About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 9, 2022)
4A I DAWSON COUNTY NEWS I dawsonnews.com Wednesday, November 9,2022 ‘Real Life Nightmare’ debut to feature man convicted of murdering a hiker in Dawson By Julia Fechter jfechter@dawsonnews.com When HLN television program “Real Life Nightmare” returns for a fourth season, the first epi sode will feature a man convicted of murdering a woman in Dawson County and accused in multiple other killings. The six-episode season will open with a two-hour special event called “Blood Mountain: The Hunting Ground” that investigates Gary Michael Hilton, also known as the National Forest Serial Killer, accord ing to an HLN press release. “Real Life Nightmare” will premiere on CNN’s HLN network on Sunday, Nov. 13 starting at 9 p.m. with new host Paul Holes. Holes served as a former cold case investigator for 27 years and helped inves tigate the Zodiac, Golden State Serial Killer and Jaycee Dugard cases. On January 31, 2008, Hilton pleaded guilty to one count of murder for the killing of 24-year-old Buford resident and University of Georgia stu dent Meredith Emerson. He was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility for parole in 30 years. As part of his plea, Hilton admitted to killing Emerson in the Dawson Wildlife Management Area on Jan. 4,2008. Emerson was last spotted alive while hiking with her dog, Ella, on Union County’s Blood Mountain during New Year’s Day in 2008. Witnesses reported seeing her with an older man on a connecting trail near Blairsville. After Emerson didn’t return home by Jan. 2 and friends searched for her, Ella was found wandering about 60 miles away in Cumming on Jan. 4. That same day, a witness at a DeKalb County Chevron gas station called police to report Hilton cleaning out his van. Before JJilton could bleach the inside of the van, blood matching Emerson’s DNA was obtained from the vehicle. Hilton was then arrested and charged with her mur der. Three days later, Hilton led authorities to Emerson’s body after the Enotah Judicial Circuit District Attorney agreed to not seek the death penalty against him. In 2020, a lead investiga tor in Emerson’s case, John Cagle, released a tell-all book detailing the investi gation into the brutal kill ing and Hilton. After being sentenced for Emerson’s slaying, Hilton was later accused of and then charged with the October 2007 killings of elderly couple John and Irene Bryant in North Carolina and the December 2007 murder of nurse Cheryl Dunlap in Florida. Hilton has also been accused in Judy Smith’s 1997 death, though no offi cial connection has been established, and Smith’s case remains unsolved. He went to trial for Dunlap’s death in 2011 and following his conviction, he was sentenced to death. In 2012, he pleaded guilty to kidnapping and murder ing the Bryants, receiving a sentenced of life in prison. Hilton’s attempt to have his conviction and death sentence for Dunlap’s mur der overturned was unsuc cessful, with the Florida Supreme Court upholding both in August 2021. Other cases covered in this season of “Real Life Nightmare” will include flight MH370’s disappear ance, the unsolved murder of Catholic priest Father Alfred Kunz, the mysteri ous kidnapping of Lindsey Baum, and more, stated HLN’s press release. Following his longtime tenure as an investigator with the sheriff and district attorney’s offices in Contra Costa County, California, Paul Holes has become an author and podcaster in addition to being a televi sion host. Holes released his debut book “Unmasked: My Life Solving America’s Cold Cases” in May 2022. The book became an instant New York Times bestseller. “Real Life Nightmare explores some of the nation’s greatest criminal mysteries, and I am look ing forward to bringing my investigatorial experience to the series and helping shine a light on these important cases,” said Holes. “The team behind this show has a real passion for these cases that I have witnessed firsthand, and I am eager to share our find ings with viewers as we produce each episode.” The television show is part of HLN Investigations, led by showrunner Elizabeth Yuskaitis. Episodes of “Real Life Nightmare” will air every Sunday at 9 p.m. EST/PST on HLN. The series will stream live for pay TV subscribers via CNN.com and CNN OTT and mobile apps under “TV Channels” or CNNgo where avail able. All episodes of the sea son will also be available on demand the day after the broadcast premiere to paid TV subscribers via Cable Operator Platforms. Amicalola EMC awards $50,737 in grants to local teachers Edwardjones > edwardjones.com | Member SIPC Compare our CD Rates Bank-issued, FDIC-insured 3-month 3.80 . 0/ APY* Minimum deposit I /0 $10,000 6-month ^ ^ 5 / APY* Minimum deposit ° $10,000 1-vear JL CC% APY * Minimum deposit $10,000 Call or visit your local financial advisor today. By Erica Jones ejones@dawsonnews.com This year, Amicalola EMC awarded a total of $50,737 in Bright Ideas grants to local teachers in the electric cooperative’s service area. According to a press release by the organization, the funding went to 74 teachers in 30 private and public schools throughout Dawson, Cherokee, Gilmer, Lumpkin and Pickens counties. Included in this total was Riverview Elementary School teacher Lauren Stephenson, who was given a $960 grant for her classroom. Amicalola EMC’s Bright Ideas program began in 2010 and is funded by unclaimed property in compliance with Georgia’s unclaimed property laws. Since the pro gram began, over $576,870.59 has been awarded to local teachers. “The program was created to reward teachers who go the extra mile to research and implement innovative classroom proj ects that otherwise would not receive funding,” the release said. “Amicalola EMC congratulates all the winning teach ers.” For more information about Amicalola EMC’s Bright Ideas program, contact Director of Public Relations Stacey Fields at 706-253-5287. Matt McGrath Financial Advisor 131 Prominence Ct, Suite 120 Dawsonville, GA 30534 706-265-2358 * Annual Percentage Yield (APY) effective 11/01/22. CDs offered by Edward Jones are bank-issued and FDIC-insured up to $250,000 (principal and interest accrued but not yet paid) per depositor, per insured depository institution, for each account ownership category. Please visit www.fdic.gov or contact your financial advisor for additional information. Subject to availability and price change. CD values are subject to interest rate risk such that when interest rates rise, the prices of CDs can decrease. If CDs are sold prior to maturity, the investor can lose principal value. FDIC insurance does not cover losses in market value. Early withdrawal may not be permitted. Yields quoted are net of all commissions. CDs require the distribution of interest and do not allow interest to compound. CDs offered through Edward Jones are issued by banks and thrifts nationwide. All CDs sold by Edward Jones are registered with the Depository Trust Corp. (DTC). FDI-1867L-A© 2022 EDWARD D. JONES & CO., L.P. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. AECSPAD A New Way to Get MORE from Medicare Now you can get complete protection for your health and budget plus more of everything you deserve. Essence—a long-standing leader in healthcare—has launched new plans in your area. More Choices. Multiple plan options to best fit your unique needs More Flexibility. Preloaded Flexible Benefit Cards for over-the-counter items, dental, vision and hearing More Savings. $0 Monthly premiums, $0 Primary care copays, $0 Generic medications and more* oo Join a FREE informational seminar. Speak with a licensed Essence Medicare advisor. Schedule a one-on-one consultation. Call 1-855-947-0095 (TTY: 711)* 1 or visit EssenceHealthcare.com/Joinlls *Benefits may differ by plan. Copay amounts are for preferred generic medications and are applicable at preferred pharmacies. You are not required to use a preferred pharmacy and other pharmacies are available in our network. **You can call from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. You may reach a messaging service on weekends from April 1 through September 30 and holidays. Please leave a message, and your call will be returned the next business day. Essence Healthcare includes HMO, HMO-POS and PPO plans with Medicare contracts. Enrollment in Essence Healthcare depends on contract renewal. Y0027_23-649_M DCN_GA_AEI
