Local

Demorest Councilman Jimmy Davis is sworn in Tuesday by Mayor Jerry Harkness for his first term on the council along with his wife Patti and great grandson Carter Willis. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Demorest Councilman Jimmy Davis is sworn in Tuesday by Mayor Jerry Harkness for his first term on the council along with his wife Patti and great grandson Carter Willis. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Demorest raises its water rates 18 percent

Matthew Osborne
Friday, January 5, 2024
Demorest City Council approved an 18 percent water rate increase at its first meeting of the year Tuesday night.    That takes the base rate (up to 2,000 gallons) for residents inside the city limits from $16.50 to $19.47. Commercial base rates are up from $40.15 to $47.38.
Habersham County School buses lineup to pick up students. SUBMITTED

Habersham County School buses lineup to pick up students. SUBMITTED

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Schools brace for winter weather

Julianne Akers
Friday, January 5, 2024
Habersham County is in the middle of some of the coldest months of the year, a time when snow and ice can make driving on the roads unsafe.
Georgia General Assembly in session. Credit/Georgia Public Broadcasting

Georgia General Assembly in session. Credit/Georgia Public Broadcasting

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Assembly kicks off new session Monday

Matthew Osborne
Friday, January 5, 2024
A new session of Georgia’s General Assembly begins Monday in Atlanta, and being the start of Year 2 of a cycle, plenty of bills will already be in play as legislators return to the dome.    “It will start a lot quicker,” Sen. Bo Hatchett said.
Caleb Maddox and Patricia Hall brought Makenzie Renee Maddox into the world Wednesday as Northeast Georgia Medical Center-Habersham’s first baby of 2024. SUBMITTED

Caleb Maddox and Patricia Hall brought Makenzie Renee Maddox into the world Wednesday as Northeast Georgia Medical Center-Habersham’s first baby of 2024. SUBMITTED

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Habersham New Year’s baby welcomed to the world

Julianne Akers
Friday, January 5, 2024
Northeast Georgia Medical Center Habersham welcomed its first baby of 2024 when Makenzie Renee Maddox, 6 pounds and 3 ounces, entered the world at 11:46 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3.
Lake Russell recreation area

Lake Russell recreation area

Death at Lake Russell not believed to be foul play

News Staff
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Personnel from the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office and Habersham County Emergency Services were dispatched at 7:46 a.m. Wednesday to an individual who had been found deceased in a picnic area near Lake Russell Beach.
Habersham Central’s JoJo McCurry gets out on the break at the holiday tournament. LANG STOREY/Staff

Habersham Central’s JoJo McCurry gets out on the break at the holiday tournament. LANG STOREY/Staff

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Make it 11 in a row for Raider boys

Lang Storey
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
The Habersham Central boys closed out a perfect month of December by passing perhaps its toughest test to date. Behind yet another solid backcourt performance, the Raiders took out Athens Academy, 58-48 to extend its win streak to 11 games.
Kyia Barrett shows off her banner commemorating her 1,000th point. SUBMITTED

Kyia Barrett shows off her banner commemorating her 1,000th point. SUBMITTED

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Lady Raiders split as Barrett hits 1K

Lang Storey
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Following a victory on Thursday, Habersham Central’s girls were back at it Friday for Day 2 of Stephens County’s Battle of the Border Classic.
Carson Crane, Habersham Kiwanis Club President Brad Crane, Habersham Kiwanis Club Secretary Nellie Snyder and Habersham Kiwanis Club Honorary Member Clay Christie stand behind full shopping carts for a photo. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Carson Crane, Habersham Kiwanis Club President Brad Crane, Habersham Kiwanis Club Secretary Nellie Snyder and Habersham Kiwanis Club Honorary Member Clay Christie stand behind full shopping carts for a photo. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Longtime volunteer helps Kiwanis bring smiles to kids

Zach Taylor
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
During the Christmas season, Nellie Snyder, a dedicated member of the Habersham Kiwanis Club, went above and beyond to bring joy and happiness to over 489 kids in need.    The Toys for Kids donation and fundraising drive helps parents in need of Christmas presents for their kids.
Habersham Central Principal Dr. Jonathan Stribling converses with Assistant Principal Donnie Bennett as teachers (from left) Jeff Wilson, Margaret Greenwald, Shane Hotalen and Matt Hudlow grab some breakfast at an appreciation meal put on by parents Tuesday morning at the school. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Habersham Central Principal Dr. Jonathan Stribling converses with Assistant Principal Donnie Bennett as teachers (from left) Jeff Wilson, Margaret Greenwald, Shane Hotalen and Matt Hudlow grab some breakfast at an appreciation meal put on by parents Tuesday morning at the school. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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WELCOME BACK, TEACHERS

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Habersham Central Principal Dr. Jonathan Stribling converses with Assistant Principal Donnie Bennett as teachers (from left) Jeff Wilson, Margaret Greenwald, Shane Hotalen and Matt Hudlow grab some breakfast at an appreciation meal put on by parents Tuesday morning at the school.
Fentanyl is one of the most dangerous drugs circulating in Northeast Georgia. SHUTTERSTOCK ILLUSTRATION

Fentanyl is one of the most dangerous drugs circulating in Northeast Georgia. SHUTTERSTOCK ILLUSTRATION

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Chase suspects charged in fentanyl ring

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO) made one final bust in 2023, arresting three people in an alleged conspiracy to traffic fentanyl.