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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.

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Citizens grill Ranalli at forum

News Staff
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Ken Ranalli faced some tough questions from the citizens of Demorest on Thursday night in the latter portion of the mayoral forum sponsored by The Northeast Georgian. Ranalli is opposing former council member Jerry Harkness to be the new mayor of Demorest on Nov. 2.
CDC via UNSPLASH

CDC via UNSPLASH

Principal: Students with vapes will be arrested

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Habersham Central High School is taking a stand on vape pens and similar devices. Principal Dr. Jonathan Stribling sent out all-call messages via email and phone Monday night to alert parents that students will be arrested for any violations of school policy involving vape pens of any kind.
Girlfriends who have known each other since being in the Girl Scouts together nearly six decades ago reunite at Habersham Central’s 50th reunion Saturday night in Cornelia. Class members from left are Judy Tallent Harwell, Jeanne Loudermilk Tallent, Sue Tucker Gailey, Lynn Dillard Hillard, Susan Smith Rudeseal, Dianne Short Oliver, Margaret McClesky Smith, Debbie Dowdy and Maxine Galloway. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Girlfriends who have known each other since being in the Girl Scouts together nearly six decades ago reunite at Habersham Central’s 50th reunion Saturday night in Cornelia. Class members from left are Judy Tallent Harwell, Jeanne Loudermilk Tallent, Sue Tucker Gailey, Lynn Dillard Hillard, Susan Smith Rudeseal, Dianne Short Oliver, Margaret McClesky Smith, Debbie Dowdy and Maxine Galloway. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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First class friendships

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Old friends who had not seen each other in years – in some cases, decades – got together once again Saturday night, as Habersham Central’s first graduating class of 1971 gathered for its 50th reunion.
It has been two years since local kids and visitors have enjoyed the E-911 Halloween event due to COVID-19. The event returns Thursday at the Habersham County Fairgrounds.

It has been two years since local kids and visitors have enjoyed the E-911 Halloween event due to COVID-19. The event returns Thursday at the Habersham County Fairgrounds.

E-911 event for kids returns Thursday

Brian Wellmeier
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
The 14th annual Habersham County E-911 Children’s Fun Festival will take place Thursday, Oct. 21, at the Habersham Fairgrounds in Clarkesville.
Shawn Allen (left) speaks at Thursday’s Demorest forum as opponent Roy Ferguson listens. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Shawn Allen (left) speaks at Thursday’s Demorest forum as opponent Roy Ferguson listens. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Demorest City Council race down to three candidates

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Candidates for Demorest City Council met the citizens Thursday night at a forum sponsored by The Northeast Georgian. The forum included two of the four candidates – Shawn Allen and challenger Roy Ferguson – with Jim Welborn and Lawrence Bridges absent.
Ken Ranalli (left) and Jerry Harkness are the candidates for Demorest mayor. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Ken Ranalli (left) and Jerry Harkness are the candidates for Demorest mayor. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Two vie to lead Demorest

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Rick Austin has led Demorest for eight years, but he is stepping aside to make way for a new mayor. Jerry Harkness and Ken Ranalli are the two candidates to fill the void, and they met with citizens at a forum Thursday sponsored by The Northeast Georgian.
Habersham County Emergency Services Operations Chief Jason Davey gets his badge pinned by his wife Tenille in 2020 as former Chief Jeff Cain looks on. First responders have battled to keep their operations running at full strength amid an 18-month pandemic and a staffing crisis.

Habersham County Emergency Services Operations Chief Jason Davey gets his badge pinned by his wife Tenille in 2020 as former Chief Jeff Cain looks on. First responders have battled to keep their operations running at full strength amid an 18-month pandemic and a staffing crisis.

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The thin line gets thinner

Matthew Osborne
Friday, October 15, 2021
Public safety agencies across the nation have been dealing with retention and hiring issues, just as many businesses have. But when communities are short on first responders, it has a trickle-down effect that hurts everyone.