Local

Shown here, Rhonda Vinson kisses Chastain on the forehead when visiting during the party hosted at Habersham EMC on Sunday. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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MAMA’S 100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED

Zach Taylor

Monday, August 5, 2024

Not everyone gets to live for a century, but that is the case for now-100-year-old Rosa Lee Chastain. Rosa Lee has spent 876,582 hours on Earth, and she has lived to the fullest throughout each one. Chastain has 3 children, 9 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and 30 great-great-grandchildren.

X. BRELAND and CIERA. FILE photo illustration

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Breland gets 12 years on gun charge

Matthew Osborne

Monday, August 5, 2024

Xavier Breland, the only “person of interest” in the 2022 disappearance of his wife – Habersham County native Ciera Locklair Breland – was sentenced to 12 years in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Photo by Deactivated Account on Unsplash

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Lawmakers hope new election laws restore voter confidence

Brian Wellmeier

Monday, August 5, 2024

Last session, Georgia’s legislature passed multiple bills that lawmakers believe will re-establish voter confidence in state and national elections. House Bill 974 contains a number of provisions intended to ensure security in the upcoming elections, according to Rep.

Coach Matt Shirley fires a pass to wide receiver Drake Roland. LANG STOREY/Staff

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Raiders set to assess against Oconee

Lang Storey

Monday, August 5, 2024

With Habersham set to welcome Oconee County to Mt. Airy Friday, the Raiders are treating this week much like a typical, in-season week. That means hitting the weight room earlier in the afternoon prior to taking the field a little bit later in the day.

Tallulah Falls’ Callie Craver will be in the circle when the Lady Indians’ program takes its first varsity steps on Friday. TFS ATHLETICS/Submitted

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TFS softball begins first varsity season Friday

News Staff

Monday, August 5, 2024

The excitement surrounding the Lady Indians softball team is contagious. Tallulah Falls will officially begin a new era with their first varsity season. Optimism abounds due to last year’s successful JV season in which the girls went 7-8 including piecing together a perfect 4-0 record at home.

Habersham Central’s Audrey Hotard is poised to cap an amazing cross country career with the Lady Raiders. FILE

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Raider runners eye state marks in ’24

Lang Storey

Monday, August 5, 2024

The 2024 Habersham Central cross country team may very well be the youngest group Kaylee Bosley has had in her time as the Raiders’ head coach. From a pure numbers standpoint, the team is loaded with underclassmen, primarily freshmen.

Shown are the proposed drawings for the future housing development off Rocky Branch Road.

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Clarkesville studies annexation for housing development

Matthew Osborne

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Clarkesville’s planning commission will decide Aug. 13 whether to recommend annexation of a property off Rocky Branch Road where a future housing development is proposed. The property is on the right side of Rocky Branch Road just north of Highway 17/115 and encompasses 13.5 acres. Dr.

Grant-Reeves Post 7720 Honor Guard Captain Jim Morgan and members Dana McCloud, Rick Chaffin, Bill McAllister and Brady Morgan march in the Color Guard during the Demorest Fourth of July Festival. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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‘Honor they deserve’

Zach Taylor

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

The Grant Reeves Honor Guard plays a crucial role in honoring our nation’s flag and veterans, embodying the deep sense of honor and respect that veterans have for our country.

Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash

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County insurance rises after $1.1M in claims

Matthew Osborne

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Habersham County had many budget challenges this year with all costs rising across the board, but one self-inflicted wound came in the form of a $111,000 insurance hike due to 66 automobile claims over the last five years. Those claims totaled more than $1.

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‘Pastor Sam’ makes impact on community

Julianne Akers

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

In his nearly 30 years of living in Habersham County, Pastor Sam Negron’s roots lie deep in his community. On top of being a pastor and overseeing three churches, he also helps local courts and police departments as a Spanish language interpreter – all for “love of my community,” he said.