Local

A fire station is in the plans for the old courthouse property downtown. (File photo)

A fire station is in the plans for the old courthouse property downtown. (File photo)

Clarkesville readies for property division

By Samantha SinclairPlans will be taking shape soon for a hotel and fire station to be placed on the old courthouse property.At the city’s work session Monday night, the Clarkesville City Council agreed to develop the property into two separate projects — a hotel and fire station.
Joey Duncan fills out paperwork to run for reelection for the Habersham County Board of Education District 5 seat while Habersham County Board of Commissioners District 3 candidate Jason Smith talks with Habersham County Republican Party representative Jim Ferraro in the background. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Joey Duncan fills out paperwork to run for reelection for the Habersham County Board of Education District 5 seat while Habersham County Board of Commissioners District 3 candidate Jason Smith talks with Habersham County Republican Party representative Jim Ferraro in the background. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Election sign-up gets quick start

By Samantha SinclairQualifying opened Monday for the 2026 election cycle with Jason Smith and Joey Duncan being the first to sign up to run.By the end of the day, at least one person had signed up to run for each county commission and school board seat on the ballot.
Erin Ervin has interned with the Demorest Police Department since August 2025. She was able to get a look at all aspects of policing during her time with the department. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Erin Ervin has interned with the Demorest Police Department since August 2025. She was able to get a look at all aspects of policing during her time with the department. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

A different perspective

By Zach TaylorOne Piedmont University student is breaking barriers with her career path.Piedmont University criminal justice major Erin Ervin is pursuing a career in law enforcement administration.
A patrol vehicle damaged in June 2025 suffered disabling damage after a motorist hit the patrol car while it provided lights and a buffer for road workers. Now, any accident that has incurred damage involving a patrol vehicle will go through an accident review board at the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office. (Submitted)

A patrol vehicle damaged in June 2025 suffered disabling damage after a motorist hit the patrol car while it provided lights and a buffer for road workers. Now, any accident that has incurred damage involving a patrol vehicle will go through an accident review board at the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office. (Submitted)

Sheriff’s office starts accident review board

By Hannah CaudellTwenty-eight crashes involving patrol vehicles during in the last 14 months inspired a new sheriff’s office initiative in January: an accident review board.
The property at 1190 Old Cleveland Road will eventually be used by the City of Cornelia as a solar dryer facility for wastewater sludge.  (Submitted)

The property at 1190 Old Cleveland Road will eventually be used by the City of Cornelia as a solar dryer facility for wastewater sludge. (Submitted)

Cornelia commissioners talk water expansion

By Hannah CaudellThe city of Cornelia will run out of water eventually.That’s what Carter and Sloope Senior Engineer Chase West told city officials on Saturday morning during Cornelia’s planning retreat.
Voters will be able to decide on the Habersham County ESPLOST VII referendum on May 19.

Voters will be able to decide on the Habersham County ESPLOST VII referendum on May 19.

Partnership Habersham, school system kick off ESPLOST campaign

By Hannah CaudellA sales tax to support schools is on the ballot again this year, and residents will decide whether they and Habersham’s visitors will pay it in the next cycle. And, Partnership Habersham is leading the effort to get people to vote yes.
The Habersham County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing during its meeting at 6 p.m. on March 3.

The Habersham County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing during its meeting at 6 p.m. on March 3.

Land use code ready for review

By Zach TaylorHow do you want the county to look in 10 years?Next week, the fate of the county’s land will be discussed.The Habersham County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing during its meeting at 6 p.m. on March 3 as county officials attempt to finalize a unified development ordinance.

Fire consolidation may add tax

By Zach TaylorThe numbers are in, and new taxes could come out.After one year of crunching numbers, the results from the fire consolidation study from SouthEastern Fire Consulting Company (SEFCCO) were shared in the Habersham County Board of Commissioners’ planning retreat on Tuesday.
Buford and Doris Lewis look at the future of their garden in preparation for spring. Below, school photos show Buford and Doris around the time they were married. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Buford and Doris Lewis look at the future of their garden in preparation for spring. Below, school photos show Buford and Doris around the time they were married. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Trust, love, tomatoes

By Zach TaylorIn 1956, gas was 23 cents per gallon.One Habersham County couple made every penny of their gas money count as they drove around the area, building the foundations of a marriage that has lasted 70 years while eating Yates Apples and parched peanuts from farmers’ markets.
Emily Zaragoza signs the word ‘why.’ The HCHS student has been teaching sign language to local students through weekly ‘A Sign a Day’ videos. (Callie Cueva/Staff)

Emily Zaragoza signs the word ‘why.’ The HCHS student has been teaching sign language to local students through weekly ‘A Sign a Day’ videos. (Callie Cueva/Staff)

Students build connections through sign language

by Callie CuevaTwo deaf students are eager to teach their peers how they communicate: through videos teaching American Sign Language (ASL).