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Scarlett LaCount of Cornelia continues to battle stage 5 Wilms Tumor Cancer. There will be a community benefit at Pitts Park in Clarkesville on Aug. 1.

Scarlett LaCount of Cornelia continues to battle stage 5 Wilms Tumor Cancer. There will be a community benefit at Pitts Park in Clarkesville on Aug. 1.

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Family keeps faith, hopes for a miracle

Eric Pereira
Thursday, July 23, 2020
   Scarlett LaCount of Cornelia has gone through several trials and tribulations since she was diagnosed July 2019 with stage 5 Wilms Tumor Cancer which is a type of childhood cancer which starts in the kidneys according to the American Cancer Society.
Retired Habersham County teachers Debbie and Doug Vermilya battled COVID-19 at the same time, but they were able to recover and come out of it together.

Retired Habersham County teachers Debbie and Doug Vermilya battled COVID-19 at the same time, but they were able to recover and come out of it together.

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Couple battles COVID-19 together

Matthew Osborne
Thursday, July 23, 2020
   It was not quite the 40th anniversary celebration Doug and Debbie Vermilya had envisioned.     Instead of being at a fancy resort or bed and breakfast, the retired Habersham County teachers shared a room at Stephens County Hospital, as both battled symptoms of COVID-19.
Heroin was seized at the Baymont Inn and Suites in Cornelia.

Heroin was seized at the Baymont Inn and Suites in Cornelia.

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Alleged heroin dealer nabbed

Eric Pereira
Thursday, July 23, 2020
   Gregory Ray Martin, 54, of Maysville was arrested and charged with trafficking heroin and possession with intent to distribute heroin Monday.

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Schools prepared to overcome $5.7M shortfall

Isaiah Smith
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
   At Thursday night’s Habersham County Board of Education work session, Superintendent Matthew Cooper and Finance Director Staci Newsome presented the system’s 2020-21 budget and reported a net loss of over $5.7 million in state funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Façade upgrades planned for Clarkesville historic district

Isaiah Smith
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
   The Clarkesville City Council reached consensus at its Monday night meeting to go ahead with façade improvements for the 1420 Washington Street building. This will be the second upgrade to the building this year, as the building’s main floor received a new ceiling earlier this year.
Bobby Junior Neal, 38, of Clarkesville

Bobby Junior Neal, 38, of Clarkesville

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Man arrested on child molestation charges

Matthew Osborne
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
   Bobby Junior Neal, 38, of Clarkesville was arrested July 16 after an investigation led to allegations he molested a young child.    Neal was a family friend of the victim, who was staying in the same home with him along with her mother at the time.
Superintendent Matthew Cooper and Board of Education member John Elger debate the issue of school reopening at Monday’s Board of Education meeting.

Superintendent Matthew Cooper and Board of Education member John Elger debate the issue of school reopening at Monday’s Board of Education meeting.

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Emotions run high over school reopening plans

Eric Pereira
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
   Tensions and questions were raised over the current school reopening plan at the Habersham County Board of Education meetings on Monday evening.
Lt. Brian McNair of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office gets his promotion from Sheriff Gerald Couch in the fall of 2019. McNair, a Clarkesville resident, died Monday from complications related to COVID-19.

Lt. Brian McNair of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office gets his promotion from Sheriff Gerald Couch in the fall of 2019. McNair, a Clarkesville resident, died Monday from complications related to COVID-19.

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COVID-19 hits law enforcement community hard

Matthew Osborne
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
   The COVID-19 virus does not discriminate by gender, race, or profession, but the local law enforcement community has been hit particularly hard this week by the pandemic.    Lt.
Bobby Irvin gives a tour of the chicken coop he converted in a bluegrass venue which has hosted several local and recognizable names in bluegrass music.

Bobby Irvin gives a tour of the chicken coop he converted in a bluegrass venue which has hosted several local and recognizable names in bluegrass music.

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Expert collector makes it to 'American Pickers'

Eric Pereira
Tuesday, July 21, 2020
   Some days you can typically find Bobby Irvin at Irvin’s Store and Hunting Supply with his brother Danny. But other times, Bobby may be out at an estate sale, flea market or farm auction adding more to his extensive collection.    “If it’s old, I drag it home” he said.