Local

Boy Scouts (from left) Jaren Campbell, Mitchell McGahee, Sawyer Burgess, Kav Stapleton, Darrel Chaney, Gavin Dundore, Christian Cooper and Joseph McGahee got a chance to meet with former Major League Baseball player Darrel Chaney at Thursday’s American Values Dinner. JAKE McGAHEE/Submitted

Boy Scouts (from left) Jaren Campbell, Mitchell McGahee, Sawyer Burgess, Kav Stapleton, Darrel Chaney, Gavin Dundore, Christian Cooper and Joseph McGahee got a chance to meet with former Major League Baseball player Darrel Chaney at Thursday’s American Values Dinner. JAKE McGAHEE/Submitted

Chaney shares inspirational messages, baseball tales with Scouts

Growing up, Darrel Chaney’s father always told him to work hard, play hard and pray hard. He held true to those values all throughout his life, including during the 1970s when he spent 11 years playing Major League Baseball with the Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves.
Shirley Combs, who owns Shirley’s Soul Food Cafe and Shirley’s Shelter, stole the night at the American Values Dinner with her story about how she blesses the residents of Toccoa-Stephens County. Touched by her story, Habersham Superior Court Judge Chan Caudell, left, and Oliver & Weidner LLC owner Jim Weidner laugh with Combs with their awards in hand following the event. CHAMIAN CRUZ/Staff

Shirley Combs, who owns Shirley’s Soul Food Cafe and Shirley’s Shelter, stole the night at the American Values Dinner with her story about how she blesses the residents of Toccoa-Stephens County. Touched by her story, Habersham Superior Court Judge Chan Caudell, left, and Oliver & Weidner LLC owner Jim Weidner laugh with Combs with their awards in hand following the event. CHAMIAN CRUZ/Staff

Honorees find common ground at American Values Dinner

Two Habersham Countians were honored at the 2021 American Values Dinner on Thursday hosted by the Boy Scouts of America Northeast Georgia Council and raised a record $130,000 that will go toward local Scouting programs.
Ray Durham salutes the KIA Memorial in Clarkesville along with Sandra White (left). BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

Ray Durham salutes the KIA Memorial in Clarkesville along with Sandra White (left). BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

A day to remember together

Memorial Day ceremonies were held Monday in Habersham County for the first time in two years, as locals recognized the true reason for the holiday – to pause and reflect. The first event was held at the VFW’s Grant Reeves Memorial Park in Demorest.
Demorest Fire Chief Ken Ranalli explains the features of his truck earlier this year.

Demorest Fire Chief Ken Ranalli explains the features of his truck earlier this year.

Demorest Fire Chief Ranalli resigns

In a surprise move, Demorest Fire Chief Ken Ranalli resigned his post Tuesday after more than 10 years of service. Ranalli also works as a firefighter in DeKalb County and has been in the firefighting business his entire life.
The Future Raiders Football Camp concluded Wednesday afternoon with several participants taking awards for their performances in the punt, pass and kick competition in their age groups. Award winners were (front from left) Alexander Owen, Monterrio Johnson Jr., Landon Nifong, Zachary Jones, (back from left) Owen Almazan, Crede Jones, Jackson McNeil and Sutton Porter. ISAIAH SMITH/Staff

The Future Raiders Football Camp concluded Wednesday afternoon with several participants taking awards for their performances in the punt, pass and kick competition in their age groups. Award winners were (front from left) Alexander Owen, Monterrio Johnson Jr., Landon Nifong, Zachary Jones, (back from left) Owen Almazan, Crede Jones, Jackson McNeil and Sutton Porter. ISAIAH SMITH/Staff

Tallulah Falls’ Simeon Respress signed a track scholarship with Anderson University on Tuesday. Respress was joined by (front row, from left) stepfather Chaun Young, mother Veronica Young, along with (back row, from left) TFS head track coach Scott Neal, TFS President Larry A. Peevy and TFS Upper School Academic Dean Kim Popham. BRIAN CARTER/Submitted

Tallulah Falls’ Simeon Respress signed a track scholarship with Anderson University on Tuesday. Respress was joined by (front row, from left) stepfather Chaun Young, mother Veronica Young, along with (back row, from left) TFS head track coach Scott Neal, TFS President Larry A. Peevy and TFS Upper School Academic Dean Kim Popham. BRIAN CARTER/Submitted

Respress makes the jump to Anderson University

Tallulah Falls graduate Simeon Respress inked his national letter of intent Monday afternoon, making his commitment to join the track and field team at Anderson University official.

SOAR keeps chopping

The S.O.A.R Professionals Women’s Group held their quarterly meeting at The Axe Armory on May 19 followed by an al fresco lunch in Fender’s Alley. Nearly 45 members strong, S.O.A.R.