Local

Robert Hubert speaks with Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness opposing the proposed housing development of 34 homes on Saluda Drive. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Robert Hubert speaks with Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness opposing the proposed housing development of 34 homes on Saluda Drive. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Demorest denies zoning request

News Staff
Friday, April 10, 2026
By Zach TaylorDemorest council members pumped the brakes on residential growth Tuesday.In Tuesday’s meeting, McCain Investment Properties LLC was heard a second time for a rezoning application of 10.
Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness honors John Popham at his home on Thursday, April 9. Popham served the city of Demorest for 44 years and helped establish the city’s water system. Also pictured are Care Pastor Tom Skipper (left) and John’s grandson Asa Popham and daughter-in-law Kim Popham (right). (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness honors John Popham at his home on Thursday, April 9. Popham served the city of Demorest for 44 years and helped establish the city’s water system. Also pictured are Care Pastor Tom Skipper (left) and John’s grandson Asa Popham and daughter-in-law Kim Popham (right). (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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‘He was a giant’

News Staff
Friday, April 10, 2026
By Zach TaylorServing in local government has its ups and downs.From concerned residents to building infrastructure to rising costs and evolutions in society, government officials experience it all.One Demorest man experienced all the city had to offer for 44 years.

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Procedure issue halts annexation

News Staff
Friday, April 10, 2026
By Hannah Caudell and Samantha SinclairIf Cook Construction still wishes to annex property into the city of Baldwin for a commercial development, they will need to start the process over.

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Businesses could see new standards set

News Staff
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
By Zach TaylorHabersham’s new Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) is intended to control growth via a living document.Though the document is two months from being voted on, commissioners and the community are still hashing out the details of Habersham’s future.
State Rep. Victor Anderson speaks about Senate Bill 214 on the House floor during the final day of the 2026 Legislative Session, on Thursday, April 2, at the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta. (Ashtin Barker/Capitol Beat)

State Rep. Victor Anderson speaks about Senate Bill 214 on the House floor during the final day of the 2026 Legislative Session, on Thursday, April 2, at the Georgia Capitol in Atlanta. (Ashtin Barker/Capitol Beat)

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Ballot bill limbo concerns Anderson

News Staff
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
By Samantha SinclairState Rep. Victor Anderson said a lot of things were left in limbo this legislative session — which he said is typical — but this time one of those things was something he personally worked on.
Ken Schubring Sr. signs handmade wooden American Flags for Van Horn High School’s woodworking class vendor that provided the wood after being honored last Friday with his own handmade flag. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Ken Schubring Sr. signs handmade wooden American Flags for Van Horn High School’s woodworking class vendor that provided the wood after being honored last Friday with his own handmade flag. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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‘We’ll never forget this’

News Staff
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
By Zach TaylorAt one point in time, there were 86,000 Pearl Harbor survivors. Today, there are 12.A Clarkesville man is one of those survivors.Ken Schubring Sr. was enjoying his first bites of breakfast when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.
Teacher Jenna Blackwell of Wilbanks Middle School and Nurse Lindsay Morris

Teacher Jenna Blackwell of Wilbanks Middle School and Nurse Lindsay Morris

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Schools pick top teacher

News Staff
Wednesday, April 8, 2026
By Hannah CaudellBefore spring break, the school system announced this year’s Teacher of the Year and Support Person of the Year: Teacher Jenna Blackwell of Wilbanks Middle School and Nurse Lindsay Morris.
Delores Anderson shows her Daughters of the American Revolution membership certificate and her copy of A Century of Service: The Story of DAR. The year she joined was the centennial year of the society. Samantha Sinclair/Staff

Delores Anderson shows her Daughters of the American Revolution membership certificate and her copy of A Century of Service: The Story of DAR. The year she joined was the centennial year of the society. Samantha Sinclair/Staff

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Finding cousins

Samantha Sinclair
Friday, April 3, 2026
   The Daughters of the American Revolution was a good fit for Delores Anderson and her mother, Bonnie Cash Anderson.   It was the purpose of the organization that drew them — the focus on patriotism, history and family history.   “I got interested in genealogy from my mother,” Anderson said.
The Soque River’s levels are lower than usual as Habersham County — and the state as a whole — suffers severe drought conditions. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

The Soque River’s levels are lower than usual as Habersham County — and the state as a whole — suffers severe drought conditions. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Drought causes stress to local industries

News Staff
Friday, April 3, 2026
By Hannah Caudell   Habersham County is currently suffering severe drought conditions.
Quote from Gathercoal.

Quote from Gathercoal.

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Gathercoal’s letter cites no support system

News Staff
Friday, April 3, 2026
By Hannah Caudell   When Erin Gathercoal resigned from Baldwin’s city clerk position on the morning of March 23, she submitted a resignation letter that cited a lack of internal support from the mayor, council, and City Manager Tiera Morrison.