Local

The commissioners voted unanimously to strike down the ordinance.

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Cornelia gives up on eminent domain

News Staff

Friday, December 5, 2025

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)

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City reviews water rates

News Staff

Friday, December 5, 2025

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)

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Dedication and connection

News Staff

Friday, December 5, 2025

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)

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Annex dies, revival possible

News Staff

Friday, December 5, 2025

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)

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Within hollering distance

News Staff

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

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)

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Wilbanks sworn in as new councilman

News Staff

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

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.

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Baldwin finalist has background in public health

News Staff

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

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)

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Enjoying the meal

News Staff

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

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...

Alcohol allowances in the town vary by type, as seen in the current ordinance above. For farm wineries, the town will be allowed to issue two farm winery licenses.

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City OKs alcohol ordinance amendment

News Staff

Wednesday, December 3, 2025

By Hannah Caudell Mt. Airy is opening its doors for more beer and wine business after approving a new number of alcohol licenses allowed in the town on Monday night, as well as the addition of the farm winery license ahead of an eventual vote on a farm winery ordinance.

Cornelia Mayor John Borrow speaks to the standing-room-only crowd at the city commission meeting Tuesday night in this screenshot of the city's livestream. (Staff)

Annexation does not pass

News Staff

Tuesday, December 2, 2025

After about three-and-a-half hours of public forum during Tuesday night's meeting, the Cornelia City Commission decided not to move forward with the zoning and annexation of 216.7 acres.