Gordon County Burglary Investigation:
The Gordon County Sheriff’s Office has arrested three individuals and is searching for two others in connection with a series of residential burglaries reported earlier this month near Fairmount. Deputies responded to Slate Mine Road on Dec. 8 after multiple burglaries were reported, and surveillance video led investigators to identify a suspect vehicle. The following day, a deputy stopped the vehicle on Arnold Road and arrested Brandon E. McClure, 30, of Adairsville, charging him with two counts of residential burglary, two counts of felony theft, and possession of methamphetamine. The investigation resulted in additional arrests, including Chris Collum, 37, of Rydal, charged with receiving stolen property, and Jacob E. Walters, 34, of White, charged with two counts each of burglary and theft. Collum has since bonded out, while McClure and Walters remain incarcerated. Deputies are still seeking Brandon Lee Spires, 34, and Chelsea Guffey, 29, both of Bartow County, and urge anyone with information to contact law enforcement as the investigation continues.
Heating Assistance Available Through LIHEAP:
As winter temperatures settle in across Georgia, assistance is now available to help eligible households manage rising heating costs through the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Applications for heating assistance opened Dec. 1, with officials encouraging residents to apply early as demand typically increases during the coldest months. Administered by the Georgia Department of Human Services and funded with federal dollars, LIHEAP provides financial help to homeowners and renters through direct payments to energy providers. Households with residents age 65 and older or those who are medically homebound may apply now, while all other eligible households can begin scheduling appointments starting Jan. 2, 2026. Assistance is distributed on a first-come, first-served basis through local Community Action Agencies, with income eligibility capped at 60 percent of the state median income. Applicants must provide documentation including proof of income, a recent heating bill, and identification. More information and a list of agencies can be found at georgiacaa.org.
