Local

Santa Claus answered the letter of 10-year-old Jedidiah Bramlett, who asked only for prayers as he prepared for surgery. MELISSA BRAMLETT/Submitted

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Local youth seeks Santa’s support before surgery

Matthew Osborne

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Many children will ask for toys or gadgets this year from Santa Claus, but Jedidiah Bramlett just wanted the jolly old guy in red to send him his prayers. The 10-year-old Clarkesville youth was born with a cleft palate, and he had several surgeries before when he was too young to remember it.

Elvis Presley (Mark Eskew) performs for holiday goers at Acoustic Cellar Guitars on Saturday night in Clarkesville.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Rain can't dampen Clarkesville's Christmas spirit

Matthew Osborne

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

Clarkesville celebrated with its downtown Christmas event Saturday night despite a steady rain that finally stopped around the time local children helped Mayor Barrie Aycock light the city’s Christmas tree.

Habersham Central freshmen Brannon Gaines (left) and Kyia Barrett (right) have both made impacts as ninth graders for the Raiders basketball teams with their versatility and high basketball IQs.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Freshmen making huge impact on Habersham hoops

Isaiah Smith

Friday, December 11, 2020

For most basketball teams, it’s rare to see freshmen come in and contribute to a school’s varsity team immediately. But that’s exactly what two standout freshmen, Kyia Barrett and Brannon Gaines, have done for Habersham Central’s basketball teams.

Brinson Hall (center) signed a letter of intent to continue her golf career at Troy University with her parents Stacy (left) and Ivy Hall (right) by her side. Hall is the third Indian to sign a D-I scholarship this year, joining classmates Maggie Jackson (Wofford, golf) and Katy Corbett (Mercer, volleyball). Photo by BRIAN CARTER/Submitted

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Tallulah Falls golfer Hall signs Division-I scholarship at Troy

Isaiah Smith

Friday, December 11, 2020

Brinson Hall’s love of golf started seven years ago when her dad, Stacy, first introduced her to the game. Over that time, she has participated in many tournaments and practice sessions to sharpen her game, and even helped rewrite Tallulah Falls’ golf record books.

The Longest Night Service is schedule to begin at 7 p.m. on Dec. 21.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Prayer meeting seeks hope at the close of 2020

Isaiah Smith

Friday, December 11, 2020

For many people, 2020 has not been the year they expected, and the holiday season can be a difficult time for those who have experienced loss throughout the year. Even with the sights and smells of Christmas, feelings of loss can often be exacerbated during the holiday season.

Piedmont College

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Demorest answers Piedmont lawsuit, calls for 'speedy dismissal'

Matthew Osborne

Friday, December 11, 2020

Demorest City Council met with its outside attorney Dana Maine for 40 minutes before Tuesday’s meeting regarding the lawsuit by Piedmont College filed Nov. 23 in superior court alleging the city hit them with especially high water rates and harmed the school in other ways through political...

U.S. Sen. David Perdue chats with folks in Cornelia on his bus tour of Georgia leading up to the runoff election on Jan. 5.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Perdue traveling the state on rare winter runoff campaign

Matthew Osborne

Friday, December 11, 2020

U.S. Sen. David Perdue stopped in Cornelia on a cool Wednesday morning as part of a whirlwind bus tour around the state in advance of his Jan. 5 runoff against Democratic challenger Jon Ossoff.

Tallulah Falls’ Denika Lightbourne passes during the Lady Indians’ win over Towns County on Dec. 3.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lady Indians stretch winning streak to three games

Matthew Osborne

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Tallulah Falls’ girls notched their third-straight win, knocking off Woodland-Stockbridge 58-31 on Saturday in the Winter Classic Tournament. Veronaye Charlton led the way with 14 points, while Denika Lightbourne added 13 and Katy Corbett 11.

Habersham Central’s Taylor Wade battles Stephens County’s Ranjah Verdell for a loose ball during Friday night’s game.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Lady Raiders rebound from first loss

Matthew Osborne

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Habersham County’s girls basketball team matched the boys Saturday, as the Lady Raiders topped Flowery Branch 44-36 on Saturday after their first defeat Friday night at home against Stephens County.

Tallulah Falls’ Gabe Keene challenges Towns County big man Jake McTaggart at the rim during their game Dec. 3.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Tallulah Falls boys top Wesleyan, fall to Towns County

Matthew Osborne

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Tallulah Falls opened Saturday’s win with a surge and never looked back in a 56-38 win over Wesleyan. The Indians (3-2) pushed out to a 15-3 lead in the first quarter and pulled away as the game progressed. Sammy Davis led the Indians with 14 points.