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Gov. Brian Kemp and Sen. Bo Hatchett announce bonuses for teachers in Atlanta on Monday. WAGA/Video grab

Gov. Brian Kemp and Sen. Bo Hatchett announce bonuses for teachers in Atlanta on Monday. WAGA/Video grab

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Teachers get Christmas bonuses from governor

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
   Gov. Brian Kemp announced Monday teachers and educational support staff members across the state, along with an additional 112,000 state employees, will receive a $1,000 bonus at Christmastime.    Sen.
Radio tower. Chris Anderson/Unsplash

Radio tower. Chris Anderson/Unsplash

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Orchard drops tower lawsuit

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
   The Orchard Property Owners Association has dropped its legal action against Habersham County regarding the placement of a radio tower in their neighborhood.
Piedmont University Vice President of Academic Affairs Bruce Willis holds an example of a gunshot wound to the head next to students’ assignments on trajectory of blood stains. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Piedmont University Vice President of Academic Affairs Bruce Willis holds an example of a gunshot wound to the head next to students’ assignments on trajectory of blood stains. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Piedmont home to Georgia’s first forensic academy

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
   Georgia Forensic Academy was designated last week as the state’s first forensic academy and is housed on the campus of Piedmont University in Demorest.    “We’ve made our own investment in this program too, because we believe this has really got a tremendous opportunity.
Teri Newsome’s Cornelia home is as festive as can be, sporting 33 Christmas trees and plenty of other holiday delights. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Teri Newsome’s Cornelia home is as festive as can be, sporting 33 Christmas trees and plenty of other holiday delights. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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O, Christmas trees!

Julianne Akers
Friday, December 15, 2023
   Christmas music softly plays as Teri Newsome slips on her oven mitt and carefully pulls a tray of homemade oatmeal raisin cookies out of the oven. In her kitchen, there are three Christmas trees.
Sheriff Joey Terrell points out the features of the old courthouse bell that dates to 1924. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Sheriff Joey Terrell points out the features of the old courthouse bell that dates to 1924. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Sheriff among those preserving history from old courthouse

Matthew Osborne
Friday, December 15, 2023
   The old courthouse in Clarkesville is scheduled to be torn down early in 2024. But its destruction has been teased for the better part of a decade, and folks in the community have taken actions to preserve some of the history within.
Hunter Harkness and Finn Durden cut the ribbon at Demorest’s new restroom and shelter pavilion in Demorest Springs Park on Wednesday night. Also in attendance (from left) Chamber of Commerce Director Ellie Van Doornum, Lynn Percy, Rachel Pleasant, Brooke Terilli, City Manager Mark Musselwhite, Keith Andrews, Councilman Donnie Bennett, Mayor Jerry Harkness, Councilman Shawn Allen, County Vice-Chairman Bruce Harkness, Randall Roy Fry, Demorest Fire Chief Jerry Palmer and Guy Ramos. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Hunter Harkness and Finn Durden cut the ribbon at Demorest’s new restroom and shelter pavilion in Demorest Springs Park on Wednesday night. Also in attendance (from left) Chamber of Commerce Director Ellie Van Doornum, Lynn Percy, Rachel Pleasant, Brooke Terilli, City Manager Mark Musselwhite, Keith Andrews, Councilman Donnie Bennett, Mayor Jerry Harkness, Councilman Shawn Allen, County Vice-Chairman Bruce Harkness, Randall Roy Fry, Demorest Fire Chief Jerry Palmer and Guy Ramos. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Demorest opens new pavilion in the park

Matthew Osborne
Friday, December 15, 2023
   Demorest capped an eventful 2023 with the ribbon cutting at their new park pavilion and bathroom building that was nearly three years in the making.
The Habersham County Landfill is filling up quickly and is projected to be at maximum capacity “sometime in 2024” if they keep taking construction waste. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

The Habersham County Landfill is filling up quickly and is projected to be at maximum capacity “sometime in 2024” if they keep taking construction waste. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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County set for another session of trash talk

Matthew Osborne
Friday, December 15, 2023
   Habersham County’s Board of Commissioners is set to consider stopping the intake of construction and demolition (C&D) waste at the landfill to preserve its waning lifespan.
Habersham Central’s Justin Whitney defeats Apalachee’s William Harp by pinfall in the 165-pound weight class during the 2023 Raider invitational. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Habersham Central’s Justin Whitney defeats Apalachee’s William Harp by pinfall in the 165-pound weight class during the 2023 Raider invitational. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Raider wrestlers defend own mats, take 1st

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
   Habersham Central defended its own mats Saturday by easily taking first place in the Raider Invitational.    The Raiders’ score of 190.5 easily outpaced second-place Stephens County (136) and Seneca (131). Rabun Gap-Nacoochee was fourth at 129 points.
First grader Zayden Tomas Wade picks out a Star Wars T-shirt with Baldwin Fire Chief Joe Roy, organizer of Shop with a Hero. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

First grader Zayden Tomas Wade picks out a Star Wars T-shirt with Baldwin Fire Chief Joe Roy, organizer of Shop with a Hero. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Heroes make Christmas bright

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
   Baldwin held its 13th annual Shop with a Hero event where local police officers and firefighters shop for Christmas gifts with 12 local children who might not receive gifts otherwise.
Dr. Robert Barron received his Pioneer in Education award Monday along with family members (back row, from left) son-in-law Daniel Ferguson, grandson Cooper Ferguson, daughter Anna Ferguson and son Jeff Barron. In front is granddaughter Emma Ferguson. Other grandchildren not pictured include Annalise Gonzalez, James Barron and Conley Barron. MATTHEW OSBORNE/ Staff

Dr. Robert Barron received his Pioneer in Education award Monday along with family members (back row, from left) son-in-law Daniel Ferguson, grandson Cooper Ferguson, daughter Anna Ferguson and son Jeff Barron. In front is granddaughter Emma Ferguson. Other grandchildren not pictured include Annalise Gonzalez, James Barron and Conley Barron. MATTHEW OSBORNE/ Staff

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Habersham’s Barron honored as Pioneer in Education

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
   After 51 years in education, there probably is no award or honor Dr. Robert Barron has not received, but there’s always room for another.    Barron was presented Monday with this year’s Pioneer in Education award, which is presented by Pioneer RESA to one person in each county in the region.