Local

Cook Construction wants to annex 45 acres into Baldwin and combine it with 20.92 acres already in the city for commercial development at Duncan Bridge Road and Ga. 365. (Submitted)

Cook Construction wants to annex 45 acres into Baldwin and combine it with 20.92 acres already in the city for commercial development at Duncan Bridge Road and Ga. 365. (Submitted)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Cook takes third try at development

News Staff
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
By Samantha SinclairCook Construction is back and is once again attempting to annex and rezone property for commercial development.And, once again, they’ve reduced the size of the total project and there are issues with the paperwork involved.On Monday night, the Habersham County Board of...
Jimmy Dean looks over the proposed zoning map for the Unified Development Ordinance following the town hall on June 4. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Jimmy Dean looks over the proposed zoning map for the Unified Development Ordinance following the town hall on June 4. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Commission to consider new land use laws

News Staff
Friday, July 17, 2026
By Samantha SinclairHabersham County could have a new set of laws to manage growth on Monday.County commissioners are expected to consider the proposed Unified Development Ordinance, or UDO, at their regular meeting Monday night.The UDO is an extensive rework of the Comprehensive Land Development...
Lisa Turner

Lisa Turner

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Alto audit shows improvement

News Staff
Friday, July 17, 2026
By Hannah CaudellDuring Tuesday’s work session, near silence filled the meeting room at the Alto Municipal Complex while council looked over the city audit’s results with Town Financial Officer Lisa Turner.The Fiscal Year 2025 audit, prepared by Ed K. Burton LLC Certified Public Accountants,...
Horace Leachman, a local artist in the Habersham community, holds up two of his many drawings at his friend Denise Eller’s barn. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Horace Leachman, a local artist in the Habersham community, holds up two of his many drawings at his friend Denise Eller’s barn. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Sharing the love of art

News Staff
Friday, July 17, 2026
By Hannah CaudellOne day, Horace Leachman, a local artist in Habersham County, came up with an idea to help share his love for art with the community and children: an art box.Similar to a Little Free Library, the art box is meant to share art supplies and artwork with the local community and those...
(Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

(Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

FLOST agreement heads to county

News Staff
Friday, July 17, 2026
By Samantha Sinclair and Hannah CaudellWith all of the seven cities agreeing to put a new sales tax to reduce property taxes in the voters’ hands, the agreement now heads to the Habersham County Board of Commissioners.The Floating Homestead Local Option Sales Tax, or FLOST, must be used to reduce...
Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Brian Young smiles as he stands on the property that will be the new build site for eight or nine new Habitat homes. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Habitat for Humanity Executive Director Brian Young smiles as he stands on the property that will be the new build site for eight or nine new Habitat homes. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Habitat for Humanity buys 16 acres for houses

News Staff
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
By Hannah CaudellTucked away on a dirt road in Demorest, a 16-acre tract of land sits virtually untouched as it now waits for new Habitat for Humanity houses to be constructed.Habitat for Humanity of Northeast Georgia is about to wrap up a multi-home project in Clarkesville, and crews are expected...
McClain Investment Properties owns 10.74 acres, noted as Tax Map Number 078087A, which they requested rezoning from Agriculture to R-2 Multi-Family Residential to build a 34-lot single-family home subdivision. The request was denied by Demorest City Council in April. (Submitted)

McClain Investment Properties owns 10.74 acres, noted as Tax Map Number 078087A, which they requested rezoning from Agriculture to R-2 Multi-Family Residential to build a 34-lot single-family home subdivision. The request was denied by Demorest City Council in April. (Submitted)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Developer sues city for rezoning denial

News Staff
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
By Samantha SinclairA developer whose rezoning application was denied in April has now taken the matter to court.McClain Investment Properties LLC sought to rezone 10.74 acres off of Saluda Drive from Agricultural to R-2 Multi-family Residential to develop a 34-lot, single family detached...
Commission Chairman Bruce Harkness was surprised with the opportunity to ring the old courthouse bell after its unveiling. Plans are to set the mechanism so the bell can not be rung and damaged. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Commission Chairman Bruce Harkness was surprised with the opportunity to ring the old courthouse bell after its unveiling. Plans are to set the mechanism so the bell can not be rung and damaged. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

‘More than a bell’

News Staff
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
By Samantha SinclairHabersham County’s historic courthouse bell now has a new home near the entrance of the Habersham County Courthouse.While the celebration was shortened to just the ceremony due to rain, several — who U.S. Congressman Andrew Clyde called the true patriots as he joined the crowd —...
(File photo)

(File photo)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Clarkesville disagrees with Demorest offer

News Staff
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
By Samantha SinclairClarkesville will not be providing court clerk services to the city of Demorest.After holding consideration of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) with Demorest until after a 50-minute executive session which also discussed real estate Monday night, the Clarkesville City...
The old courthouse bell waits to be unveiled at the Habersham County Courthouse. It was restored by Ammons Grave Restoration. (Submitted)

The old courthouse bell waits to be unveiled at the Habersham County Courthouse. It was restored by Ammons Grave Restoration. (Submitted)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

County ready to celebrate America 250

News Staff
Friday, July 10, 2026
By Samantha SinclairHabersham County is honoring 250 years of our nation with free family event packed with history.The America 250 Celebration and Old Courthouse Bell Unveiling will be held noon to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 11, at the Habersham County Courthouse.The event will include a ceremony...