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Participants shown in First Baptist Church of Cornelia’s Bike-A-Thon are (front row, from left) Katie Saucedo, Natalie Saucedo, Maizee Fleming, Hannah Hilliard, Declan Fleming, Adalynn Sheffield, Jocelyn Reynolds, Sudie Evans and Nora Rudeseal. Back row are (from left) Elliott Rudeseal, Natalie Hilliard, Cohen Thomas, Collier Thomas, Jameson Deering, Levi Rudeseal, William Sheffield, Emma Souther, Nicole Souther and Gavin Souther. Not pictured is Nora Peck. RANDY LEBLANC/Submitted

Participants shown in First Baptist Church of Cornelia’s Bike-A-Thon are (front row, from left) Katie Saucedo, Natalie Saucedo, Maizee Fleming, Hannah Hilliard, Declan Fleming, Adalynn Sheffield, Jocelyn Reynolds, Sudie Evans and Nora Rudeseal. Back row are (from left) Elliott Rudeseal, Natalie Hilliard, Cohen Thomas, Collier Thomas, Jameson Deering, Levi Rudeseal, William Sheffield, Emma Souther, Nicole Souther and Gavin Souther. Not pictured is Nora Peck. RANDY LEBLANC/Submitted

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Bike-A-Thon helps raise money for missions

News Staff
Friday, June 4, 2021
First Baptist Church of Cornelia exists to “Love the World as God Loves Us.” All year, the children of the church have been learning about the importance of missions.
HARKNESS

HARKNESS

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Suspect named in hotel arson

News Staff
Friday, June 4, 2021
Authorities are seeking to question a suspect regarding a Memorial Day fire that occured at the Days Inn in Cornelia. Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced Tuesday that Shawn Harkness, 44, is wanted on charges of first-degree arson relating to the incident.
Proposed renovations at the property containing the gazebo and KIA Memorial in Clarkesville have been on hold as the city and county still decide how to best manage it. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

Proposed renovations at the property containing the gazebo and KIA Memorial in Clarkesville have been on hold as the city and county still decide how to best manage it. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

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Upgrades to memorial property still in limbo

News Staff
Friday, June 4, 2021
The Killed in Action (KIA) Memorial in downtown Clarkesville continues to be a topic of debate between Clarkesville and Habersham County officials.
Lee Arrendale State Prison

Lee Arrendale State Prison

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Prison faces more claims of abuse

News Staff
Friday, June 4, 2021
At least five women incarcerated at Lee Arrendale State Prison in Alto have come forward in the last six months with allegations that they were shackled or placed in solitary confinement or both within six weeks of giving birth despite state and federal law, according to an Atlanta based advocacy...
Demorest native John King is tentatively set to perform Sunday, July 4, at a rebooted Independence Day mini-festival in his hometown. JOHN KING/Instagram

Demorest native John King is tentatively set to perform Sunday, July 4, at a rebooted Independence Day mini-festival in his hometown. JOHN KING/Instagram

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Fireworks are back, officially

News Staff
Friday, June 4, 2021
Habersham County will have a Fourth of July celebration after all, as Demorest City Council officially voted Tuesday to hang on to its tradition of hosting the fireworks. After some debate, the council agreed to commit as much as $21,000 to Pyrotecnico for a fireworks show on Sunday, July 4.
Cornelia Mayor John Borrow presented City Clerk Janie Henderson with a special gift which included a key to the city at Tuesday night’s meeting to honor her 24 years of service to the city. CHAMIAN CRUZ/Staff

Cornelia Mayor John Borrow presented City Clerk Janie Henderson with a special gift which included a key to the city at Tuesday night’s meeting to honor her 24 years of service to the city. CHAMIAN CRUZ/Staff

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Changed for the better - Clerk honored for 24 years of service to Cornelia

News Staff
Friday, June 4, 2021
For Cornelia City Clerk Janie Henderson, it was a single opportunity to work in local government that grew into a career that has spanned nearly 40 years.  “I never had this dream that I wanted to be a city clerk, but in any government position we’re considered a public servant,” she said.
Firefighters from Demorest and Cornelia’s fire departments (from left) Daniel Purcell, Chris Falck, Angela Martin, Chris Bruce, Shane Bentley, Brian Smith, former Demorest Chief Ken Ranalli and Drake Meister (in front with saw) trained together last year. KEN RANALLI/Submitted

Firefighters from Demorest and Cornelia’s fire departments (from left) Daniel Purcell, Chris Falck, Angela Martin, Chris Bruce, Shane Bentley, Brian Smith, former Demorest Chief Ken Ranalli and Drake Meister (in front with saw) trained together last year. KEN RANALLI/Submitted

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Demorest’s Ranalli leaves after decade as fire chief

News Staff
Friday, June 4, 2021
Ken Ranalli has served as fire chief in Demorest for more than 10 years, but Tuesday, he decided it was time to walk away. Ranalli resigned effective immediately, leaving a void at the top of the department he has served to high accolades for the last decade.