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For many, keeping a roof over their heads during the last nine months has been difficult. Some have been able to make rent, while others have had to make do with what they have to survive.

For many, keeping a roof over their heads during the last nine months has been difficult. Some have been able to make rent, while others have had to make do with what they have to survive.

Renters face possibility of homelessness during pandemic

Chamian Cruz
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
After a year that demonstrated the importance of home, renters will now receive some form of relief from Congress’ latest stimulus package in 2021.
Superintendent Matthew Cooper reads to Brandi Burrell’s fourth grade class virtually at Level Grove Elementary on Nov. 19. Habersham County Schools will be virtual until at least Jan. 25 with staffing concerns relating to COVID-19. BRANDI BURRELL/Submitted

Superintendent Matthew Cooper reads to Brandi Burrell’s fourth grade class virtually at Level Grove Elementary on Nov. 19. Habersham County Schools will be virtual until at least Jan. 25 with staffing concerns relating to COVID-19. BRANDI BURRELL/Submitted

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Habersham County schools going virtual through at least Jan. 25

Matthew Osborne
Monday, January 4, 2021
Habersham County Schools made it through the first semester of in-person learning without interruption, but schools did not resume Tuesday as planned due to staffing concerns created by COVID-19.
Habersham Central’s Kelsey Banks launches a shot against Prince Avenue Christian before the Christmas break.

Habersham Central’s Kelsey Banks launches a shot against Prince Avenue Christian before the Christmas break.

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Lady Raiders edge Lanier, boys fall by two

Isaiah Smith
Thursday, December 31, 2020
In their first action since Dec. 5, Habersham Central’s girls basketball team snagged a 32-31 victory in their regional opener against Lanier.     “It was a real struggle early,” head coach Bill Bradley said.
Outgoing Commissioner Natalie Crawford said her good byes after being recognized at the Dec. 21 county commission meeting.

Outgoing Commissioner Natalie Crawford said her good byes after being recognized at the Dec. 21 county commission meeting.

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Crawford reflects on 'richly rewarding' eight years on county commission

Matthew Osborne
Thursday, December 31, 2020
When Natalie Crawford first ran for the Habersham County Commission in 2012, she had a pretty good idea what she was getting into.    As a single mom of a 14-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son, she knew it had to be a family decision.

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Cornelia dealing with latest cyberattack on local governments

Chamian Cruz
Thursday, December 31, 2020
The city of Cornelia is dealing with a ransomware incident that began on Dec. 26.    In a release Tuesday, City Manager Dee Anderson said city officials are working with external experts to help resolve the matter. City administrative software was taken offline for the time being.
Habersham Emergency Services paramedic Greg Ramey gets his COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday from nurse Lauren Martin at Habersham Medical Center.

Habersham Emergency Services paramedic Greg Ramey gets his COVID-19 vaccine Wednesday from nurse Lauren Martin at Habersham Medical Center.

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Habersham County emergency workers get COVID-19 vaccines

Matthew Osborne
Thursday, December 31, 2020
Habersham County Emergency Services employees began filing into Habersham Medical Center on Wednesday morning to get their COVID-19 vaccines as part of the Phase 1A inoculation process for frontline healthcare responders.
Eric and Misty Wilcox sing at The Torch’s drive-up prayer service March 22 at one of the first socially-distanced worship services during the COVID-19 crisis.

Eric and Misty Wilcox sing at The Torch’s drive-up prayer service March 22 at one of the first socially-distanced worship services during the COVID-19 crisis.

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2020 IN REVIEW: Coronavirus and other news from the past year

News Staff
Thursday, December 31, 2020
When two patients were identified at the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta as COVID-19 positive in early March, it was a huge story.    No one had any idea then that number would grow to more than 558,000 cases just in Georgia alone, as the pandemic reshaped our world over the last 10 months.
Madi Nix sits on the floor with a handful of cats up for adoption at the Habersham County Animal Shelter in Clarkesville, giving them some much needed love. Photo courtesy of Habersham County Animal Shelter

Madi Nix sits on the floor with a handful of cats up for adoption at the Habersham County Animal Shelter in Clarkesville, giving them some much needed love. Photo courtesy of Habersham County Animal Shelter

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Animal shelter spreads joy for the holidays

Chamian Cruz
Thursday, December 31, 2020
With all of the fellowship and gifts that the holidays bring, this time of year is also quite special for the animals waiting for their forever homes at local shelters.
Habersham Central’s Joshua Pickett takes off for a game-sealing touchdown against Shiloh on Nov. 21. TOM ASKEW/Special

Habersham Central’s Joshua Pickett takes off for a game-sealing touchdown against Shiloh on Nov. 21. TOM ASKEW/Special

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YEAR IN SPORTS 2020: Pandemic could not stop fun year in local sports

News Staff
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
As ESPN would frame it with new analytics, their winning percentage in the middle of the second quarter was 0.4%. But that did not deter Habersham Central’s football team from a comeback for the ages.
Outgoing Habersham County Chairman Stacy Hall (center) conferences with (clockwise from top left) County Manager Phil Sutton, Vice Chair Natalie Crawford, Commissioner Tim Stamey and Andrew Tritt, Managing Director of Stifel Investment Services at the Dec. 21 meeting.

Outgoing Habersham County Chairman Stacy Hall (center) conferences with (clockwise from top left) County Manager Phil Sutton, Vice Chair Natalie Crawford, Commissioner Tim Stamey and Andrew Tritt, Managing Director of Stifel Investment Services at the Dec. 21 meeting.

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County chairman Hall moves on from politics

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, December 30, 2020
At this time last year, Stacy Hall said that he was ready to move forward from politics after his term as a county commissioner was up.    That is exactly how it has played out, though it took a detour in the middle.