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TFS Fourth graders Taylor Peckham and Decklan Densmore work to tie blankets for the animal shelter. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

TFS Fourth graders Taylor Peckham and Decklan Densmore work to tie blankets for the animal shelter. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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‘Everybody can serve’

News Staff
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
By Zach Taylor and Hannah CaudellTallulah Falls School hosted its first-ever Serve Together, Grow Together morning of service for fourth- and fifth-graders on Monday, celebrating the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.Upper School ambassadors spoke about their time volunteering in the community...
People waved signs focused on prominent issues in downtown Clarkesville Thursday. (Submitted)

People waved signs focused on prominent issues in downtown Clarkesville Thursday. (Submitted)

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Nonpartisan group holds rally

News Staff
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
By Samantha SinclairAbout 50 people gathered in downtown Clarkesville at the gazebo Thursday for a peaceful rally.The group lined the side of the road waving signs and flags from about 3-5 p.m.The group, based in Clarkesville, is a newly-formed nonpartisan group not affiliated with any other group.
State Sen. Bo Hatchett

State Sen. Bo Hatchett

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Sen. Hatchett starts legislative session targeting AI

News Staff
Friday, January 16, 2026
By Samantha SinclairState Sen. Bo Hatchett said the legislative session typically starts slow, but he introduced two pieces of legislation in the first two days of the session that started Monday.The first bill, Senate Bill 384, would provide for an optional five-year motor vehicle registration and...
Mayor Doug Faust

Mayor Doug Faust

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Faust ready to take on challenges

News Staff
Friday, January 16, 2026
By Hannah CaudellDoug Faust took the oath of office on Jan. 6 to become Baldwin’s new mayor for the next four years, alongside returning Councilman Joe Elam and council’s newest member, Mike Tope.
Demorest Police Chief Casey Chastain takes the stand in an alcohol license revocation hearing involving Chevron Food Mart. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Demorest Police Chief Casey Chastain takes the stand in an alcohol license revocation hearing involving Chevron Food Mart. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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City allows store to keep selling alcohol

News Staff
Friday, January 16, 2026
By Zach TaylorThe Chevron Food Mart in Demorest will be able to continue selling alcohol as long as it meets conditions set as the result of a hearing held Wednesday.Representatives from the Chevron Food Mart and Demorest officials met for a public hearing to revoke the convenience store’s alcohol...
Discovery Teacher Hannah DeMore hands a lock to one of her students, who wishes to see if she broke the code during a class exercise. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Discovery Teacher Hannah DeMore hands a lock to one of her students, who wishes to see if she broke the code during a class exercise. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Boosting students’ skills

News Staff
Friday, January 16, 2026
By Hannah CaudellIn one class, students rush up to the teacher’s desk, hoping that they’ve solved the breakout box puzzle through their creative thinking exercise.
Matt Vrahiotes (right) and Joe Godfrey, the director of sales and marketing at RM Rose and Company Distillery in Mt. Airy, stand before stacks of whiskey barrels in the distillery building. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Matt Vrahiotes (right) and Joe Godfrey, the director of sales and marketing at RM Rose and Company Distillery in Mt. Airy, stand before stacks of whiskey barrels in the distillery building. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Mt. Airy OKs farm winery license

News Staff
Friday, January 16, 2026
By Hannah CaudellAfter a long awaited decision by Mt. Airy’s town council, Matt Vrahiotes of Sweet Acre Farms can now apply for a farm winery license within the town.
Habersham County Fire and EMS is running a bit low on personnel before a new class of recruits replenishes its roster. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Habersham County Fire and EMS is running a bit low on personnel before a new class of recruits replenishes its roster. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Habersham County Fire examines staffing challenges, ISO

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
By Zach TaylorStaffing remains a challenge for Habersham County Fire and Emergency Services, but Emergency Services Director and Fire Chief Jeff Adams contends that coverage of the area is good.Including the newly added Station 5 in Demorest, Habersham County manages seven fully-staffed stations...
Water rises in the river Saturday afternoon. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Water rises in the river Saturday afternoon. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Storm floods roads, causes power outages

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
By Samantha SinclairThe water of the Soque River will typically rise during a rainstorm, but not like it did Saturday, according to Mark of the Potter owner Chad Peck.“It was crazy,” Peck said.He watched the water rise from cameras at his shop in the mill on the river, and saw more views from...
Daphne Penick

Daphne Penick

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Penick to retire from SHMS

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
By Hannah CaudellThe room of educators, administrators and community leaders stood in applause for South Habersham Middle School Principal Daphne Penick, who announced her retirement at Monday night’s Habersham County Board of Education meeting with the help of Superintendent Patrick Franklin.