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Shown is the day area of a block at the Habersham County jail where inmates can make phone calls, use tablets to take rehabilitation courses, or socialize. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Shown is the day area of a block at the Habersham County jail where inmates can make phone calls, use tablets to take rehabilitation courses, or socialize. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Jail conditions worsening with no plan in sight

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, February 21, 2024
   When a person is being held at the Habersham County jail, they are lucky to get a bed in one of the cells that bunk up to eight people at a time.    Others have to sleep on the floor in what they call “boats” – a small cot-like sleeping pad.
Habersham Central's Kyia Barrett (right) looks to drive past a North Forsyth defender on Friday night. LANG STOREY/Staff

Habersham Central's Kyia Barrett (right) looks to drive past a North Forsyth defender on Friday night. LANG STOREY/Staff

Lady Raiders battle South Paulding in state playoffs

News Staff
Tuesday, February 20, 2024
   Habersham Central's girls basketball team saw its season end in the first round of the state playoffs Tuesday night, falling 58-29 to South Paulding.    The loss ended the high school career of Lady Raider seniors Kyia Barrett and Sophie Bramlett.
Habersham Central's Karah Dean fires a 3-pointer. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Habersham Central's Karah Dean fires a 3-pointer. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Raiders battle in boys, girls basketball region semifinals

News Staff
Thursday, February 15, 2024
   Habersham Central's girls basketball team stunned Lanier 32-31 on Thursday night to reach the Region 8-6A championship game.    The Lady Raiders (11-14) will play North Forsyth (26-0) Friday night for the championship. The Lady Raiders will host a state playoff game in the first round.
During a Habersham County Board of Commissioners meeting in 2021, Wade Rhodes shows off his admittedly crude model of placing PVC pipe underneath structures at the Airport Business Park to facilitate proper draining of water on the sites. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

During a Habersham County Board of Commissioners meeting in 2021, Wade Rhodes shows off his admittedly crude model of placing PVC pipe underneath structures at the Airport Business Park to facilitate proper draining of water on the sites. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Rhodes to challenge for county commission

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
   Wade Rhodes said Tuesday that he will throw his hat in the ring to challenge District 4 Habersham County Commissioner Bruce Harkness in the upcoming election.
Jeremy Spradlin (left) shakes hands with Habersham County Hall of Fame Inductee Rope Roberts at the Chamber of Commerce Gala on Feb. 8. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Jeremy Spradlin (left) shakes hands with Habersham County Hall of Fame Inductee Rope Roberts at the Chamber of Commerce Gala on Feb. 8. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Chamber honors its finest

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
   The Habersham County Chamber of Commerce recognized its best and brightest contributors for 2023 at its annual gala Feb. 8 at Piedmont University.
Kristie Dover holds a basketball themed book dedicated to her late husband and Raiders Coach Shane Dover. SUBMITTED

Kristie Dover holds a basketball themed book dedicated to her late husband and Raiders Coach Shane Dover. SUBMITTED

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Dover leaves school board, now 3 seats up in ’24

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
   Habersham County’s Board of Education was missing a friendly face Monday night.    Chairman Doug Westmoreland explained why early in the meeting, as he read a resignation letter by board member Kristie Dover, who has served on the school board for the last five years.
Level Grove Baptist Church was decorated to the nines for the Night to Shine. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Level Grove Baptist Church was decorated to the nines for the Night to Shine. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Kings, queens Shine at Level Grove

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
   A Night to Shine came to Habersham County for the first time Friday night, and it more than lived up to its name.    The event, which was created by the Tim Tebow Foundation, is a worldwide prom for people with special needs, ages 14 and older.
Habersham Central coaches Morris Brooks and Len King instruct McKenzie Spradley at the state sectional meet Friday. LANG STOREY/Staff

Habersham Central coaches Morris Brooks and Len King instruct McKenzie Spradley at the state sectional meet Friday. LANG STOREY/Staff

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Raiders send two wrestlers to Macon

Lang Storey
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
   You would have been hard-pressed to find a parking spot anywhere near Raider Gymnasium’s main entrance Friday. Habersham Central hosted a GHSA Girls State Sectional meet, where more than 300 athletes representing nearly 90 schools descended upon Mt.
Habersham Central’s Justus Gober fires from deep earlier this season against North Forsyth. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Habersham Central’s Justus Gober fires from deep earlier this season against North Forsyth. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Raider boys lock up playoffs

Lang Storey
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
   With a victory over Jackson County Friday – and a little help from a region foe – Habersham hoops locked up a spot in the 2024 state tournament.    The Raiders beat Jackson County, 67-48. It was a strong night offensively for Enzo Combs, who scored 28 points on 11-of-19 shooting.
Raider distance runners Connor Gebora and Audrey Hotard will be among the region’s best in their events. FILE

Raider distance runners Connor Gebora and Audrey Hotard will be among the region’s best in their events. FILE

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Raiders’ track & field aims for high goals

Lang Storey
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
   It’s finally showtime for Habersham Central Track & Field, and the Raiders are looking to generate even more waves than they did in a successful 2023 campaign that saw eight Raider athletes end up at the state meet.