‘A collaborative effort’

Less than a month after he was named to the National Drug Court Hall of Fame, the judge responsible for envisioning a treatment court in Dawson County was honored during a ceremony marking the program's fifth anniversary. "I've been really given too much credit," said Northeastern Judicial Circuit Senior Judge John Girardeau. "Those of us who work in the drug court arena know that success is never attributable to just one person. It is a collaborative effort.

Local man acquitted of child molestation charges

A 54-year-old Dawson County man arrested nearly a year ago on child molestation charges has been acquitted. With friends and family by his side Aug. 10, Louis "Lou" Renevillia said he felt a weight lifted from his shoulders as a jury returned not guilty verdicts on each of the nine charges.

Ex-planning member arrested in drug sting

A former member of Dawson County's planning board was arrested Monday in a drug sting. Elbert Phil Clark, 62, of Dawsonville was charged with trafficking methamphetamine after authorities said he bought 4 ounces of the drug at a local motel.

Couple charged in burglary

A Dawsonville couple who authorities say are responsible for a burglary last week were arrested after tips from nearby residents.

Theft case nears end

Prosecutors expect to resolve the state's theft case against former Dawson County Clerk of Courts Becky McCord next month. A plea hearing is set for Sept. 16, two days after McCord is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court on tax evasion and bankruptcy fraud charges.

Hilton appears in N.C. federal court

Convicted killer Gary Michael Hilton pleaded not guilty Monday in a North Carolina federal court to allegations he kidnapped and murdered an elderly couple in 2007. Already serving a life sentence for a Georgia slaying and awaiting execution in Florida for another, Hilton could face the death penalty for the double murder of John and Irene Bryant who disappeared while hiking in the Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina.

Man arrested, cache of stolen items found

Several firearms reportedly stolen in late June were recovered last week during a search of a home off War Hill Park Road. Investigators also found jewelry taken in the same theft case at a local jewelry store, according to Sheriff's Capt. Tony Wooten.

Driver charged in July 4 wreck that killed 2 teens

The driver in a July 4 wreck that killed two teenagers has been charged with vehicular homicide, according to Georgia State Patrol officials. Tony James Delong, 19, was driving a 1993 Jeep Wrangler east on Whelchel Mill Road in Hall County at about 2 p.m. when he lost control in a curve, struck an embankment and the vehicle flipped several times, according to Georgia State Patrol reports.

Man arrested for downtown burglary

A 49-year-old man was arrested last week, less than a day after authorities received reports that a downtown business had been burglarized. Randy Lee Mooney of Davis Road was identified as the lone suspect after Dawson County Sheriff's investigators showed jail employees a video surveillance photo of him at the crime scene.

Victims, suspect in Harbour Point shooting identified

Hall County deputies shot and killed a man they believed stabbed two women, killing one of them in a scene that ended in the street of an upscale lakeside community Monday night. Officials identified the deceased woman as Mary Pearce, 64. The stabbing victim was identified as her sister-in-law, Gretchan Pearce, 66.

Hilton indicted in N.C. murders

A former drifter serving a life sentence for one slaying and sentenced to death for another has been indicted in the murders of an elderly couple in a third state. For years, authorities have called Gary Michael Hilton, 65, a suspect in the killings of John and Irene Bryant, who disappeared in 2007 while hiking in Pisgah National Forest in North Carolina.

5 arrested after party in WMA

A recent report of possible underage partying in the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area resulted in the arrests of five metro Atlanta men on drug, alcohol and firearms charges. Dawson County Sheriff's Capt. Tony Wooten said Department of Natural Resources officers alerted deputies June 21 after they saw several men drinking alcohol and firing shotguns into the air.

Ex-clerk pleads to charges

GAINESVILLE - Dawson County's former clerk of courts pleaded guilty Friday to federal tax evasion and bankruptcy fraud. Appearing in U.S. District Court, Becky McCord, 62, admitted falsifying her 2009 federal income tax return and lying about her income during a bankruptcy hearing.

5 arrested in separate drug stings

Authorities say recent efforts have removed more than a half pound of suspected methamphetamine from the streets.

Former clerk of courts pleads guilty to tax evasion, fraud

An ex-Dawson County official pleaded guilty Friday to federal tax evasion and bankruptcy fraud. Appearing in U.S. District Court in Gainesville, Becky McCord, 62, admitted falsifying her 2009 federal income tax return and lying about her income during a bankruptcy hearing.

Ex-bank manager charged in theft

Man charged in attempted arson

A Dawsonville man was arrested Monday morning after he reportedly attempted to set fire to his home on Duck Thurmond Road last week.

Tax official resigns after drug arrest

Dawson County's chief tax appraiser has resigned following his arrest last week on misdemeanor drug charges.

Chief tax appraiser facing drug charges

Dawson County's Chief Tax Appraiser was arrested at his office Tuesday afternoon on misdemeanor drug charges.

Hilton gets life for murders of N.C. couple

Convicted serial killer Gary Michael Hilton received four more life sentences last week for the kidnapping and slaying of an elderly couple in North Carolina.