Local

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

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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.

Jeremy Medina. Credit/Gainesville School District

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Former TFS player dies from batting cage accident

Lang Storey

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Former Tallulah Falls and current Gainesville High School student-athlete Jeremy Medina, 18, tragically passed away Monday. Medina, a member of the Red Elephant baseball program, was fatally injured in a freak batting cage accident in Gainesville last month.

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger speaks to the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce Friday morning. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Secretary of State talks small businesses, voting

Julianne Akers

Wednesday, December 13, 2023

Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger made a stop in Demorest last Friday at the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce’s Good Morning Habersham breakfast at Piedmont University. Raffensperger spoke on the importance of small business owners and community leaders in Georgia.

Habersham Central’s Audrey Hotard has her sights set on a top 3 state finish as a senior. MARK TURNER/CNI News Service

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Hotard named Runner of the Year

Lang Storey

Friday, December 8, 2023

BLITZ Sports has named Habersham Central’s Audrey Hotard as its Cross Country Runner of the Year for 2023. The Northeast Georgia sports outlet has been singing Hotard’s praises her whole career, naming her XC Runner of the Week a whopping nine times.

Habersham Central’s Kyia Barrett directs traffic on defense during Saturday’s game against Stephens County. The teams meet again this Saturday, Dec. 9, in Toccoa. The girls game is at 12:30 p.m. with the boys at 2 p.m. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Barrett, Bradley lay ground work for next ‘process’

Matthew Osborne

Friday, December 8, 2023

Way back in 1995, something was missing from the world of sports. Then, there was a two-word fax, back when faxes were still a thing. “I’m back.” That simple statement was uttered by Michael Jordan when he returned to the Chicago Bulls.

Brianna Walter set a new school record with a 298, besting her previous three program records by a point. TALLULAH FALLS ATHLETICS/Submitted

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TFS rifle team sets second-best match score

News Staff

Friday, December 8, 2023

The 2023-24 season continues to go exceptionally well for Tallulah Falls Precision Rifle, as the team shot the second-best score in program history in a Tuesday win over Buford. TFS shot 1157 against Buford’s 1101 to remain unbeaten on the season.

The Tim Loves Tink mural may need to be relocated after objections from Norfolk Southern Railroad. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Tim Loves Tink, but railroad is not falling head over heels

Donald Fraser

Friday, December 8, 2023

What likely was referred to as graffiti when first painted on a downtown Cornelia railroad bridge, the legend “Tim Loves Tink” is on track to become legendary.

Cornelia Mayor John Borrow receives a certificate naming the city a PlanFirst Community for 2024-26 from Daniel Gaddis from the Department of Community Affairs. DONALD FRASER/Staff

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Cornelia approves waterline study to comply with lead, copper abatement

Donald Fraser

Friday, December 8, 2023

The City of Cornelia will soon be conducting a survey of its customer water lines to determine compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Lead and Copper Rule. The Georgia Environmental Facilities Authority has agreed to fund a $78,495 loan to the city to conduct the survey.

Melissa and Jay Reeder have made their mark with their Cornelia restaurants, including the elegant Community Brew & Tap. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Cornelia restaurateurs earn statewide honors

Julianne Akers

Friday, December 8, 2023

While it might be expected for the state’s best fine dining and gourmet food to be clustered around Georgia’s metro cities, local business owners Jay and Melissa Reeder prove that rural communities also have what it takes.