the second of two NASCAR Daytona 500 qualifying auto races at Daytona International Speedway, Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, in Daytona Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/David Graham)
Joey Logano and hometown favorite Chase Elliott won 150-mile qualifying races Thursday night to set the starting grid for Daytona on Sunday. Elliott will be joined on the oval by fellow Georgian Corey Heim of Marietta, who qualified on Wednesday.
NASCAR’s Super Bowl
William Byron will try to become the first driver in history to win the Daytona 500 three consecutive years when the 68th running of “The Great American Race” opens the NASCAR season on February 15.
Byron won last year’s event in overtime after race leader Denny Hamlin got spun on the final lap, igniting a multicar crash. Byron ended up passing eight cars on the last lap to return to victory lane.
Driver William Byron works on the track during a NASCAR Daytona 500 practice, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026, in Daytona, Fla. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Can he make it three in a row? Four others — Richard Petty in 1975, Cale Yarborough in 1985, Sterling Marlin in 1996 and Hamlin in 2021 — came up short in threepeat bids at NASCAR’s signature race.
The field includes seven other previous Daytona 500 winners, most notably three-time winner Hamlin and seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson. Hamlin is trying to bounce back from a heartbreaking loss in the 2025 season finale and the December death of his father. Johnson, meanwhile, is again driving the No. 84 Toyota for his team, Legacy Motor Club.
This will be the first non-exhibition race since NASCAR and two teams — 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports — settled a federal antitrust lawsuit that threatened the series. The outcome guaranteed permanent charters for 36 teams.
The offseason also included the death of retired driver Greg Biffle, who was among seven people killed when his plane crashed in North Carolina just a week before Christmas.
How to watch the Daytona 500
The race will be aired on Fox. The green flag is set to drop at 2:30 p.m. Eastern on Sunday, weather permitting. Forecasts call for a chance of rain that could cause the race to be delayed.
The race will be streamed on the Fox One and the Fox Sports app.
GAINESVILLE, Ga. — A Social Circle man was killed Friday morning in a two-vehicle crash on Cornelia Highway at Lula Road, according to the Hall County Sheriff’s Office.
The collision occurred shortly before 9:48 a.m. Feb. 13 at the intersection of Cornelia Highway (Ga. 365) and Lula Road (Ga. 52), Hall County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer BJ Williams said.
Patrol deputies and investigators with the agency’s Accident Investigation Unit responded to the scene after receiving reports of the crash.
According to the on-scene investigation, a 1997 Ford Conventional flatbed truck was traveling south on Cornelia Highway and had stopped at a traffic light at the Lula Road intersection. A 2021 Nissan NV traveling south behind the truck failed to stop and struck the truck in the rear, Williams said.
The driver of the van, identified as Rafael Warner, 43, of Social Circle, died at the scene. His body was transported to the DeKalb Medical Examiner’s Office for an autopsy.
The driver of the truck, Ralph Hilliard Jr., 66, of Gainesville, sustained minor injuries and was transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville for treatment.
Cornelia Highway was closed for approximately 1½ hours while investigators processed the scene.
Tommy Lee McConnell, age 96, of Commerce, Georgia, formerly of Habersham County, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.
Born in Demorest, Georgia on September 4, 1929, Tommy was the beloved son of the late Paul McConnell, Sr. and Emma Inez Cash McConnell. He was a man of strong faith, quiet strength, and unwavering devotion to his family.
Tommy retired from Habersham Broom Company after many faithful years of dedicated service. He was a hard worker who found joy in life’s simple blessings. In his spare time, he lovingly tended his vegetable gardens and cared for his mules. He especially delighted in riding his mules and wagon in the Gold Rush Parades for many years, a tradition that brought him much pride and happiness.
Above all else, Tommy was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. For 63 cherished years, he shared a beautiful marriage with his loving wife, Julia Poole McConnell. His greatest joy was time spent surrounded by his family, whose lives are forever blessed by his steady love, wisdom, and gentle spirit.
He was a longtime member of New Bridge Baptist Church in Cleveland, where he worshipped and served the Lord he loved.
In addition to his parents, Tommy was preceded in death by his brothers, Paul McConnell, Jr., Frank McConnell, Louie McConnell, and William McConnell; and his sisters, Willie Mae McConnell, Lois McConnell, and Jean Underwood.
Left to treasure his memory are his loving wife, Julia Poole McConnell; children, Rita Smith (Doug Beavers) and Patricia Harrington (Alan); grandchildren, Gentry Brawner (Cory), Ethan Burton, and Emalee Harrington Sosebee (Dustin); great-grandchildren, Dillon Brawner, Ellarae Brawner, and Samuel Sosebee; sisters, Annie Loudermilk (J.D.) and Mable McCallister (Bruce); sisters-in-law, JoBeth McConnell, Rachael McNabb, Sandra Poole, and Linda Chapman (Charles); and brothers-in-law, Kenneth Poole and Johnny Elsner, along with numerous extended family members and friends who loved him dearly.
Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 p.m. Monday, February 16, 2026, from the Chapel of McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home with Rev. W.A. Jenkins and Rev. Mike Irvin officiating. Interment will follow in the Union Hill Missionary Baptist Church Cemetery.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, February 15, 2026.
Flowers are accepted or memorials may be made to Gideons International, c/o Habersham North Camp, P.O. Box 1855, Clarkesville, GA. 30523
Vera is a Southern Chef icon. She loves to cook and share with foodies across the country.
She is not just Vera, she is Very Vera. The entrepreneur who turned her catering business into an empire is on tap as the next presenter at the Chattahoochee Valley Libraries Food & the Soul of America Series.
She’s a chef, a caterer, an author, and a star of the syndicated “VeryVera Show” in 71 TV markets from coast to coast. Vera has received numerous accolades for the brand she’s built through more than 40 years of hard work. Her show originated in 2011 after winning Throwdown with Bobby Flay.
As a former Home Economics teacher, Vera established a cooking camp more than 20 years ago.
Vera’s success can be attributed in part to her engaging personality, her love for mentoring kids as a Home Economics teacher, and through the VeryVera Cooking Camp she started more than 20 years ago. Her expertise in cooking and love of presentation of those very dishes can be traced back to her own childhood.
“I would visit my grandmother in Atlanta, for whom I am named, when I was about eight years old. She would cut the crust from the bread and make tea sandwiches. She cut grapefruit into sections and put a cherry in the middle for breakfast,” Stewart explained.
As much care that goes into the dishes which are served, Vera loves a beautiful table setting.
It was the beginning of a love for not only cooking and prepping a meal, but her love of presentation and how everything looked on a plate and on the table. It made such an impression on young Vera that even today, she thinks about her table setting and the vessels she’s cooking in to determine her menus.
Aside from her mother and grandmother’s cooking skills, it was another celebrity chef, Martha Stewart, who laid the foundation for Vera and many others. Vera studied under her in 1986 and says, “Martha literally wrote the book on food presentation.”
Martha Stewart certainly built a brand over the years, but so has Vera Stewart. Passion for anyone’s craft takes center stage, and you can hear the passion in Vera’s voice when she talks about what inspires her.
Vera also caters for the Masters golf tournament in Augusta. She and her team start preparing a year in advance for the PGA’s first Major. This year’s tournament will be held from April 9 through April 12. By the time the tournament rolls around, she’ll have worked with a few hundred people to perfect catering for hundreds of guests.
Vera works with many chefs across the country to prepare for Masters catering.
“I bring in chefs from across the country. Prior to the tournament, we do Zoom meetings and discuss every single detail and every meal, most of the recipes are mine that are highlighted on my show and in my cookbooks.”
Stewart and her team also coordinate drivers, bartenders, waiters, floral arrangements, cocktail parties, private corporate dinners, and in-home catering. It’s a commitment of about 175 to 200 people she hires to ensure guests are well-fed and happy with their Masters’ experience.
Vera’s version of the Masters popular pimento cheese sandwich.
Think of it as a hospitality tradition like no other.Make no mistake, Vera Stewart is a 70+-year-old bundle of dynamite, a Steel Magnolia if you will, with a big heart for creating dishes and leading by example for the next generation of cooking entrepreneurs.
Her presentation at the Columbus Library at 3000 Macon Road begins at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, February 17. It will also feature some Southern-inspired bites, direct from Vera’s own kitchen!
Federal immigration officers on the scene where an officer shot a man Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, in north Minneapolis. (Max Nesterak/Minnesota Reformer)
(States Newsroom) — Two U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents appear to have made untruthful statements under oath in their account of a Jan. 14 car chase that ended with one of the agents shooting a man in the leg, a senior Homeland Security official said Friday.
ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons said in a statement that both agents have been placed on leave “pending the completion of a thorough internal investigation.” The U.S. Attorney’s Office is “actively investigating these false statements,” Lyons said. The agents could get fired or be criminally prosecuted, he said. He noted that lying under oath “is a serious federal offense.”
Lyons said that video evidence reviewed by ICE and the Department of Justice had revealed that the agents appeared to have made untruthful statements, though he did not detail what evidence or what specifically was untruthful about their statements.
The statement comes the day after the DOJ moved to drop charges against Alfredo Aljorna, 26, and Julio Sosa-Celis, 24, whom they had previously accused of assaulting an ICE agent before the agent shot one of the men in the leg, citing newly discovered evidence.
The federal government has significantly shifted the details of what happened since the shooting on Jan. 14. The federal Homeland Security narrative in the immediate aftermath of the shooting incorrectly identified Sosa-Celis as the driver of the car and a subject of a “targeted traffic stop.” The complaint later indicated that the officers mistook Aljorna, who was driving the car, for another Latino man uninvolved in the incident.
At the time of the shooting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described the incident as an “attempted murder of federal law enforcement.” Similarly, Noem and other Trump administration officials accused Renee Good and Alex Pretti — also killed by federal officers — as domestic terrorists, though evidence for the allegations never surfaced.
In the original complaint, FBI agent Timothy G. Schanz said in a sworn affidavit that the ICE agent said that Sosa-Celis and Aljorna repeatedly hit him with a broom and a snow shovel. The ICE agent told the FBI that he then “simultaneously fired” one round towards the men as they began to run toward the house.
In a statement cited in the affidavit, a second ICE agent said that he saw the first agent get into a physical altercation with two men; as he was leaving his car, he said he heard a gunshot and saw the men were gone.
Aljorna and Sosa-Celis have denied the first ICE agent’s account, maintaining that they didn’t attack the ICE agent and that the agent shot Sosa-Celis in the leg through the closed door of their duplex.
Schanz’s affidavit said that law enforcement on the scene were unable to find any bullet holes in the house, though at a hearing, Sosa-Celis’ attorney showed photographs of bullet holes through the front door of the duplex and in an interior wall, the Star Tribune reported.
The Lavonia Police Department comes up with another viral post about Valentine's Day. (Lavonia Police Department)
LAVONIA, Ga. — The Lavonia Police Department is proving once again that law enforcement can have a sense of humor.
Known across Northeast Georgia for its witty and self-aware social media presence, the department delivered another tongue-in-cheek post this earlier this morning — this time for Valentine’s Day.
The post, shared on the department’s Facebook page ahead of Feb. 14, plays off the holiday’s themes of love and relationships while weaving in a subtle public safety message. In typical Lavonia PD fashion, the message balances playful humor with a reminder that officers are still on duty — even on Cupid’s busiest day of the year.
“If you’re wanted, we want you,” is the caption from the Lavonia Police Department’s recent Valentine’s Day post on Facebook. (Lavonia Police Department/Facebook)
The department has built a following for posts that stand out from the standard press-release tone common among law enforcement agencies. During January’s winter storm, Lavonia police drew laughs with a snow-related post that mixed practical advice with self-deprecating humor, earning hundreds of reactions and shares.
The Valentine’s post follows that same formula: lighthearted, shareable and unmistakably local.
While some departments use social media strictly for alerts and incident reports, Lavonia police have leaned into personality as a way to connect with residents. The strategy appears to be working. Posts regularly generate strong engagement and positive comments from community members.
The Valentine’s message may have prompted a few laughs, but it also underscores something more intentional — community policing doesn’t always have to sound official to be effective.
In Lavonia, sometimes it sounds like a well-timed punchline.
A delicious charcuterie and wine from Kaya Vineyards & Winery. (Carly McCurry/The Cute Now Geooriga)
1. Valentine’s Night in the Greenhouse
Dahlonega Butterfly Farm
Saturday, February 14, 2026
6:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
427 Castleberry Bridge Rd, Dawsonville, GA 30534
$95 per couple
Skip the crowded restaurants and spend Valentine’s Day somewhere truly special. Dahlonega Butterfly Farm invites couples to a slow, cozy evening inside their softly lit greenhouse, designed for connection, conversation, and romance.
Sip wine by candlelight, share a beautifully styled charcuterie board, and unwind together amid glowing lights and lush greenery. This is not a loud or rushed event—it’s an intimate, relaxed date night meant for laughing, lingering, and savoring time together.
What’s Included
Two glasses of wine
Charcuterie board designed for sharing
Candlelit greenhouse atmosphere
Lighthearted games and romantic ambiance
Optional add-on: create a small take-home plant (additional fee)
Whether you’re celebrating one year or fifty, this evening is about slowing down and enjoying love at every stage. Capacity is limited to preserve the intimate feel, and this event is expected to sell out. Wine. Charcuterie. Candlelight. A living plant to take home. Memories made. Reserve your spot: https://square.link/u/1ogrckdY
Couples-only experience | Limited availability
At Dahlonega Butterfly Farm, Valentine’s and Galentine’s gatherings are set among glowing greenery and soft light. (Photo by Dahlonega Butterfly Farm)
2. Galentine’s Night in the Greenhouse
Dahlonega Butterfly Farm
Friday, February 13, 2026
6:00 PM – 10:00 PM EST
427 Castleberry Bridge Road
Dawsonville, GA 30534
25.00 per person
Includes one glass of wine or a mocktail
Grab your girls and join us for an intimate, women-only Galentine’s Night inside our softly lit greenhouse. This after-dark experience is designed for college-age women who want a cozy, fun night out filled with laughter, connection, and all the best things — wine, plants, games, and charcuterie.
Spend the evening sipping wine, planting something to take home, playing casual games, and relaxing in beautifully styled lounge spaces surrounded by glowing lights and greenery. Whether you come with friends or arrive solo, you’ll leave with new connections, great photos, and a full heart.
Wine & sipping
Hands-on plant activity
Charcuterie boards to share
Games, laughter & laid-back vibes
Warm lights, candles & greenhouse magic
This is not a loud party — it’s a cozy, feel-good night made for bonding, photos, and slowing down. Spots are limited to keep the experience intimate. Price is 25.00 per ticket.
3. An Evening Crafted with Love
The Hush Cuban Kitchen
Valentine’s Day doesn’t have to be loud, rushed, or overbooked to be memorable. This year, The Hush Cuban Kitchen is offering couples an alternative: an intimate, chef-crafted dinner designed for lingering conversations, shared plates, and the simple pleasure of being together.
This couples-only Valentine’s experience centers on a thoughtfully paced, multi-course menu inspired by Cuban flavors and warm hospitality. Each guest is welcomed with a complimentary glass of the restaurant’s house sangria, setting the tone for an evening that unfolds slowly and deliberately.
The Experience
$80 per couple + tax (Includes one glass of house sangria per guest)
Rather than a fixed rush from course to course, the evening encourages guests to savor each dish, enjoy candlelit tables, and settle into a relaxed rhythm—one that feels personal, unhurried, and quietly romantic.
At The Hush Cuban Kitchen, every plate is too delicious not share—and this Valentine’s Day, the kitchen will be offering a special Valentine’s menu designed for an unhurried, romantic evening.(Carly McCurry / Now Georgia)
Menu Highlights
The evening begins with the Havana Green Salad, a vibrant starter featuring seasonal greens topped with caramelized sweet plantain, jamón serrano, candied nuts, golden queso frito bites, and a balsamic guava vinaigrette that balances sweetness and acidity.
For the main course, couples may choose one of three entrées:
Grilled Hanger Steak & Yuca Frites Perfectly grilled hanger steak served alongside crispy yuca fries, a roasted tomato mélange, and fresh chimichurri.
Rabo Encendido Ravioli Hand-filled ravioli with slow-braised oxtail, finished with charred tomatoes and grated Parmesan.
Crab-Crusted Fish Pan-seared fish topped with a delicate crab crust, accompanied by white bean Cuban cocido, Spanish chorizo, steamed parsley potatoes, tender collard greens, and olive oil.
Dessert closes the evening on a sweet note with Strawberry Shortcake Tres Leches—a vanilla sponge soaked in three milks, layered with fresh strawberries, and delicately scented with Grand Marnier.
This is a Valentine’s dinner built around atmosphere as much as food: no rush, no noise, just thoughtful cooking and time carved out for connection.
Whether celebrating one year or fifty, this evening is a reminder that love—at every stage—deserves to be savored.
Reservations are strongly encouraged due to limited seating.
4. Galentine’s Day Happy Hour
Doghobble Farm in the Trellis Tasting Room
Friday, February 13
5:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Ages 21+ | No reservation required
Grab your gals and toast to friendship with a little sparkle and a lot of fun. Set against sweeping nature views, this laid-back Galentine’s celebration is made for besties, bubbles, and sweet indulgences.
What to Expect
Specialty cocktail ($15) or mocktail ($10)
Chocolate-covered strawberries ($9)
Complimentary sweet treats (while supplies last)
Festive photo opportunity
Giveaway: Bottle of wine & pink cap
Because soulmates come in many forms—and sometimes they bring wine.
5. Valentine’s Day Dinner: A Toast to Love in the Vines
Doghobble Farm in the Trellis Tasting Room
Saturday, February 14
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
$175 per couple
Ages 21+ | Reservations required
As the evening light fades over the vines, couples are invited to settle in for a thoughtfully curated Valentine’s dinner designed for connection and unhurried conversation. This intimate experience unfolds in the heart of the Wine Farm, where nature views and candlelit ambiance set the tone for a romantic night.
Includes
Seasonal grazing board for two
Paella dinner for two
One bottle of wine per couple
An intimate, vineyard-side Valentine’s setting
Space is limited, and reservations are required.
No menu substitutions.
6. Love Bites: A Spooky Valentine Flower Workshop
Where Lyla Blooms
Friday, February 13
3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Hosted at Two Beans
47 State Street, Commerce, GA 30529
Doors open at 2:40 p.m.
Looking for a Valentine’s experience with a darker edge? Love Bites is a spooky-romantic, beginner-friendly flower-making workshop where you’ll create a handmade bouquet that never wilts—perfect for anyone who loves a little gothic flair mixed with their Valentine’s Day.
Designed to be cozy, creative, and just the right amount of eerie, this in-person pop-up invites participants to slow down, get crafty, and leave with something beautifully unexpected.
What You’ll Make
A mini, everlasting bouquet featuring:
1 large statement flower
2 medium flowers
5 small accent flowers
Greenery and plant fill-ins
All handmade—and all yours to take home
What to Expect
Step-by-step guided instruction
No experience necessary
All supplies included
A warm, welcoming, slightly spooky atmosphere
Duration: 3 hours
Ages: Under 14 welcome with a parent or legal guardian
Format: In person
Refund policy: No refunds
Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day your own way or just craving a creative afternoon with dark romance vibes, Love Bites offers a fun, hands-on experience that’s anything but ordinary.
7. F.A.I.T.H.’s Annual Sweetheart Ball
Hosted by F.A.I.T.H
Rabun County Civic Center
201 W. Savannah Street, Clayton, GA 30525
Friday, February 14, 2025
5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Valentine’s Day will shine a little brighter this year with the return of F.A.I.T.H., Inc.’s Annual Sweetheart Ball, an evening that blends elegance, entertainment, and meaningful community impact. Ticket sales are now open for what has become the organization’s premier fundraising event.
Set for Friday, February 14, 2025, the Sweetheart Ball invites guests to gather at the Rabun County Civic Center, where the night will unfold from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. in a festive and refined atmosphere.
The evening’s soundtrack will be led by Luke Riley Smith, whose smooth, timeless vocals—often compared to the Sinatra era—will set a romantic tone for the night. After a lively live auction, the celebration continues on the dance floor with DJ Clay Christy, keeping energy high and guests dancing late into the evening.
Adding to the experience, Epting Events will provide a thoughtfully curated menu highlighting Southern flavors, local influences, and beautifully presented dishes, all served with genuine Southern hospitality.
More than a night of music and fine dining, the Sweetheart Ball serves a deeper purpose. It is F.A.I.T.H.’s largest annual fundraiser, directly supporting programs and services for survivors of sexual and physical abuse. Over the past year, the organization served more than 1,800 individuals, providing critical resources that help survivors rebuild their lives with dignity, safety, and hope. Proceeds from the evening help ensure these essential services remain available to the community.
Tickets may be purchased online at http://bit.ly/FAITH-SHB. Tickets are also available by mail using the registration form, which can be sent to:
For additional information or questions, contact F.A.I.T.H., Inc. at (706) 782-1003.
The Annual Sweetheart Ball promises an evening of celebration, compassion, and community—one that leaves a lasting impact long after the last dance.
8. Daddy Daughter Date Night
Cornelia Chick-Fil-A
Location: Chick-fil-A Cornelia
330 Furniture Plaza, Cornelia, GA
February 21st from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm
Public event | One-hour reserved seating for one dad and one daughter
Dads and daughters are invited to step into the glamour of a bygone era for an Old Hollywood–themed Daddy–Daughter Date Night at Chick-fil-A Cornelia. This special evening is designed to give fathers and their daughters a chance to dress up, slow down, and enjoy meaningful time together in a memorable setting.
Guests are encouraged to dress their ritziest and walk the red carpet for a night inspired by classic Hollywood elegance. Each reservation includes a dedicated one-hour seating, creating an unhurried experience focused on connection and celebration.
What to Expect
A family photo to capture the evening
A parting gift for daughters
Complimentary hospitality throughout the event (no tipping; it is their pleasure)
Additional daughter tickets are available at no charge, making it easy for families with more than one daughter to attend together. Dinner will be available for purchase after guests are seated and served by Chick-fil-A’s team.
Reservations are required and will open via Eventbrite on Monday, February 2, 2026. Space is limited, and families are encouraged to reserve early once registration opens.
This red carpet evening offers a charming way for dads and daughters to create lasting memories—complete with classic style, thoughtful touches, and the warm hospitality Chick-fil-A Cornelia is known for.
10. Cowboy Candy and Kisses: A Valentine’s Dinner
Amanda’s Farm to Fork at The Tea Room
9. Cowboy Candy and Kisses: A Valentine’s Dinner
Amanda’s Farm to Fork at The Tea Room
Friday, February 13 6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (EST) $95 per couple Location: Amanda’s Farm to Fork at The Tea Room 3778 Hwy 254, Cleveland, GA 30528
Some Valentine’s dinners whisper romance. This one rides in loud, confident, and unforgettable.
Cowboy Candy and Kisses is a Friday-night Valentine’s dinner built around indulgence, storytelling, and a menu so hearty it feels pulled straight from the American West. Designed as a true sit-down experience—no lines, no rushing—each couple is given a private table for the entire evening.
The Menu
The evening begins with a playful nod to the Old West: classic Cowboy Candy, also known as brown sugared bacon—sweet, smoky, and impossible to forget.
Fresh rolls follow, drizzled generously with honey butter and served warm, setting the tone for a meal that leans unapologetically into comfort and indulgence.
Next comes an Oklahoma favorite with deep roots: Cowboy Salad with Cattleman’s Cheddar Dressing, a recipe that has been served since 1920 and remains beloved for good reason. One bite explains why it has stood the test of time.
The main course goes all in:
Black cracked pepper–crusted prime rib, carved thick and served with house-made creamed horseradish
Twice-baked loaded potato, rich and fully committed
Butter-dipped grilled shrimp, served as a finishing skewer to round out the plate
Just when the table thinks it has reached its limit, dessert arrives.
Each table receives a dessert flight featuring:
Warm bourbon-glazed apple crisp
Cowboy cheesecake with caramel, pecans, peanut butter, salted pretzels, and chocolate
A warm cowboy blonde brownie
The Experience
Only 12 tables are available, ensuring a relaxed, intimate evening with no double bookings and no sense of hurry—just a table for two and time to enjoy it. Couples who wish to be seated with another couple may request arrangements in advance.
Tickets are limited and currently sold out. Refunds are available up to ten days in advance. A complete take-out option for the full meal is also available by prior arrangement.
This is Valentine’s dinner done the cowboy way: generous, bold, and meant to be remembered.
Toccoa Police arrested Casey Johnson and Shannon Johnson on drug charges following a search Feb. 11. (Stephens County Sheriff's Office)
TOCCOA, Ga. – Toccoa Police Department investigators arrested two people Wednesday after a search of a residence on Andrews Road turned up multiple controlled substances and items consistent with drug distribution.
According to the police department, investigators responded Feb. 11 to 488 Andrews Road to assist the Department of Community Supervision with a search of the home. During the search, officers located multiple controlled substances, drug-related objects and packaging materials consistent with the distribution of illegal narcotics.
Authorities arrested Casey Johnson and Shannon Johnson. Both are charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, possession of a Schedule IV controlled substance, possession of drug-related objects and possession of drugs not in the original container.
Police said both individuals also were found to be in violation of their probation and parole.
Toccoa Police Chief Bruce Carlisle said the arrests reflect ongoing efforts to address repeat offenders.
“This case highlights the continued efforts of our investigators and partner agencies to hold repeat offenders accountable,” Carlisle said. “When individuals on probation or parole choose to continue engaging in illegal drug activity, we will take decisive action to protect our community.”
Joanne Cogle kicks off campaign for mayor (Robbie Watson/NowGeorgia.com)
District 7 city councilor Joanne Cogle officially kicked off her campaign for mayor flanked by many of her colleagues on council including Byron Hickey who suspended his own campaign for mayor and endorsed Cogle. “Do you want change or do you want things to stay the same?” Councilor Hickey asked the crowd. “Joanne is that bridge builder.”
The race for mayor is non-partisan though other candidates have publicly aligned themselves with a particular party. Cogle said she does not identify as a Republican or Democrat. “Well, I’m a unique candidate because I’m a non-partisan candidate and I have voted with neither parties in any of my voting. I really strongly believe that Columbus needs a non-partisan mayor, a true non-partisan mayor that will represent both sides of Columbus and all its citizens and I think somebody needs to stand up and make sure that both sides are brought together equally and fairly represented,” Cogle said.
District 4 councilor Toyia Tucker said the race for mayor is “not black and white. It’s not red and blue. It’s right and wrong. It’s the right person or the wrong person. It’s if you want to go 41 years backwards or do you want to go 41 years ahead.”
Cogle said she was taken aback by the controversy surrounding her former campaign manager after the Ledger-Enquirer reported he identified as a Christian Nationalist. He is no longer with the campaign, but Cogle said she hires people based on their talent not political affiliation. “We have some great people that have stepped up, some great volunteers who have stepped up and we are moving forward.”
She’s moving forward with nearly $90K raised in campaign donations. Cogle said the money raised is all local and that means something. “I know that the majority of my funding I have raised so far is Columbus based and within the county and I think that really reflects a belief in me by the business owners, by the citizens and I’m proud to represent them,” Cogle said.
Qualifying for the Mayor’s race starts in March. Election day is May 19.
