Local

Habersham County Family Connection Executive Director Donna Barrett sorts through donated dresses. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Habersham County Family Connection Executive Director Donna Barrett sorts through donated dresses. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Ready for the ball

Julianne Akers
Monday, October 14, 2024
Tucked away in a few closets at Habersham Ninth Grade Academy is formal dress galore – a part of a program through Habersham County Family Connection that provides free homecoming and prom dresses to students.
Piles of dog food, trash bags, paper towels and diapers were donated to Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church. Grace Calvary was one of many churches in the area that collected donations to ship to North Carolina for Hurricane Helene relief efforts. SUBMITTED

Piles of dog food, trash bags, paper towels and diapers were donated to Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church. Grace Calvary was one of many churches in the area that collected donations to ship to North Carolina for Hurricane Helene relief efforts. SUBMITTED

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Community comes together for relief

Zach Taylor
Monday, October 14, 2024
One week after Hurricane Helene ravaged North Carolina in late September, hurricane relief efforts in Habersham County began popping up.
Lehman and Mullinax. FILE

Lehman and Mullinax. FILE

Mullinax, Lehman vie for Baldwin seat

Julianne Akers
Monday, October 14, 2024
Two candidates, Nancy Lehman and Mark Mullinax, are facing off for Baldwin City Council’s vacant seat. The person elected to the position will serve the remainder of former council member Joseph Satterfield’s term which is a little over 3 years.
Baldwin City Council met for a work session on Oct. 8. Pictured from left to right are Councilman Erik Keith, Councilwoman Kerri Davis, Councilwoman Alice Venter, Mayor Stephanie Almagno, Councilman Maarten Venter and Chief Administrative Officer Emily Woodmaster. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Baldwin City Council met for a work session on Oct. 8. Pictured from left to right are Councilman Erik Keith, Councilwoman Kerri Davis, Councilwoman Alice Venter, Mayor Stephanie Almagno, Councilman Maarten Venter and Chief Administrative Officer Emily Woodmaster. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Baldwin looks at tax increase

Julianne Akers
Monday, October 14, 2024
Baldwin City Council held its first public hearing on a millage rate increase on Tuesday with no residents speaking for or against the tax hike.    The city is proposing a .689 mill increase which would take its millage rate from 8.481 to 9.17.
Jeff Blackwell carves into a cane during Clarkesville History Harvest on Saturday. His passion is woodworking, which he says brings him peace. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Jeff Blackwell carves into a cane during Clarkesville History Harvest on Saturday. His passion is woodworking, which he says brings him peace. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Sticks, Lies and Stories

Zach Taylor
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
After surviving multiple heart attacks, strokes, and several heart surgeries, Jeff Blackwell is back in the saddle.    The local author and artist is now gearing up to release a new book, which he debuted at Saturday’s annual Sticks and Lies event.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Scene Unit arrived just after 9 p.m on Sept. 7. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Scene Unit arrived just after 9 p.m on Sept. 7. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Man dies in officer-involved shooting

News Staff
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
A Clarkesville man shot in an officer-involved shooting last month is now dead.    Allen Patterson, 41, died on Sept. 20.    The shooting took place at Cameron Place Apartments on Saturday, Sept. 7.
Habersham Central graduated students at a 97.5 percent clip last year. FILE

Habersham Central graduated students at a 97.5 percent clip last year. FILE

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HCHS ranks no. 12 among Georgia grads in 2024

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Georgia high schools saw an all-time high graduation rate in 2024 and Habersham Central High School (HCHS) is tied for the No. 12 ranking in the state, according to a report from the Georgia Department of Education on Tuesday.
The Demorest City Council approved a 20 percent increase in water and sewer rates. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

The Demorest City Council approved a 20 percent increase in water and sewer rates. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Demorest water rate increase takes effect

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Demorest water customers are paying more for the service for the second time this year.    A 20 percent increase in water and sewer rates in Demorest took effect on Oct. 1 after the city council approved the rate hike at its September meeting.
Nationally acclaimed Chef Inger Smith squeezes lemon juice onto the chicken as it cooks. Smith is all about preparing healthy meals for everyone. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Nationally acclaimed Chef Inger Smith squeezes lemon juice onto the chicken as it cooks. Smith is all about preparing healthy meals for everyone. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Power on a plate

Zach Taylor
Friday, October 4, 2024
Habersham Meals on Wheels ran out of funding in the past year, but renowned Chef Inger Smith isn’t going to let that happen again.    Smith has worked for some of the biggest names in pop culture and sports and has trained her knives under master chefs throughout her career.
Commissioner Janice Griggs examines the plot map during the work session on Tuesday. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Commissioner Janice Griggs examines the plot map during the work session on Tuesday. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Cornelia to annex land for townhouses

Zach Taylor
Friday, October 4, 2024
The City of Cornelia voted Tuesday to post an annexation of 36.8 acres for a townhouse development with a minimum of 180 units.