Local

Ross Jackson

Ross Jackson

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Baldwin to consider another fire position

News Staff
Friday, March 20, 2026
By Hannah CaudellBaldwin Fire Chief Ross Jackson came before council with a simple request: to unfreeze a firefighter position.After a turbulent budget season in 2025, Baldwin’s previous council decided to freeze a full-time shift position at the fire department to save on payroll costs, which make...
Kellie Cash

Kellie Cash

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Cash named Woodville Elementary principal

News Staff
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
By Hannah CaudellWoodville Elementary will have a new principal in 2026: Kellie Cash.On Monday night, Superintendent Patrick Franklin announced that Demorest Elementary School Assistant Principal Kellie Cash will be taking the reins from current Principal BJ Addison at Woodville Elementary.
An old bus radio system sits on an empty bus. As soon as the end of this school year, some buses could potentially be upgraded after a vote by the board of education to purchase radio equipment and subscribe to the county’s radio emergency system. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

An old bus radio system sits on an empty bus. As soon as the end of this school year, some buses could potentially be upgraded after a vote by the board of education to purchase radio equipment and subscribe to the county’s radio emergency system. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Habersham School System preps for radio upgrade

News Staff
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
By Hannah CaudellIt’s finally happening: Habersham County School System is about to get a big radio upgrade.During Monday night’s regular meeting, the Habersham County Board of Education voted unanimously to approve the purchase of 194 total units of radio equipment for $813,349.45 to be integrated...
Jonathan Lee Jordan

Jonathan Lee Jordan

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Mud Creek manhunt ends in arrest

News Staff
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
By Hannah CaudellThe Mud Creek manhunt ended Thursday evening with a suspect in custody.Jonathan Lee Jordan, 40, of Alto was apprehended at 6:50 p.m. Thursday in the Creasy Patch Road area within the law enforcement search parameter.
The Rev. Billy Burrell pets Elvis Andrew as he talks about his life. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

The Rev. Billy Burrell pets Elvis Andrew as he talks about his life. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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Hearing prayers

News Staff
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
By Samantha SinclairJust like his 1975 Ford truck “Old Blue,” the Rev. Billy Burrell still has some miles to go.His hearing may have gone bad, his eyes may have needed surgery, and he may walk with a cane now, but his doctors gave him good news just before his 96th birthday.“The doctors said we...
Justin Ferguson

Justin Ferguson

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Resignation letters cite Ferguson’s conduct

News Staff
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
By Hannah CaudellFour Baldwin police officers resigned on the same day with the same letter, and all implicate Assistant Police Chief Justin Ferguson’s conduct as the reason why.On Feb. 25, four former Baldwin police officers — Peter Bartholomew, John Gardner, John Groves and Logan Ivester — all...
Jeff Adams

Jeff Adams

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County commissioners to consider fire budget increase

News Staff
Friday, March 13, 2026
By Zach TaylorChief Jeff Adams wants to see seven new firefighters.That’s only part of the 14 percent budget increase his department is requesting for Fiscal Year 2027.Adams, along with other department heads and officials, presented his wish list for the Habersham County Fire Department during...
VFW Post 7720 Commander Barry Church stands in front of the old Grant-Reeves Veterans Center. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

VFW Post 7720 Commander Barry Church stands in front of the old Grant-Reeves Veterans Center. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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New Veterans Center project moving forward

News Staff
Friday, March 13, 2026
By Zach TaylorA new home for veterans could be completed by Jan. 1, 2027.Post 7720 Commander Barry Church said that the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7720 will award the building contract for the new Grant-Reeves Veterans Center on Monday.“We are starting to award the bid, which will be done Monday...
Jonathan Lee Jordan

Jonathan Lee Jordan

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Manhunt causes public uneasiness

News Staff
Friday, March 13, 2026
Update: At 6:50 p.m. Thursday, the Habersham County Sheriff's Office reported that Jonathan Lee Jordan had been arrested without incident. He was found on Creasy Patch Road.