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Tommy Howard enjoys his Cookie Monster ice cream at Scoops in Clarkesville. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Tommy Howard enjoys his Cookie Monster ice cream at Scoops in Clarkesville. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Finding ways to stay cool

Sweltering heat continues to take its toll on Habersham County and communities across Georgia. This year’s high temperatures also came with a lack of rain, with Habersham experiencing ab- normally dry temperatures according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
From left: Alton Fry, Danny McDuffie and Mason Tench with Fry Masonry work on restoring the  Durbec family plot at Old Clarkesville Cemetery. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

From left: Alton Fry, Danny McDuffie and Mason Tench with Fry Masonry work on restoring the Durbec family plot at Old Clarkesville Cemetery. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

If these stones could talk ....

   When Civil War photographer Frederick Eugene Durbec was buried at Old Clarkesville Cemetery in 1894, no one could have fathomed the thousands of dollars and hours that would go into the upkeep of his family’s graves.
Habersham County Animal Control Director Madi Nix plays with dogs Harvard and Myles. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Special

Habersham County Animal Control Director Madi Nix plays with dogs Harvard and Myles. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Special

Animal shelter beyond capacity

   The Habersham County Animal Shelter has surpassed full capacity, and soon there will be no alternative but to euthanize unless more dogs and cats are adopted in the coming days.
This is the suspect in the Cornelia downtown break-ins. CORNELIA POLICE/Submitted

This is the suspect in the Cornelia downtown break-ins. CORNELIA POLICE/Submitted

Bandit nabs cupcakes in crime spree

   Police are looking into a series of break-ins in downtown Cornelia that happened over a five-day span last week.    One of those happened at Sugartopia bakery on Main Street around 4:30 a.m., co-owner Jamie Keller said.    “He broke in the side door and cleaned out the register,” Keller said.
Coach Ric Wallace has led the Raiders to many successful seasons on the pitch, as well as winning teacher of the year honors twice in a row. KYIA BARRETT/Submitted

Coach Ric Wallace has led the Raiders to many successful seasons on the pitch, as well as winning teacher of the year honors twice in a row. KYIA BARRETT/Submitted

Wallace wears many hats as coach, educator

   If you’re ever in a room full of people and can’t seem to remember anyone’s name, you better hope Ric Wallace is there to get you out of the jam. Remembering names is a skill the current Habersham Central soccer coach picked up during his days as a pharmaceutical salesman.
Kyia Barrett takes a selfie with a group of Honduran children during her mission trip with Level Grove Baptist Church. KYIA BARRETT/Submitted

Kyia Barrett takes a selfie with a group of Honduran children during her mission trip with Level Grove Baptist Church. KYIA BARRETT/Submitted

Barrett keeping busy here and abroad before college

   Recent Habersham Central graduate Kyia Barrett first committed to play basketball at Anderson University in the spring of 2023. At the time, graduation seemed like some far away event, way off in the distance.
Habersham County Commissioners (from left) Bruce Palmer, Bruce Harkness, Ty Akins, Dustin Mealor and Jimmy Tench try to find common ground Monday night.

Habersham County Commissioners (from left) Bruce Palmer, Bruce Harkness, Ty Akins, Dustin Mealor and Jimmy Tench try to find common ground Monday night.

County commissioners clash in budget stalemate

   After more than two hours of arguing and trying to broker peace, Habersham County Chairman Ty Akins had seen enough.
Shannon Trotter knits a scarf using just her hands as she sits in BSG Coffee and Cafe. Some of her other creations hang on the wall behind her. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Shannon Trotter knits a scarf using just her hands as she sits in BSG Coffee and Cafe. Some of her other creations hang on the wall behind her. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

‘Wonderfully made’

   With every stitch of yarn she creates, Shannon Trotter reflects on life’s hardships and her family and faith that led her on her current path of running her small business, Wonderfully Made Loop Yarn Creations.
Woodall wins District 1 Commissioner seat with 1425 votes to Holbrooks' 972 votes.

Woodall wins District 1 Commissioner seat with 1425 votes to Holbrooks' 972 votes.

Woodall earns county commission seat

   Eric Holbrooks made it clear he is no quitter.    He received the printout with the early-vote count on it Tuesday night, but despite a large deficit, he was not ready to go home. He hoped his folks from the north end of the county and his home community of Mt. Airy would pull him through.
Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash

Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash

County crunches budget numbers

   Habersham County’s Board of Commissioners are working toward finalizing the 2024-25 budget Monday night after deciding which positions and capital projects to fund.    The commissioners turned in worksheets this week with their preferences for adding on to the preliminary budget.