Local

A truck ends up in the trees after being chased into White County at high speeds on Friday night. HABERSHAM COUNTY/Submitted

A truck ends up in the trees after being chased into White County at high speeds on Friday night. HABERSHAM COUNTY/Submitted

‘Young and dumb’

   A Cleveland teenager crashed while fleeing from Habersham County’s HEAT Unit after engaging in street racing with another vehicle Friday night on Highway 105.    HEAT Unit Sgt.
Brandi Brown of Elberton captured this photo of her son, Rylan Brown, wakesurfing with Dunk, a mini-Australian shepherd, on Memorial Day 2023 at Clarks Hill Lake. Brown’s photo was featured on the cover of the summer edition of Lake Living magazine. Photo/Brandi Brown

Brandi Brown of Elberton captured this photo of her son, Rylan Brown, wakesurfing with Dunk, a mini-Australian shepherd, on Memorial Day 2023 at Clarks Hill Lake. Brown’s photo was featured on the cover of the summer edition of Lake Living magazine. Photo/Brandi Brown

Photo contest open for Lake Living magazine

   With frost, clear skies and sparkling cold waters, winter on Northeast Georgia lakes can be stunningly beautiful.    Lake Living magazine is looking for photos that represent this scenic time of year at the lake.
Habersham Central’s Zeke Whittington is five catches away from surpassing Tavarres King as the school’s all-time receptions leader. TOM ASKEW/Special

Habersham Central’s Zeke Whittington is five catches away from surpassing Tavarres King as the school’s all-time receptions leader. TOM ASKEW/Special

Zeke pursues King’s mark, playoffs

   With two weeks and two games left in the season, the Raiders have officially entered what can only be classified as do-or-die time. The formula is simple – if HCHS beats Shiloh in Snellville next week, the squad will return to the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 pandemic season.
Speaker Mike Johnson is handed the gavel on Wednesday. THE NEW YORK TIMES

Speaker Mike Johnson is handed the gavel on Wednesday. THE NEW YORK TIMES

Rep. Clyde endorses new House Speaker

   The U.S. House of Representatives finally picked a Speaker Wednesday, but now the hard work is about to begin.    Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) will hit the ground running facing a bevy of challenges.
Cornelia could open up new possibilities for redevelopment with no additional cost to taxpayers if the voters approve on Nov. 7. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Cornelia could open up new possibilities for redevelopment with no additional cost to taxpayers if the voters approve on Nov. 7. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Cornelia voters ponder redevelopment powers

   Cornelia voters have an option on this year’s ballot to allow the city to exercise redevelopment powers under the Redevelopment Powers Law.
Habersham County has prioritized its public safety radio system among its current SPLOST VII projects to ensure first responders can properly communicate in all parts of the county. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Habersham County has prioritized its public safety radio system among its current SPLOST VII projects to ensure first responders can properly communicate in all parts of the county. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

SPLOST collections up, but budget sits $13M short of projected costs

   Collections of SPLOST VII revenues are still ahead of projections, but it will not be enough to overcome inflation and get everything paid for in full in this cycle.
Habersham  County Schools  Transportation  Director Stephanie Walker is the only  person in the United States to have all four national certifications from the National  Association of Pupil Transportation. SUBMITTED

Habersham County Schools Transportation Director Stephanie Walker is the only person in the United States to have all four national certifications from the National Association of Pupil Transportation. SUBMITTED

Schools’ transporation leader has drive

   Stephanie Walker worked in county government for 17 years when she decided she wanted a change. Both of her parents were school bus drivers, and her father still is.
Habersham Central’s Jonah Wilson looks to break a tackle by North Forsyth defender Parker Smaltz during Friday’s home finale. TOM ASKEW/Special

Habersham Central’s Jonah Wilson looks to break a tackle by North Forsyth defender Parker Smaltz during Friday’s home finale. TOM ASKEW/Special

Purple haze clouds Raiders in 4th

   Big plays through the air kept the Raiders afloat through three quarters, but North Forsyth ultimately pulled away late to top Habersham Central, 36-19, Friday night in Mt. Airy.
U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran Rick Zane brought slides and videos of his time serving in the Pacific to the Veterans & Patriots breakfast Saturday at First Baptist Church Cornelia. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

U.S. Navy Vietnam Veteran Rick Zane brought slides and videos of his time serving in the Pacific to the Veterans & Patriots breakfast Saturday at First Baptist Church Cornelia. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Vietnam vet, PTSD doctor converse with local veterans

   The attendees of the Veterans & Patriots breakfast on Saturday enjoyed a first-hand account of Navy veteran Rick Zane’s tours in Vietnam aboard the destroyer USS Henderson through a collection of home movies he took while serving.
The Band of Blue celebrates their achievement. Submitted

The Band of Blue celebrates their achievement. Submitted

Band of Blue wins major title

   Jacob Weinstein, Director of Bands at Habersham Central High School, says the world is full of instant gratification. It can be seen in things like video games and social media, but marching band is different.