Local

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Anderson gets right to work in Atlanta

Matthew Osborne
Friday, January 14, 2022
Georgia Rep. Victor Anderson hit the ground running this week as the new Assembly session began. Anderson (R-Cornelia) started by announcing his intentions to seek re-election in District 10, which now covers 93 percent of Habersham County and all of Rabun County.
Kayla Nifong of South Habersham Middle School ponders a word during Wednesday morning’s spelling bee. AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ/Staff

Kayla Nifong of South Habersham Middle School ponders a word during Wednesday morning’s spelling bee. AMARIS E. RODRIGUEZ/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

South Hab student wins second-straight spelling bee

Amaris E. Rodriguez
Friday, January 14, 2022
After a nerve-racking 20 rounds, Kayla Nifong won the Habersham County Scripps Spelling Bee on Wednesday, beating out 10 other local students for the spelling bee champion title two years in a row.
By Sunday afternoon, Habersham County could be covered in ice, as the first major winter storm of the season is bearing down on North Georgia.

By Sunday afternoon, Habersham County could be covered in ice, as the first major winter storm of the season is bearing down on North Georgia.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Habersham braces for major winter storm

Matthew Osborne
Friday, January 14, 2022
  Even though it came a little late, winter is officially here in Habersham County.   A warm, rainy Christmas-New Year’s week has been followed by a longer stretch of sunny but chilly weather.
Habersham County residents Sidney Roland, Lanier Roland, Wyatt Burgess, Cooper Roland and Millie Burgess celebrate Georgia’s first national championship since 1980 after making the trip to Indianapolis to see the Bulldogs beat Alabama on Monday night. SIDNEY ROLAND/Submitted

Habersham County residents Sidney Roland, Lanier Roland, Wyatt Burgess, Cooper Roland and Millie Burgess celebrate Georgia’s first national championship since 1980 after making the trip to Indianapolis to see the Bulldogs beat Alabama on Monday night. SIDNEY ROLAND/Submitted

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Dawgs get a win for the ages

News Staff
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
A number of Habersham County residents were in attendance Monday night at Lucas Oil Stadium, where the University of Georgia knocked off the Alabama Crimson Tide to win the Bulldogs’ first national title since 1980.
Sawyer Dover eulogizes his father Shane at Saturday’s memorial service at Habersham Central High School as the Rev. Doug Porter, Coach Benji Harrison and Dr. Brian James (obscured) listen in. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Sawyer Dover eulogizes his father Shane at Saturday’s memorial service at Habersham Central High School as the Rev. Doug Porter, Coach Benji Harrison and Dr. Brian James (obscured) listen in. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Community remembers ‘father figure’

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
Family, friends, students and players gathered Saturday morning to say goodbye to a man who many of them considered a positive role model and mentor in their lives. Shane Dover, a beloved family man and coach, passed away Jan.
Elissa Hipps works with second graders at Fairview Elementary on Thursday afternoon. Students returned to classes on Wednesday. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

Elissa Hipps works with second graders at Fairview Elementary on Thursday afternoon. Students returned to classes on Wednesday. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Kids back in classrooms on time amid latest COVID surge

Amaris E. Rodriguez
Friday, January 7, 2022
   Classes are back in session following winter break despite the rise in COVID-19 cases as local school districts take precautions to prioritize in-person learning as we enter into the third school year in a pandemic.    For Habersham County Schools students, in-person classes were almost a given.
From left, Herber Morales, Kimberly Allen, Andrea Armour handle boxes of food for those in need.

From left, Herber Morales, Kimberly Allen, Andrea Armour handle boxes of food for those in need.

Partnership joins those who are 'hungry to serve'

Brian Wellmeier
Friday, January 7, 2022
   Rev. Andy Chambers of Cornelia First Presbyterian recognized a basic but fundamental problem in Habersham County – food insecurity – so he sought to fill that need.
Shane Dover is shown with his family - wife Kristie and sons Sawyer, Sutton and Slade.

Shane Dover is shown with his family - wife Kristie and sons Sawyer, Sutton and Slade.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Raider community shocked by coach’s passing

Matthew Osborne
Friday, January 7, 2022
   Beloved youth coach Shane Dover died suddenly Tuesday after coaching what was the last of many games where he led and mentored Habersham County athletes.
This satire of a newspaper page was meant to falsely intimate that The Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote an article about this fake land dispute. Photo from STRAIGHT TALK HABERSHAM Facebook page

This satire of a newspaper page was meant to falsely intimate that The Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote an article about this fake land dispute. Photo from STRAIGHT TALK HABERSHAM Facebook page

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Officials: Habersham-Banks land dispute is a social media ‘hoax’

News Staff
Friday, January 7, 2022
   An alleged land dispute between Habersham and Banks counties that has made the rounds on social media over the holiday weeks is completely false, local officials say.
Mt. Airy Mayor Ray McAllister shakes hands with clerk Sheri Berrong after being sworn in Monday night.

Mt. Airy Mayor Ray McAllister shakes hands with clerk Sheri Berrong after being sworn in Monday night.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

New Mt. Airy mayor, council get right to work

News Staff
Wednesday, January 5, 2022
   Ray McAllister took a new oath Monday night, but he is still defending the first one he took at age 18.    McAllister, a Vietnam era military veteran, has served in many capacities in Mt.