Local

Georgia’s Department of Transportation has been advised of trees down near Duncan Bridge Road. SUBMITTED

Georgia’s Department of Transportation has been advised of trees down near Duncan Bridge Road. SUBMITTED

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County, residents eye erosion nine months after hurricanes

Matthew Osborne
Friday, July 16, 2021
Habersham County is still dealing with erosion and road issues due to Hurricanes Delta and Zeta last October. At the time of the storms, 73 roads were damaged and hundreds of trees torn down in the storms, and while nine months have passed, there are still some issues lingering.
Among other things, Town of Alto Council Members, left to right, Allen Fox, PJ Huggins, Carolyn Cabe, Mayor Audrey Turner, Eddie Palmer and James Turner unanimously agree to include a resolution for the packaged sale of distilled spirits on the November ballot. CHAMIAN CRUZ/Staff

Among other things, Town of Alto Council Members, left to right, Allen Fox, PJ Huggins, Carolyn Cabe, Mayor Audrey Turner, Eddie Palmer and James Turner unanimously agree to include a resolution for the packaged sale of distilled spirits on the November ballot. CHAMIAN CRUZ/Staff

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Alto joins three other towns with distilled spirits ballots

Chamian Cruz
Friday, July 16, 2021
The Alto City Council passed a resolution to allow for a referendum for the packaged sale of distilled spirits to appear on the Election Day ballot in November. It joins Baldwin, Clarkesville and Cornelia which are expected to do the same.
Connie Post, Susan Wilkin, Addie Aycock and Elaine Manglitz work to construct the Combs Family’s home in Demorest. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

Connie Post, Susan Wilkin, Addie Aycock and Elaine Manglitz work to construct the Combs Family’s home in Demorest. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

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‘Women Build’ putting in work on new Demorest home

Brian Wellmeier
Friday, July 16, 2021
Women of Habersham County have been coming out in full-force through the rain and heat in recent days to see the Combs Family’s home is complete.  Construction on the Demorest home began on Saturday. By 10 a.m.

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Mom gets 25 years for baby murder

Chamian Cruz
Friday, July 16, 2021
Elba Maureen Santiago, the Cornelia mother accused of killing her infant daughter in 2019, is serving the remainder of her prison sentence at Lee Arrendale State Prison after being convicted of murder in the second degree.
GUNNELS

GUNNELS

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Officer back on duty amid shooting investigation

Chamian Cruz
Friday, July 16, 2021
Authorities reported 38-year-old Ashly Sophia Tolbert, of Dawsonville, “[reeked] of alcoholic beverages” when they arrested her on June 29 after attempting to flee from Cornelia Sgt. Deloney Gunnels, who ended up shooting at her vehicle’s tire while her 1-year-old son was in the back seat.
Sue Carnes and Dave Pelphrey read passages from the Book of Luke at Wednesday morning’s statewide reading event at the Habersham County Courthouse. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Sue Carnes and Dave Pelphrey read passages from the Book of Luke at Wednesday morning’s statewide reading event at the Habersham County Courthouse. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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‘Take a stand for God’

Matthew Osborne
Friday, July 16, 2021
For the third-straight year, a small group met on the steps of the Habersham County Courthouse at the same time for the same purpose. The same procedure was repeated in every county of Georgia, as folks gathered for an annual Bible reading at 7:14 a.m. on July 14.
From left, Kenneth McEntire, David Foster and Jeff Herrin were elected to the Habersham EMC Board of Directors on Thursday.

From left, Kenneth McEntire, David Foster and Jeff Herrin were elected to the Habersham EMC Board of Directors on Thursday.

HEMC elects three directors at annual meeting

News Staff
Friday, July 16, 2021
   Jeff Herrin, Kenneth McEntire and David Foster were elected to the Habersham Electric Membership Corporation Board of Directors at the annual meeting Thursday night.

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Piedmont golfers named to All-American lists

News Staff
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Two Piedmont University golfers, Ben Balen and Fred Roberts IV, picked up Division III PING All-America honors last week.  The Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) named Balen to the second team, while Roberts IV was named honorable mention.

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FCA looks toward full slate of events

Isaiah Smith
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Last year, COVID-19 disrupted many different organizations and events, and Habersham County’s branch of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) was no different.  “FCA is so much about being social and relational to work with coaches and others.
Demorest native Rob Hamby has been mowing down hitters this year. At GGC, he recorded 25 strikeouts for the Grizzlies who won the NAIA World Series. And this summer as a member of the Gainesville Braves, the hurler is second in the Sunbelt Baseball League with a 0.87 ERA and ranks in the top 20 in strikeouts. DALE LONG/Special

Demorest native Rob Hamby has been mowing down hitters this year. At GGC, he recorded 25 strikeouts for the Grizzlies who won the NAIA World Series. And this summer as a member of the Gainesville Braves, the hurler is second in the Sunbelt Baseball League with a 0.87 ERA and ranks in the top 20 in strikeouts. DALE LONG/Special

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Hamby shutting down hitters in summer league

Isaiah Smith
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
When Demorest native Rob Hamby takes the field, having Georgia Gwinnett College’s (GGC) “Grizzlies” mascot scribbled across his chest only feels appropriate for the bear of a man on the mound.  Standing at 6-foot-7 with a full beard and his hat low, Hamby looks like he means business.