Local

Photo of the Class of 2023 graduation in May. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Raiders among top 10 Ga. grads again

Julianne Akers

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Graduation rates in Georgia and Habersham County saw an increase in 2023. Habersham County’s overall graduation rate for 2023 was 97.8 percent – up three-tenths of a point from last year – which puts the county back in the top 10 graduation rates of Georgia’s traditional school systems.

Demorest Police Lt. James Minutello received his promotion Oct. 12 and was joined by his family for the pinning ceremony. With him are his wife Hallie Minutello, father Pat Minutello, son Noah Minutello and grandson Rowan Minutello. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Demorest presents two budgets as councilmen mull city’s needs

Matthew Osborne

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

Demorest City Manager Mark Musselwhite presented his proposed budget to the city council on Oct. 12, but it was really two budgets.

Photo of former Demorest Fire Chief Jonathan Knight. FILE

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Alcohol, harassment drove fire chief out

Matthew Osborne

Wednesday, October 18, 2023

A letter sent to the Demorest city manager outlining transgressions by former Fire Chief Jonathan Knight prompted the brief investigation that resulted in his resignation, a public records request shows.

Habersham Central quarterback DJ Pass looks over the defense just before the snap during the Raiders’ win over Jackson County. TOM ASKEW/Special

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Backup QB more than Passing fancy

Lang Storey

Friday, October 13, 2023

When veteran Habersham quarterback Carson Parker went down early in the Raiders’ game against Lanier last month, there was an air of uncertainty amongst the team’s supporters. The team had just started playing its best ball and was riding a two game win streak.

Erik Keith (left) is sworn in to the office of Baldwin City Council by Mayor Alice Venter (right) Tuesday’s meeting. Keith is finishing out former councilman Larry Lewallen’s term, and will be sworn in again in January for a full term. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Baldwin puts final touches on proposed rollback millage rate

News Staff

Friday, October 13, 2023

The Baldwin City Council announced some more tweaks to the city’s millage rate which is set to be certified at a special called meeting on Oct. 27. The millage rate for Baldwin residents in Habersham County will be 8.481. For Banks County residents, the rate will be 2.662.

Cornelia City Manager Dee Anderson presents a draft of the 2024 budget to the mayor and commission. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Grant could offset Cornelia’s millage increase

Zach Taylor

Friday, October 13, 2023

The Cornelia City Commission met Tuesday evening for a public hearing for Thomas Street and Grand Avenue, a draft for the municipal budget and a proposed increase in its millage rate.

Demorest City Council candidates (from left) Jim Welborn, Donnie Bennett and Jimmy L. Davis held a forum Tuesday night for voters. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Demorest candidates talk about the city’s future

Matthew Osborne

Friday, October 13, 2023

Demorest’s three candidates for two seats on the city council for the next four years gathered Tuesday night at the new conference center to talk about the issues facing the city going forward.

Local artist and creative Gretchen Vanderbunt stands for a photo in Helen, Georgia. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Creativity and yellow cows

Zach Taylor

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

Gretchen Vanerbunt is a local painter who strives to bring joy to others with the colors she uses in her work. Beginning her art career, she studied at the University of North Georgia (UNG) and majored in photography.

Shift Captain Jody Holland monitors the residential fire. WHITE COUNTY/Submitted

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White County house explodes, cause unknown

News Staff

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

A loud boom heard on Sunday evening was an explosion and fire that took a family’s home. On Sunday, Oct. 8 around 8:30 p.m., White County Communications received reports of an explosion and residential fire in the area of Gunn Circle.

Mayor Alice Venter and the Baldwin City Council were working Tuesday night to get on the same page about a millage rate rollback. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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With new data, Baldwin eyes full millage rollback

News Staff

Wednesday, October 11, 2023

The City of Baldwin announced via a video on its Facebook page on Oct. 5 that they are implementing a full rollback of the millage rate, backtracking their initial consensus at last week’s work session on a partial rollback.