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Habersham Central’s Kyla Quiles pitches during a home game Aug. 25. Quiles pitched well in an 8-inning loss to Buford.

Habersham Central’s Kyla Quiles pitches during a home game Aug. 25. Quiles pitched well in an 8-inning loss to Buford.

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Lady Raiders softball falls in extras

Isaiah Smith
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
   Habersham Central’s softball team dropped a nail-biter last Thursday against No. 4 Buford 2-1 in eight innings.     “Our kids competed. Kyla [Quiles] did a great job pitching, and she only gave up one unearned run through seven innings,” HCHS head coach Bill Bradley said.
Advocacy coordinator Ann Sharp facilitates CASA training which prepares volunteers to advocate for children in court.

Advocacy coordinator Ann Sharp facilitates CASA training which prepares volunteers to advocate for children in court.

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CASA seeks new voices for children

Eric Pereira
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
   There are currently 293 children still in need of a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer for the Northeast Georgia division. However, Community Coordinator Chuck Taylor said that number can fluctuate.     He said of those, 97 children from Habersham County are in need of a CASA.
Clarkesville has no interest in losing its gazebo or the War Memorial that sits near it. SAMANTHA SINCLAIR/CNI News Service

Clarkesville has no interest in losing its gazebo or the War Memorial that sits near it. SAMANTHA SINCLAIR/CNI News Service

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War Memorial discussion opens old wounds over Wall of Honor

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
   The gazebo and War Memorial are icons in downtown Clarkesville, and city officials have declared their intentions to take over the property from the county so as to oversee its upkeep and make it a centerpiece of the middle of town.
Bo Hatchett will challenge Democratic nominee Dee Daley of Rabun County on Nov. 3 for a seat under the dome.

Bo Hatchett will challenge Democratic nominee Dee Daley of Rabun County on Nov. 3 for a seat under the dome.

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Hatchett officially takes District 50 GOP nomination

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
   Six days after declaring victory in the District 50 Georgia Senate runoff, Bo Hatchett can officially rest knowing he is moving on to November.
Habersham Central Principal Jonathan Stribling overlooks one of his school’s new outdoor classroom spaces, prompted by the need to social distance when schools reopen Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Habersham Central Principal Jonathan Stribling overlooks one of his school’s new outdoor classroom spaces, prompted by the need to social distance when schools reopen Tuesday, Sept. 8.

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School officials look for any way they can to keep students safe

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
   Habersham County Schools are down the wire this week, as the start date of Tuesday, Sept. 8, looms to send children back into their buildings.
Habersham County Chairman Stacy Hall has conceded the District 50 race.

Habersham County Chairman Stacy Hall has conceded the District 50 race.

Hall concedes to Hatchett in District 50

News Staff
Monday, August 31, 2020
   After a recount Monday netted only one vote's difference across District 50, Stacy Hall conceded the Republican nomination for the Georgia Senate seat to fellow Habersham County resident Bo Hatchett.
Stacy Hall is hoping to close the 37-vote gap between himself and Bo Hatchett in the recount.

Stacy Hall is hoping to close the 37-vote gap between himself and Bo Hatchett in the recount.

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Hall officially asks for District 50 recount

Matthew Osborne
Friday, August 28, 2020
   The Georgia Secretary of State’s office is investigating the Stephens County Elections Office.    The investigation comes after the SOS received one complaint filed by the 9th District Republican Party and three filed by the Stephens County Republican Party.
Demorest resident Cecilia Nelson approached the council during the Tuesday meeting to retell her account of the Demorest Police removing her granddaughter from her home.

Demorest resident Cecilia Nelson approached the council during the Tuesday meeting to retell her account of the Demorest Police removing her granddaughter from her home.

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Grandmother files complaint in Demorest over child’s removal

Eric Pereira
Friday, August 28, 2020
   Cecilia Nelson approached the Demorest City Council during the work session Tuesday regarding the well-being of her granddaughter, who was removed from her home by the Demorest Police Department in 2019.
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.