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Schools are set to start Aug. 21 for now, but that could change Monday.

Schools are set to start Aug. 21 for now, but that could change Monday.

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School board to discuss start date Monday

Matthew Osborne
Friday, August 7, 2020
   For now, Habersham County Schools are on course for an Aug. 21 opening, but the Board of Education plans to discuss that scenario Monday to see if they still want to move forward with that plan.
Habersham Central’s Hailey Wade and the Lady Raiders take the field Friday for the first sporting event since the COVID-19 shutdown.

Habersham Central’s Hailey Wade and the Lady Raiders take the field Friday for the first sporting event since the COVID-19 shutdown.

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Raider sports begin as football scrimmages are canceled

Isaiah Smith
Friday, August 7, 2020
   After delaying the start of football season last month, the Georgia High School Association (GHSA) announced Thursday that it had canceled all preseason football scrimmages.
Dr. Stacy Nicholson (second from left) accepts Habersham Central High School’s first lifetime achievement award from Principal Jonathan Stribling, Gifted Coordinator Martha Cantrell and Superintendent Matthew Cooper at a ceremony Friday night.

Dr. Stacy Nicholson (second from left) accepts Habersham Central High School’s first lifetime achievement award from Principal Jonathan Stribling, Gifted Coordinator Martha Cantrell and Superintendent Matthew Cooper at a ceremony Friday night.

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Nicholson honored with first Habersham Central lifetime achievement award

Matthew Osborne
Thursday, August 6, 2020
   Dr. Stacy Nicholson acknowledged that there were many candidates for Habersham Central High School’s first lifetime achievement award winner, so it naturally speaks volumes that he was the first.
Habersham Central graduates (from left) Rachel Jenkins, Ellawyn Ketch and Nathan Luders prepare to walk onto John Larry Black Field on Friday night for the graduation ceremony. Below, many graduates decorated their caps with messages.

Habersham Central graduates (from left) Rachel Jenkins, Ellawyn Ketch and Nathan Luders prepare to walk onto John Larry Black Field on Friday night for the graduation ceremony. Below, many graduates decorated their caps with messages.

Habersham Central graduates have their special night

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
   It was a night of pomp and unusual circumstance, but nothing could take away the fact that Friday was the Day of the Raider.    Habersham Central’s 444 graduates had their special night, and the Raiders would not let rain, nor lightning, nor a global pandemic stop them.
Habersham Central valedictorian Grace Wills and salutatorian Anea Harris prepare to walk on the field with their fellow graduates on Friday night.

Habersham Central valedictorian Grace Wills and salutatorian Anea Harris prepare to walk on the field with their fellow graduates on Friday night.

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Habersham Central's top students call for social justice

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
   Anea Harris, the salutatorian of Habersham Central’s Class of 2020, gave a courageous spoken-word style speech Friday night recalling moments where she encountered racism growing up.
The Mustard Seed Director Michael Johns points to a collage of pictures from when their Cornelia office was purchased.

The Mustard Seed Director Michael Johns points to a collage of pictures from when their Cornelia office was purchased.

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Counselors assess mental health in pandemic

Eric Pereira
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
   The Mustard Seed Counseling Services Inc., is a Christian-based service with various offices in Habersham County and Northeast Georgia. One of their most pressing tasks has been dealing with how the COVID-19 pandemic has been affecting clients across the spectrum of mental and behavioral health.
Jerry Neace is the former mayor of Baldwin and is now the former city administrator.

Jerry Neace is the former mayor of Baldwin and is now the former city administrator.

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Neace to get $100K to leave Baldwin city administrator post

Isaiah Smith
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
   The city of Baldwin will pay out more than $100,000 as part of a separation agreement with former City Administrator Jerry Neace. Baldwin’s council voted unanimously to approve the agreement and sever ties with Neace during a special called meeting last Thursday.
Renee Johnson and Connie Perry sing during the benefit for Scarlett LaCount at Pitts Park on Saturday.

Renee Johnson and Connie Perry sing during the benefit for Scarlett LaCount at Pitts Park on Saturday.

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Community celebrates the life of Scarlett LaCount

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, August 5, 2020
   The family of Scarlett LaCount knew their brave little girl did not have much time left on this earth, but she was not about to waste that time, either.    On Friday afternoon, 4-year-old Scarlett spent her last day battling Stage 5 Wilms Tumor Cancer with her parents and grandparents.
Trey McFalls shows off the fly fishing gear available at Unicoi Outfitters General Store. ERIC PEREIRA/Staff

Trey McFalls shows off the fly fishing gear available at Unicoi Outfitters General Store. ERIC PEREIRA/Staff

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New businesses build brands in downtown Clarkesville

Isaiah Smith
Thursday, July 30, 2020
   With stay-at-home and shelter-in-place orders seemingly in the rearview mirror for many consumers, Clarkesville residents getting back to in-store shopping will be greeted with two new businesses in their downtown area.

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No one hurt as gas leak evacuates Baldwin homes

Eric Pereira
Thursday, July 30, 2020
   A gas leak Wednesday night required first responders to have residents evacuate their homes in Baldwin.     Lt. Josh Defoor with Baldwin Fire Department said a tree was being uprooted and the roots took out a main natural gas line around 6:20 p.m. he said.