Local

Ciera Locklair Breland is shown as a young Raider in the recreational basketball program. SUBMITTED

Ciera Locklair Breland is shown as a young Raider in the recreational basketball program. SUBMITTED

Habersham native still missing after a year

Matthew Osborne
Friday, February 24, 2023
Ciera Locklair Breland has been missing for a year, but family and friends are not giving up on her. Supporters organized a “Wear Green for Ciera” campaign Thursday on the Facebook group page that keeps the case in the conversation for many who have followed it, friends and strangers alike.
Madi Nix (left) and Baldwin Mayor Alice Venter (right) brought cards signed by puppies on Valentine’s Day to The Oaks at Scenic View Assisted Living. MADI NIX/Submitted

Madi Nix (left) and Baldwin Mayor Alice Venter (right) brought cards signed by puppies on Valentine’s Day to The Oaks at Scenic View Assisted Living. MADI NIX/Submitted

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Baldwin handling animal issues ‘one by one’

John Dills
Friday, February 24, 2023
After not finding a place for animal control in the fiscal year 2023 budget, the City of Baldwin has had to make up for that loss. From helping lost animals find their homes to having a mascot for the public works department, the city is making do with what they have.
Accepting Fenders Alley’s travelblazer award on Wednesday are (from left) Jessie Owensby, Cornelia’s Community Development Director; Fenders owners Jay and Melissa Reeder; employees Nelson Arias (in back), Mady Maysonet and Kris Bernadino; Jay Markwalter, president of Georgia Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Cornelia Mayor John Borrow. STEFANIE BOWDEN/Staff

Accepting Fenders Alley’s travelblazer award on Wednesday are (from left) Jessie Owensby, Cornelia’s Community Development Director; Fenders owners Jay and Melissa Reeder; employees Nelson Arias (in back), Mady Maysonet and Kris Bernadino; Jay Markwalter, president of Georgia Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Cornelia Mayor John Borrow. STEFANIE BOWDEN/Staff

Fenders honored with state tourism award

Matthew Osborne
Friday, February 24, 2023
Fenders Alley received a 2022 travelblazer award this week for “working to create a unique impact within the industry and for their community,” according to the award’s mission statement.
Jacey Crane walks her market hog through the barn and into the staging area before the Habersham Central High School’s FFA 2023 Winter Livestock Show. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Jacey Crane walks her market hog through the barn and into the staging area before the Habersham Central High School’s FFA 2023 Winter Livestock Show. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Live, laugh, livestock

News Staff
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Habersham Central High School’s FFA 2023 Winter Livestock Show

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Citizens decry Hayes Corner development

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
A new development near Hayes Corner at the intersection of Highways 17 and 105 has plenty of citizens up in arms. Many speakers at Monday’s Board of Commissioners meeting came to protest the development, which they believe will cause major safety issues and overcrowding of the area.

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Hatchett pushes charter school bill in Senate

Emma Marti
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Mountain Education Charter High School and other charter schools in Georgia received more good news last week. Rep. Chris Erwin passed HB 87 through the house, and now District 50 Sen. Bo Hatchett will take over at the senate level.
County residents pour into the courthouse Monday night trying to get into the chambers for the Board of Commissioners’ meeting. There was overflow attendance to talk about housing developments and the Total Fitness controversy. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

County residents pour into the courthouse Monday night trying to get into the chambers for the Board of Commissioners’ meeting. There was overflow attendance to talk about housing developments and the Total Fitness controversy. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

County takes over Total Fitness

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Concerned citizens lined the courtroom and the hallways Monday night as the Habersham County Board of Commissioners had overflow attendance, consisting largely of senior citizens who did not want to see Total Fitness close.
Habersham County honored four public safety heroes Monday night, including (front row from left) Jaron Loggins, Kim Fauscett, and Baldwin Police Officers Leta Bowden and Dakota Foster. Also in front row are Chairman Ty Akins and County Manager Alicia Vaughn. In back are (from left) Commissioners Bruce Palmer, Bruce Harkness, Dustin Mealor and Jimmy Tench. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Habersham County honored four public safety heroes Monday night, including (front row from left) Jaron Loggins, Kim Fauscett, and Baldwin Police Officers Leta Bowden and Dakota Foster. Also in front row are Chairman Ty Akins and County Manager Alicia Vaughn. In back are (from left) Commissioners Bruce Palmer, Bruce Harkness, Dustin Mealor and Jimmy Tench. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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County honors generosity of public safety heroes

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Habersham County honored four public safety heroes Monday night for generosity well beyond their everyday jobs. Two 911 dispatchers and two Baldwin Police officers “felt compelled to make a difference in our community,” Habersham County Chairman Ty Akins said Monday.
Habersham Central's Kyia Barrett runs through traffic against North Forsyth on Friday night. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Habersham Central's Kyia Barrett runs through traffic against North Forsyth on Friday night. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Lady Raiders battle Lassiter in state playoffs opener

News Staff
Tuesday, February 21, 2023
   Habersham Central's girls basketball team advanced to the 6A Sweet 16 for the second time in three years with a 53-40 win over Lassiter on Tuesday night.