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Habersham County Man Killed in Apartment Fire

Featured Stories January 25, 2023 , by

PRESS RELEASE – Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced, on Jan. 24, that an apartment fire on North Main Street in Cornelia killed a fifty-seven-year-old man.

The apartment received moderate interior damage as a result of the fire.

“When the Cornelia Fire Department arrived on scene, the apartment was no longer on fire and the victim was found deceased,” said Commissioner King. “The victim has been sent to the GBI Crime Lab for an autopsy and positive identification. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time.”

Our office is assisting the Cornelia Fire Marshal with this investigation.

Human remains found at apartment fire

Featured Stories January 16, 2023 , by

CORNELIA, Ga. – Today, the Cornelia Police Department and Fire Department responded to an apartment fire that led to the discovery of human remains inside.

Earlier this morning, approximately 10:00 a.m., police and the fire department were called to 837 Main Street apartment D in reference to a house fire.

According to a statement released by the Cornelia Police Department, the landlord of the property first discovered the fire after they went to talk to the tenant and discovered smoke and fire damage outside of the property.

The landlord then entered the property using a master key to check on the tenant and called 911 after realizing the inside of the property had been burned.

“Upon arrival, the Cornelia Fire Department made entry to verify that the fire was extinguished. upon inspecting the residence, human remains were located inside. It was determined that the State Fire Marshall as well as the Georgia Bureau of Investigations should be involved,” read the statement.

This incident is now an open investigation and has been turned over to the GBI.

 

Update: GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Habersham County

Community, News, Police & Government, Press Release September 14, 2022 , by

UPDATE: The man involved in this OIS is identified as Anthony Maurice Tollison, age 39, of Mt. Airy.

ORIGINAL RELEASE:

Mt. Airy, GA (September 13, 2022) – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer involved shooting in Habersham County, GA. The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on September 12, 2022. One man was shot and died. No deputies were injured during this incident.

Preliminary information indicates that the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call from a home on Cross Street in Mt. Airy, GA at 8:43 p.m. The caller said someone at the home had a gun then the call was disconnected. The responding deputies were not immediately able to contact anyone when they arrived at the home. After continued efforts, the door opened, and deputies were confronted by a man with a weapon and deputies shot the man. Deputies administered CPR and rendered aid until Habersham EMS responded. The man died as a result of his injuries. An autopsy will be performed at the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office.

The crime scene investigation determined that the gun the man was armed with was a replica firearm. The ID of the man is pending.

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation and upon completion, it will be provided to the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney for review.

GBI Investigates Officer Involved Shooting in Habersham County

Community, Featured News, Police & Government, Press Release September 13, 2022 , by

Mt. Airy, GA (September 13, 2022) – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating an officer involved shooting in Habersham County, GA. The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office asked the GBI to conduct an independent investigation on September 12, 2022. One man was shot and died. No deputies were injured during this incident.

Preliminary information indicates that the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call from a home on Cross Street in Mt. Airy, GA at 8:43 p.m. The caller said someone at the home had a gun then the call was disconnected. The responding deputies were not immediately able to contact anyone when they arrived at the home. After continued efforts, the door opened, and deputies were confronted by a man with a weapon and deputies shot the man. Deputies administered CPR and rendered aid until Habersham EMS responded. The man died as a result of his injuries. An autopsy will be performed at the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office.

The crime scene investigation determined that the gun the man was armed with was a replica firearm. The ID of the man is pending.

The GBI will conduct an independent investigation and upon completion, it will be provided to the Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney for review.

Contact Public and Governmental Affairs Deputy Director

Natalie Ammons

[email protected]

Code Red Alert

Press Release January 12, 2022 , by

Keeping Our Citizens Informed. 

The Habersham County Emergency Management Agency (Habersham EMA) is pleased to provide the citizens of Habersham County with a state-of-the-art emergency notification system-CodeRED. This opt-in system provides rapid notification to residents and businesses about emergency events within Habersham County. 

Residents and businesses located within Habersham County are encouraged to sign up for CodeRED to be sure they receive timely emergency notifications and other important information and instructions when alerts are issued. This is our way of notifying you in an emergency situation. 

When you enroll in the CodeRED system, alerts are issued to you by your geographical location. Alerts can be sent to your cell phone, land line, by text, and even by email. You get to choose! With CodeRED, you get the option of also receiving the CodeRED Weather Warning. These alerts are automatically generated when the National Weather Service issues a warning for your location.  

The CodeRED alert system is free to Habersham County residents. To sign up for CodeRED, click here. It will only take a few minutes to sign up for a service that may save your life. Please tell all your friends and family about this invaluable service.  

 

Register for Code RED Alerts! 

Sign up for the CodeRED notification system to receive alerts and updates during emergency events. All citizens and businesses are encouraged to register. 

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Register Online: 

To sign up for CodeRED visit the Community Notification Enrollment website by clicking on the following link: Habersham County CodeRED 

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Register on Your Smartphone: 

It is easier than ever to sign-up for CodeRED or encourage your friends and neighbors to enroll. Text “HabershamGA” to 99411 to receive a direct link to the enrollment form on your mobile device. 

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For Citizens Without Internet Access: 

Those without internet access can sign-up using computer terminals at either of the Habersham County Library locations. 

Clarkesville Library
178 East Green Street
Clarkesville, GA 30523
Phone: 706-754-4413 

2021 Habersham County Sheriff’s Office Accomplishments

Community December 10, 2021 , by

The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office is proud of our 2021 accomplishments and their inclusion in the State of the County Address. Please take a second to review our hard work.

“Be A Tourist In Your Own Hometown” Contest is Back

Announcements, Community, Just For Fun, Press Release May 7, 2021 , by
be a tourist in your own hometown
Our “Be A Tourist in Your Own Hometown” contest is BACK!
This event is a collaboration of all of the municipalities in Habersham County and is set to take place during National Travel & Tourism Week- May 2nd-8th, 2021.
The contest encourages locals to experience their hometown through the eyes of a tourist while supporting the businesses/attractions that make Habersham County so special and unique.
Participants can obtain FREE Passports containing 40 Habersham attractions/businesses/landmarks throughout our community at www.habershamchamber.com OR at any participating business on the passport.
This passport contains deals and discounts to several of the stops. Certain stops are stamp locations where the passports can be stamped, while others are “selfie stops” where selfies can be taken, tagged and posted on social media.
Passports containing at least 15 stamps (or selfie tags) can be turned in for one of FOUR prize drawings at the end of tourist week!
Be A Tourist in your own town

Update: Habersham Sheriff Seeks Missing Woman

Announcements, Community, Press Release February 13, 2021 , by
sheriff reminds to move over
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – February 15, 2021
(CLARKESVILLE, GA): On Friday, February 12, 2021, family members filed a missing person report regarding their relative, Mylessa Zimmerman. According to the family members, Ms. Zimmerman was last seen at her residence on Magic Mountain Lane on Thursday evening at approximately 10:00 pm. When they woke up on Friday the 12th, they noticed that her car was gone. They then proceeded to check her residence and discovered that she wasn’t there either.
Habersham County Sheriff’s Office criminal investigators and uniform patrol deputies, working in conjunction with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the family, took several measures in an attempt to locate Ms. Zimmerman. Ms. Zimmerman’s vehicle information and personal description was entered into the Georgia Crime Information Center Database and released to all social media outlets. Attempts to locate the vehicle through ONSTAR could not be completed due to the vehicle not having an active ONSTAR subscription. Concentrated patrols, covering a 5-mile radius, were conducted throughout the weekend. A Mattie’s Call was issued on Friday and distributed to media outlets. The Georgia Lottery was contacted and the missing person information was posted on all of their machines, programs and outlets. Multiple surrounding counties were contacted in reference to checking frequently-traveled routes that were considered a part of Ms. Zimmerman’s usual routine. Every lead called into the sheriff’s office and/or G.B.I. was investigated to its fullest extent.
On Monday, February 15, a family member notified the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office that he had discovered the vehicle in a heavily-wooded area adjacent to the property on which her residence was located. Habersham County Sheriff’s Office deputies and investigators saturated the area and, after a short period of time, located Ms. Zimmerman. Unfortunately, at the time of the discovery, Ms. Zimmerman was deceased.
The Habersham County Coroner’s Office was called to the scene and will continue with their part of the investigation. At this time, this is being deemed a death investigation and there are no obvious indications of any type foul play.
Previous Post:
Please help us locate Mylessa Zimmerman. If you have any information please contact investigator Newcomb at 706-839-0500. Missing flyer say she is 5’11” but she is closer to 5’1”
sheriff seeks missing woman

Habersham County Sheriff Seeks Missing Woman

Announcements, Community, Police & Government, Press Release January 15, 2021 , by
sheriff reminds to move over

Missing Person in Habersham County

Public Urged to Call Ambulances Only For True Medical Emergencies

Announcements, Community, Health, News January 6, 2021 , by
Habersham County E911

Habersham County Emergency Services:

URGENT!!!! Please if you do not have a “True Medical Emergency” do not call 911 for an ambulance. All hospitals south of Gainesville on diversion, NGMC is full but still taking ambulance patients, but wait times to off-load patients can be 1-hour or more at times for those patients who are not serious or critical. If you need help by all means call for help, but this is not the time to use the system when it’s not needed. Services are at a breaking point, so please, use the system as it’s designed to be used, for Emergencies. Minor ailments see your local physician or use a Urgent Care Center.

Habersham Public Works Thanks Two Retirees For Years of Service

Announcements, Community, Press Release January 5, 2021 , by
Habersham County E911
Two Retire from Habersham County Public Works
Habersham County thanks Wesley Wade and Gary Crocker
CLARKESVILLE, Ga., –– On January 4, 2020, Habersham Public Works gathered to celebrate the retirement of two instrumental employees. Combined, Wesley Wade and Gary Crocker hold over 55 years of service to Habersham County Public Works.
Wesley Wade began his career with Habersham County in January of 1979 with the Habersham County Road Department. Since the beginning of his career, Wesley has been described as a quick learner, a very hard worker and a leader.
Given these traits, he quickly worked his way up the ranks. Wesley recalls in the beginning of his career, the Road Department had very little to work with and most equipment was inferior, at best, and often unpractical. Wesley said he used to put gravel out during snowstorms by shoveling it out of the back of a dump truck by hand. Wesley is described by Public Works leadership as the most instrumental influence the Road Department has seen.
Wesley retired on January 04, 2021. His 42 years of dedicated service to the Habersham County Road Dept. will forever leave a lasting mark, setting the standard for excellence, which will forever be used as a guide for continued success. Habersham County wishes Wesley and his family the best as he enters a new chapter in his life.
Habersham County also would like to recognize Gary Crocker for his years of service. Gary Crocker began his career with the Habersham County Road Department in 2008.
Gary brought with him valuable knowledge, skills, and abilities that made a significant impact. Gary is described by Habersham County leadership as a bright employee with an iron work ethic.
A few years after being hired, he was promoted to Utilities Director and single handedly managed and operated the Habersham County Water System. Gary later accepted a position working directly with the Public Works Director. In this role he accomplished many notable achievements. Some of which include leading the development of a state-of-the-art sign management program, developed high precision mapping tools using GIS software, created an asset inventory program, and made significant improvements to the Habersham Airport.
After 12 years of honorable service, Gary retired on January 04, 2021. Gary’s skills and abilities are beyond measure and will be sorely missed. Habersham County wishes him the best in his retirement.
Media Contact: Carolyn McDuffie,
Public Information Officer;

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