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Northeast Georgia Health System Logo. Credit/NGHS

Northeast Georgia Health System Logo. Credit/NGHS

Hospital building equity in community

   North Georgia Medical Center-Habersham is seeing an uptick in emergency patients but still working to build up its surgical base.    The hospital is in its fifth month of the new management under North Georgia Health Systems (NGHS) and is barely into a new fiscal year that began Oct. 1.
Lauren Long (right), shown being honored by County Manager Alicia Vaughn last year, has been writing grants for the county for 15 months. FILE

Lauren Long (right), shown being honored by County Manager Alicia Vaughn last year, has been writing grants for the county for 15 months. FILE

Long leaving as county’s full-time grant writer

   Lauren Long has been the grant writer for Habersham County for 15 months and has applied for nearly $21 million worth of grants during that time.
Habersham Central coach Tommy Yancey talks to the Raiders in a time out during their opening game last week. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Habersham Central coach Tommy Yancey talks to the Raiders in a time out during their opening game last week. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Raiders take 3rd place at Piedmont

   Habersham dropped its opening game of the Piedmont Thanksgiving Classic to Union County in Demorest Monday, falling 73-64 and remaining winless. The Raiders fared much better a day later at the Larry Mize Athletic Center, topping East Forsyth 66-48.
Habersham Central’s Leah Culpepper emerges from the water during a meet last season. Culpepper is already on the sheet for the state meet even before Thanksgiving. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Habersham Central’s Leah Culpepper emerges from the water during a meet last season. Culpepper is already on the sheet for the state meet even before Thanksgiving. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Culpepper already booked for state as Raiders host first meet

   Habersham Central’s swim team finally hosted its first meet Nov. 17 with the Pirate Plunge.    As a team, HCHS took 4th out of 11 schools. The Lady Raiders finished second overall and the men took seventh.
Georgia Sen. Bo Hatchett speaks to the Rabun County Republican Party and members of the community at Moonrise Distillery during a Town Hall meeting Nov. 13. MEGAN HORN/The Clayton Tribune

Georgia Sen. Bo Hatchett speaks to the Rabun County Republican Party and members of the community at Moonrise Distillery during a Town Hall meeting Nov. 13. MEGAN HORN/The Clayton Tribune

Hatchett hosts Rabun community town hall

   Georgia State District 50 Sen. Bo Hatchett spoke to the Rabun County Republican Party and members of the community during a Town Hall meeting Nov. 13 held at Moonrise Distillery in Clayton.
Habersham County Courthouse photo at night. FILE

Habersham County Courthouse photo at night. FILE

County overtime pay skyrocketing

   Overtime pay in Habersham County has been up over a million dollars the last two fiscal years, and it is on pace to rise even higher this year. County records show that overtime pay is already at $610,233.59 with four complete months and a couple of weeks in the books for Fiscal Year 2024 (FY24).
Donna Patrum works with CTAE teachers not only at the high school, but also at Ninth Grade Academy and the three middle schools.  JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Donna Patrum works with CTAE teachers not only at the high school, but also at Ninth Grade Academy and the three middle schools. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Versatile lady of all trades set to retire from schools

   Donna Patrum gets to Habersham Central High School before 7 a.m. every weekday. Soon, she starts to get emails and phone calls from teachers telling her they need substitutes. Patrum starts making calls and putting the puzzle pieces together, and once the bell rings at 8 a.m.
JoJo McCurry lands a hook shot over a defending Chattahoochee forward on Saturday night.  McCurry is a big part of the  Raiders’ plans to take a step forward this season. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

JoJo McCurry lands a hook shot over a defending Chattahoochee forward on Saturday night. McCurry is a big part of the Raiders’ plans to take a step forward this season. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Raiders’ ship balances at the center

   When the clock hit quadruple zeros in the Raiders’ state tournament loss to Pope High School last season, uncertainty set in almost immediately. After all, a solid chunk – especially from the statistical production standpoint – was departing.
The Elderberries, comprised of Michael Daves, Elizabeth Crittenden, Larry King, Walter Daves and Jeanie Daves, provide entertainment for the Founders Ball celebrating Clarkesville’s Bicentennial year.

The Elderberries, comprised of Michael Daves, Elizabeth Crittenden, Larry King, Walter Daves and Jeanie Daves, provide entertainment for the Founders Ball celebrating Clarkesville’s Bicentennial year.

A Charming 200th birthday

   Despite its status as a Clarkesville landmark for more than a century, many folks – even some who grew up in the city – had never been inside the Charm House before Saturday night.