Local

Mt. Airy candidates eye council seats

Ken Moore, owner and operator of Ken’s Car Wash and resident of Habersham County for 50 years, is seeking to unseat current Mt. Airy incumbent Councilman Patrick Ledford – the economic development liaison at the Georgia Department of Education.

Community Calendar

Habersham Central High School 50th reunion The first graduating class of Habersham Central High School will be hosting their 50th Reunion on Saturday, Oct. 16, at the Cornelia Community Center starting at 4 p.m.  Please contact Sue Tucker Ward Gailey at gaileysue71@gmail.
New Cornelia Commissioner Jeff Wilson meets with Mayor John Borrow and City Manager Dee Anderson. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

New Cornelia Commissioner Jeff Wilson meets with Mayor John Borrow and City Manager Dee Anderson. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

Cornelia taps Wilson as new commissioner

The City of Cornelia filled a critical part of its five-member commission Tuesday, announcing local business owner and high school history teacher Jeff Wilson will take the vacant Ward 1 seat formerly occupied by Wes Dodd, who unexpectedly passed away in September.
Habersham County Commissioner Bruce Harkness tends to his beehives on his property in Demorest. Harkness’ family has kept bees for the last 200-plus years. BRUCE HARKNESS/Submitted

Habersham County Commissioner Bruce Harkness tends to his beehives on his property in Demorest. Harkness’ family has kept bees for the last 200-plus years. BRUCE HARKNESS/Submitted

The bees’ needs

Habersham County was the first county in Georgia to declare itself a Second Amendment Sanctuary two years ago, and now one commissioner is pushing an effort to become a pacesetter in a different field.

Dad shoots daughter’s boyfriend to protect her

A man was shot in the Sautee area late Tuesday night when he would not stop attacking his girlfriend, Habersham Sheriff’s Office said. The woman’s father – identified as 55-year-old Cory Merchant – warned Justin Rachal, 26, of Winterville to stop physically assaulting her, but he refused.

Demorest mum on millage rate plans

Demorest City Council was noncommittal Tuesday night as to whether they would roll back the millage rate or keep it steady, which would result in a tax increase. Demorest’s 2021 millage rate was 6.
Fletcher Holliday of EMI speaks to the Baldwin Council on Wednesday night. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

Fletcher Holliday of EMI speaks to the Baldwin Council on Wednesday night. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

Survey says? Baldwin waiting on county

During a Wednesday work session, Baldwin City Council heard arguments regarding the status of Don Higgins’ spec building that’s been delayed for about 24 weeks – a recent subject of contention among officials from Baldwin and Habersham County.

Pickleballers eye second site for new courts

Ambassador of USA Pickleball Peggy Fortson appeared at Clarkesville’s council meeting Monday and presented her vision for the construction of pickleball courts in Mary Street Park, a place city officials have expressed a desire to restore and upgrade.

Sheriff’s HEAT grant renewed for 2022

The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) has announced that the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office is one of 21 law enforcement agencies in Georgia to receive a Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic grant for the Federal 2022 Fiscal Year.