Emergency crews responded to a commercial fire alarm at the Burger King in Cornelia this morning (Saturday, January 17th) after reports of possible smoke inside the building.

According to Cornelia Fire Chief Jenkins, Cornelia Fire, Baldwin Fire, LACI, and Habersham County Emergency Services Station 5 were dispatched to Burger King, located at 114 Habersham Village Circle. Cornelia Engine 22 was the first unit to arrive on scene and found no visible smoke or fire from the exterior of the building.

Lieutenant Kyle Shelton made contact with the restaurant’s manager, who reported that smoke had been coming from an HVAC vent inside the restaurant. Fire crews investigated the issue and determined the source to be a broken belt in the HVAC unit caused by a mechanical malfunction.

Officials confirmed that no fire was present, no further hazards were identified, and no injuries were reported. Once the issue was addressed, employees were able to safely return to normal business operations.

Fire officials noted that the quick response and investigation ensured the situation remained a minor mechanical incident rather than a larger emergency.

The Cornelia Fire Department reminds businesses and residents that fire alarms should always be taken seriously, as they often provide the earliest warning of potential hazards.

Construction of the Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) Blue Ridge Connector (BRC) in Gainesville remains on schedule, with officials confirming the $127 million inland terminal is expected to open in Spring 2026. The project is poised to transform freight movement in Northeast Georgia by providing direct rail service between Gainesville and the Port of Savannah.

Once operational, the 200-acre facility will allow manufacturers and shippers to move goods by double-stack rail service through Norfolk Southern Railway, replacing what is currently a five-hour truck trip. GPA officials estimate the connector could eliminate as many as 400,000 truck trips per year through the Atlanta metro area, easing congestion while improving supply-chain efficiency.

A Major Investment in Northeast Georgia

The Blue Ridge Connector represents a $127 million investment funded by the Georgia Ports Authority. Construction is nearing completion, with Carroll Daniel Construction and Simpson Trucking & Grading serving as key local contractors on the project.

The terminal will feature:

• Six rail tracks
• 14 rubber-tired gantry cranes
• Double-stack container handling capabilities
• Monday–Friday operating schedules

GPA has also begun actively hiring for terminal positions in preparation for opening.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

State and local leaders say the Blue Ridge Connector will strengthen Northeast Georgia’s manufacturing corridor, which includes forest products, food processing, and advanced manufacturing industries.

Key benefits include:

• Supply Chain Efficiency: Door-to-door rail service will streamline shipping and reduce costs.
• Economic Growth: The facility is expected to attract new business investment and support existing employers.
• Environmental Impact: By removing hundreds of thousands of truck trips, the project will significantly cut carbon emissions.
• Reduced Congestion: Shifting freight from highways to rail will help relieve pressure on Atlanta’s already crowded interstates.

Supporting Infrastructure Already in Place

Several supporting road improvements in Hall County, including upgrades to White Sulphur Road and Cagle Road, were completed in Summer 2025 to accommodate increased traffic and improve access to the terminal.

Looking Ahead

With its Spring 2026 opening approaching, the Blue Ridge Connector is quickly becoming one of the most significant logistics projects in Northeast Georgia’s history. Officials say the facility will not only strengthen Georgia’s position as a national logistics leader, but also bring long-term economic and environmental benefits to the region.

As construction moves into its final phases, local leaders and businesses alike are watching closely, anticipating a new era of freight movement and economic opportunity for Gainesville and surrounding communities.

A Baldwin woman was arrested Wednesday afternoon after her 4-year-old son was found walking alone along Willingham Avenue without adult supervision.

According to a press release from the City of Baldwin, Habersham County E-911 received multiple calls at approximately 3:50 p.m. on January 14, 2026, reporting a young child walking by himself on the roadway. Two concerned adults stopped to help and remained with the child at a nearby business until law enforcement arrived.

Officers with the Baldwin Police Department responded and began searching for the child’s guardian. The boy told officers his mother had left him at home to go shopping and that he was trying to find her. He was unable to provide his parents’ full names or describe where he lived, prompting officers to request assistance from the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS).

About 30 to 45 minutes later, the child’s mother, Miranda Perry, arrived at the scene looking for her son. Perry told officers the child had left their apartment at the Heritage Garden complex. She stated she had left him at home while she picked up her other children from the bus stop and went to a local clothing store. She also reported that the child’s father, who works night shifts, was asleep inside the apartment and was unaware the child had left.

Following the investigation, Perry was arrested and charged with Reckless Conduct. DFCS assumed responsibility for the child’s welfare and will continue its investigation.

City officials used the incident to remind parents and caregivers that child safety devices such as doorknob covers and latches are not fail-safe and should not replace proper supervision. Authorities also emphasized that if a child is left with a sleeping caregiver, that person must be aware and able to supervise the child.

This incident marks the second recent case in which a child was found on a busy roadway after being left with a sleeping caregiver. Officials noted that no injuries occurred in either situation.

Baldwin Police thanked the citizens who intervened and ensured the child’s safety until help arrived.

Habersham County Emergency Services responded to a residential structure fire early this morning at approximately 3:58 a.m.Harris Street in Mt. Airy during C Shift operations.

Multiple units were dispatched to the scene, including Engines 5, 12, 13, and 14, Cornelia Fire Department Engine 22, and Med Units 02 and 12. LACI was also dispatched but did not respond.

Upon arrival, first-due units found an approximately 1,000-square-foot, single-story residence with an estimated 80–90% fire involvement. Fire crews initially deployed attack lines and began defensive operations from the exterior due to fire conditions and a roof collapse, which is believed to have occurred prior to the arrival of emergency personnel.

Once conditions were deemed safe, crews transitioned to interior firefighting operations. A thorough search of the structure was completed, and no victims were found. All occupants of the residence were accounted for.

Firefighters were able to quickly achieve knockdown of the main body of fire and began overhaul operations. Crews will remain on scene throughout the morning addressing hot spots and completing overhaul. Due to the anticipated extended scene time, personnel are being rotated as needed.

The Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene and has assumed responsibility for the fire investigation.

At this time, no injuries to civilians or emergency personnel have been reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation

MT. AIRY, Ga. — Fire crews responded to a residential structure fire early Tuesday morning that caused extensive damage to a home on Harris Street and displaced its occupants during subfreezing temperatures.

The fire was reported just before 4 a.m. on January 13, prompting a response from more than 20 firefighters with Habersham County Emergency Services and the Cornelia Fire Department.

When crews arrived, there were initial concerns that someone might still be inside the residence. Officials later confirmed the home was unoccupied at the time of the fire.

Firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control while battling freezing conditions. The home suffered heavy damage as crews conducted suppression and overhaul operations.

At this time, no official information has been released regarding injuries, the cause of the fire, or the number of individuals displaced. Investigations are being conducted by Habersham County Emergency Services and the Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office.

This story remains under investigation and will be updated as more confirmed details become available.

Time is running out for residents to secure a seat at the premiere of Habersham History’s newest documentary, “Flying High: The Story of the Habersham County Airport.”

The film will premiere on January 15, 2026, at The Common Ground in Cornelia. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with the premiere screening beginning promptly at 6:00 p.m. The documentary has a total run time of 33 minutes.

How to RSVP

Attendance is limited, and those wishing to attend must RSVP in advance. To reserve your spot, send an email to:

info@habershamhistory.org

In your email, please include the number of tickets you would like to reserve. Reservations will be confirmed by Habersham History while space remains available.

Produced by Habersham History, the film explores the origins, growth, and lasting impact of the Habersham County Airport — a facility that has played a vital role in the county’s development, emergency services, business growth, and community identity.

A trailer for the documentary is now available on YouTube and is already generating excitement among aviation enthusiasts, history lovers, and longtime residents. You can watch the trailer here:
👉 https://youtu.be/t2whFe259Bo

Habersham History officials encourage anyone interested in local history, aviation, or community storytelling to register now before remaining spots are filled. The premiere will offer viewers a first look at rare photographs, archival footage, and firsthand accounts that bring the airport’s story to life.

“This documentary is about more than just an airport,” organizers say. “It’s about the people, the progress, and the pride that helped shape Habersham County.”

Those who plan to attend are urged to sign up as soon as possible, as registration will close soon.

A recent blood drive in Habersham County is helping ensure that critical, life-saving care can begin even before patients reach the hospital.

Jennifer Davis, a nurse and paramedic with Air Methods, explained that the medical helicopter based at the Habersham County Airport carries packed red blood cells and plasma onboard so crews can begin treatment immediately at emergency scenes.

“We carry life-saving blood on our helicopter,” Davis said. “So we try to participate in blood drives about once a quarter. When people donate here, those units come right back to this area — they could be saving your neighbor’s life, or even someone in your own family.”

Air Methods works with a blood collection group based in Gainesville, ensuring that donations made locally remain available for patients in Northeast Georgia.

Davis emphasized that early access to blood products can make a critical difference for trauma patients. “We give it to patients on scene, before they ever get to the hospital. Sometimes that early treatment is what saves their life,” she said.

The Habersham-based helicopter crew consists of a pilot, a nurse, and a paramedic, operating daily from their hangar at the county airport. While Davis doesn’t fly the helicopter herself, she rides as part of the medical team providing care to patients during emergency transports.

The current blood drive is nearing completion, but Davis said the next drive is expected in April, and she hopes to continue hosting them in high-visibility locations to encourage more community participation.

“This is a great area for us to do it,” she said. “When we’re here, people can see us, ask questions, and learn how their donation helps.”

Davis also noted she plans to share upcoming flyers so the community can stay informed about future opportunities to donate.

Habersham County residents interested in giving blood are encouraged to watch for announcements and consider participating in the next drive — a simple donation that could one day help save a life in their own community.