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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)

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Demorest man wins song contest

News Staff
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
By Noah AnsleyTwo weeks ago, Don Gnecco traveled from Demorest to Tipperary, Ireland, for the International Song of Peace Contest and won it all.Gnecco has been a finalist four times in the Song of Peace Contest.
Jeremy Ron Dundore

Jeremy Ron Dundore

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GBI arrests former Cornelia employee

News Staff
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
By Hannah CaudellA Clarkesville man and former employee of the City of Cornelia has been arrested following an ongoing investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
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)

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Getting rowdy

News Staff
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
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.
(Metro Creative Services)

(Metro Creative Services)

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Mental health supports reach every child

News Staff
Wednesday, September 2, 2026
By Hannah CaudellMental health is something that affects everybody, and at Habersham County Schools, counselors aim to make mental health maintenance and care a top priority.
The Demorest City Council approves four items Tuesday night. (Noah Ansley/Staff)

The Demorest City Council approves four items Tuesday night. (Noah Ansley/Staff)

Demorest OKs Animal Control IGA

News Staff
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
By Noah AnsleyDemorest City Council members made decisions on four items at their meeting Tuesday night.The first was an Animal Control Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) authorizing the city to pay the county to handle animals within Demorest city limits.
Sydney Blackburn shares her concerns about the rezoning of 45 acres from the county's Suburban Residential to Baldwin's Highway Business during a second public hearing on Cook Construction's request Tuesday night. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Sydney Blackburn shares her concerns about the rezoning of 45 acres from the county's Suburban Residential to Baldwin's Highway Business during a second public hearing on Cook Construction's request Tuesday night. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Baldwin council hears both sides again on Cook development

News Staff
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
By Samantha SinclairBaldwin is set to make a decision on Cook Construction’s request to annex 45 acres into the city limits and rezone it Highway Business after a second round of public hearings on the request Tuesday night.
Cornelia resident Evelyn McClain asks Cornelia City Commissioners to keep questioning the county's tax assessment board for answers on why the city saw such a steep reduction in assessment values. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Cornelia resident Evelyn McClain asks Cornelia City Commissioners to keep questioning the county's tax assessment board for answers on why the city saw such a steep reduction in assessment values. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Residents speak at Cornelia’s first FY27 millage rate hearing

News Staff
Tuesday, September 1, 2026
by Hannah CaudellFour people spoke during Cornelia’s first of three public hearings Tuesday night regarding the city’s proposed millage rate increase. City commissioners are considering raising the millage rate by two mills, from 9.5 mills to 11.5 mills. The city has maintained its 9.
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)

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High school starts Chick-fil-A Leader Academy program

News Staff
Saturday, August 29, 2026
By Hannah CaudellHabersham Central High School has begun creating a foundation of leaders for its new Chick-fil-A Leader Academy program.
Urpschot

Urpschot

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Tallulah Falls councilman hits vehicle, arrested

News Staff
Friday, August 28, 2026
By Megan HornCNI News ServiceTallulah Falls Council Member Gerald Michael “Mike” Urpschot, 66, was arrested and booked into the Rabun County Detention Center on charges of striking an unattended vehicle and expired tag, according to the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office Media Arrest Summary. On Aug.
The trail will cross over the existing railroad pylons in Tallulah Falls Lake onto property Demorest is seeking to acquire for a water treatment plant. (Kristen Adkinson/Staff)

The trail will cross over the existing railroad pylons in Tallulah Falls Lake onto property Demorest is seeking to acquire for a water treatment plant. (Kristen Adkinson/Staff)

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Trail plans on track

News Staff
Friday, August 28, 2026
By Samantha SinclairThere’s an organization that’s been working quietly behind the scenes for a few years now, and the project they’ve been working on is just now becoming a reality.Ironically, it’s also just became a behind-the-scenes player in an eminent domain situation.