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Opinion/Editorial. FILE

Opinion/Editorial. FILE

It’s OK to speak up

   I typically like to be witty, sarcastic and even sometimes frivolous when writing columns. Not sure where the habit started, but I approach a lot of things in life with a heavy dose of levity.    This week, I didn’t really have it in me.
Commercial strip in Clarkesville gets sold for $3.6 million. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Commercial strip in Clarkesville gets sold for $3.6 million. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Clarkesville downtown block purchased for $3.6M

   A former mayor and owner of a Fulton County-based construction company has bought a major commercial strip in downtown Clarkesville that was built in the 1940s.    Joseph Lockwood, owner of J.K. Lockwood Construction in Alpharetta, recently purchased the property at 1423 Washington St.
Ringo and Jingo are among the cats that are looking for new homes across the region.  Habersham County’s animal shelter is overflowing with cats and dogs this summer. SUBMITTED

Ringo and Jingo are among the cats that are looking for new homes across the region. Habersham County’s animal shelter is overflowing with cats and dogs this summer. SUBMITTED

Nonprofit helps ‘potential superstars’

   With the Habersham County Animal Shelter at capacity and unable to take in more animals, local nonprofit Hands for Paws has worked to give the shelter some relief. But now, it feels the same pressure of overcrowding.
Portrait of Teddy Bone

Portrait of Teddy Bone

DUI suspect charged with vehicular homicide

   The allegedly-impaired driver from the River Point Community Church van crash has been charged with vehicular homicide and released on bail.    Barry Thomas Clark, 64, of Hartwell was first arrested on June 29, the day of the crash at Highway 365 and Demorest-Mt. Airy Highway.
Habersham County Commissioner Jimmy Tench, Dean Swanson, retired Sen. John Foster, Don Higgins and Ken Schubring cut ribbon to celebrate the airport’s new runway Tuesday. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Special

Habersham County Commissioner Jimmy Tench, Dean Swanson, retired Sen. John Foster, Don Higgins and Ken Schubring cut ribbon to celebrate the airport’s new runway Tuesday. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Special

Leaders fete airport runway project

   Nearly 50 people lined the tarmac at the Habersham County Airport Tuesday for a ribbon cutting ceremony – tying the knot on a month-long project that saw the repaving of its 5,500-foot runway.
Mason Kinsey, an alumnus of Habersham Central and Berry College, has carved out a role with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. TENNESSEE TITANS/Courtesy

Mason Kinsey, an alumnus of Habersham Central and Berry College, has carved out a role with the NFL’s Tennessee Titans. TENNESSEE TITANS/Courtesy

Kinsey finds his footing with Titans

   Mason Kinsey was hardly a blip on the radar when he signed with the Tennessee Titans as a rookie free agent in 2020. The Demorest native and Habersham Central alum went undrafted out of Berry College, where he became the first player from the school to ink an NFL contract.
Westynn Tyre (left) and Eli Westmorland showed off inquisitive minds at Raider Golf Camp this week. LANG STOREY/Staff

Westynn Tyre (left) and Eli Westmorland showed off inquisitive minds at Raider Golf Camp this week. LANG STOREY/Staff

RAIDER GOLF CAMP

   For the second time this summer, a coed group of young golfers descended upon Apple Mountain Golf Course for Habersham Central Golf Camp. Coach Matt Hudlow and current and former Raider golfers are serving as counselors. This week’s staff comprised the Lady Raiders’ No.
Bryant Tench plays for folks at the Clarkesville gazebo during a recent concert. SUBMITTED

Bryant Tench plays for folks at the Clarkesville gazebo during a recent concert. SUBMITTED

‘Joy when inspiration strikes’

   When Bryant Tench tries to think of what got him interested in music, a lot of things come to mind. Maybe it's messing around with his grandmothers’ piano or joining a band in high school.