Local

Habersham Central’s Allie Church goes for a spike during a recent game.

Habersham Central’s Allie Church goes for a spike during a recent game.

Lady Raiders split non-region matches as tourney looms

   Habersham Central’s volleyball team earned a split in Tuesday night’s tri-match against two state-ranked opponents.     In the night’s opening match, the Lady Raiders fell to Class 3A No. 3 Morgan County 2-1.
Habersham Central’s Austin Wood lays a stick on White County’s Silas Mulligan during last Friday’s game at John Larry Black Field. TOM ASKEW/Special

Habersham Central’s Austin Wood lays a stick on White County’s Silas Mulligan during last Friday’s game at John Larry Black Field. TOM ASKEW/Special

Raiders hope to make it two straight against Stephens County

   After a 23-year wait to defeat Stephens County before last year’s win, Habersham Central is hoping the Indians have to wait a little longer for their next victory in the series.
Habersham Central’s Gage Hurt (9) consoles teammate Joshua Pickett after Friday’s loss to White County. Despite the loss, these Raiders have a lot to feel good about at this point in the season. TOM ASKEW/Special

Habersham Central’s Gage Hurt (9) consoles teammate Joshua Pickett after Friday’s loss to White County. Despite the loss, these Raiders have a lot to feel good about at this point in the season. TOM ASKEW/Special

OSBORNE: No time for Raiders to hang their heads

   Last Friday’s game had everything – big plays, big crowds, a little fog and two good football teams.    Habersham Central lost its unbeaten status after the loss to White County, but we knew someone was going to.
Councilwoman Stephanie Almagno and Fire Chief Joe Roy prepare to take in Baldwin’s aerial view from the basket of one of the new trucks before Monday’s meeting.

Councilwoman Stephanie Almagno and Fire Chief Joe Roy prepare to take in Baldwin’s aerial view from the basket of one of the new trucks before Monday’s meeting.

Baldwin unveils new fire trucks

   Prior to Monday night’s city council meeting the Baldwin Fire Department unveiled its new ladder truck to the community.     The used truck, which cost approximately $126,500 of SPLOST VI funds, was purchased from a department in Pleasant Hill, South Carolina.

$450K of misdirected SPLOST money returned

   Habersham County got a bonus this week when it was discovered that around $247 million worth of Special Purpose Local Option Sales Taxes statewide were sent to the state and not distributed to individual counties between 2015 and 2018.

Habersham sees drop in SNAP applications

   Habersham County saw an increase in SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) or food stamp applications in the months of March and April during the shelter-in-place orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic.     The county saw a 55.48% increase in March and a 94.
Habersham Medical Center’s new rehabilitation facility will open sometime this month.

Habersham Medical Center’s new rehabilitation facility will open sometime this month.

Habersham Medical Center rehab facility nearly complete

   Construction on Habersham Medical Center’s new rehab center is complete, and the hospital expects to open the new facility to the public within the next few weeks.
Habersham County Schools

Habersham County Schools

School board seeking a new member

   The Habersham Board of Education is down one member as of Wednesday after the resignation of John Elger with two years left on his term.    Unlike municipal and county commission seats, a special election will not determine the new school board member.
Abby Jackson has been running her fly fishing operation in Clarkesville for the last 24 years.

Abby Jackson has been running her fly fishing operation in Clarkesville for the last 24 years.

Jackson turns natural resources into thriving businesses

   Abby Jackson has turned her heritage into a way of life.    The co-owner of Blackhawk Fly Fishing, north of Clarkesville, grew up on the Soque River with a passion for the outdoors and the beauty of nature.
Windstream will launch 1 gig service in Habersham County later this month.

Windstream will launch 1 gig service in Habersham County later this month.

Windstream to roll out 1 gig service

   A four-year project has come to fruition for Windstream, and it could mean a step forward for Habersham County’s economic development.