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Pam Wheeler gets in a hug with her son Michael McDonald before his deployment to Afghanistan in 2010. McDonald returned home but later took his own life.

Pam Wheeler gets in a hug with her son Michael McDonald before his deployment to Afghanistan in 2010. McDonald returned home but later took his own life.

Organization seeks to help comfort veterans, families

Matthew Osborne
Friday, May 26, 2023
Statistics say 22 veterans succumb to suicide every day in the United States. That horrific number shows the strain and pressure our servicemen and women go through to serve the nation, and it lingers long after their service is over.
Habersham Central’s Band of Blue marched with an American theme for the Mountain Laurel Parade, with stars and stripes streamers twirling through the heart of Clarkesville. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Habersham Central’s Band of Blue marched with an American theme for the Mountain Laurel Parade, with stars and stripes streamers twirling through the heart of Clarkesville. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Biggest Mountain Laurel ever shines through the rain

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Clarkesville’s 61st Mountain Laurel Festival got a little break from the early-summer heat on an overcast day, but the intermittent rain did not dampen the fun for the patrons.
With fellow graduate Frankey Moree, Tallulah Falls seniors Meredith Morris and Madeline Mullis share a laugh during the May 19 ceremony. ENOCH AUTRY/CNI News Service

With fellow graduate Frankey Moree, Tallulah Falls seniors Meredith Morris and Madeline Mullis share a laugh during the May 19 ceremony. ENOCH AUTRY/CNI News Service

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Tallulah Falls seniors celebrate sterling class

News Staff
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
The Tallulah Falls School Class of 2023 continued its strong academic showing as this year’s 94 graduates earned more than $7 million in college scholarships.
Larry Whitfield (left) can hardly believe so many folks showed up just to celebrate his birthday. The community icon turned 80 on May 17.

Larry Whitfield (left) can hardly believe so many folks showed up just to celebrate his birthday. The community icon turned 80 on May 17.

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Whitfield ‘shocked’ by milestone birthday party

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Larry Whitfield thought he was going to a chamber of commerce event Friday night, but he had no clue the event was just for him.
From left, Mrs. Alice Brewer, Mr. Donnie Bennett, HCHS Teacher of the Year Coach Ric Wallace, HCHS Support Person of the Year Mr. Rick Mason, Dr. Jonathan Stribling, Dr. Amy Hood and Mrs. Lindsey Shafer. JONATHAN STRIBLING/Submitted

From left, Mrs. Alice Brewer, Mr. Donnie Bennett, HCHS Teacher of the Year Coach Ric Wallace, HCHS Support Person of the Year Mr. Rick Mason, Dr. Jonathan Stribling, Dr. Amy Hood and Mrs. Lindsey Shafer. JONATHAN STRIBLING/Submitted

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Habersham honors top teacher, support person

Emma Marti
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Habersham Central High School officially has its Teacher and Support Person of the Year for the 2023-24 school year, Coach Ric Wallace and Rick Mason.    Coach Ric Wallace is the head boys soccer Coach at HCHS, but students can find him during the school day as the Audio Visual teacher.
Cornelia Elementary students London Garcia, Tinsley King, Ali Hartrick, Ty King and Steve Hernandez Mora pose with their puppets as part of a Leader in Me project. SUBMITTED

Cornelia Elementary students London Garcia, Tinsley King, Ali Hartrick, Ty King and Steve Hernandez Mora pose with their puppets as part of a Leader in Me project. SUBMITTED

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Leader in Me program going strong

Emma Marti
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
The Leader in Me Program is present in two elementary schools in Habersham County, Cornelia Elementary and Demorest Elementary. These two schools are among 76 in the state that participate in the program, which is among one of the over 80 countries across the globe.
Located on Georgia Highway 365, the new package store could be a stop for tourists going north, and is located to the north of the Hayes vehicle dealership. JOHN DILLS/Staff

Located on Georgia Highway 365, the new package store could be a stop for tourists going north, and is located to the north of the Hayes vehicle dealership. JOHN DILLS/Staff

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Liquor store, daycare under construction in Baldwin

John Dills
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Construction for a new package store on Georgia Highway 365 has started within the limits of the City of Baldwin. The site will have not only the 9,000 square foot superstore but will include two additional retail spaces to be open for new businesses.
Not even grabbing the jersey of Habersham Central’s Zeke Whittington can slow him down. Whittington broke away here and still outran more defenders during Friday night’s spring game in Hartwell. TOM ASKEW/Special

Not even grabbing the jersey of Habersham Central’s Zeke Whittington can slow him down. Whittington broke away here and still outran more defenders during Friday night’s spring game in Hartwell. TOM ASKEW/Special

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Raiders light up scoreboard in spring game

Lang Storey
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Habersham showed once again Friday why it’s one of Georgia’s preeminent fan bases.    The Road Raiders showed up in force in Hartwell as Habersham Central took on Hart County in the 2023 spring game. The Raiders outlasted the home team, 28-21.
Robert E. “Mitch” and Barbara Mitchell are all smiles standing in front of their new Clarkesville home. Even though they won’t be full-time Clarkesville residents for a little while, they are excited for the progress to begin. EMMA MARTI/Staff

Robert E. “Mitch” and Barbara Mitchell are all smiles standing in front of their new Clarkesville home. Even though they won’t be full-time Clarkesville residents for a little while, they are excited for the progress to begin. EMMA MARTI/Staff

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Charm sweet home

Emma Marti
Friday, May 19, 2023
With a rich history and a prominent presence in Clarkesville, the Charm House has become a staple in the community. As of May 10, the house officially has new owners – Barbara and Robert E. “Mitch” Mitchell.
The public hearing in Baldwin about the ReveSolutions plant approval went by quietly. JOHN DILLS/Staff

The public hearing in Baldwin about the ReveSolutions plant approval went by quietly. JOHN DILLS/Staff

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Locals react to waste plant plans

John Dills
Friday, May 19, 2023
Recent approval from the City of Baldwin has brought the company ReveSolutions into the city limits along Industrial Park Road. ReveSolutions will be located on the same road as businesses that are a part of the Airport Business Park, but it is not part of the park.