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Man identified in fatal Hall County camper fire

By
Joy Purcell
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One person was found dead inside a burning camper on Bivens Road in Hall County on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026. (Hall County Fire Rescue)

HALL COUNTY, Ga. — Authorities have identified the person found dead Thursday afternoon inside a burned camper on Bivens Road north of Gainesville.

Randall Lynn Bivens, 80, was discovered Feb. 12, 2026, after Hall County Fire Rescue responded to a report of a camper fire, according to Hall County Sheriff’s Office Public Information Officer B.J. Williams.

Investigators with the Hall County Sheriff’s Office determined Bivens had been living in the camper.

Foul play is not suspected in the death, Williams said. However, Bivens’ body has been transported to the Gwinnett County Medical Examiner’s Office to determine the exact cause of death.

Hall County Fire Rescue (HCFR) responded around noon to the 3300 block of Bivens Road following reports of a camper engulfed in flames. When crews arrived, they found the camper fully involved and quickly launched a defensive attack to contain the fire.

Hall County firefighters respond to a camper fire in the 3300 block of Bivens Road north of Gainesville on Feb. 12, 2026. (Hall County Fire Rescue)

Firefighters brought the blaze under control in a short time, but during a primary search of the camper, they located a dead victim inside, said HCFR Public Information Officer Kimberlie Ledsinger. Officials have not released the victim’s identity pending notification of next of kin.

The camper was destroyed in the fire.

Investigators say the cause remains unknown. The Hall County Fire Marshal’s Office is working to determine what sparked the blaze.

The Hall County Sheriff’s Office is handling the investigation into when and how the person died.

Threatening call prompts lockdown at Elbert County High School

By
Staff Report
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ELBERTON, Ga. — A threatening phone call to Elbert County High School on Thursday afternoon prompted a districtwide lockdown as authorities investigated the report.

According to the Elbert County Sheriff’s Office, the call was received at approximately 3:27 p.m. School officials and local law enforcement were immediately notified.

As a precaution, all schools in the district were placed on lockdown while officers worked to determine the legitimacy of the threat and ensure the safety of students and staff.

Authorities later confirmed that other school districts also received similar anonymous threatening calls from the same phone number on Friday. After investigating, officials determined there was no credible threat.

School officials said they will continue working with local law enforcement agencies to evaluate any additional information that may arise from the incident.

District leaders thanked law enforcement and emergency responders for their swift response and ongoing support. They also commended school staff for quickly implementing established lockdown procedures.

Brushstrokes of Change plans Valentine’s Day workshop in Cornelia

By
Staff Report
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Audrey Davenport paints a mural in downtown Cornelia, Georgia. (Daniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com)

CORNELIA, Ga. — The community art initiative Brushstrokes of Change will host a Valentine’s Day workshop Saturday at the Ballard Center, inviting residents to bring personal memories and help shape future public art projects.

The “Stories Transform Into Landmarks” workshop is scheduled for Feb. 14 from noon to 5 p.m. at 353 Chattahoochee St. Organizers are encouraging participants to bring photos and memories of family members and neighborhood places that are meaningful to them.

According to promotional materials, attendees will leave with poems, love letters, a trinket and design ideas that could influence future mural concepts.

Brushstrokes of Change, led by Cornelia artist Audrey Davenport, blends storytelling and visual art to preserve local history while envisioning new public spaces. As Now Georgia previously reported, the initiative has focused on elevating overlooked stories, particularly those tied to historically Black neighborhoods and community landmarks.

Last year, Davenport led a community-driven project connected to Jim Smith Park, using shared memories to create artwork that reflected both the area’s past and its evolving identity. The broader effort also ties into ongoing conversations about preserving local history and recognizing significant sites, including Davenport’s public push to extend Martin Luther King Jr. Drive to Main Street.

Saturday’s workshop continues that model, centering personal stories as the foundation for creative work that may later take shape as murals or other public art installations.

The event is free and open to the public.

Habersham sets special election to fill District 3 commission seat

By
Patrick Fargason
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Habersham County announced Wednesday it will vote to hold a special election for the District 3 Commission seat following the retirement of Jimmy Tench.

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Habersham County officials are moving forward with plans to fill the soon-to-be vacant District 3 seat on the Habersham County Board of Commissioners following the resignation of Commissioner Jimmy Tench.

According to Public Information Officer Ashlyn Brady, Tench’s resignation takes effect Feb. 13. The county commission is expected to vote at its Feb. 16 meeting on a resolution calling for a special election to fill the remainder of Tench’s term, which runs through Dec. 31, 2026.

If approved, the special election would be held May 19 in conjunction with Georgia’s general primary, Brady said. The Habersham County Board of Elections is scheduled to consider approval of the call for election at a special called meeting Feb. 17.

Two separate races on May 19

Brady said voters will see two separate District 3 commission races on the May 19 ballot.

One race will be a special election to fill the unexpired term ending Dec. 31, 2026. The other will be a regular election for a full four-year term beginning Jan. 1, 2027.

Although both elections will be held on the same day, they are distinct contests. Candidates who wish to run in both must qualify separately for each race, pay two qualifying fees and complete all required paperwork for both elections, Brady said.

The qualifying period for both elections will run from March 2 through March 6.

If a runoff is required in either race, it would be held June 16, in accordance with state election law, Brady said.

Candidate requirements

To qualify for the District 3 commission seat, candidates must be residents of District 3, have lived in Habersham County for at least 12 months prior to the election, be a qualified voter, be a citizen of Georgia and be at least 21 years old, Brady said.

Election Day for both the special election and the general primary is May 19.

Individuals seeking additional information about qualifying may contact the Habersham County Board of Elections at 706-839-0170 or by email at [email protected], according to Brady.

Department of Homeland Security shutdown nears, as US Senate remains stuck on funding

By
Ashley Murray
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U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., speaks with reporters on Capitol Hill on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. (Photo by Jennifer Shutt/States Newsroom)

WASHINGTON — Lawmakers on Capitol Hill remained at a stalemate Thursday over bans on face masks and other immigration tactics as a Friday night deadline to fund the Department of Homeland Security quickly approaches.

A procedural vote to advance a funding bill failed in the Senate, 52-47, with Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., the only Democrat to join Republicans on the measure. Senate Majority Leader John Thune changed his vote in a maneuver to recommit the bill and bring it up again later. Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., did not vote.

Democrats have so far rebuffed counter proposals from the White House and a Republican offer to further extend temporary DHS funding while negotiations continue.

The vote came just hours after President Donald Trump’s border czar Tom Homan announced immigration officers will retreat from Minneapolis, which has become ground zero for the administration’s aggressive and deadly escalations that sparked mass protests and sinking approval numbers for the president.

Thune said the administration’s exit from Minneapolis is “certainly a demonstration of good faith.”

Demands for warrants and more

The fatal shootings in Minneapolis by federal agents of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both U.S. citizens, has prompted Democrats to demand immigration officers obtain judicial warrants to forcibly enter homes, wear and actively use body cameras, remove face masks, wear identification and undergo additional training.

The department, which houses Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, is the remaining part of the government for which Congress has not passed full-year funding. In addition to ICE and Customs and Border Protection, the department also includes the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, the Coast Guard and the Transportation Security Administration, otherwise known as TSA.

Short-term stopgap funds for the department expire Friday at midnight, though ICE will likely continue operations on an influx of cash earmarked for the agency in Republicans’ massive tax and spending cuts law enacted in July.

TSA agents, Coast Guard personnel and other essential government workers will continue their duties without pay until lawmakers strike a deal. Others will be sent home, also without pay, though all will receive back pay once the shutdown ends.

Red lines

Thune said Democrats “don’t seem to want to play ball” and consider his party’s “reasonable efforts and requests.”

“There’s some obviously red lines that Democrats have and that the White House has. I think Republicans, as I told you before, are very interested in making sure that law enforcement officials continue to be able to do their jobs in a way that is safe and that we aren’t in any way enabling, you know, dangerous illegal aliens, or disallowing them being detained and deported from the country,” the South Dakota Republican said following the failed vote.

Thune said the White House is “giving more and more ground on some of these key issues” but declined to provide further detail on the administration’s proposal.

He added he did not plan to cancel the Senate’s planned recess next week but has let members know they’ll need to be available if a deal emerges.

“I’m encouraged to hear that they’re actually going to put together another counterproposal. I think if people are operating in good faith and actually want a solution … this can get done,” he said.

Following the failed vote for full-year funding, Sen. Katie Britt, R-Ala., asked for unanimous consent to keep Homeland Security open with another stop-gap measure.

“Let’s keep talking, let’s keep working. Don’t let anyone miss a paycheck,” Britt, the chair of the Homeland Security appropriations subcommittee, said.

Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut, the top Democrat on the Homeland Security appropriations subcommittee, objected, saying the Democrats want “to rein in  ICE’s lawlessness.”

Democrats want GOP to get ‘serious’

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer doubled down on Democrats’ demands following the failed procedural vote.

“This vote today asked a simple question: Will you rein in ICE’s abuses, or will you vote to extend the chaos?” he said. “Republicans chose chaos and the Democrats, we refused — Republicans chose to put a bill on the floor that ignored the abuses, ignored the outrage, ignored what the American people want, overwhelmingly, and they failed to get the votes to avoid a shutdown at DHS.”

The New York Democrat called on Republicans to get “serious” if they want to keep DHS funded.

“They need to sit down, they need to negotiate in good faith, produce legislation that actually reins in ICE and stops the violence,” Schumer said.

Both sides have complained that the other did not work fast enough during the past two weeks to find a deal.

“I wish our Republican colleagues in the White House had shown more seriousness from the start, but Senate Democrats have been clear that we have all taken an oath, an oath to uphold the law of the country and this Department of Homeland Security, this ICE, is out of control. They are tear gassing our children’s schools. They are killing American citizens. They are disappearing legal migrants,” Murphy said.

Ahead of Thursday’s vote, Murphy said Democrats would not fund the department until an agreement is reached with the White House to “reform abusive practices of ICE.”

Murphy told reporters the White House is “obviously trying to get us to fund the department,” pointing to the announcement of immigration officers soon leaving Minneapolis.

“If we fund ICE, because we believe that the drawdown is meaningful, they’ll just pocket that money and show up in another city two weeks from now,” he said. “We need statutory changes to stop them from the abuse, or they will be quiet for a couple of weeks and show up in Philadelphia on April 1.”

Thune said “the ball is in Democrats’ court,” during remarks on the Senate floor Thursday morning.

“Are they going to shut down the Department of Homeland Security — which would be their second shutdown this fiscal year — or are they going to allow for the time to negotiate with the White House and get agreement on a final bill?” he said.

US senators denounce immigration agents’ use of force in deadly Minneapolis shootings

By
Ariana Figueroa
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A growing memorial stands Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026 where Alex Pretti, 37, was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents days before at Nicollet Avenue and 26th Street in Minneapolis. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer)

WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) — The top leaders of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee showed a play-by-play video leading up to the fatal shooting in Minneapolis of Alex Pretti by Customs and Border Protection officers, as they grilled the heads of two federal immigration agencies about the incident during an oversight hearing Thursday.

Chairman Rand Paul, Republican of Kentucky, said there needs to be accountability following the deaths of Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse and Renee Good, a mother of three and poet, in January at the hands of immigration agents.

“The thousands of people in the streets in Minneapolis and in Minnesota and the millions of viewers who witnessed the recent deaths, it’s clearly evident that the public trust has been lost,” Paul said. “To restore trust in (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and Border Patrol, they must admit their mistakes, be honest and forthright with their rules of engagement and pledge to reform.”

Paul and Michigan Sen. Gary Peters, the top Democrat on the panel, questioned ICE acting Director Todd Lyons and CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott about immigration officers’ use of force tactics and whether the agents followed de-escalation procedures.

“You have to look at what your rules are for drawing weapons, because it appears to me they’re not using the same standards as the police,” Paul said of immigration agents.

It was the second congressional oversight hearing for Scott and Lyons this week. Democrats and Republicans are at a stalemate over funding for the agency for fiscal year 2026, with Democrats demanding changes in immigration enforcement tactics after the deadly encounters in Minneapolis.

The shutdown will not stop President Donald Trump’s mass deportation push, however. Even if an agreement to fund DHS is not reached by Friday and the agency is closed, ICE still has $75 billion in funding from the tax and spending package from last year.

Minutes into Thursday’s hearing, border czar Tom Homan announced that immigration enforcement operations would end in Minneapolis after two months.

Pretti pepper sprayed, held down

Paul and Peters showed the leaders of CBP and ICE a New York Times video analysis leading up to the shooting of Pretti, who was pepper sprayed and tackled to the ground by multiple immigration officers. He was held down and at least 10 shots can be heard on video.

Lyons and Scott declined to comment on the clips shown, saying there are multiple ongoing investigations. Scott said the FBI, CBP and ICE were conducting their own investigations.

Paul expressed his frustration with that answer and pointed to the lead-up to Pretti’s encounters with federal officers. The video shows a woman yelling at a federal immigration officer. She is shoved to the ground and Pretti goes to help her up.

“No one in America believes shoving that woman’s head, in the face, in the snow, was de-escalation,” Paul said.

Paul asked if an appropriate response to someone yelling is to shove them to the ground.

Scott said it was not, but that he couldn’t comment on the specific video.

Paul said that in the video it’s clear that Pretti is using his hand to protect his face from pepper spray.

“He is retreating at every moment,” Paul said. “He’s trying to get away, and he’s being sprayed in the face. I don’t think that’s de-escalatory. That’s an escalatory thing.”

Paul said an investigation needs to be done quickly.

Scott said there is body camera footage from the officers involved in Pretti’s shooting that will be released to the public.

“I don’t think this should take months and months and years and years,” Paul said. “There needs to be a conclusion.”

Peters pointed to how immigration officers are seen beating Pretti with a pepper spray canister. He asked Scott if that was an appropriate response.

“What I’m seeing is a subject that’s also not complying, he’s not following any guidance. He’s fighting back nonstop,” Scott said, adding that he couldn’t answer Peters’ question because the investigation was ongoing.

Peters then questioned Scott and Lyons on why DHS Secretary Kristi Noem quickly labeled Good and Pretti as “domestic terrorists.” He asked the men if they had given her any briefing or additional information for her to have drawn that conclusion.

Both said they had not.

Michigan Democratic Sen. Elissa Slotkin also told Lyons that she was concerned about statements made by Trump about sending immigration agents to polling locations ahead of the midterm elections.

“There’s no reason for us to deploy to a polling facility,” he said.

Minnesota withdrawal

Oklahoma Republican Sen. James Lankford informed the first panel, which brought Minnesota leaders to the nation’s capital, of Homan’s announcement that the surge would be ending in Minneapolis.

The first panel included GOP Rep. Tom Emmer of Minnesota; Minnesota House Republican Floor Leader Harry Niska; Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, a Democrat; and the commissioner of the Department of Corrections for the state of Minnesota, Paul Schnell.

Lankford said there needs to be better coordination between local and federal law enforcement, such as 287(g) agreements. In those partnerships, which are voluntary, local law enforcement will notify ICE if they arrest someone who is in the country unlawfully and hold that person until federal immigration officers can arrive.

“So the position that my office has taken is that, if you are a sheriff who wants to pursue 287(g), you must have the support of your county board,” Ellison said, adding that seven counties have such agreements.

One Republican, Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin, blamed the deaths of Pretti and Good not on the immigration agents who killed them. He said they occurred because Ellison urged Minnesotans to exercise their First Amendment rights.

“Two people are dead because you encouraged them to put themselves into harm’s way,” Johnson said to Ellison. “And now you are exploiting those two martyrs. You ought to feel damn guilty about it.”

In response, Ellison said, “It was a nice theatrical performance but it was all lies.”

‘Occupied by the federal government’

New Jersey Democratic Sen. Andy Kim noted that the number of ICE agents, about 3,000, initially sent to Minneapolis, significantly dwarfed the local police, which is roughly under 600. He asked Ellison how it felt in Minneapolis to have that many federal immigration agents in the city.

“It felt like we were being occupied by the federal government,” Ellison said.

During the second panel, Kim asked Lyons if ICE is planning to conduct a similar operation in other cities.

Lyons said the agency would, and said he learned lessons from the deportation drive in Minneapolis.

“We look at lessons learned,” Lyons said. “The problem, I believe, is the … agitators and the coordination on the protest side. People can go out there and protest, but why are we going to encourage individuals to go out there and impede and put themselves in harm’s way? I think that’s the lesson learned from this.”

Ossoff report finds special needs children incarcerated instead of treated

By
Patrick Fargason
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Sen. Jon Ossoff. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)

ATLANTA — Jon Ossoff on Thursday released the first findings from a bipartisan investigation concluding that children with special needs are being incarcerated in juvenile detention facilities nationwide instead of receiving needed mental health care.

Ossoff, joined by Jen Kiggans, unveiled the report during a virtual press conference, calling the findings a “national crisis.” The investigation found dozens of facilities across the country are holding children who could otherwise be released if appropriate mental health services were available in their communities.

“It’s well understood by experts in pediatric care that incarcerated children have high rates of mental, physical, and developmental health needs that go undiagnosed and unmet while they’re locked up,” Ossoff said. “It’s well understood that incarcerating children causes lifelong trauma — lifelong trauma — and we’re talking about children with special needs who are locked up for extended periods of time instead of getting the mental health care that they need.”

According to the report, 75 facilities across 25 states reported incarcerating children who were eligible for release to outside mental health programs but remained detained because appropriate care was not available.

The investigation also found that 20 facilities across 13 states reported incarcerating children without charges or for offenses that would not ordinarily result in placement in a juvenile justice facility. In many cases, detention was tied to the children’s mental health needs.

Twelve facilities in nine states reported holding children who had never been charged with delinquent offenses that would typically lead to juvenile detention because mental health services were unavailable outside the facility.

Additionally, six facilities in six states reported incarcerating children whose charges had been dropped or who had already completed their sentences because offsite mental health care was not available.

“This should shock America’s conscience — children with special needs locked up for extended periods of time instead of getting the mental health care that they need,” Ossoff said. “Children with special needs who are behind bars, not because of anything they’ve done, but simply because the care they need is not available in the community and in our society.”

Ossoff was joined at the press conference by Georgia mother Amandy Figures, whose son struggles with mental illness, and Dr. Rebecca Fix, an assistant professor at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The bipartisan investigation is part of Ossoff’s ongoing work focused on child safety and oversight of juvenile detention facilities, according to the release.

Rebecca S. McIntyre

By
Now Georgia
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Rebecca S. McIntyre, age 60, of Mt. Airy, Georgia, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 12, 2026.

Mrs. McIntyre was born on June 4, 1965, in Fulton County, Georgia, to the late James Meeks and the late Betty Anglin Meeks. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Mark Dean McIntyre, and brother, Michael Meeks.

A devoted follower of Christ, Rebecca loved the Lord deeply and attended The Pointe Church in Toccoa. She was a faithful wife and a loving, devoted mother, roles she cherished above all else. Rebecca’s family was the center of her world, and she took great pride in her children, celebrating their lives and accomplishments with love and encouragement. Known for being dependable, reliable, and selfless, Rebecca was caring, loving, and truly super sweet. She had a natural way of making others feel seen and cared for, always willing to help wherever she was needed. Her kindness was steady and sincere, rooted in her desire to serve others. Rebecca dedicated a number of years of her professional life working for Standard Telephone. She later worked alongside her husband in their business, Paragon, serving as Vice President and Secretary. Following her husband’s passing, Rebecca courageously continued to run the business, demonstrating resilience, leadership, and commitment while honoring the work they had built together. Above all, Rebecca will be remembered for her servant’s heart, her unwavering faith, and the love she poured into her family and everyone blessed to know her.

Survivors include her daughter, Kristin McIntyre, of Galliano, LA; daughter and son-in-law, Brooke and Davis Simpson, of Mt. Airy; daughter, Mackenzie McIntyre, of Mt. Airy; sister and brother-in-law, Debbie and Doug Vermilya, of Lavonia; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Funeral Services will be held at 4:00 p.m., Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, with Rev. Charles Reese and Rev. Doug Vermilya officiating. Interment will follow in the Yonah Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m., Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the funeral home prior to the service.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel at 1370 Industrial Boulevard, Baldwin, Georgia 30511. Telephone: 706-778-1700.

Blood pressure control at crisis levels 

By
Mitzi Oxford
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Blood pressure medicines and a healthy lifestyle are essential if you have hypertension.

A Piedmont family physician emphasizes early detection and heart-healthy habits are critical following a new study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that nearly 80% of American adults with hypertension (high blood pressure) do not have it under control.  

This alarming data indicates millions of Americans are at risk for heart disease, stroke, kidney damage, and dementia. Separate national data shows that nearly half of American adults have high blood pressure, and more than 40% are unaware they have it. 

“Historically, high blood pressure was perceived to be a condition affecting older adults, but in recent years we’ve also seen increasing rates among younger adults,” said family medicine physician Vipin Mathew, with Piedmont Physicians at Riverchase. “That’s why routine screening during annual preventive visits is so important.” 

Hypertension is often called the “silent killer” because it rarely causes symptoms but could still cause serious damage to the body. 

Dr. Mathew encourages adults to take simple, proactive steps to reduce their risk: 

  • Maintain a healthy weight. Even modest weight loss can help lower blood pressure. 
  • Exercise regularly. Aim for at least 30 minutes of physical activity most days. 
  • Limit sodium intake. Ideally below 1,500 mg per day; no more than 2,300 mg. 
  • Eat heart‑healthy foods. Choose fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts and low‑fat dairy. 
  • Quit smoking and limit alcohol. 
  • Manage stress. Consider meditation, yoga or deep breathing. 
  • Regular monitoring. Periodically check your blood pressure with an at home monitor or during regular visits with your primary care provider. 

“It’s important to know your numbers, so check your blood pressure regularly— including during a preventive visit,” Dr. Mathew said. “If your numbers are rising, your provider can develop a plan that may include home monitoring, medication or lifestyle adjustments.” 

Hall County interchange project aims to improve safety, manage growth

By
Patrick Fargason
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The Howard Road Interchange Project replaces a high-crash signalized intersection with a safer, more efficient interchange; improving access to Lanier Tech, reducing congestion, and preparing for future widening of SR 365. (Georgia Department of Transportation)

HALL COUNTY, Ga. — As Hall County continues to rank among the fastest-growing areas in Northeast Georgia, state transportation officials are advancing a long-planned interchange project along the busy SR 365 corridor to address congestion and improve safety.

The project will replace the signalized intersection at SR 365 and YMCA Drive/Lanier Tech Drive with a grade-separated interchange designed to accommodate increasing commuter, freight and student traffic.
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District 1 Engineer Jason Dykes said growth driven by expanding industry, higher education and freight activity has intensified traffic pressure at the intersection, located near Lanier Technical College’s Gainesville campus.

A traffic signal was installed in 2012 in response to rising crash numbers, but volumes continued to climb. In 2018, Lanier Technical College opened a new campus serving about 5,000 students, further increasing traffic demand.

From signal to interchange

Georgia DOT programmed the interchange project to address congestion and safety concerns and to anticipate continued development along the corridor.

The initial concept, approved in 2020, encountered constructability challenges during preliminary design review. Engineers identified issues including a proposed 60-foot retaining wall along a curve, raising cost and feasibility concerns.

That discovery prompted a redesign.

In 2023, DOT approved a revised concept that shifts roadway alignment to tie directly into Lanier Tech Drive at the campus’ main entrance, improving access for students and staff.

Project details

The updated plan also adds a roundabout on YMCA Road to improve safety approaching the intersection.

Under the revised design, the bridge will move closer to the existing intersection, reducing earthwork and lowering overall project costs.

Once complete, the project will remove the first traffic signal north of where I-985 ends and close a nearby median opening south of the intersection.

Northbound and southbound acceleration lanes will be added to improve merging onto SR 365, where the speed limit is 65 mph.

The final construction contract is valued at less than $16 million.

DOT officials say the interchange is designed to function like a traditional interchange despite a configuration tailored to the area’s topography and traffic patterns. It also accommodates the proposed future widening of SR 365 from the end of I-985 to Belton Bridge Road, positioning the corridor for long-term mobility improvements.

Officials describe the project as an example of how design revisions and engineering review can improve safety while delivering cost savings for taxpayers.

Lewell Andrew Turner

By
Now Georgia
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Lewell Andrew Turner, age 87, of Cornelia, Georgia, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, February 10, 2026.

Mr. Turner was born on February 19, 1938, in Statesboro, Georgia, to the late Willie Clinton Turner and the late Bertie Mae Brown Turner. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Ray Turner. Lewell honorably served in the United States Army during the Vietnam Era, stationed stateside. His military service reflected the same sense of duty and commitment that would define the rest of his life. Following his service, Lewell began a remarkable 45-year career with Rockwell / Brooks Instruments. Lewell and his beloved wife, Gwen, shared 47 wonderful years in Pembroke, Georgia. During that time, they were faithful members of First Baptist Church of Pembroke, where Lewell served as a Deacon. After retirement, they moved to Cornelia, Georgia, where they found a new church home at Level Grove Baptist Church. An avid golfer, Lewell found great joy on the golf course. He also had a patient and skillful hand for tinkering, especially when it came to clock and watch repair.

Survivors include his loving wife of 62 years, Gwen Turner, of Cornelia; son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Kerrie Turner, of Buford; granddaughter, Allison Turner, of Buford; brothers, Preston Turner, of Nevils, GA; Wendell Turner, of Guyton, GA; sister, Margie Griffith, of Statesboro, GA; brothers, Richard Turner, of Cornelia; Robert Turner, of Brundidge, AL; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel, with Dr. Brian James and Rev. Reed Suggs officiating. Interment will follow in the Yonah Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the funeral home.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel at 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia 30535.

Two Cleveland residents arrested on multiple drug charges after traffic stop

By
Staff Report
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A traffic stop Feb. 9 led to the arrest of two White County residents on drug charges. (White County Sheriff's Office)

CLEVELAND, Ga. — Two Cleveland residents were arrested Feb. 9 on multiple drug charges after a traffic stop led to the execution of a search warrant, according to the White County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies and investigators were conducting concentrated patrols in the area of Highway 75 South near Donald Alexander Road when they initiated a traffic stop for a traffic violation.

During the stop, authorities located approximately 1.5 ounces of marijuana, 8 grams of psilocybin mushrooms and several oxycodone pills, the sheriff’s office said.

As a result of the traffic stop, investigators obtained and executed a search warrant at a residence in Cleveland. During the search, deputies reported finding an additional 7 ounces of marijuana, 77 oxycodone pills, 35 tramadol pills and 27 MDMA tablets.

Greylen D. Cheek, 38, of Cleveland, was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute, possession of tramadol with intent to distribute, possession of psilocybin mushrooms with intent to distribute, possession of MDMA with intent to distribute and possession of drug-related objects.

Elizabeth T. Smith, 37, of Cleveland, was charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of oxycodone with intent to distribute, possession of tramadol with intent to distribute, possession of MDMA with intent to distribute and possession of drug-related objects.

The investigation remains ongoing, according to the sheriff’s office.

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