Local

(Kristen Adkinson/Staff)

(Kristen Adkinson/Staff)

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Cornelia considers vacation rental law

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
By Hannah CaudellEvery year, Cornelia gets a few hundred dollars of revenue from short-term rentals for the city’s hotel-motel tax, often in the form of a check from a vacation rental platform.
Election 2026

Election 2026

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Candidate sign-up starts next week

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
By Samantha SinclairAnyone wishing to sign up to run for a position on the county commission or school board must do so next week.Qualifying for the May General Primary Election and the Commission District 3 Special Election starts Monday at 9 a.m. and ends Friday, March 6 at noon.
Kitchen volunteers Kim Finley, Claudia Jessup and Tina Hatcher prepare meals for the guests at the warming center Monday night. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Kitchen volunteers Kim Finley, Claudia Jessup and Tina Hatcher prepare meals for the guests at the warming center Monday night. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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Providing warmth

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
By Samantha SinclairA warming center that’s been in the works for several months quietly opened in Cornelia this month for those seeking shelter on cold nights.
Development continues to happen in Cornelia while city commissioners adjust the city’s annexation process and adopting a new zoning ordinance. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Development continues to happen in Cornelia while city commissioners adjust the city’s annexation process and adopting a new zoning ordinance. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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City looks at annexation, zoning changes

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
By Hannah CaudellWhen Cook Construction came to town a few months back, what resulted in Cornelia was an uproar from residents, city and county alike, and an eventual moratorium on annexation applications until the city could reconfigure their annexation and rezoning process for better, more...
Cody Morrison

Cody Morrison

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Morrison achieves highest Scout rank

News Staff
Friday, February 20, 2026
By Samantha SinclairCody Morrison begged his mom to join Cub Scouts when he was in third grade.“My friend had loops on his belt, and I thought that was cool,” Morrison said.
McTech Group Vice President Seth McDonald stands at a console. McTech Group is looking for a permanent home in Habersham County while it temporarily leases a building from Habersham Metal. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

McTech Group Vice President Seth McDonald stands at a console. McTech Group is looking for a permanent home in Habersham County while it temporarily leases a building from Habersham Metal. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Industries find new home in Habersham

News Staff
Friday, February 20, 2026
By Zach TaylorGrowth in Habersham County has come up frequently in recent public meetings. From Airport Business Park developments to Cook Construction to Tax Allocation Districts, growth has been discussed ad nauseam.
The Habersham County Parks and Recreation Department is gearing up to spend $114,542 on grounds care, which encompasses $104,198 for the turf management plan. (Adobe Stock)

The Habersham County Parks and Recreation Department is gearing up to spend $114,542 on grounds care, which encompasses $104,198 for the turf management plan. (Adobe Stock)

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Rec department expects economic impact from turf

News Staff
Friday, February 20, 2026
By Zach TaylorHabersham County Parks and Recreation fields could look different under a turf management plan developed by Interim Director Terry Lannon.
Jalessa and Pastor Sherrod Aiken stand outside Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Jalessa and Pastor Sherrod Aiken stand outside Shady Grove Missionary Baptist Church. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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‘A phenomenal journey’

News Staff
Friday, February 20, 2026
By Samantha SinclairPastor Sherrod and First Lady Jalessa Aiken may be fairly new to Cornelia, but they are already doing their part to share and be a part of the history of the city.
Roger Nixon, vice president of business development at CKH Consulting, spoke before Baldwin’s city council Tuesday to introduce himself as a representative on behalf of the company. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Roger Nixon, vice president of business development at CKH Consulting, spoke before Baldwin’s city council Tuesday to introduce himself as a representative on behalf of the company. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Baldwin OKs firm for financial services

News Staff
Friday, February 20, 2026
By Hannah CaudellWhile Baldwin is in the early stages of finding a financial director to take care of the city’s coffers, council voted 3-0 to approve CKH Consulting LLC for short-term financial services until the end of the fiscal year, according to City Manager Tiera Morrison.
Kelly Gunn

Kelly Gunn

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Fairview parapro saves choking student

News Staff
Wednesday, February 18, 2026
By Hannah CaudellOn Feb. 4, a child ran up to Fairview Elementary Paraprofessional Kelly Gunn in distress, gripping his throat. The child was choking.“You could see the fright on his face,” Gunn said.That is what sprung her into action.