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Josiah McCurry gets surrounded by defenders during a game last year. He will get plenty of attention from colleges during his senior year. FILE

Josiah McCurry gets surrounded by defenders during a game last year. He will get plenty of attention from colleges during his senior year. FILE

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JoJo getting some looks

Lang Storey
Friday, June 28, 2024
Habersham Central’s 6-foot-8 center Josiah “JoJo” McCurry has been dominant for the Raiders these past couple seasons. The soon-to-be senior is likely to reel in a host of collegiate offers.    This week brought his first, as Young Harris extended a scholarship offer in the big man’s direction.
Remmi Raley gets spotted during a bar routine by Coach Jessica Rockwell at Thursday’s practice. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Remmi Raley gets spotted during a bar routine by Coach Jessica Rockwell at Thursday’s practice. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Spending debate zeroes in on gymnastics

Matthew Osborne
Friday, June 28, 2024
Out of a budget of thousands of line items that has been debated profusely over the month of June, Habersham County’s gymnastics program keeps being put in the spotlight.
In 2021, former HEAT unit deputy Kris Hall and Deputy Brandon Holcomb show off the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office’s haul of awards from the Golden Shield Honors. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

In 2021, former HEAT unit deputy Kris Hall and Deputy Brandon Holcomb show off the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office’s haul of awards from the Golden Shield Honors. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Sheriff set to absorb HEAT unit position

Brian Wellmeier
Friday, June 28, 2024
Habersham County Sheriff’s Office will not look to replace former Sgt. Kris Hall, a longtime deputy who was assigned to oversee Habersham’s Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic (HEAT) Unit before he unexpectedly resigned in April.
abersham County Commissioners (from left) Bruce Palmer, Bruce Harkness, Ty Akins, Dustin Mealor and Jimmy Tench try to find common ground Monday night. FILE

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

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Commissioners buy time for budget

Matthew Osborne
Friday, June 28, 2024
Habersham County’s Board of Commissioners did its duty Wednesday and passed a continuing resolution to keep the county running on this year’s budget through the holiday to provide more time for passing the real 2025 budget.
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

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Finding ways to stay cool

Julianne Akers
Friday, June 28, 2024
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

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If these stones could talk ....

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
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

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Animal shelter beyond capacity

Brian Wellmeier
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
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

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Bandit nabs cupcakes in crime spree

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
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

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Wallace wears many hats as coach, educator

Lang Storey
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
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

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Barrett keeping busy here and abroad before college

Lang Storey
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
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.