The State Fire Marshal’s Office is investigating to determine what caused the deadly blaze in Cornelia that killed an elderly disabled woman and her family’s pets. (Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham)

A Go Fund Me account has been set up to help the family of the woman killed Friday night in a house fire in Cornelia.

79-year-old Jean Sensow died of apparent smoke inhalation, according to authorities. She lived with her daughter, Tammy Sensow, in the house that burned at 961 Lakeview Heights SE.

Jennifer Leiyenne Roberts of Sautee Nacoochee set up a Go Fund Me account to help Tammy and her family.

“June 28th 2019 my coworker Tammy Sensow arrived home after work to her home on fire,” Roberts writes. “Her disabled mother, 18 yr old daughter and animals were inside. Her daughter is the only survivor of the fatal fire.”

Roberts says Sensow did not have any insurance on the home. She’s asking the community to contribute to help with funeral expenses and to help the family get back on their feet.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

A Demorest firefighter was injured while attempting to rescue Jean Sensow from the fire. Demorest Fire Station 5 Capt. Rob Stein suffered burns to his wrist and back. He was treated and released from the hospital and is expected to make a full recovery, according to Demorest Mayor Rick Austin.

The fire started in the kitchen area, according to Habersham County Emergency Services Director Chad Black. He says the fire is still under investigation by the State Fire Marshal’s Office.

Full story here

Authorities say the fire that claimed the life of a disabled Cornelia woman and her family’s pets started in the kitchen.

The State Fire Marshal’s Office is still investigating to determine what caused the fire. 79-year-old Jean Sensow died from apparent smoke inhalation, according to Habersham County Deputy Coroner Ken Franklin.

A call for help

The blaze broke out shortly before 7 p.m. Friday, June 28, at the home of Tammy Sensow at 961 Lakeview Heights Southeast in Cornelia. Sensow was not at home when the fire started but her mother, Jean, and her 18-year-old daughter were.

Jean Sensow was in the den on the sofa when the fire started. She was unable to walk and her granddaughter was unable to get her out of the house. The granddaughter called 911. Habersham County Deputy Coroner Ken Franklin says firefighters arrived quickly but were unable to reach Sensow before she died.

A Demorest firefighter was injured while trying to reach her. Capt. Rob Stein of Demorest Fire Station 5 suffered burns to his wrist and back when part of the ceiling fell on top of him. Demorest Mayor Rick Austin says the fire burned through Capt. Stein’s gear. Stein was treated and released from Habersham Medical Center. “He is resting at home and full recovery is expected,” says Austin. “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are extended to family and friends of Mrs. Sensow during this time of loss.”

RELATED: Online fundraiser for family displaced by fatal fire

Firefighters from Habersham County, Demorest, Cornelia and Lee Arrendale State Prison responded to the scene and remained on site for several hours.

“Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are extended to family and friends of Mrs. Sensow during this time of loss.” – Demorest Mayor Rick Austin

Help for the family

The American Red Cross was called in to assist the family.

One of Tammy Sensow’s co-workers says Sensow did not have any insurance on the home. Jennifer Roberts set up a Go Fund Me account to help the family with funeral expenses and to help them get back on their feet.  If you’d like to donate, click here.

Updated 6/29/19@9:25pm

The Demorest firefighter who was injured in a deadly house fire Friday in Cornelia has been identified.

Captain Rob Stein of Demorest Fire Department Station 5 suffered burns to his wrist and back when part of the ceiling caved in on him. He and several other firefighters were working to extinguish the fire and get to an elderly, disabled woman inside the home when the ceiling collapsed.

79-year-old Jean Sensow died in the fire.

Investigation continues into fatal house fire in Cornelia

Capt. Stein was treated and released from Habersham Medical Center Friday night. Demorest Mayor Rick Austin says Stein is resting at home and is expected to make a full recovery. The mayor adds, “Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers are extended to family and friends of Mrs. Sensow during this time of loss.” 

Photo: Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham

Jeremy Paul “Jere-Bear” Byers, age 29, of Mt. Airy, Georgia passed away on Saturday, June 29, 2019 following an extended illness.

Jeremy was born on September 2, 1989, in Athens, Georgia. He was preceded in death by his maternal grandfather, Robert Jay. Jeremy attended Challenged Child and Friends of Gainesville and later attended and graduated from Habersham Central High School. Jeremy was an avid football fan, especially of the Georgia Bulldogs. He was a loving son, brother, grandson, and uncle. Jeremy was loved by all who knew him. He and his family have deeply appreciated all the love and care that has been shown his entire life.

Survivors include his mother and step-father, Aymie and Kris Harris; father, Joel Byers, of Mt. Airy; brother and sister-in-law, Jordan and Ashley Byers, of Cornelia; brother, Kooper Harris; sister, Sophie Harris; paternal grandparents, Jerry and Carolyn Byers, of Mt. Airy; maternal grandmother, Sandy Bradum; nephew, Easton Jay Byers; niece, Grace McKenzie Byers. and his loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., July 2, 2019, at Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel with Rev. Chris Webb officiating. Interment will follow in Yonah Memorial Gardens.

The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday, July 1, 2019, at the funeral home.

Flowers will be accepted or memorial donations may be made to Challenged Child of Gainesville, P.O. Box 5798, Gainesville, Georgia 30504

Arrangements are in the care of Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel, 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia 30535.

Here’s the latest arrest report from the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.

DISCLAIMER

The arrest records available through this website are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Click link below to access file.

Media Summary 07012019

(Cleveland)- Mitchell Posey, the Special Agent in Charge of the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office, located in Cleveland, has left that position to become an inspector with the GBI’s Investigative Division. The GBI made a public announcement of Posey’s promotion today.

According to the GBI Inspector Posey will be responsible for the administrative oversight of one regional office, two drug offices, and a number of specialized work units to include the newly-formed Gang Task Force. Posey will also serve as a liaison with other agencies, citizens and private sector stakeholders.

Posey began his career with the GBI in 1995 as a Medical Examiner Investigator. In 1996, Inspector Posey became a Narcotics Agent and was assigned to the State Drug Task Force. In 1997, Inspector Posey became a Special Agent and was assigned to the Americus Field Office and was also a Crime Scene Specialist while at that office. In 2005, he transferred to the Cleveland Field Office as a Special Agent.

RELATED: Piedmont College grad named head of regional drug task force

In 2008, he was promoted to the rank of Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) of the Cleveland Field Office. In 2010, he because the ASAC of the Appalachian Drug Task Force and in 2014, he was the ASAC of the West Metro Regional Drug Enforcement Office. In 2014, Posey was promoted to the rank of Special Agent in Charge of the newly formed ARDEO.

In addition, Posey is a member of the Special Operations Unit and has served as a Bomb Disposal Technician for the GBI since 2002 and the Special Enforcement Team.

Posey graduated from Georgia Southern University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology in 1994 and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Justice Studies in 1995. In 2011, he received his Master of Public Administration Degree from Columbus State University. Posey is a certified P.O.S.T. Instructor and is a graduate of the Georgia Law Enforcement Command College at Columbus State University.

Trent Hillsman promoted to Special Agent in Charge

There’s a new man in charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s regional drug task force. Trent Hillsman has been promoted to Special Agent in Charge of the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO).

The task force is based in Cleveland. It covers 30 counties in the northeastern part of the state.

ARDEO conducts major investigations to identify and investigate individuals or drug trafficking organizations which are importing, manufacturing and distributing illegal drugs in Georgia. SAC Hillsman will be responsible for supervising the Special Agents assigned to the task force. He succeeds outgoing ARDEO SAC Mitchell Posey who held the job for five years. Posey, who led ARDEO from its formation in 2014, was recently promoted to Inspector with the GBI’s Investigative Division. 

RELATED: Posey promoted to Inspector with GBI’s Investigative Division

SAC Hillsman has worked for the GBI for over 18 years. He began his law enforcement career in 1997 with the University of Georgia Police Department where he worked in the patrol divisions. He was hired as a deputy with the Madison County Sheriff’s office in 1999. In 2001, Hillsman began his career with the GBI. He’s served in regional offices in Douglas and Athens. In 2012, he was transferred to the GBI Special Operations Unit and was later promoted to Assistant Special Agent in Charge of that unit. SAC Hillsman has served as a bomb technician for the GBI since 2004. He’s also a member of the GBI Peer Support Team.

A 1993 graduate of Madison County High School, SAC Hillsman received his undergraduate degree in Sociology from Piedmont College. He’s currently working on a Masters degree from Columbus State University.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is comprised of three divisions: the Georgia Crime Information Center, the Crime Laboratory, and the Investigative Division. The agency has over 830 employees and a budget of $101 million. SAC Hillsman is assigned to the Investigative Division.

City issues one advisory as it lifts another

(Cleveland)- The City of Cleveland has issued another Boil Water Notice due to a 6” water main break that will affect water customers at the following locations: Lindsey Drive, Foxwood Drive, 1983 Hwy 129 North, 1883 Hwy 129 North, Wild Turkey Trail, Shepard Drive, Stoddard Lane, and Cottage Creek area of the city’s water service area.

Andrea Smith, Water Distribution Operator for the City of Cleveland Public Works said, residents/Businesses in this area will notice a loss of water or water pressure while the line is being repaired. This notice is required by EPD when water pressure drops below 20 PSI (pounds per square inch).

The boiled water is for drinking purposes or you can use bottled water until bacteriological samples can be collected and tested. Water needs to be boiled until the City lifts the notice.

The City will notify the media as soon as test results are received.

The city advised Monday morning that they had lifted the boil water notice for the Thunder Ridge subdivision after test results came back clear.

A Clarkesville man is behind bars charged with several alleged crimes including rape.

A Habersham County Sheriff’s deputy arrested 42-year-old Jerry Charles Looney on June 27. In addition to rape, arrest records show he’s charged with two counts of aggravated assault and false imprisonment.

Details about the alleged crimes were not immediately available. Now Habersham has reached out to the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office for more information.

Looney was booked into the Habersham County Detention Center.

This weekend I went to Atlanta and spent some quality time with old friends. Clarification, they are not old, we’ve just known each other a long time. I met up with one friend I hadn’t seen in over thirty years. It’s amazing to me how so much time can pass and life can be lived, but the old feelings returned and we picked up right where we left off.

I had lots of alone time while driving, resting, and reading. I enjoyed the solitude. In my “real” life, I’m hardly ever alone. There’s lots of quiet time with Mom and I’ve finally learned to relax into her silence. However, it is truly different to be alone without another human or animal. There is a peace to it I rarely experience.

Even in the company of my friends, we sometimes sat in companionable silence. We didn’t feel the need to fill every moment with conversation. There is simply no way to catch up fully on an absence of 30 years in only a few hours so we simply reconnected our spirits. I know I am much changed in the interim, but I am also much the same. So are they.

Now that I am back at Mom’s side, I’ve been comparing the quiet spaces of my life. For most of my life, silence and quiet have made me uneasy. I love to go, meet, talk, and do. I’m such an extrovert that I am energized by activity, especially in small groups. I can become overwhelmed with large groups, but I live in a small town that is rarely overpopulated – except during festivals. Then I stay home!

It’s a beautiful, unique thing to be alone with someone and not feel the need to fill in the silence. It’s more than companionable or comfortable. It’s rare – a precious jewel – to have friends bound so perfectly in spirit. I’ve been blessed over and over in my life with amazing, precious friends just like these. Thinking about them or remembering them in the past, I wouldn’t have known how important they were to me. Maybe it took the intermittent years to show me their value.

I was nervous before reconnecting. I did all the self-doubt: What if they don’t like me now? What if their memories of me are unhappy enough to taint our time together? What if too much time has passed? It certainly could have happened that way, and to be fair, I’ve had unhappy reunions. Not this weekend; it was lovely.

Sometimes it’s hard for us caregivers to reach out. We hope people will reach to us, especially if they know what we are going through. The simple truth is we are all preoccupied with our own lives and it’s hard to remember those who are out of sight. Let’s agree to make ourselves more visible and ask for the support we need. Sometimes just sitting in companionable, comfortable quiet is enough to make us feel connected. Isn’t that what we all need?

Carrie Ann Wolter, age 32 of Richland, North Carolina and formerly of Clarkesville, passed away June 29, 2019.

Complete obituary information will be announced by Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, Clarkesville. 706-754-6256

Nancy J. Smith Wiltsee, age 75 of Cornelia, passed away Monday, July 1, 2019.

Complete obituary information will be announced by Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens.

James Malcolm Reynolds, age 86 of Helen passed away June 19, 2019.

No services are planned at this time.

Hillside Memorial Chapel & Gardens, Clarkesville. 706-754-6256

Darren Dale Bruce, age 47 of Lula, passed away on Tuesday, June 25, 2019.

Born in Gainesville, Georgia on August 8, 1971 to the late Jimmy & Susie Armour Bruce. He enjoyed working on cars, riding motorcycles and playing the guitar.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Buck Bruce.

Survivors include his daughters, Emily Bruce and Tiffany LaPorte both of Gainesville; grandson, Ollie Norton; sister, Opal Gilleland of Lula; several nieces, nephews, other family and friends.

Memorial services will be held at a later date.

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.

Reward offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible

A fire investigator with the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s Office has determined a house fire that occurred around 5:40 a.m. Tuesday in Habersham County was intentionally set.

The single-story, wood-frame home was located at 167 Slayton Street in Cornelia. The residence was around 80 years old and 1,000 square feet at the time of the fire. The structure suffered very mild damage to the front steps of the home, according to a press release from the Safety Fire Commissioner’s Office. The fire remains under investigation.

Anyone with knowledge about this fire should call the Arson Hotline at 1‐800‐282‐5804. Rewards are offered of up to $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the arsonist(s). Calls are taken 24 hours a day and callers can choose to remain anonymous.

The City of Cornelia Fire Department and City of Cornelia Police Department are assisting with this investigation.

(Cleveland) – A 37-year old woman has been charged with multiple counts of financial transaction card fraud and Identity theft in White County.

Sheriff’s Captain Rick Kelley said in an email that the victim in the case was a 92-year-old man. His daughter, who has power of attorney for the victim and lives out of state filed a theft report on May 5th.

According to the report 32-year-old Jennifer Meadows, who is not related to the victim, was staying with him. While the victim was in the hospital Kelley said Meadows allegedly took the victim’s credit card and made several unauthorized transactions.

The victim in the case died on June 4th.

Meadows, who is from Crawford, Georgia, is also charged with exploiting or inflicting pain to deprive essential services to disabled, elderly person or resident.

She was arrested on July 25 and is being held in the White County Detention Center on $27,500 bond.

By: WRWH News

Dottie Gragg Cook, age 62 of Alto, passed away on July 2, 2019.

Born in Demorest, Georgia on November 29, 1956, to the late Chester and Rhoda Owensby Gragg. Mrs. Cook managed the office for Cook’s Insulation. Her first love was her family and she enjoyed flower gardening. Mrs. Cook was a member of Alto Congregational Holiness Church.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Tanya Brown; brothers and sister-in-law, Herman & Louise Gragg and Calvin Gragg; brother-in-law, Terrell Gragg; nieces, Sheila Gragg, and Lynn Deyton; great-niece, Destiny Lord.

Surviving are her husband of 32 years, Bobby Cook of Alto; sons and daughters-in-law, Ken & Sherri Cook of Cornelia and Kim & Lana Cook of Dahlonega; former son-in-law, Willie Brown of Alto; grandchildren, William Brown, Logan Brown, Dylan Cook, Haley Cook, Skylar Cook, Madison Cook and Blake Cook; brothers and sisters-in-law, Rev. Thomas & Stella Gragg of Hollywood, James & Hilda Gragg of Clarkesville, Doug Gragg of Clarkesville, Lonnie Gragg of Suffolk, Virginia, David Gragg of Gainesville and Raymond & Beverly Gragg of Deridder, Louisiana; sisters and brothers-in-law, Cora Lee Gragg of Lakemont, Kathleen & Dale Lovell of Clarkesville, Geraldine & Earl Smith of Demorest and Joy & Doug Poole of Baldwin; sister-in-law, Kathy Gragg of Cornelia; several very special nieces, nephews and cousins.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2 pm, Friday, July 5, 2019, at Alto Congregational Holiness Church with Rev. Scott Ledbetter, Rev. Leon Brown and Rev. Thomas Gragg officiating. Interment will follow in the church cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 10 am until 1:30 pm prior to the service on Friday at the funeral home.

An online guest register is available and may be viewed at www.mcgaheegriffinandstewart.com.

McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia (706/778-8668) is in charge of arrangements.

Here’s the latest arrest report from the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office.

DISCLAIMER

The arrest records available through this website are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Click link below to access file.

Media Summary 07032019

The mercury’s rising and with it so are the dangers to you and your family. Heat is one of the leading weather-related killers in the United States, resulting in hundreds of fatalities each year and even more heat-related illnesses.

To avoid heat-related illnesses and death follow these heat safety tips:

• Slow down: reduce, eliminate or reschedule strenuous activities until the coolest time of the day. Children, seniors and anyone with health problems should stay in the coolest available place, not necessarily indoors.
• Dress for summer: Wear lightweight, loose-fitting, light-colored clothing to reflect heat.
• Eat light: Choose easy-to-digest foods such as fruit or salads. If you pack food, put it in a cooler or carry an ice pack. Don’t leave it sitting in the sun. Meats and dairy products can spoil quickly in hot weather.
• Drink plenty of water (not very cold: Focus on non-alcoholic and decaffeinated fluids. Drink water even if you don’t feel thirsty. If you on a fluid restrictive diet or have a problem with fluid retention, consult a physician before increasing the consumption of fluids.
• Use air conditioners: Spend time in air-conditioned locations such as malls and libraries if your home isn’t air-conditioned.
• Use portable electric fans: Fans exhaust hot air from rooms or draw in cooler air. Do not direct the flow of portable electric fans toward yourself when the room temperature is hotter than 90°F. The dry blowing air will dehydrate you faster, endangering your health.
• Minimize direct exposure to the sun. Sunburn reduces your body’s ability to dissipate heat.
• Take a cool bath or shower.
• Do not take salt tablets: Only take salt tablets if recommended by a physician.
• Be aware of infants, older, sick, or frail people, and pets. Each year, dozens of children and untold numbers of pets left in parked vehicles die from hyperthermia. Never leave children, disabled adults or pets in a car. It is never safe to leave a toddler, disabled person or pet locked in a car, even in the winter. If you have a toddler in your household, lock your cars, even in your own driveway.  Kids play in cars and can get locked in. Already, 9 toddlers have died in hot cars in 2019. Cars can heat up quickly when left in the sun. Children locked in cars have died in December and in 70-degree weather, even with a window left open a little. Find out more.
• Protect your electronics: Don’t leave cell phones and GPS units sitting in hot cars.

For more heat health tips, go to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Download the free OSHA Heat Safety App 

(Cleveland) – The City of Cleveland will join a large number of municipalities around the state that will include a referendum question on the November ballot asking voters for approval earlier Sunday sales of distilled spirits or alcoholic beverages.

The city council Monday approved holding a special referendum with the alcohol question on the ballot to be held in conjunction with the 2019 General Election.

If approved by the voters, Sunday alcohol sales will be allowed from 11 AM until 11:30 PM Sunday’s.

By: WRWH News