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Demorest Fire Chief Ken Ranalli makes a presentation to the city council Tuesday night regarding potential purchases of a fire truck.

Demorest Fire Chief Ken Ranalli makes a presentation to the city council Tuesday night regarding potential purchases of a fire truck.

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Demorest balks at buying fire truck, delays for at least 6 months

Matthew Osborne
Friday, February 5, 2021
Councilman Jim Welborn stared out at the assembled citizens, not sure what to do.    Welborn was being asked for his vote on a motion to delay the purchase of a fire truck for at least six months. But despite coaxing on from various folks in the crowd, he could not bring himself to vote.

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Cornelia signs on for new hotel project

Chamian Cruz
Friday, February 5, 2021
Following the county’s approval of a 15-year tax abatement to help bring a new hotel to Habersham, on Tuesday, the Cornelia City Commission officially passed a vote in favor of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for Project Stay.
Cub Scout programs in Habersham County have struggled to keep kids involved this year amid COVID-19.

Cub Scout programs in Habersham County have struggled to keep kids involved this year amid COVID-19.

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Local Scouting leaders doing their best to keep kids involved

Matthew Osborne
Friday, February 5, 2021
Monday is the 111th anniversary of Scouting, and while the program has endured through plagues, wars and generations of societal change, COVID-19 has proven to a difficult challenge to overcome.
Cornelia hosted an Easter egg hunt in 2019 with more than 10,000 eggs in play. Those kinds of events have been few and far between during the COVID-19 pandemic, but community leaders are hoping to find a way back to normal this summer.

Cornelia hosted an Easter egg hunt in 2019 with more than 10,000 eggs in play. Those kinds of events have been few and far between during the COVID-19 pandemic, but community leaders are hoping to find a way back to normal this summer.

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'Togetherness' still lives in community

Matthew Osborne
Friday, February 5, 2021
Keeping young people engaged in their community is a job that never stops, in good times and bad, pandemics and prosperity.    Jeremy Maddox is one who hopes to get a chance to find ways to get them involved again soon.
Former Demorest City Council member Flo Wikle (right) expressed her dismay with a letter she received from the attorney representing Councilman John Hendrix at Tuesday’s meeting.

Former Demorest City Council member Flo Wikle (right) expressed her dismay with a letter she received from the attorney representing Councilman John Hendrix at Tuesday’s meeting.

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Attorney for councilman sends letters threatening legal action against recallers

Matthew Osborne
Friday, February 5, 2021
An attorney for Demorest Councilman Dr. John Hendrix sent letters to two town residents threatening legal action if they do not retract in writing their claims during a failed recall process last year.
New investors are close to a deal to purchase the former Mount Vernon Mills plant in Alto.

New investors are close to a deal to purchase the former Mount Vernon Mills plant in Alto.

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Mount Vernon Mills plant under contract to new investors

Chamian Cruz
Friday, February 5, 2021
Two months after the Mount Vernon Mills textile plant abruptly closed its doors in Alto, officials from Stan Johnson Co. were confident the building would sell relatively quickly. However, it’s taken nearly a year to find the right people to take over.
Mike Ray is shown coaching North Habersham Middle School’s basketball team.

Mike Ray is shown coaching North Habersham Middle School’s basketball team.

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‘Coach Mike’ remembered as sports-loving family man

Isaiah Smith
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
On Sunday, friends and family of Coach Mike Ray gathered at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Clarkesville to remember and celebrate the life of the longtime Habersham County teacher and coach.
Habersham Central’s Nykerriah Brown looks to get the ball inside during the Lady Raiders’ recent victory over Lanier.

Habersham Central’s Nykerriah Brown looks to get the ball inside during the Lady Raiders’ recent victory over Lanier.

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Lady Raiders make push for No. 2 seed

Isaiah Smith
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Over the weekend, Habersham Central’s Lady Raiders pulled off a decisive 40-26 victory over Shiloh to keep pace for the No. 2 spot in Region 8-6A.     Despite taking the convincing victory, the game started at a snails pace for both teams, and the first quarter ended gridlocked at 2-2.
The Lady Indians’ Abby Carlan defends Athens Academy’s India Sheats under the hoop. ANDY DIFFENDIRFER/Clayton Tribune

The Lady Indians’ Abby Carlan defends Athens Academy’s India Sheats under the hoop. ANDY DIFFENDIRFER/Clayton Tribune

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Tallulah Falls sweeps as final stretch looms

News Staff
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
The Tallulah Falls girls basketball team moved into a tie for the Region 8-A Private lead, and the boys stayed perfect in league play by sweeping visiting Athens Academy on Friday night.