• Dacie Mash, Parker Homa, Carson Crane, Ethan Wheeler, Emmie Kyle, Zoey Sosbee, Megan Eash and Kaylan Barrett and the rest of the Raider Rowdies prepare to cheer on Habersham Central as they get ready to kick off against Stephens County. (Noah Ansley/Staff)

    Dacie Mash, Parker Homa, Carson Crane, Ethan Wheeler, Emmie Kyle, Zoey Sosbee, Megan Eash and Kaylan Barrett and the rest of the Raider Rowdies prepare to cheer on Habersham Central as they get ready to kick off against Stephens County. (Noah Ansley/Staff)

    Getting rowdy

    By Noah AnsleyThere’s one group of fans that stand out at every Habersham Central football game.The Raider Rowdies is the student section, and they were ready to support the Habersham Central Raiders as they played their first home game Friday night.
  • CTAE Director Dora Lucas (middle) shares a laugh with seniors Alexa Gasca (left) and Kamdyn Vandergriff (right) at the inaugural Chick-fil-A Leader Academy meeting on Wednesday. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

    CTAE Director Dora Lucas (middle) shares a laugh with seniors Alexa Gasca (left) and Kamdyn Vandergriff (right) at the inaugural Chick-fil-A Leader Academy meeting on Wednesday. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

    High school starts Chick-fil-A Leader Academy program

    By Hannah CaudellHabersham Central High School has begun creating a foundation of leaders for its new Chick-fil-A Leader Academy program.
  • A sign protesting eminent domain on the Irvins’ property sits on the shoreline of their property. Demorest plans to draw water at the site and build a water treatment plant. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

    A sign protesting eminent domain on the Irvins’ property sits on the shoreline of their property. Demorest plans to draw water at the site and build a water treatment plant. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

    Water talks affect two counties’ future

    By Samantha Sinclair, Megan Horn and Noah AnsleyWhen it comes to water, Demorest is the king in Habersham County.
  • Blaine Lyle poses in front of the Coast Guard Cutter Alert ship in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (Submitted)

    Blaine Lyle poses in front of the Coast Guard Cutter Alert ship in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (Submitted)

    Finding opportunities in service

    By Noah AnsleyBlaine Lyle saw joining the Coast Guard as an opportunity to serve his country while getting tuition covered as he attends college. Throughout his six-and-a-half years of service in the Coast Guard, that opportunity has brought him three promotions and to four states.
  • Jim Mitchell, a math and computer science teacher at Habersham Central High School, helps Tristan Evans with an assignment in the high school’s newest computer science pathway class. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

    Jim Mitchell, a math and computer science teacher at Habersham Central High School, helps Tristan Evans with an assignment in the high school’s newest computer science pathway class. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

    Problem solving

    By Hannah CaudellIt’s a new year for Habersham Central High School students, and it comes with a new Career, Technical, and Agricultural Education (CTAE) pathway: Computer Science.
    Don Gnecco, Saoirse Scully and Pat Marnane take a photo with the Perpetual Cup after an award-winning performance at the 2026 International Song of Peace contest. (Submitted)

    Don Gnecco, Saoirse Scully and Pat Marnane take a photo with the Perpetual Cup after an award-winning performance at the 2026 International Song of Peace contest. (Submitted)

    Demorest man wins song contest

    By Noah AnsleyTwo weeks ago, Don Gnecco traveled from Demorest to Tipperary, Ireland, for the...
    Our opinion

    Our opinion

    Showing up

    When natural disasters occur, it’s important that we remember to honor our first responders, who...
    Habersham Central senior linebacker CJ Davis (3) runs with the ball after intercepting it during the football game between Stephens County and Habersham Central at Raider Stadium on Friday, Aug. 28. (Landen Todd/Staff)

    Habersham Central senior linebacker CJ Davis (3) runs with the ball after intercepting it during the football game between Stephens County and Habersham Central at Raider Stadium on Friday, Aug. 28. (Landen Todd/Staff)

    Raiders take home opener 45-7

    By Landen ToddHabersham Central football (1-1) bounced back with a 45-7 win over the Indians (0-2)...
    Habersham Central players run on to the field during last year’s game against Stephens. (Landen Todd/Staff)

    Habersham Central players run on to the field during last year’s game against Stephens. (Landen Todd/Staff)

    Raiders clash with the Indians

    By Landen ToddHabersham Central football (0-1) is set to play longtime foe Stephens County (0-1) at...
    Officer Matthew Cook speaks about his use of the Flock system as an employee of the Gainesville Police Department during a townhall-style meeting hosted by Citizens for a Free Lumpkin. (Keith Murden/CNI News Service)

    Officer Matthew Cook speaks about his use of the Flock system as an employee of the Gainesville Police Department during a townhall-style meeting hosted by Citizens for a Free Lumpkin. (Keith Murden/CNI News Service)

    Flock comments cause controversy

    By Keith Murden and Matt AikenCNI News Service 

    Mayor Barrie Aycock's last Clarkesville City Council meeting

    Video Embed

    Mayor Barrie Aycock's last Clarkesville City Council meeting was Dec. 8, 2025. Aycock was elected to the Clarkesville City Council in 2013, with her term starting in January 2014. She resigned in January 2016 to run for mayor in a special election, and began her term as mayor in March 2016.