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North Georgia Technical College’s ESL Director Michelle Wilson invites English learners to carve a pumpkin at First Baptist Church in Cornelia. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

North Georgia Technical College’s ESL Director Michelle Wilson invites English learners to carve a pumpkin at First Baptist Church in Cornelia. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

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Literacy group serves as haven for local Hispanic community

Brian Wellmeier
Friday, October 29, 2021
Early Thursday morning, Volunteers for Literacy (VFL) instructor Alfredo Jacobo stood at the front of a classroom at First Baptist Church in Cornelia, prepared to instruct a class of four local Hispanic students – some of whom may speak little-to-no English in the predominantly English-speaking...

Alleged abuser finally charged

Matthew Osborne
Friday, October 29, 2021
A man accused of roughing up his girlfriend and holding her against her will in May 2020 was finally arrested on the charges Monday. Gwinnett County authorities placed Harrison in the Department of Corrections on other charges, and it triggered the warrants that had not been served all this time.
Jeremy Mitchell reflects on his time spent as a firefighter before running afoul of drugs and getting off track. The license plate was given for successful completion of drug court. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Jeremy Mitchell reflects on his time spent as a firefighter before running afoul of drugs and getting off track. The license plate was given for successful completion of drug court. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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The courage to make a change

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, October 27, 2021
Jeremy Mitchell has always loved helping people, but the hardest thing he ran into was the realization that he had to help himself. Mitchell was a firefighter for Habersham County for a decade, also working with Baldwin and Banks County’s departments.
Piedmont’s general student population is not required to be vaccinated.

Piedmont’s general student population is not required to be vaccinated.

Piedmont mandates vaccines for all employees

Matthew Osborne
Friday, October 22, 2021
Piedmont University has mandated that all employees – including student workers – get vaccinated against COVID-19 or face termination. The deadline as set forth in an Oct. 20 email to all employees is Dec. 3. All employees who are already vaccinated must provide proof of such by Dec. 3.
MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Officer’s best friend

Matthew Osborne
Friday, October 22, 2021
Who wouldn’t want to work with their best friend every day? Habersham County Sheriff’s Sgt. Eugene Kemp has that luxury, as he is the K9 officer paired with Roxy, an award-winning bomb dog who has helped form one of the county’s best law enforcement partnerships.
The areas marked in red include the new Clarkesville entertainment district, while the yellow areas are for special permitting for specific events. KEITH DICKERSON/Submitted

The areas marked in red include the new Clarkesville entertainment district, while the yellow areas are for special permitting for specific events. KEITH DICKERSON/Submitted

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Clarkesville ready to sip and stroll

Brian Wellmeier
Friday, October 22, 2021
Clarkesville’s City Council voted to move forward with the formation of an entertainment district Tuesday, with each of the four council members present voting in favor of the item.

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Demorest rolls back millage

Matthew Osborne
Friday, October 22, 2021
Demorest City Council decided Tuesday not to raise taxes on its citizens, rolling the millage rate back amid rising home values. Mayor Rick Austin was relieved at the decision after pushing for a rollback for weeks and getting little to no response from the councilmen.
Habersham Medical Center CEO Tyler Williams (middle) talks with Hospital Authority members Dr. Joshua Garrett (left) and Chair Dolly Ritchie (right) during Tuesday’s meeting. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

Habersham Medical Center CEO Tyler Williams (middle) talks with Hospital Authority members Dr. Joshua Garrett (left) and Chair Dolly Ritchie (right) during Tuesday’s meeting. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

Hospital takes a breath as COVID-19 cases drop

Brian Wellmeier
Friday, October 22, 2021
The COVID-19 infection rate continues to trend downward in the Habersham community, according to Habersham Medical Center CEO Tyler Williams, who made the announcement Tuesday during a Hospital Authority meeting. “Generally speaking, [COVID-19 cases] are down in the community.
Latin American Chamber of Commerce President Alejandro Coss and Habersham Chamber President Mary Beth Horton shake after a new partnership is formed between the two chambers Monday. MARY BETH HORTON/Submitted

Latin American Chamber of Commerce President Alejandro Coss and Habersham Chamber President Mary Beth Horton shake after a new partnership is formed between the two chambers Monday. MARY BETH HORTON/Submitted

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Chamber partners with local Hispanic businesses

Brian Wellmeier
Friday, October 22, 2021
The Habersham County Chamber of Commerce formed an alliance Monday with Georgia’s Latin American Chamber of Commerce (LACC) in a move to provide greater support for locally owned Hispanic businesses.