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Longtime firefighter Johnny Irvin explains to the Demorest City Council, including Councilmen Jim Welborn and Nathan Davis, his recommendations for a fire truck purchase.

Longtime firefighter Johnny Irvin explains to the Demorest City Council, including Councilmen Jim Welborn and Nathan Davis, his recommendations for a fire truck purchase.

Demorest may face bid challenge on fire truck

   Demorest seemingly ended its four-month fire truck debate Tuesday night, opting to purchase a more affordable truck proposed last month by Councilman Jim Welborn.
Laura Morrison holds her certificate from the Georgia Retired Educators Association, while her caretaker shows off a portrait of Morrison in her 20’s behind her. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Special

Laura Morrison holds her certificate from the Georgia Retired Educators Association, while her caretaker shows off a portrait of Morrison in her 20’s behind her. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Special

Longtime educator recalls life of learning, teaching

   Early on a bright Tuesday afternoon, Laura Morrison was seated in the living room of the Clarkesville home that she’s lived in for more than 50 years.
Children attending the egg hunt at the Clarkesville First United Methodist Church get ready to scramble for their multi-colored prizes on Saturday morning. SAMANTHA SINCLAIR/CNI News Service

Children attending the egg hunt at the Clarkesville First United Methodist Church get ready to scramble for their multi-colored prizes on Saturday morning. SAMANTHA SINCLAIR/CNI News Service

GALLERY: Easter celebrations start early

   Several churches and community organizations held Easter events last weekend to kick off the holy week. 
Habersham Central’s Brad Chosewood gets ready to fire the discus at Friday’s meet.

Habersham Central’s Brad Chosewood gets ready to fire the discus at Friday’s meet.

Raiders, Indians shine at Battle for Blue Ridge track meet

   Habersham Central and Tallulah Falls’ track teams joined seven other squads Friday in Mt. Airy for the annual Battle of Blue Ridge, with each team posting an impressive showing and breaking several school records on the night.
Coach Brandy Corbett talks to her Tallulah Falls team during a game this season.

Coach Brandy Corbett talks to her Tallulah Falls team during a game this season.

Corbett steps down as Tallulah Falls girls basketball coach

   After 51 wins over three seasons, Lady Indians head coach Brandy Corbett is stepping away from her coaching duties at the school, saying that the time was right for her to step away from the position.
The Lady Raiders soccer team celebrates their middle school championship. Front row (from left) are Emmie Kyle, Meg Labarbera, Eden Turner, Kaitlyn Fuller, Megan Eash, Jillian Tedder, and Zoe Sosesbee. Back row are Jalyn Purdy, Madie Wilbanks, Abigail Mize, Maddox Carroll, Kelsie Campbell, Belle Cummings, Hannah Vidrine, Jazlyn Burke, Kenzie King, Emyrie Combs, Jacqueline Ramirez, Yamilex Ortero, and coach Melissa Carroll.

The Lady Raiders soccer team celebrates their middle school championship. Front row (from left) are Emmie Kyle, Meg Labarbera, Eden Turner, Kaitlyn Fuller, Megan Eash, Jillian Tedder, and Zoe Sosesbee. Back row are Jalyn Purdy, Madie Wilbanks, Abigail Mize, Maddox Carroll, Kelsie Campbell, Belle Cummings, Hannah Vidrine, Jazlyn Burke, Kenzie King, Emyrie Combs, Jacqueline Ramirez, Yamilex Ortero, and coach Melissa Carroll.

Habersham middle school soccer teams sweep titles

   The Raider boys middle school soccer team finished 5-3 and won the regular season title in the region.    They avenged an earlier loss to Elbert County in the second round 5-0, with goals from Angel Vallejo (2), Camden Meads, Bryan Ramirez and Alex Velazquez.
Emily Foster Howell is Habersham Central’s second Lifetime Achievement Award winner.

Emily Foster Howell is Habersham Central’s second Lifetime Achievement Award winner.

Howell is second Habersham Central lifetime achiever

   It’s been more than two decades since Emily Foster Howell graduated from Habersham Central High School, but the community continues to see her impact everywhere.
Trees were downed among other damage on Tallulah Falls’ campus early Friday morning when a microburst hit the area during a heavy thunderstorm. E. LANE GRESHAM/Special

Trees were downed among other damage on Tallulah Falls’ campus early Friday morning when a microburst hit the area during a heavy thunderstorm. E. LANE GRESHAM/Special

Microburst damages part of Tallulah Falls campus

   The first severe storm of the spring in Habersham County had some predictable results, including flooding at Pitts Park in Clarkesville. It also had some surprises in store, including lightning strikes and a microburst at Tallulah Falls School.    The microburst, which Weather.