LAVONIA, Georgia --The Savannah Morning News is reporting that representatives of

the Southern Cherokee Nation approached Lavonia Mayor Ralph Owens about water,

sewerage and fire services for a possible casino within the city limits.

Lavonia City Councilman David Whitworth said that Lavonia is one of several areas in

Northeast Georgia where the Cherokee tribe is looking for land for a casino. He added that

Toccoa and Hartwell, both close to the South Carolina border, are also being considered.

Lavonia landowner Donnie Williams has been told by a real-estate agent representing the

tribe, that they are interested in two separate tracts of land near Interstate 85. Williams said

they are 15 and 18 acres and the realtor described casino development similar to Harrah's in

Cherokee, North Carolina.