Habersham County Sheriff’s Office

06/08/2026

Release from Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division:

At approximately 4 p.m. Sunday, June 7, Game Wardens responded to a drowning at Panther Creek Falls in Habersham County.

The victim, 19-year-old Reginal Starks of Jonesboro, was recovered in 12 feet of water by Habersham County deputies.

Game Wardens assisted Habersham County Fire and Rabun County Search and Rescue with transporting the victim approximately 900 yards through rugged terrain to the nearest road, where the victim was turned over to the Habersham County Coroner’s Office.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this difficult time,” said Habersham County Coroner Kasey McEntire.

The incident was a witnessed drowning and has been ruled accidental.

Habersham County Sheriff’s Office asks that you respect the privacy of the victim’s family during this very difficult time and will have no further comments.

06/02/2026

Take note of this ongoing travel alert in Mount Airy.

06/01/2026

8 p.m. UPDATE — The closed section of Ga. 197 North has reopened.

The Georgia State Patrol will handle all information release.

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5:10 p.m. Monday: Ga. 197 North is temporarily closed between the dip and Old Burton Road due to a wreck with injuries. Georgia State Patrol is responding to investigate.

Seek alternate routes.

05/27/2026

UPDATE 7:50 p.m. May 27, 2026: One person is in custody and three others remain at large after a chase turned manhunt that started in Banks County and ended near Baldwin Wednesday night.

Officials believe the individuals may have left the area.

(* As often happens as multi-agency situations like this evolve, information changes, hence the change from two in custody to one.)

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Manhunt in progress in Baldwin area

Habersham County Sheriff’s Office deputies and other law enforcement personnel are assisting Banks County deputies with a manhunt near Baldwin.

Banks County deputies pursued a vehicle into Habersham County, with four individuals jumping out and fleeing on foot.

Two of the individuals were taken into custody and two remain at large.

No further details are available about those who remain at large.

The search is in the area of Duncan Bridge Road from roughly the industrial park area to Ga. 365, including Mallard Pond and other nearby residential areas.

Please seek alternate routes while a heavy law enforcement presence works in the area.

Details about what prompted the vehicle pursuit and those involved should be directed to Banks County Sheriff’s Office.

05/27/2026

Technology and networking result in the safe recovery of missing Habersham County girl

The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office credits modern technology and good, old-fashioned networking with other agencies for the safe return of a 12-year-old girl who went missing from the Mt. Airy area on Thursday, May 21.

During the onsite investigation and area search, it was determined the girl left with an individual in a vehicle possibly headed to the Georgia Coast.

Deputies were able to obtain license plate information for the vehicle and entered it into the Flock Safety license plate reader system and began cell phone pings.

Both the vehicle and the cell phone pinged in the same area of eastern Florida near Daytona Beach.

Lt. Justin Williams of the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office contacted his counterpart with Daytona Beach Police Department, a contact made through his work with the annual Police Unity Tour. Williams provided Daytona Beach officers with vehicle information, direction of travel, and where the vehicle was last located.

“Within 15 minutes, they had the vehicle stopped and had confirmed that the female was safe and the driver was in custody,” Williams said.

The annual Police Unity Tour is a 300-mile bicycle ride from Norfolk, Va., to Washington, D.C., to remember fallen officers. The tour ends at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

“This is what Flock Safety is designed for,” said Habersham County Sheriff Robin Krockum. “Flock LPR cameras only capture vehicle data and do not collect personal information, facial recognition, or anything tied to individuals. But today a 12-year-old is back safe with her family thanks to our ability to access vehicle information through that system.”

Tyler Williamson is charged at this time with interstate interference with custody. The investigation is ongoing and additional charges are possible.

05/26/2026

⛳️🎄 REMINDER 🎄⛳️

Our Shop With a Hero Golf Tournament is coming up on June 30th, and we are still looking for businesses to help support this great cause through sponsorships and raffle item donations!

💙 All proceeds go to help kids in our community.

🎟️ We also still have Gun Raffle tickets available!
$25 each or 5 for $100

If you would like to become a sponsor, donate raffle items, or purchase tickets, please contact the numbers listed on the flyer.

Thank you to everyone already supporting this event and helping make a difference for local children! ❤️

05/23/2026

05/22/2026

Lightning struck the Habersham County Detention Center, knocking out telephones and Internet.

We’re working to get the issues resolved as soon as possible.

05/21/2026

Missing juvenile located

The 12-year-old listed as missing earlier today (May 21, 2026) has been located.

In accordance with policy, the individual’s photo and identifying information have been removed.

No further details are available.