Local

Kyran Phasavong fails to hold back his excitement after winning the Habersham County Scripps Spelling Bee on Wednesday. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Spelling champ beats the nerves, nails the words

Julianne Akers

Friday, January 19, 2024

Both excitement and nerves were high on Wednesday as 8th grader Kyran Phasavong of North Habersham Middle School correctly spelled “serenity,” to win the Habersham County Scripps Spelling Bee.

Habersham County Senior Center care provider Joshua Haynie and employees Sonya Turgeon and Laureen Pemberton were honored Tuesday night by Senior Center Director Kathy Holcomb (right) and the Board of Commissioners for their recent heroism in three crises. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Some cities still wary about county’s animal control fees

Matthew Osborne

Friday, January 19, 2024

Habersham County still does not have all of its agreements signed for animal control, as some of the cities have held out on the latest payment formula.

Deas Chapel in Clarkesville is a historic church dating back to the 1880s. E. LANE GRESHAM/Special

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Grace United Methodist finds home at Deas Chapel

Matthew Osborne

Friday, January 19, 2024

Grace United Methodist Church has created a new home out of a historic Clarkesville building. The new congregation is meeting at Deas Chapel in Clarkesville, which dates back to 1886 when it was deeded to Amanda Deas to start an African Methodist Episcopal Church.

Habersham Central High School seniors Micah Zack and Kate Navarro share a laugh at Wednesday’s scholarship presentation. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Two Raiders earn full college scholarships

Julianne Akers

Friday, January 19, 2024

Habersham Central High School seniors Micah Zack and Kate Navarro have been selected for the highly selective Questbridge Scholarship, providing the students with a full ride to out-of-state schools. Between both students, they have been awarded over $688,000 in scholarships over four years.

Habersham Central’s Enzo Combs floats to the rim for two points for the Raiders against Lanier on Tuesday night over the Longhorns’ Amari Morgan (5). ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Horns give Raiders trouble

Lang Storey

Friday, January 19, 2024

Habersham Central’s boys were outmatched Tuesday as the Raiders fell to Lanier in Mt. Airy, 64-60. Following a high-scoring first quarter, HCHS (14-4, 3-2 Region 8-6A) trailed the visiting Longhorns (7-10, 2-3 Region 8-6A) 20-17.

Habersham Central’s Makenzie Gosnell looks for a pass to the lane in the home matchup Tuesday night. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Lady Raiders frozen out by Lanier

Lang Storey

Friday, January 19, 2024

Despite falling behind early, the Lady Raiders were able to keep pace with Lanier much of Tuesday evening. But another poor shooting performance ultimately stymied any efforts of a successful comeback, as Habersham (5-11, 2-3 Region 8-6A) fell to the Lady Longhorns, 46-39.

A Demorest fire engine at the Christmas celebration in 2023. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Demorest officials clash over chief hiring process

Matthew Osborne

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Jerry Palmer was passed over as Demorest’s new fire chief last week, and he does not believe the hiring process was fair. Demorest’s Assistant Fire Chief was the runner-up as one of two finalists for the job, which was given to Dave Scheuerer, Fire Marshal for Jasper County, S.C.

From left, Stella Ward, Bob Cook, Sam Watkins and Renè Grant work to fill the bags to be delivered to the schools later in the day. At far right is Richard Monroe. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Church, volunteers come together, feed kids

News Staff

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Hundreds of children in Habersham County qualify for free or reduced school lunch, but some students go an entire weekend without a meal. Local organization Habersham Food 2 Kids has worked with the Northeast Georgia Food Bank to bridge that gap for 11 ½ years.

Seth Dover launches his bowling ball down the lane during league night in Clarkesville. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Let’s bowl, let’s rock ’n roll

Julianne Akers

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Kathy Molnar started bowling when she was in elementary school playing duck pins with “little tiny balls about the size of a grapefruit,” she said. As she grew, so did her love for the sport, and she started playing the regular ten-pin style of bowling.

Habersham’s Judge Wilbanks drains the 3 over the outstretched hand of a Shiloh defender earlier this season. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Raiders riding high after two more wins

News Staff

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

It was a busy, but victorious weekend for Habersham Central’s boys’ basketball team. The Raiders played back-to-back games, walloping Apalachee 78-45 Friday night before edging North Forsyth 62-60 Saturday afternoon.