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Deputy Evaleez Gonzalez is now certified to teach the CHAMPS program in schools, along with Deputy Wesley Littlejohn. HABERSHAM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE/Submitted

Deputy Evaleez Gonzalez is now certified to teach the CHAMPS program in schools, along with Deputy Wesley Littlejohn. HABERSHAM COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE/Submitted

Sheriff’s programs back on in schools

Habersham County Sheriff’s deputies will be back this school year to interact with the students in three programs that were put on hold for last year’s COVID-19 affected academic year. One of those is the Choosing Healthy Activities and Methods Promoting Safety (C.H.A.M.P.S.
Demorest is hoping to make their small downtown area an entertainment district. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

Demorest is hoping to make their small downtown area an entertainment district. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

Demorest ponders entertainment district

Demorest is hoping to become the second city in Habersham County to enact an entertainment district, following in the footsteps of Cornelia.

Drowning victim could not swim

Autopsy reports showed that Mark Anthony Hicks, who was found dead Monday morning in Cornelia reservoir, died of accidental drowning, according to Habersham County Coroner Kasey McEntire. McEntire said there were no other injuries to indicate that Hicks, 50, was hurt before he entered the water.
ELEMENT5 DIGITAL/unsplash.com

ELEMENT5 DIGITAL/unsplash.com

Schools sticking to plans for ‘normal’ year

Officials with the Habersham County school system remain confident they can continue to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, stating there won’t be any major changes in policy despite a recent uptick in cases in the weeks leading up to the start of the school year.
Qymane Brawner (left) and Steven Mickens (far right) address Habersham County school officials, including (from left) Superintendent Matthew Cooper and Board of Education members Robert Barron, Chairman Russ Nelson and Joey Duncan. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

Qymane Brawner (left) and Steven Mickens (far right) address Habersham County school officials, including (from left) Superintendent Matthew Cooper and Board of Education members Robert Barron, Chairman Russ Nelson and Joey Duncan. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

Future of our youth

The Habersham County Board of Education visited the newly-launched Boys and Girls Thursday. Steven Mickens, the CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Lanier, greeted school officials as they stepped off the bus and toured the facility.
Tyler Downey (green shirt) tries to tie up Hudson Barrett during a drill at Raider Wrestling Camp on Monday. The camp ran through Wednesday as young aspiring grapplers worked with stars from the high school team and Coach Jason Whitney to learn basic techniques of the sport. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Tyler Downey (green shirt) tries to tie up Hudson Barrett during a drill at Raider Wrestling Camp on Monday. The camp ran through Wednesday as young aspiring grapplers worked with stars from the high school team and Coach Jason Whitney to learn basic techniques of the sport. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Raider wrestling camp