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The Raiders were without one of their main competitors in Javonte Bowen at the region duals over the weekend due to injury. Bowen is one of the region’s top 190-pound grapplers. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

The Raiders were without one of their main competitors in Javonte Bowen at the region duals over the weekend due to injury. Bowen is one of the region’s top 190-pound grapplers. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Raiders wrestling teams struggle over long weekend, look forward to individuals

   Habersham Central’s boys and girls wrestling teams hosted East Hall for a duals match Thursday night in Mt. Airy.     The girls match ended with the Lady Raiders on top thanks to pins by Habersham’s Michaela Krippner (115), Natalie Spillers (115) and McKenzie Spradley (125).
The Raiders have started practicing for the 2024 spring season. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

The Raiders have started practicing for the 2024 spring season. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Diamond Raiders brave cold to prepare for 2024

   It certainly doesn’t feel like it, but baseball season has officially arrived at Habersham Central.     Amid temps flirting with the freezing mark, the Raiders began their 3-day tryouts Monday in Mt. Airy.
Cameron Lucas and Payton Cagle discuss maneuvers around the burning training building in November. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Cameron Lucas and Payton Cagle discuss maneuvers around the burning training building in November. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Demorest picks its new fire chief from S.C.

   Demorest went out of state to pick its new fire chief Wednesday night, bringing in a new leader with more than 25 years of fire service experience.    Dave Scheuerer, currently the Battalion Chief and Fire Marshal in Jasper County (S.C.
Habersham County’s old courthouse could finally see its demise in the spring if the bids that came in Wednesday are affordable. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Habersham County’s old courthouse could finally see its demise in the spring if the bids that came in Wednesday are affordable. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Four bidders in on possible courthouse demolition

   Habersham County received four bids to tear down the old courthouse by the Wednesday deadline for submissions.
Councilmember Brad Coppedge uses a butter knife to open the time capsule. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Councilmember Brad Coppedge uses a butter knife to open the time capsule. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Clarkesville preparing time capsule

   The City of Clarkesville worked throughout 2023 to highlight its rich history as part of a bicentennial celebration. But the city is not done preserving history just yet.
Tallulah Falls’ STAR teacher Jeremy Stille and STAR Student Jake Wehrstein found out about their honors Thursday. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Tallulah Falls’ STAR teacher Jeremy Stille and STAR Student Jake Wehrstein found out about their honors Thursday. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Newest STAR is born

   Jake Wehrstein of Demorest was named STAR student at Tallulah Falls School on Thursday where he was recognized for having the highest SAT score in the senior class with his GPA also being in the top ten percent.
Habersham Central’s Kieran McGarvey catches his breath in the Men’s 100-yard backstroke event last week in the “Hot Chocolate” meet in Clarkesville. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Habersham Central’s Kieran McGarvey catches his breath in the Men’s 100-yard backstroke event last week in the “Hot Chocolate” meet in Clarkesville. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Raiders keep state cuts coming at Hot Chocolate

   The Habersham Central Swim team hosted its “Hot Chocolate” invitational last weekend.    The boys and girls teams each finished 4th overall on a day which HCHS’ girls 400 Freestyle relay team consisting of Skye Medley, Sadie Hagel, Ally Dover and Leah Culpepper made its state cut.
Demorest Fire Department has a new chief.

Demorest Fire Department has a new chief.

Demorest taps new fire chief

   Demorest found its new fire chief in the person of Dave Scheuerer.    Scheuerer is the Battalion Chief and Fire Marshal for Jasper County, S.C. He has more than 25 years experience in fire service and is a graduate of West Georgia Tech.
Habersham Central’s Jalen Davis floats to the rim for a layup on a fast break against Shiloh last week. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Habersham Central’s Jalen Davis floats to the rim for a layup on a fast break against Shiloh last week. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Raiders rally late to stun Elephants

   When Gainesville’s Ellis Pitts nailed a pair of free throws to put the Red Elephants up by 10 points with under 2 minutes to play Saturday in Mt. Airy, fans on both sides shuffled towards the exits.