Local

Charges finally filed in fatal crash

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
After more than nine months, homicide charges were filed this week against a driver who caused the death of a Demorest woman Jan. 31. Rylee Wayne Higgins, 20, of Cleveland was arrested Nov. 3 on charges of hands free, failure to maintain lane and second-degree homicide by vehicle.
Jennifer Payne and her son Caleb show friends how things are looking for their future home in Demorest. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Jennifer Payne and her son Caleb show friends how things are looking for their future home in Demorest. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Their future homes are calling

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, November 9, 2022
The only thing better than building a home for one family is going for two instead. Habitat for Humanity is working on two homes in Demorest simultaneously to complete a project on a plot of land they bought years ago.
Habersham County voters went to the polls Tuesday, but more than 12,000 of them voted early. JOHN DILLS/Staff

Habersham County voters went to the polls Tuesday, but more than 12,000 of them voted early. JOHN DILLS/Staff

General election results 2022

News Staff
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Habersham County’s Roads and Bridges SPLOST was defeated Tuesday night, with 55 percent of the voters saying no to an additional 1 cent sales tax.    In unofficial final results, Donnie Bennett won the special election for Demorest City Council with 324 out of 502 votes over Jimmy L. Davis.
Tallulah Falls won its first state championship in volleyball Friday.

Tallulah Falls won its first state championship in volleyball Friday.

BREAKING: Tallulah Falls volleyball wins 1A state championship

News Staff
Friday, November 4, 2022
Tallulah Falls' volleyball team won the 1A state championship with a four-set win over Mt. Bethel in Cartersville on Friday.    The Lady Indians (35-11) finished a historic season with their first state championship in school history.
Habersham Central girls basketball coach Bill Bradley responds to a question at the FCA Media Day in Gainesville on Wednesday morning. Joining him on the stage were his players, Kyia Barrett and Jazky Bantaum, along with Raiders Cole Gary and Bryce Pittman, and boys coach Tommy Yancey.

Habersham Central girls basketball coach Bill Bradley responds to a question at the FCA Media Day in Gainesville on Wednesday morning. Joining him on the stage were his players, Kyia Barrett and Jazky Bantaum, along with Raiders Cole Gary and Bryce Pittman, and boys coach Tommy Yancey.

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Raider basketball teams growing up together

Matthew Osborne
Friday, November 4, 2022
Both Habersham Central basketball teams have a lot of new faces this year, offering the biggest challenge to coaches Bill Bradley and Tommy Yancey.    Bradley is in his sixth year leading the Lady Raiders (17-10 in 2021-22), and he likes the progress his young team made in the summer.
Baldwin’s current fire engine is shown. The city plans to pick up a new quick response truck as soon as this weekend.

Baldwin’s current fire engine is shown. The city plans to pick up a new quick response truck as soon as this weekend.

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Baldwin approves quick-action fire truck

Friday, November 4, 2022
Baldwin City Council held a special meeting Wednesday to discuss the purchase of a quick-action fire truck.    The truck will cost $255,000, which is more than the original $218,316 originally approved. For the difference in amount, public safety funds will be used.
Habersham Central’s Zeke Whittington has a slim chance of catching 100 balls this year, matching the school record of Tavarres King (below).

Habersham Central’s Zeke Whittington has a slim chance of catching 100 balls this year, matching the school record of Tavarres King (below).

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Whittington closing in on King's hallowed records

Matthew Osborne
Friday, November 4, 2022
Zeke Whittington does not care much about stats, even those as eye-popping as his.    The Habersham Central sophomore set a school record with 15 catches in a game this season against North Forsyth. He also has two 14-catch games in his young career.    But 17?
Xavier Breland and Ciera Locklair Breland are shown in happier times during the documentary show “Disappeared.”

Xavier Breland and Ciera Locklair Breland are shown in happier times during the documentary show “Disappeared.”

Ciera Breland, missing 8 months, featured on TV documentary

Matthew Osborne
Friday, November 4, 2022
Ciera Locklair Breland has been missing for more than eight months, and there have been few leads coming in to determine what happened to the new mom and Habersham County native.

Credit unions unite

News Staff
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
Fieldale Credit Union agreed to a partnership with North Main Credit Union earlier this year, and the consolidation was complete earlier this year.

Arrest Report

News Staff
Wednesday, November 2, 2022
The following is a list of names entered into the booking computer at the Habersham County Detention Center for Oct. 26-30, 2022. Names, ages and towns are listed as they appear in the computer. Offenses listed are charges; guilt has not been proven.