Local

Shawn Gragg currently owns an upholstery business and formerly was in law enforcement collectively for 22 years (shown in uniform in 2017).

Shawn Gragg currently owns an upholstery business and formerly was in law enforcement collectively for 22 years (shown in uniform in 2017).

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Former deputy still struggling with effects of COVID-19

Eric Pereira
Friday, August 28, 2020
   Shawn Gragg has been battling COVID-19 for over a month at the age of 44.     Gragg, owner of an upholstery business in Baldwin, first learned he contracted the coronavirus on July 5 and went to Habersham Medical Center on July 15.
A local woman, who did not want to give her name out of fear of retaliation for her beliefs, wanted everyone in Clarkesville to know how vital the U.S. Postal Service is as she demonstrated for more than an hour on the morning of Aug. 22.

A local woman, who did not want to give her name out of fear of retaliation for her beliefs, wanted everyone in Clarkesville to know how vital the U.S. Postal Service is as she demonstrated for more than an hour on the morning of Aug. 22.

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Postal officials say they are ready to deliver mail, ballots

Matthew Osborne
Friday, August 28, 2020
   The U.S. Postal Service has struggled with funding, causing some to speculate about its long-term financial health.
Mt. Airy Council members Adam Tullis, Ray McAllister and Mayor Pro-Tem Mike McCoy discuss the town millage rate Wednesday night. Seated below are councilmen Patrick Leford and Chris Green.

Mt. Airy Council members Adam Tullis, Ray McAllister and Mayor Pro-Tem Mike McCoy discuss the town millage rate Wednesday night. Seated below are councilmen Patrick Leford and Chris Green.

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Mt. Airy changes course, looks to avoid tax increase

Eric Pereira
Friday, August 28, 2020
   The Mt. Airy Town Council held a lengthy discussion Wednesday after facing the reality that they might have to increase their millage rate in order to sustain their operating budget as a town.
Members of the Tallulah Falls School Class of 2021 gather to watch the sunrise on Aug. 24, the first day of the academic year. The school’s enrollment for the 2020-21 academic year is 531 students – 423 day students and 108 boarding students, representing 16 countries. Photo by E. LANE GRESHAM

Members of the Tallulah Falls School Class of 2021 gather to watch the sunrise on Aug. 24, the first day of the academic year. The school’s enrollment for the 2020-21 academic year is 531 students – 423 day students and 108 boarding students, representing 16 countries. Photo by E. LANE GRESHAM

Tallulah Falls students happy to be back together

News Staff
Friday, August 28, 2020
   Students took cautious but confident first steps into the new academic year at Tallulah Falls School on Aug. 24.     With enrollment for the 2020-21 academic year at 531 students – 423 day students and 108 boarding students, the Light in the Mountains remains bright.
Habersham County first responders got to the scene of a fire at Alec Mountain Road on Thursday afternoon.

Habersham County first responders got to the scene of a fire at Alec Mountain Road on Thursday afternoon.

Dog rescued from kitchen fire

News Staff
Friday, August 28, 2020
   Habersham County 911 received a call Thursday afternoon with report of a house on fire at 3077 Alec Mountain Road.     The caller advised her kitchen cabinets were on fire and the house was full of smoke, also said she had made it out of the structure but her dog was still inside.
Guns and money were seized along with $8,000 worth of meth and heroin in a bust Friday by the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office.

Guns and money were seized along with $8,000 worth of meth and heroin in a bust Friday by the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office.

ARDEO investigation nets five suspects, along with drugs, guns and cash

News Staff
Friday, August 28, 2020
   After a several month-long drug trafficking investigation conducted by the Banks County Sheriff’s Office, Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO), a search warrant was executed Friday at 741 Grant Mill Road in Alto and a traffic stop was...
Justin Pollock comes to TFS from a three-year stint at Southern Wesleyan University as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. He previously coached for 11 years at nearby Toccoa Falls College and one year at Montreat College.

Justin Pollock comes to TFS from a three-year stint at Southern Wesleyan University as an assistant coach and recruiting coordinator. He previously coached for 11 years at nearby Toccoa Falls College and one year at Montreat College.

Tallulah Falls taps Pollock as new baseball coach

News Staff
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
   Tallulah Falls School filled a vacancy with the addition of Justin Pollock as the varsity head baseball coach. Pollock takes over the Indians baseball team after the departure of longtime coach Mark Wilcox.    “First I would like to thank Dr. [Larry] Peevy, Mrs.
Habersham Central’s Taylor Wade eyes the pitcher while waiting to break from third base against Flowery Branch on Aug. 19.

Habersham Central’s Taylor Wade eyes the pitcher while waiting to break from third base against Flowery Branch on Aug. 19.

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Habersham Central softball team's winning streak hits 8

Isaiah Smith
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
   Habersham Central’s Lady Raiders softball team extended their winning streak to eight games last Thursday, as they shut out regional foe Shiloh 7-0.     Hailey Wade earned the win for HCHS by tossing seven innings of three-hit ball. Wade didn’t surrender a run and struck out 11 Generals hitters.
Habersham Central’s Madeline Koshuta (8) looks to spike the ball during the Lady Raiders’ match against Tallulah Falls Aug. 18.

Habersham Central’s Madeline Koshuta (8) looks to spike the ball during the Lady Raiders’ match against Tallulah Falls Aug. 18.

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Lady Raider volleyball picks up two wins

Isaiah Smith
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
   The Lady Raiders volleyball team secured two more wins to close last week, as they took down Lakeview Academy and Apalachee at Gainesville High School last Thursday.

Tallulah Falls volleyball drops two in home opener

News Staff
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
   Despite notching a win in its last match against rival Habersham Central, Tallulah Falls couldn’t continue its momentum in its home opener last Thursday.     In their first match against Class 4A No. 5 Jefferson, TFS fell in three sets.