Local

Principal Lana Jones and Assistant Principal Kellie Cash celebrate ennifer Reynolds and Chandler Herrin as Demorest Elementary teacher and support person of the year. (Submitted)

Principal Lana Jones and Assistant Principal Kellie Cash celebrate ennifer Reynolds and Chandler Herrin as Demorest Elementary teacher and support person of the year. (Submitted)

Schools choose top teacher, support staff

By Hannah Caudell Before Christmas break, Habersham’s 14 public schools announced their individual teacher and support people of the year. In the spring, the school system will choose the district winners of the year from this pool of nominees.
The city of Clarkesville will begin to reline 11 manholes throughout the city. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

The city of Clarkesville will begin to reline 11 manholes throughout the city. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Clarkesville to start repairing manholes

By Samantha Sinclair The city of Clarkesville is moving forward with plans to reline manholes. In its work session Monday night, the council approved spending $35,575 to repair 11 manholes throughout the city, paid through Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds.
The commissioners voted unanimously to strike down the ordinance.

The commissioners voted unanimously to strike down the ordinance.

Cornelia gives up on eminent domain

By Hannah Caudell On Thursday, City Manager Dee Anderson told The Northeast Georgian that he didn’t believe this city commission would try to pass an eminent domain ordinance again.  “I don’t think that ordinance will see the light of day again,” Anderson said.
Demorest examines water rates and how they will affect its residents and commercial users, based on a study by EMI. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Demorest examines water rates and how they will affect its residents and commercial users, based on a study by EMI. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

City reviews water rates

By Zach Taylor As the largest water provider in the county, the City of Demorest is reviewing its future water rate structure to keep up with system maintenance costs. On Tuesday, officials heard from Fletcher Holliday of Engineering Management Inc.
Cindy Foster Grace is highly involved in the Tomochichi Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Cindy Foster Grace is highly involved in the Tomochichi Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Dedication and connection

By Samantha Sinclair When her father, well-known local pharmacist John L. Foster Jr., retired, Cindy Foster Grace spent time taking care of him and becoming fascinated with his new hobby — genealogy. “My dad is the one who got me into genealogy,” Grace said.
The Cornelia City Commission took time to listen to everyone who wished to speak during public forum Tuesday night. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

The Cornelia City Commission took time to listen to everyone who wished to speak during public forum Tuesday night. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Annex dies, revival possible

By Hannah Caudell Cornelia Mayor John Borrow called Tuesday night’s turnout a record in public participation across the city and county, with upwards of 150 people present at Cornelia’s meeting alone, and hundreds of others watching the public forum unfold online.
Seth Herrin pets one of the family’s horses in the small pasture next to their home. The Herrins worry that with incoming growth, their farm animals could see the negative impacts, as well. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Seth Herrin pets one of the family’s horses in the small pasture next to their home. The Herrins worry that with incoming growth, their farm animals could see the negative impacts, as well. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Within hollering distance

By Hannah Caudell When Seth Herrin was about 10 years old, his father, Cliff Herrin, told him something he wouldn’t understand until many years later: the Herrin land is on prime property near Ga. 365. Thirty-nine years later, the Herrins, who now own only 6.
Newest Mt. Airy councilman Sam Wilbanks (right) shakes hands with Mayor Ray McAllister after he is sworn in on Monday night. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Newest Mt. Airy councilman Sam Wilbanks (right) shakes hands with Mayor Ray McAllister after he is sworn in on Monday night. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Wilbanks sworn in as new councilman

By Hannah Caudell Mt. Airy officially has a new face on their town council. Sam Wilbanks has taken the place of former town councilman Adam Tullis, who will be sworn in as Mt. Airy’s mayor during next month’s meeting.
Baldwin’s finalist for city manager comes to the city from a career in public health.

Baldwin’s finalist for city manager comes to the city from a career in public health.

Baldwin finalist has background in public health

By Samantha Sinclair Baldwin’s finalist for city manager comes to the city from a career in public health. Tiera Morrison was announced as the sole finalist for city manager on Nov. 19. Baldwin City Council is expected to finalize Morrison’s appointment at its regular Dec. 9 meeting.
Cloe Carr pours gravy over a plate for guests of the soup kitchen in Cornelia. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Cloe Carr pours gravy over a plate for guests of the soup kitchen in Cornelia. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Enjoying the meal

By Zach Taylor H abersham turned out big for Thanksgiving meals served by Nowhere 2 Turn Ministries, The Lord’s Help Cornelia Soup Kitchen, the Clarkesville Soup Kitchen and Clarkesville First Presbyterian Church, with more than 1,700 meals given out to folks for the dressing-filled and...