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Clarkesville Councilman Brad Coppedge shows the challenges the debris pickup program faces during a presentation to council at its work session Tuesday night. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Clarkesville Councilman Brad Coppedge shows the challenges the debris pickup program faces during a presentation to council at its work session Tuesday night. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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Clarkesville looks at debris pickup options

News Staff
Friday, May 29, 2026
By Samantha SinclairTo help make a decision on how the city will move forward with debris pickup, the Clarkesville City Council is waiting to hear two numbers Monday night — the cost of adding two full-time employees and the cost of hiring a contractor to do the work.Joe Deputy, the project manager...
Baldwin’s first public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget is coming up next week.

Baldwin’s first public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget is coming up next week.

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Baldwin to hold first budget public hearing

News Staff
Friday, May 29, 2026
By Hannah CaudellBaldwin’s first public hearing on the Fiscal Year 2027 budget is coming up next week.The city will have its next regularly scheduled city council meeting on Tuesday, June 2, where one of the items on the agenda will be the first public hearing regarding the city’s budget.
The first budget hearing is set to be held during the June 15 regular commission meeting. (File)

The first budget hearing is set to be held during the June 15 regular commission meeting. (File)

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County looks to rollback tax rate

News Staff
Friday, May 29, 2026
By Samantha SinclairFor the first time in five years, the county is fully prepared to enter the final stages of budget season, and plans are to roll back the tax rate.County Manager Tim Sims said the county received tax digest numbers in early May during his report at the county commission meeting...
Grady “Junior” Robinson has been an integral part of Baldwin’s Public Works department for 40 years, and has retired from full-time work. He stands in the Junior Robinson Public Works Department, named in his honor. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Grady “Junior” Robinson has been an integral part of Baldwin’s Public Works department for 40 years, and has retired from full-time work. He stands in the Junior Robinson Public Works Department, named in his honor. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Overflowing with knowledge

News Staff
Friday, May 29, 2026
By Hannah CaudellGrady “Junior” Robinson knows a thing or two about Baldwin’s water system. Now, he’s learning a thing or two about legacy.Ask anybody who has worked closely with Robinson, and they’ll all call him the same thing: A wealth of knowledge.
Habersham County Sheriff’s Office

Habersham County Sheriff’s Office

Manhunt leads to one arrest

News Staff
Friday, May 29, 2026
Update: The Baldwin Police Department reports two suspects were apprehended in Hall County. Look for a full update in the June 3 edition of The Northeast Georgian.
Changes to the Unified Development Ordinance include the elimination of the Conservation Subdivision zoning district, placing those properties in the Agricultural district, bright green on the draft map. (Submitted)

Changes to the Unified Development Ordinance include the elimination of the Conservation Subdivision zoning district, placing those properties in the Agricultural district, bright green on the draft map. (Submitted)

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County seeks input at second town hall

News Staff
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
By Samantha SinclairThe community will get another opportunity to learn more about and share their opinions on a document that will frame future growth in the county.Habersham County is hosting its second town hall meeting focused on the Unified Development Ordinance, or UDO, at 6 p.m. Thursday,...
Ray Durham reads aloud the plaque during its dedication at the Memorial Day Ceremony Monday. It reads “This flag flies in remembrance of our Armed Forces service members and in appreciation of the spouses who stood beside them.” (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Ray Durham reads aloud the plaque during its dedication at the Memorial Day Ceremony Monday. It reads “This flag flies in remembrance of our Armed Forces service members and in appreciation of the spouses who stood beside them.” (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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VFW, Whitfield honor veterans, families

News Staff
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
By Samantha SinclairRay Durham visits the Grant-Reeves Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7720 Memorial Park every Sunday, and sometimes on other days during the week.It is the final resting place of his wife, Clorinda Carmen Durham, and youngest son, Bart Devlin Durham.He served as a Senior Chief Petty...
HCHS graduate Rainlan Hobson walks off the stage after receiving her diploma at Raider Stadium Friday, May 22. (Landen Todd/Staff)

HCHS graduate Rainlan Hobson walks off the stage after receiving her diploma at Raider Stadium Friday, May 22. (Landen Todd/Staff)

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Drenched for the diploma

News Staff
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
By Hannah CaudellAs they weathered varying bouts of rain, Habersham Central graduates walked across the graduation stage in plastic ponchos to receive their diplomas.“Did anybody bring a pontoon?”
Country singer Kimberly Schlapman speaks at the Habersham Central High School graduation ceremony at Raider Stadium on Friday, May 22. (Landen Todd/Staff)

Country singer Kimberly Schlapman speaks at the Habersham Central High School graduation ceremony at Raider Stadium on Friday, May 22. (Landen Todd/Staff)

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Schlapman returns to the boondocks

News Staff
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
By Hannah Caudell“Thank you, Jesus, that we were born and raised in the boondocks,” Kimberly Schlapman said during her address to the Habersham Central High School Class of 2026.Schlapman came home to Raider Stadium on Friday, her old stomping grounds mere miles from the home she grew up in on Camp...
One project ESPLOST will fund is new playgrounds for every elementary school. (Hannha Caudell/Staff)

One project ESPLOST will fund is new playgrounds for every elementary school. (Hannha Caudell/Staff)

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Voters continue ESPLOST

News Staff
Friday, May 22, 2026
By Samantha Sinclair and Hannah CaudellVoters saw the value in a penny sales tax supporting Habersham County Schools, overwhelmingly voting “yes” for it.The continuation of the Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or ESPLOST, passed with 5,502 votes, or 61 percent of votes on the...