Two adults have now been arrested in McKinney Murder Case
Featured, News February 12, 2019Blue Ridge, Ga. – Two more have been arrested in the McKinney murder case.
Twenty year old Michael Chase Havard and twenty year old Kevin Jack Chamaty. Both individuals are being charged with murder.
Attention was first drawn to Havard and Chamaty when Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Special Agent Jamie Abercrombie testified at an initial appearance and bond hearing for the juveniles also charged in the case.
According to Abercrombie another individual came forward on night of Wednesday Dec. 5, 2018. Havard voluntarily arrived at the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office and told staff that he had information regarding the McKinney murder.
Abercrombie said, “Havard provided a written statement.” The Special Agent also told about how Havard shed light onto the shooter of Franklin.
Havard was visiting a friend, Kevin Chamaty, who resided at Lakota Cloer’s residence on Dec. 3. Cloer who had been charged in the McKinney murder accepted a plea deal in which he will have to serve 15 years behind bars.
It was during this visit that Havard recalled Hunter Hill, Blake Dickey, both of which have been charged with the murder of Justin McKinney and assault of Anna Franklin, along with Cloer and another individual, 15 year old Levi Manuel, were discussing the plans to “pop and rob” McKinney.
According to the interview with Havard, Hill said that the four were “going to rob someone who had marijuana and pills” and asked Havard if he wanted in. Hill also told Havard that they were going to shoot everyone there and take whatever they have.
Havard declined and left with friend Chamaty to go to Walmart. Chamaty received a call later that night in the early morning hours of Dec. 4 from Cloer. Cloer stated that he was on Maple Grove Road and was in need of gas.
Havard and Chamaty drove to meet Cloer and gave him gas for his truck. Cloer was by himself and told Havard that he had dropped off Hill, Dickey and Manuel on Elrod Lane.
Having not heard from Manuel, Havard and Cloer went to look for the three. Chamaty parked at a church and waited for Havard to return.
As Havard walked down Elrod Lane, he says that he saw a light and heard “it’s me” in a voice that he recognized as Manuel.
Once back to Cloer’s truck the juveniles, along with Havard, met Chamaty and proceeded back to the Cloer residence.
“Mr. Hill had made statements that everyone was dead,” Abercrombie recalled Havard’s testimony. Havard also stated that Manuel made comments that he had unloaded a clip into the girl and that Hill, who was last out of the residence, stated that he had finished Franklin off and killed Donald Majors, a third resident who was present at the Franklin home where McKinney had been murdered.
The boys at this point believed that everyone in the home was deceased.
Havard stated that Manuel was the one who had the .25 caliber handgun, and admitted that he had advised Cloer to dispose of the weapon.
Cloer attempted to scratch off the serial numbers on the handgun before getting rid of the weapon. Chamaty then drove Havard and Cloer to the “cliffs at Nottely Lake” where Cloer threw the gun into the water.
Havard later took FCSO Investigator John Arp and GBI Special Agent Abercrombie to Nottely Lake and showed where the handgun had been thrown. With the help of divers the gun was recovered.
FetchYourNews will keep you up-to-date as further details emerge surrounding the McKinney Murder Case.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
McKinney murder, what happened that night? FYN Exclusive interview with survivor Anna Franklin
Featured, News, Police & Government December 13, 2018Blue Ridge, Ga. – Shortly after midnight, in the early morning hours of Dec. 4 gunshots rang out at a home on Elrod Lane in Morganton, Ga. The shots resulted in the murder of 33 year old Justin McKinney and a critically wounded second victim, Anna Franklin.
Not many facts have been released regarding the McKinney murder case, but 4 juveniles have been arrested and charged with the crime.
Surprise came to Fannin County as the arrests were announced. Fifteen year old Blake Dickey (AKA Blake Dye), 15 year old Hunter Hill, 15 year old Dalton Manuel and 16 year old Lakota Cloer were detained. Citizens were shocked to learn that such crime would come from a group of teens.
Franklin sat down with FetchYourNews to discuss the events that took place that night and to dispel rumors surrounding the possible motive of the boys.
Franklin and McKinney were about to go to bed when the couple heard loud banging coming from their front door. According to Franklin, McKinney answered the door to find Blake Dickey and Hunter Hill asking to come in.
According to Franklin, Dickey and Hill had told the couple that they “had to jump out of someone’s car and run but they didn’t say who or why”.
“I would have never expected them two to do anything like that,” Franklin said about the boys. “Hunter and Blake always seemed like calm, good kids to me, and it does not make sense.”
Franklin acknowledged that the couple knew Dickey and Hill, and that McKinney had been friends with the boys’ fathers for years.
“All the Hill brothers used to come over and help Justin with his animals. He had a lot of animals and they would help him feed them and clean their cages and everything,” Franklin said recalling the relationship with the Hill family and added about Dickey, “Blake had always been real quiet.”
Once the boys entered the home, Franklin says that their demeanor became calm, not as it had been just moments prior when the boys where found banging on the door.
For the next fifteen minutes the two boys and McKinney spoke. Franklin says she sat on a nearby loveseat but didn’t hear what the three were talking about because she was distracted by her phone.
“There was no argument or nothing,” Franklin spoke of the interaction, “If somebody had raised their voice I would have looked up and payed attention.”
McKinney got up at some point to tend the fire, and that is when Franklin heard the first gun shot. She thought at first it was a loud crackle in the fire, but as the second shot came she quickly realized it was gunfire.
“After the second shot I looked over towards him (McKinney) and he wasn’t where he was,” Franklin continued, “I didn’t know if they were going to shoot at me or not. I just covered my face because I was scared.”
Two more shots were fired at this point, and one of those shots struck Franklin. The bullet went through Franklin’s arm and entered her face, shattering her jaw and lodging in her neck.
Franklin spoke of the bullet that is unable to be removed from her neck, “What they told me when I was at the hospital, it will cause more damage if they do it.” The wound has caused Franklin to lose feeling in the bottom half of her face.
After being shot Franklin said that she heard Hill yell Dickey’s name and the two boys fled.
“I didn’t see who pulled the trigger. I didn’t have time to look,” Franklin didn’t lower her arm until the boys were gone. “I don’t know if they thought I was ok or not, but they aimed at both of our heads.”
After Franklin uncovered her face she says she jumped up and shut the front door and locked it. She then turned her attention to McKinney.
“Then I ran to Justin. His eyes were open but I knew he didn’t see me. I tried to stop the blood with my clothes but couldn’t. It was pooling around my feet,” Franklin became emotional as she spoke of McKinney. “I had to leave him to go call them (911) on the house phone. My mind was not accepting that he was gone.”
Franklin said that she never saw the other two boys (Cloer and Manuel) that have been charged in the case nor did she see a vehicle at her home.
Rumors have spread surrounding this case regarding a motive that would lead four teens to conspire to murder. Drugs have been a common theme among these rumors. Franklin wanted to set the record straight.
“It’s not what everybody keeps talking about,” Franklin said of the gossip about McKinney, “He smoked pot. He had nothing to do with meth or coke (cocaine) or anything like that. He was very against it. What they’re saying about those drugs aren’t true. He was very against anything that would hurt somebody like that.”
Hearsay has also come about that McKinney sold Hill’s older brother drugs that had an adverse effect on the young man and that the murder was revenge. Franklin said on this speculation, “That’s ridiculous. His brother might have had something, but it was not from Justin.”
Franklin acknowledged that it is possible that the boys had planned on robbing McKinney of his marijuana that night, but says that she didn’t feel like they were there long enough to have taken anything and said of her own speculation of a possible motive, “That’s something I can’t figure out.”
Franklin, who had been with McKinney for the last six years, wants people to know of the man who was murdered, “He was everything to me. He made sure that I was ok. He had a very good heart.”
“What happened will be forever burned in my mind,” Franklin spoke with tear filled eyes as she recounted the events that unfolded in the early morning hours of Dec. 4.
Related Articles:
Details emerge surrounding murder case in Fannin County
Fatal Shooting in Fannin County
Two more arrested in McKinney murder case
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
Details emerge surrounding murder case in Fannin County
Featured, News, Police & Government December 6, 2018Blue Ridge, Ga. – The two defendants recently arrested for the murder of 33 year old Justin McKinney on Tuesday, Dec. 4 made their first appearance in a Fannin County courtroom today.
Appalachian Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Brenda Weaver presided over this initial hearing to establish representation for the defendants as well as grant permission for two motions being made by Defense Attorney David Farnham.
Both of the 15 year old defendants made their way into the courtroom shackled and displaying a calm demeanor. Blake Dickey (AKA Blake Dye) had already obtained legal representation through Farnham, but co-defendant Hunter Hill opted for a Public Defender.
Public Defender Clint Hooker was present to represent defendant Hunter Hill.
“I believe our office does have a conflict as we have represented at least one of the victims,” Hooker stated of the ability of his office to represent Hill. Due to this conflict of interest Hooker was only present to answer questions for Hill, but Hill’s Public Defender for future hearings will be assigned at a later date.
The boys sat quietly as Weaver read the charges, and replied with a “yes” only when asked if they understood the charges against them. Currently both juveniles have been charged with felony murder.
According to a press release from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), a 911 call came into Fannin County dispatch at approximately 12:50 a.m. the morning of Dec. 4. The caller, 35 year old Anna Franklin, indicated that she and a male victim, McKinney, had been shot.
When Fannin County deputies arrived to a home off of Elrod Lane, McKinney was deceased. Franklin was taken to a hospital with trauma care for treatment.
Sources have told FetchYourNews that McKinney had received a fatal gunshot wound to the head, and that Franklin was also shot at point blank range. She, however, deflected the shot by throwing up her arm in a defensive stance.
According to these sources, the bullet entered and exited the arm before entering Franklin’s face and becoming lodged in the neck.
While both juvenilles have been charged with felony murder relating to the death of McKinney, neither have been charged with the attempted murder of Franklin.
Weaver addressed a consent order that she had received via Dickey’s attorney Farnham : “One of the things that was emailed to me was a consent order signed by you (Farnham) on behalf of your client and Ms. Sosebee on behalf of the state requesting a motion and order for blood test examination.”
Debate arose as to whether this testing had already been done with Dickey claiming that blood had already been drawn. Through further discussion it was determined that the blood drawn at the Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center was for the purpose of medical screening.
Parties agreed to have the blood testing done on Dickey. District Attorney Alison B. Sosebee explained, “At this point in time the current arrangements would be after the first appearance here there will be a transport of Mr. Dickey, also known as Mr. Dye, back to the Dalton facility. Prior to him being transported to the Dalton facility he will be taken to Fannin Regional Hospital for that blood draw to occur.”
Questions arose for the need of this test since the incident occured several days ago. This led some to speculate that the testing’s purpose is to check for drug use by the defendant.
Drugs have been a common rumor circulating via social media regarding the motive of the young men to commit murder. While there has been no confirmation of drugs directly relating to the crime, it is confirmed that family members of the defendants as well as the alleged victims themselves have a history of run-ins with local law enforcement over drug related charges.
Family members were not present at the hearing today which led to Weaver question counsel: “Were the parents not invited to the hearing this morning?”
Weaver also questioned if family of the alleged victims had been notified of the hearing. With short notice being given prior to this hearing, it was discovered that not all parties had been contacted.
“In the future we really need to notify the parents if we hear anything about hearings,” Weaver spoke to defense and prosecution.
“I just want to put on the record that I was informed that my client was taken from school, handcuffed, and was brought down for interrogation at the sheriff’s department without counsel and without his mother’s knowledge or any custodial parents,” Dickey’s attorney, Farnham, stated before dismissal at the hearing. “I do not want any further interrogation of my client unless counsel is present.”
This request brought the realization to many in the courtroom that after allegedly committing murder the two young defendants then went to school the next day, carrying on routine as though nothing had happened just hours previously.
Agreement was made that no further interrogation would conducted without counsel present. Weaver added of this decision, “Certainly that will go for both defendants because the court has now provided an attorney for Mr. Hill.”
Bond was not requested for either of the defendants at this initial hearing. Farnham stated that he would like more time to review all of the circumstances surrounding the case, and that due to threats being made on social media that there is a possibility that for, at least his client (Dickey), bond might not be sought at all.
After the hearing today the boys were transported to separate detention facilities. Hill will be transferred to Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center and Dickey will return to Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center.
While both youths are being charged and tried as adults, Georgia state law mandates that they be held in juvenile detention centers until the age of 17.
If convicted of felony murder both Hill and Dickey face a sentence of life in prison. According to Georgia law since the crime has been committed while the defendants were only 15 years of age they are both ineligible for the death penalty.
More charges are expected as GBI continues their investigation, and there is rumor of a possible third suspect being involved in the case. FetchYourNews will bring you the latest as this story unfolds.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
Two more arrested in McKinney murder case
Featured, News, Police & Government December 7, 2018Blue Ridge, Ga. – Two more arrests were made in connection with the murder of Justin McKinney.
Fifteen year old Dalton Levi Manuel and 16 year old Lakota Ricky Cloer were detained last night. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI):
On Thursday, December 6, 2018, two additional arrests were made in this case. Dalton Levi Manuel, 15, of Morganton, GA was arrested and charged with murder and Lakota Ricky Cloer, 16, of Morganton, GA was charged with party to the crime of murder. Both will be housed in regional youth detention centers.
Still dressed in civilian clothing to pair made their way into a Fannin County courtroom for an initial appearance today.
Appalachian Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Brenda Weaver presided over the hearing and opened the court by questioning, “Have the families of the alleged victims been notified of today’s hearing?”
“They have not your honor,” District Attorney B. Alison Sosebee replied giving explanation: “We are waiting on information from the investigative agency, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, to get that final contact information.”
Weaver individually read the warrants against the boys charging each with the crime of murder and informed them of their rights.
Cloer, the older of the pair, told the court that his family would be hiring an attorney to represent his case, while Manuel expressed uncertainty and opted for a Public Defender.
Public Defender Clint Hooker was present in the courtroom again today to advise the defendants on their rights. However, there is an ongoing conflict of interest with Hooker’s team defending the boys due to having represented at least one of the alleged victims in the past.
“I have asked the public defenders office to sit and be with you today to make sure that none of your rights are violated,” Judge Weaver explained the presence of the defense team on hand in the courtroom.
Family members of the defendants were present in the courtroom, and the mother of Cloer spoke up about her son before dismissal.
“Lakota has had death threats against him, at the Marietta youth detention center, so if we could request him to be sent to a different location,” Cloer’s mother spoke on her son’s behalf and clarified, “From other inmates. They told him that if he came back they were going to kill him.”
Sosebee offered to inform the proper parties of the threats that have been made and allow the detention center to take any action needed.
“He did let them know at the detention center and I don’t know what actions were taken, if any,” Cloer’s mother replied and added, “I just want my son safe.”
Weaver agreed with informing the detention center of the threats, and told Cloer’s mother that the wardens at the facility would be told directly.
“Do you know with the ongoing investigation will there be others who may need a first appearance Monday or Tuesday of next week? Do you know if anyone else might be arrested in this matter?” Judge Weaver questioned Sosebee before adjournment.
District Attorney Sosebee replied that she would not be able to answer that question with the investigation still ongoing.
More charges are expected to come in the case, including those related to a second victim, Anna Franklin, that was also shot in the early morning hours of Dec. 4.
Related Articles:
Details emerge surrounding murder case in Fannin County
Fatal shooting in Fannin County
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
Update – Fatal shooting in Fannin County
News, Police & Government December 5, 2018Blue Ridge, Ga – Update on Fannin County Murder Investigation. GBI Press Release Dec. 5, 2018
Blue Ridge (December 4, 2018)- On Tuesday, December 4, 2018, the GBI and the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office arrested Blake Dickey AKA Blake Dye, 15, and Hunter Hill, 15, both of Blairsville, Georgia for the murder of Justin McKinney, 33 of Morganton, Georgia. They were each charged with one count of murder; however additional charges are pending. Dye and Hill will be housed at the Elbert Shaw Regional Youth Detention Center.
On Tuesday, December 4, 2018, at approximately 1:38 AM, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation was requested to assist the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office with a murder investigation. At approximately 12:50 AM, the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the area of Elrod Lane, Morganton, Fannin County, Georgia. Deputies were dispatched to the area as a result of a 911 call in which the caller indicated she and a male subject were shot. When deputies arrived on scene, the male subject, McKinney was deceased. The female, Anna Franklin, 35 of Morganton, Georgia was taken to the hospital for treatment.
McKinney’s autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday, December 5, 2018.
Upon completion of the investigation, the case will be provided to the Appalachian Judicial Circuit District Attorney for prosecution Hill Booking Report
Initial report below:
Blue Ridge, Ga. – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office have confirmed that a fatal shooting took place in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 4.
According to a press release from GBI, a 911 call came into dispatch at approximately 12:50 a.m. The caller, a female victim, indicated that she and a male victim had been shot.
When deputies arrived to a home in the area of Elrod Lane, Morganton, Ga. the male subject was deceased. The female was taken to a hospital with trauma care for treatment.
Fannin County Sheriff’s Office did request additional assistance from GBI as is standard in cases of this nature.
Names are not being released of the victims at this time as it is an open and ongoing investigation. An autopsy of the male subject is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, Dec. 5.
More details will be released to the public upon completion of the investigation.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
Raffensperger wins nomination for Secretary of State
Election, Election 2018 July 24, 2018Blue Ridge, Ga. – Brad Raffensperger has defeated David Belle Isle in the July Runoff Election.
Raffensperger and Belle Isle vied for the Republican nomination to seek the seat of Georgia Secretary of State. The Secretary of State seat is open with no incumbent as current Secretary of State Brian Kemp moves forward in the gubernatorial race.
With all 159 counties reporting, Raffensperger was able to receive 61.76 percent of the vote while Belle Isle fell short only receiving 38.24 percent.
Raffensperger will move forward to the November General Election where he will face Democratic nominee John Barrow.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
Duncan wins tightest race in July Runoff
Election, Election 2018 July 24, 2018Blue Ridge, Ga. – Geoff Duncan narrowly beats out David Shafer in the July Runoff Election.
In what was by far the closest race to take place during the runoff, Duncan beat out Shaffer by a mere 1672 votes. In some precincts across the state this race showed wins by a margin of only 2 votes.
Duncan and Shafer vied for the Republican nomination to seek the seat of Georgia Lt. Governor. The Lt. Governor seat is open with no incumbent as current Lt. Governor Casey Cagle chose to throw his name in the hat for the Republican nomination in the gubernatorial race.
With all 159 counties reporting, Duncan was able to receive 50.15 percent of the vote while Shafer fell short receiving 49.85 percent.
Duncan will move forward to the November General Election where he will face Democratic nominee Sarah Riggs Amico.
July Runoff Election Results
Election 2018 July 24, 2018***UPDATED: Tue. July 24 @ 11:38 p.m.
With the July Runoff Election officially coming to a close, candidates have now been selected for the Nov. General Election.
Locally Challenger Glenn Patterson won the Republican nomination for Fannin County Post 2 Commissioner over Incumbent Larry Joe Sosebee receiving 64.45 percent of the vote. Patterson will go on to face Democrat Dixie Carter in the General Election.
In another upset Challenger Mike Cole was able to beat out Incumbent Steve Stanley for the Republican nomination and recieved 52.69 percent of the runoff vote. Cole will now face Democratic opponent Susan DeMoura for a seat on the Fannin County Board of Education.
Having already been decided in the May General Primary, the the second seat with the Fannin County Board of Education that is open for election will see Incumbent Bobby Bearden (R) face Challenger Jeff DePaola (D).
After what became dubbed as a “nasty” campaign by many, Secretary of State Brian Kemp has won the Republican gubernatorial nomination over his opponent, Lt. Governor Casey Cagle, and will face Stacey Abrams (D) in the General Election.
Another closely watched campaign has come to a close as Geoff Duncan beat out opponent David Shafer and will represent Republicans in Nov. as he moves on to face Sarah Riggs Amico for the seat of Georgia Lt. Governor.
The Secretary of State seat was also seen in the 2018 runoff. Brad Raffensperger was able to defeat David Belle Isle for the Republican nomination. Raffensperger is set to face John Barrow (D) in November.
The General Election will be held Nov. 6, 2018.
*These election results are unofficial until being certified by the Secretary of State’s office.
**The results for state seats in this article reflect the voters of Fannin County only and do not reflect voting statewide.
FANNIN COUNTY POST 2 COMMISSIONER
Glenn Patterson (R) – 64.45% 2114 votes (Challenger)
Larry Joe Sosebee (R) – 35.55% 1166 votes (Incumbent)
FANNIN COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION
Steve Stanley (R) – 47.31% 1529 votes (Incumbent)
Mike Cole (R) – 52.69% 1703 votes (Challenger)
GOVERNOR CANDIDATES:
Casey Cagle (R) – 33.94% 1113 votes
Brian Kemp (R) – 66.06% 2166 votes
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR CANDIDATES:
David Shafer (R) – 50.03% 1518 votes
Geoff Duncan (R) – 49.97% 1516 votes
SECRETARY OF STATE CANDIDATES:
Brad Raffensperger (R) – 62.28% 1768 votes
David Belle Isle (R) – 37.72% 1071 votes
STATE SCHOOL SUPERINTENDENT CANDIDATES:
Sid Chapman (D) – 57.89% 44 votes
Otha Thornton (D) – 42.11% 32 votes
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
Hunter Hill bus tour stops in Dahlonega Wednesday
Election 2018, News May 4, 2018DAHLONEGA, Ga. — Republican Gubernatorial candidate Hunter Hill will continue his “Battle- Tested Leadership Bus Tour” with a visit to Smokin’ Gold BBQ, 59 Main Street in Dahlonega, Wednesday at 11 a.m.
The statewide tour started Tuesday and consists of nineteen stops in five days. Wednesday’s schedule will begin with a visit to Mike’s Ellijay Restaurant (8 a.m.) followed by stops at Smokin’ Gold, Longstreet Cafe in Gainesville (1 p.m.), Fairfield Inns and Suites in Commerce (3 p.m.) Kellie’s Home Cooking in Loganville (6 p.m.).
A graduate of West Point, Hill served five years on active duty in Afghanistan and Iraq and received two Army Commendation Medals, the Meritorious Service Medal and a Bronze Star.
He was elected to the Georgia Senate in 2012 as a conservative who emphasized elimination of the state income tax. During his five years in the senate, he was rated among the top three most conservative senators . He has also been awarded a score of 100% multiple times by the American Conservative Union.
Hill has pledged to prioritize education, public safety and transportation. His platform includes ending the state income tax, doubling transportation spending without raising taxes and protecting religious liberty
Campaign contribution reports indicate Hill has has gained momentum in fundraising. In the last two months he has pulled in about $443,000, giving him a total of about $2.7 million.
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
Hunter Hill visits Ellijay
Election 2018 May 4, 2018ELLIJAY, Ga. – Continuing his campaign for Governor, Hunter Hill made a stop in Ellijay on May 2 to speak with local citizens about his plans for the office if elected.
Hill spoke to local citizens over breakfast at Mike’s Ellijay Restaurant on Highway 282.
Hill is a former Army Ranger who has been in the State Senate for five years now. After resigning his seat in August to run for Governor, Hill has been focusing on his vision for Georgia and spreading that message to rally voters. Today, he spoke with citizens in Ellijay about the ideals for “less government, less taxes, and more freedom.”
With “career politicians,” as Hill noted, in office, it is an undermining of our values as a nation. He called out those politicians saying they were not even willing to risk their next election to uphold their oath.
Focusing more specifically on the recent issue of sanctuary cities. Adamantly against the topic, Hill said, “If a city or county in this state were to claim itself a sanctuary city, they would not receive a nickel of state funding.”
His second point on his vision for the office reiterated his opinions and intention to eliminate the state income tax. With bordering states already without an income tax, the competitive disadvantage is hurting our state, according to Hill. He went on to say replacing the income tax with a consumption tax setup would alleviate the tax burden from honest Georgians and redistribute that to everyone including visitors to the state and even those making money in illegal ways. Hill stated, “A broad-based consumption tax allows us to have more people that we’re bringing money in from, which allows us to do so at lower rates.”
On a personal note, Hill mentioned his faith pushed him to focus not only on the points of pro-life, pro-second amendment, and also religious liberty. FYN asked Hill if he would be seeking a “Faith Restoration Act” in his first year to which he replied, “Very good chance of that, yeah.”
Hill did confirm that he wanted to pursue faith-based adoption as a part of it saying, “We’ve got to protect our faith-based adoption agencies. We’ve just got to do it. A lot of the reasons that faith-based adoption agencies get involved is to be helpful in congruence with their faith. If you don’t protect their ability to do it in congruence with their faith, then they will just stop doing it altogether.”
Protecting people of faith and their ability to live and work based on that faith was a focus of Hill’s speech about the governor’s office, but also on his words about his future view of the state. He noted after winning on key policy issues aligned with our values and principals, he wanted to remind senators and house members of the values and principals that they were elected for, providing a singular vision to move forward under.
“Fighting for the people of Georgia” is what he says his focus is as Hill says he sees polls with him ahead of Kemp and closing in on Cagle. Separating himself, Hill says he’s not the career politician like Cagle and is very different than Kemp on issues like the income tax and limited government. But when comparing, Hill said he wanted to focus on his campaign and his vision to protect liberties and endorsements like the Georgia Right to Life to be a different candidate.
Others like Ken Bailey find themselves supporting Hill as the best candidate. Following the campaign because “Hunter is not a politician. He is a fresh, young face and not a part of the established system, which needs to be broken up I think. I think he’s got good ideas. We don’t need to have a state income tax, that puts a handicap on us.” Bailey went on to say that he liked some of the other candidates and even knew some personally, but felt Hill was the best choice.
He also commented his appreciation of the choice in the election. With fine candidates available, Bailey said its great to not have to pick the best of a bad selection.
Hill continues his bus tour across Georgia with his final stop at the Cobb GOP Headquarters in Marietta on Saturday afternoon, May 2.