Body found in Chestatee River today has been identified
News April 17, 2019DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Alan Roach confirmed just moments ago that the body found in the Chestatee River around noon today has been positively identified as that of Belinda Butterfield, 34 years old of Canton.
Ms. Butterfield was reported missing Monday morning. Authorities said at the time that she had last been seen swimming in Tesnatee Creek, which flows into the Chestatee River.
Roach said a canoeist who read about the missing woman on social media found the body shortly before noon.
Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, White County Sheriff’s Office, Fire-EMS and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources conducted the recovery operation at noon today. The body has been sent to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Crime Lab for autopsy.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
BOLO released for burglary suspect in Lumpkin County
Community, News March 15, 2019
LUMPKIN CO.,
According to the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, there has been a ‘Be On The Look Out’ (BOLO) released for a female suspect, after an attempted break-in.
Deputies responded to a call for a possible break-in the Pecks Mill Creek area on Friday, March 15. While trying to run from the scene, the female suspect swerved her vehicle towards a police officer, who then shot at the tire of the vehicle to prevent escape.
Investigators and police know who the suspect is and are currently are looking for her. The LCSO released a statement on their social media page, “A short time ago, deputies responded to the Pecks Mill Creek area on a possible burglary in
progress. Deputies confirmed while on location that the home is secured and we know who the suspect is.
You may see an increase in patrol units in the area. At this time, we do not believe anyone is in danger but just be aware and if you see anything suspicious, call 911. This is an ongoing investigation.
Thanks!
Sheriff Stacy M. Jarrard”
Anyone with information on this crime is encouraged to call 911.
This is an ongoing investigation. FYN will have more information as it is received.
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Dramatic river rescue in Lumpkin County results in arrest
News December 31, 2018
LUMPKIN CO., GA –
McMeans was arrested after for DUI and child a dramatic river rescue on Friday, December 28
Dahlonega resident, Andrea McMeans, turned herself into Lumpkin County Sheriff Office for DUI and child endangerment charges, after causing a single-vehicle accident Friday morning.
The accident resulted in a dramatic river-rescue of her and her two-month-old son; following the rescue, Georgia State Patrol investigated the cause of the wreck, which resulted in a warrant for her arrest. According to the LCSO arrest report, McMeans has been charged with failure to maintain lane, DUI-endangering child under 14 YOA while DUI, and DUI/less safe. She was bonded out on Saturday, December 29.
This is an ongoing investigation; please check back for updates. For more details please read: BREAKING: Mother and infant rescued from river; DUI charges pending
Lula man charged with battery, cruelty to children
News November 5, 2018
Daniel Brock
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – A 28-year-old Lula man has been charged with two counts of cruelty to children, two counts of making terrorist threats, simple battery and trespassing following a domestic incident at 2064 Coopers Gap Road last Friday.
Daniel Preston Brock is charged with punching his girlfriend in the face, pushing her head into a sink and threatening to do harm to himself and others. He has been booked into the Lumpkin County Detention Center.
According to the arrest report, Amanda Lynn Carter,26, was working as a housekeeper and cleaning the home on Coopers Gap. Brock picked up Carter’s daughter for her and brought her to that residence. Carter stated they began to argue and he grabbed her by the shoulders and started shaking her then punched her in the mouth.
A witness, Randy Buffington, attempted to intervene and was allegedly threatened by Brock. Buffington said Brock continued to scream at Carter, forced her head down toward the kitchen sink and began punching holes in the sheetrock with his other hand.
Brock left the residence when he saw Buffington calling 9-1-1. Lumpkin County Sheriff’s deputies arrested him two days later on a warrant.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Indoor pot grow discovered on Camp Wahsega Road
News July 6, 2018
Robert Cartee
Tracey Cartee
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — An investigation started by anonymous tip to the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office led authorities to a major indoor marijuana grow Thursday and the arrest of Robert Cartee, 53, and his wife Tracey Diamond Cartee, 50.
Acting on the tip, investigators with the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, with the assistance of the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO), executed a search warrant at 2585 Camp Wahsega Road.
Confiscated in the search: 174- Marijuana plants, 24-firearms, 7- grow lights, 5- power inverters, a dehydrator, a vacuum Bag sealer, and over three pounds of marijuana ready for distribution. The marijuana and equipment are valued at $360,000.
Both have been charged with trafficking in marijuana and further charges are pending.
No bond has been set at this time.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
4-H Director Denies Involvement with Child Porn
News October 16, 2017
Attorney Catherine Bernard
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Catherine S. Bernard, the attorney for long time Wahsega 4-H Director Paul Travis Williams who was arrested last week and charged with one count of possessing child pornography, said today her client is “shocked and horrified by the charge against him.”
Bernard added that Williams completely denies any involvement whatsoever with child pornography.
“He has cooperated fully with law enforcement, including providing access to his electronic devices and turning himself in to the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, and he will continue to assist in all possible ways with the investigation of inappropriate content.
Paul Travis Williams
“Travis has nothing to hide, and he is confident that a thorough investigation will show that he is innocent of any wrongdoing. He is grateful to all of the members of the community who have reached out to support him during this difficult time, and prays for a swift and just resolution to this serious matter.”
Williams’ bond was set at $10,000 and he bonded out immediately. Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Lt. Alan Roach said last week that authorities followed up on a cyber tip and discovered a hard drive at his residence contained child pornography.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Man accused of attacking sister with pickaxe handle is arrested
News October 29, 2019
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – A 45-year-old Dahlonega man was arrested last week after he allegedly attacked his sister, striking her on the back of the neck with a pickaxe handle.
Joy Protsman told Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Deputies she was in her RV home at 1511 Clay Creek Falls Road at approximately 4 p.m. when her brother Jody Ridley entered and began beating her, accusing her of wrecking his car.
She stated that he knocked her down, then jumped on top of her injuring her knee and began pulling her hair out.
Deborah Evans, the aunt, said she heard Protsman screaming, saw Ridley holding her down and tried to pull him off of her.
Both women said Ridley had left the scene in a grey Chevrolet Impala.
The vehicle was located at the Clay Creek Falls Grocery. Ridley was arrested there and transported to the Lumpkin County Detention Center.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Canton woman charged with computer invasion of privacy
News October 22, 2019
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – A 22-year-old Canton woman has been charged with computer invasion of privacy, a felony, in an alleged attempt to remove money from her boyfriend’s bank account without his permission.
Lumpkin County deputy Clifford Devore filed the arrest report which states he met with 23-year-old Joshua Warren and Warren’s attorney Michael Weaver at the Sheriff’s Office Aug. 29.
They stated Morgan Snelling-Rader, the mother of the couple’s child, attempted to gain access to Warren’s personal bank account at BB&T. He also stated she attempted to remove money in reference to an ongoing dispute.
Warren provided numerous texts from the woman in which she requested money for babysitting their child. He also provided texts from BB&T, showing an attempt from an unknown source showing activity in an attempt to change passwords from 4:34 p.m. until 5:15 p.m. on Friday Aug. 23.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and uBB&T
p to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
GBI makes two more arrests in Hannah Bender murder case
Business October 1, 2019
DAWSONVILLE, Ga – Agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation with assistance from Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office investigators arrested two more suspects in the murder case of Hannah Bender last night (Sept 30).
Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard reported just moments ago that Isaac Huff and Dylan Reid were arrested in Dawson County and are now in the Dawson County Detention Center.
Jarrard said officials with the GBI are meeting today with the District Attorney Lee Darragh to determine what charges to file against both men.
Jarrard also said he expects more arrests in the case. One more could come as soon as today.
Bender’s mother Carol Gilreath last saw her daughter on Sept. 14 and reported her missing on Sept. 19. Authorities found her body in a ravine near Parks Road in Forysth County five days later.
The primary suspect in the case is Austin Todd Stryker who is still at large. His fiancee Elizabeth Donaldson and another man, Jerry Harper, were arrested last week.
Fetch Your News will have more details as they become available.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Dahlonega man charged with sexual molestation
News July 23, 2019
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Lumpkin County authorities arrested 56-year-old Larry Cole on Thursday (July 18) on charges of aggravated sexual molestation, and aggravated sexual battery after a young female came forward to say he touched her inappropriately when she was 10 years old and was at his home to visit his stepdaughter.
According to her written statement the alleged victim, who is now 14-years old, said she no longer goes to Cole’s home but she is aware that he frequently invites young kids to his home. She also said she is coming forward now because she believes he is touching at least three other children in the same manner at this time.
The other alleged victims, she said, are ages 12, 10 and four years.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Body discovered by canoeist in Chestatee River today
News April 17, 2019
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Alan Roach reported that a canoeist discovered the body of an unidentified female just below the surface of the Chestatee River around noon today near Lewis Grindle Road in Lumpkin County.
Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, White County Sheriff’s Office and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources were conducting a recovery operation at noon today.
The body was located below the area where authorities in both counties have been searching for 34-year-old Belinda Butterfield who was reported missing on Monday, April 15. Ms. Butterfield was last seen swimming in the waters of Tesnatee Creek in White County. The creek runs into the Chestatee River.
Fetch Your News will have more details as they become available.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
Drug bust at Warwick St. Apartments nets more than $7,600 in drugs
News March 6, 2019
Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office
News Release
Contact: Mitchell Posey (706) 348-7410
For Immediate Release
DAHLONEGA, Ga. –On March 5th, 2019, the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit provided valuable information to the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office that lead to the arrest of Anthony Fleshman. Fleshman was arrested after Lumpkin County Deputies found 1 gram of ecstasy and 3 THC oil vape sticks during a traffic stop. A search warrant was executed at Fleshman and Carly Harrison’s apartment on Warwick Street in Dahlonega, GA. Authorities found four grams of ecstasy, 12 ounces of marijuana, and 31 THC oil vape sticks along with $703. The total street value of the illegal narcotics was $7,600.
Fleshman, 18, was arrested for possession of MDMA (ecstasy), possession of more than an ounce of marijuana, and possession of THC Oil. Harrison, 22, was charged with misdemeanor possession of marijuana. Fleshman and Harrison were transported to the Lumpkin County Detention Center.
ARDEO encourages citizens to report any suspicious drug activity via IM or at 706-348-7410 or contact your local Sheriff’s Office or Police Department.
The Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office is a multi-agency unit that consists of the following Sheriff’s Offices: White County, Lumpkin County, Towns County, Banks County, Jackson County, Habersham County, Stephens County, Rabun County and Franklin County, along with the Cleveland Police Department, Lavonia Police Department, the Toccoa Police Department, the Georgia National Guard Counter Drug Task Force, the Department of Public Safety, and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYN attracts 300,000+ page views per month, 3.5 million impressions per month and approximately 15,000 viewers per week on FYNTV.com and up to 60,000 Facebook page reach. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at FetchYourNews.com
BREAKING: Mother and infant rescued from river; DUI charges pending
News December 28, 2018
Forsyth County was en route but cancelled prior to getting on scene Lumpkin County Emergency Services made the rescues
DAHLONEGA, GA
According to the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s office, LC first responders saved a female driver and her baby in a river rescue on Friday, December 28.
The vehicle had wrecked and ended up in the river south of Clay Creek Falls and was washing down the river, authorities told Fetch Your News. The Lumpkin County Fire Department tied off the vehicle for stabilization, and then extended a ladder for firefighters to use for retrieval.
Both mother and child were rescued and transported to the hospital for observation. The accident has been turned over to GSP for further investigation. The vehicle was left in Clay Creek Falls due to unsafe conditions.
UPDATE:
In a statement from Georgia State Patrol Post Commander, SFC Curtis Bradshaw, Andrea Marie McMeans of Dahlonega, (29) was traveling north on Clay Creek Falls Road in a 1996 Ford Ranger; the passenger was a two-month-old male also from Dahlonega. McMeans attempted to to negotiate a curve to the left, when her vehicle traveled onto the east shoulder and down a small embankment. After the vehicle struck a tree, it traveled into the creek, where the swift current of the rising creek pulled the Ranger approximately 300 feet downstream. The Ranger came to a rest in the middle of the creek facing north.
Due to the rising water in the creek and its swift current, the Forsyth County Swift Water Rescue team was en route to help the driver and passenger get out of the vehicle, but had to cancel prior to arriving on scene. Lumpkin County Emergency Services responded to the accident and were able to rescue McMeans and her infant. The driver and the passenger were transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville with non-life threatening injuries.
Bradshaw explained in the report that, “arrest warrants were obtained on Ms. McMeans for Failure to Maintain Lane, DUI, and DUI-Child Endangerment. It was raining at the time of the crash and the roadway was wet, and it appeared that the driver was wearing her seat belt and the baby was secured in a rear facing child seat at the time of the crash.”
FetchYourNews.com attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month for ad server. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and has between 15,000 to 60,000 per week Facebook page reach. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or visit [email protected]
Lumpkin County Sheriff Office investigating alleged high school threat
Community, News September 21, 2018
LUMPKIN CO., GA
Lumpkin County Sheriff, Stacy Jarrard, confirms that LCSO has opened an extensive investigation into the alleged threats by a Lumpkin County High School student on Thursday, September 20. The threats involved the student threatening a possible school shooting.
According to Lumpkin County Schools, once the they learned of the alleged threat, they conducted an investigation into the situation. They posted on the LCSS Facebook page Thursday evening that they did not find any evidence of a threat. “Today a Lumpkin County High School student alleged that another LCHS student made a threat to harm the school. Law enforcement and school administrators took swift action to isolate the student in question and to conduct a thorough investigation. Conclusion: There is no evidence that a threat was ever made. Rumors perpetuated on social media have caused concern in our community, so we wanted to share the facts. Student safety is and will continue to be our first priority!”
Jarrard explained that once the LCSO received information regarding the alleged incident, after receiving numerous phone calls from concerned parents and Lumpkin County residents, they reached out to the school system Thursday evening and began their own investigation into the matter on Friday, September 21, to further ensure the safety of LCHS students. Jarrard also explained that they have confiscated all electronic devices from the student in question, and the investigation is being thoroughly examined.
Fetch Your News also reached out to LCSS staff for information, but they declined to comment at this time.
This investigation is currently ongoing; please check back for updates.
FetchYourNews.com attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month for ad server. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and has between 15,000 to 60,000 per week Facebook page reach. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or visit [email protected]
Father, Son Drown at Dicks Creek Falls Tuesday
News June 21, 2017
Dicks Creek Falls in Chattahoochee National Forest
DAHLONEGA, Ga. – A father and his 6-year-old son drowned at Dicks Creek Falls in Lumpkin County Tuesday (June 20) around 2 p.m.
Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard said according to numerous witnesses, the father, 38-year-old Joshua Kistler of Dahlonega, slid down one of the rock slides first then waited for his son, Jaxon, to follow. But the boy apparently got caught in an undertow and never resurfaced. The father made several attempts to bring his son to the surface but drowned himself.
“This is such a tragedy,” Jarrard said. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ family. I hope everyone will keep them all in their prayers.”
Jarrard said witnesses spotted the father’s body floating downstream, pulled him to the shore and tried to do CPR but were unable to revive him.
Several agencies responded to the incident, including Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, Lumpkin County Fire Department, EMS, Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Forest Service, Hall County Sheriff’s Office and Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. The Lumpkin County swift water rescue team recovered the child’s body.
Fetch Your News will have more details as they become available.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that covers Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. If you would like to follow up-to-date local events in any of those counties, please visit us at www.fetchyournews.com
Mother Charged With Murder in Death of Infant Son
Business, News March 20, 2017
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — More than a year after the death of her two-month old son, 19-year-old Megan Dix of Dahlonega has been arrested and charged with murder in connection his death.
The Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office responded to Ms. Dix’s residence on Winters Mountain Road for a medical issue involving her son, Jalen, on Dec. 15, 2015. Upon arrival, the child was found to be unresponsive.
The child was rushed to Northeast Georgia Medical Center and later to Scottish Rite Hospital in Atlanta where he died. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation performed an autopsy that determined the injury could not have been self-inflicted. However, it took more than a year before the results were ready to be presented to a Grand Jury.
Earlier this month, the Lumpkin County Superior Court Grand Jury returned an indictment that charged Dix with malice murder, felony murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery and cruelty to children in the first degree.
Dix was arrested at her home on Skyline Drive and transported to the Lumpkin County Detention Center where she is being held without bond.
Sheriff Jarrard said that Dix admitted to being with the baby at the time of the incident that claimed the child’s life.