Local

Panther Creek’s beautiful trails and scenic hiking areas are still getting visitors even though they are technically closed.

Panther Creek’s beautiful trails and scenic hiking areas are still getting visitors even though they are technically closed.

Park visitations up during pandemic

While the U.S. Forest Service does not actively measure visitation levels, some anecdotal reports estimate there’s been a 30% or more increase at the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forests since the COVID-19 pandemic began.
Cornelia Fire Chief Billy Jenkins stands inside the new fire station on the south end of the city along with firefighters Angela Martin and Christopher Bruce.

Cornelia Fire Chief Billy Jenkins stands inside the new fire station on the south end of the city along with firefighters Angela Martin and Christopher Bruce.

Cornelia Fire Station's opening sparks new era

Fire Chief Billy Jenkins will be busy the next couple of days helping his staff move into Cornelia’s second fire station after it began operating Monday at 8 a.m. He’s excited about the move, as it has been a long time coming.
Lady Raiders head coach Bill Bradley reached his 500th career basketball coaching win Tuesday night in Habersham’s victory over Central Gwinnett. Bradley’s career has spanned 31 years and three states, and he attributes his success to the players, coaches and administrators he’s worked with.

Lady Raiders head coach Bill Bradley reached his 500th career basketball coaching win Tuesday night in Habersham’s victory over Central Gwinnett. Bradley’s career has spanned 31 years and three states, and he attributes his success to the players, coaches and administrators he’s worked with.

Lady Raiders coach Bradley still having fun after 500 wins

When the buzzer sounded to seal Habersham Central’s 52-36 win over Central Gwinnett Tuesday night, it also gave Lady Raiders head coach Bill Bradley his 500th career victory.    “[Tuesday] night, it was nice to hear from players I coached 28 or 29 years ago call and tell me about how vital the...
Tallulah Falls’ Julian Gober blocks Towns County’s Jake McTaggart during a Dec. 3 game. The Indians have not lost since that night 50 days ago.

Tallulah Falls’ Julian Gober blocks Towns County’s Jake McTaggart during a Dec. 3 game. The Indians have not lost since that night 50 days ago.

Tallulah Falls boys win ninth consecutive game

Tallulah Falls’ boys basketball team extended its win streak to nine games to take sole possession of first place in Region 8A private, as they slid past Athens Christian 42-36 Tuesday night.
Cameron Wiley, 19, allegedly shot a man who tried to rob him.

Cameron Wiley, 19, allegedly shot a man who tried to rob him.

Shooter, victim both arrested in weird incident

Habersham County Sheriff’s deputies identified the suspect from Monday’s shooting near the White County line, but the story was not all it seemed from the victim’s first account.
New Demorest City Attorney Thomas Mitchell (right) talks with the city council Tuesday night, including (from left) Mayor Rick Austin and Councilmen Jim Welborn and Nathan Davis.

New Demorest City Attorney Thomas Mitchell (right) talks with the city council Tuesday night, including (from left) Mayor Rick Austin and Councilmen Jim Welborn and Nathan Davis.

Plan for new Demorest attorney started in October

Demorest City Council approved a new city attorney Tuesday night in Thomas Mitchell out of Buford, replacing former city attorney Joey Homans, whose removal was pondered as early as October, documents and statements confirmed.
Bubba McDonald of Clarkesville (left) takes his oath of office as a Public Service Commissioner from Judge Joseph Booth (center) while his wife Shelley and son State Rep. Lauren McDonald III stand alongside him.

Bubba McDonald of Clarkesville (left) takes his oath of office as a Public Service Commissioner from Judge Joseph Booth (center) while his wife Shelley and son State Rep. Lauren McDonald III stand alongside him.

McDonald ready to serve final term on Public Service Commission

Clarkesville resident Bubba McDonald was sworn in Wednesday for his third term as District 4 Public Service Commissioner at the Jackson County Courthouse, the place where his political career began as a commissioner in 1968.
Local nonprofit The Everyday Good is currently working with a local family to finish a basement to expand sleeping, learning and work space. Shown, from left, are Ken Johnson, and Stacy and Ivy Hall.

Local nonprofit The Everyday Good is currently working with a local family to finish a basement to expand sleeping, learning and work space. Shown, from left, are Ken Johnson, and Stacy and Ivy Hall.

Nonprofit group works toward 'everyday good'

Around Christmastime in 2012, Heather Burke-Cody and a group of friends invited the community to provide Christmas gifts to local families in need.