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New city attorney Dale Samuels (right) conducts Monday night’s public hearing for a zoning variance request for property in the Highland Pointe subdivision.

New city attorney Dale Samuels (right) conducts Monday night’s public hearing for a zoning variance request for property in the Highland Pointe subdivision.

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Baldwin puts off decision on paving, park projects

Isaiah Smith
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
   Despite Baldwin’s City Council being in agreement about using Habersham County SPLOST VI funds to finance projects to pave Professional Drive and upgrade the Downtown City Park, the mayor and council elected Monday not to vote on them until a later meeting.
Demorest City Manager Kim Simonds and Councilman John Hendrix are paying the $6,000 outside legal bill that was purported to be paid by a 'benefactor.'

Demorest City Manager Kim Simonds and Councilman John Hendrix are paying the $6,000 outside legal bill that was purported to be paid by a 'benefactor.'

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Simonds, Hendrix revealed as Demorest 'benefactors'

Eric Pereira
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
   After a month of deflection and mystery, Demorest City Manager Kim Simonds and City Councilman John Hendrix confirmed Monday that they are the benefactors who are paying for $6,000 worth of outside legal fees incurred in an effort to remove the city attorney.
Panther Creek’s beautiful scenery and serene natural settings attract tourists daily, but Habersham County has needed to undergo multiple four-hour-plus rescues in the last five weeks. Photo by SAMANTHA SINCLAIR/CNI News Service

Panther Creek’s beautiful scenery and serene natural settings attract tourists daily, but Habersham County has needed to undergo multiple four-hour-plus rescues in the last five weeks. Photo by SAMANTHA SINCLAIR/CNI News Service

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Multiple long rescues at Panther Creek have tied up crews on weekends

Matthew Osborne
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
   Panther Creek was the site of two more major emergency calls over the weekend, including a medical emergency resulting in a 23-year-old woman’s death.    Dispatch got a call around 9:45 p.m. Sunday that the woman had a medical issue about 10 minutes into the trails.
Recently retired Demorest Elementary teachers Allison Roland (left) and Mary McDuffie chat at Demorest Springs Park on Monday. The two put in 30 years each teaching Habersham County students, 19 of those together at Demorest.

Recently retired Demorest Elementary teachers Allison Roland (left) and Mary McDuffie chat at Demorest Springs Park on Monday. The two put in 30 years each teaching Habersham County students, 19 of those together at Demorest.

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Retiring teachers move on after shutdown ended their careers abruptly

Matthew Osborne
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
   Longtime Demorest Elementary teachers Allison Roland and Mary McDuffie have not had much time to catch up since they both retired from education this summer, but they both admit it is strange not preparing for another year in front of a class of youngsters.
Georgia’s law on abortions would have been among the most restrictive in the country had it been allowed to take effect at the start of this year.

Georgia’s law on abortions would have been among the most restrictive in the country had it been allowed to take effect at the start of this year.

Judge strikes down Georgia abortion ban

Beau Evans
Monday, July 13, 2020
   A federal judge Monday blocked a Georgia law from taking effect that would ban most abortions after a heartbeat is detected, marking a pivotal decision in a case that has enflamed passions in the state for more than a year.    The ruling by U.S.
Hopeful Lady Raiders get instructions for a passing drill during the tryouts.

Hopeful Lady Raiders get instructions for a passing drill during the tryouts.

Habersham Central holds volleyball tryouts

Isaiah Smith
Friday, July 10, 2020
   Habersham Central High School Volleyball Coach Lindsay Herrin gives instructions during volleyball tryouts at Wilbanks Middle School on Thursday morning.
On Tuesday, the Baldwin City Council discussed using $648,500 of SPLOST VI funds to complete the Downtown City Park project.

On Tuesday, the Baldwin City Council discussed using $648,500 of SPLOST VI funds to complete the Downtown City Park project.

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Baldwin set to finish city park project downtown

Isaiah Smith
Friday, July 10, 2020
   At Tuesday night’s City Council meeting, Baldwin officials discussed a contract to repave Professional Drive and also reviewed an estimate to complete its Downtown City Park Project.
Demorest City Council is hoping to fix cracks like this one in city sidewalks.

Demorest City Council is hoping to fix cracks like this one in city sidewalks.

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Demorest pondering sidewalk fixes

Eric Pereira
Friday, July 10, 2020
   Sidewalks were the first question addressed for the Concerned Citizens of Demorest Inc. (CCD) during the Demorest City Council Tuesday night meeting. Throughout the night, planning sidewalk repairs in the future were brought up.
Residents have been on edge about speeders near the intersection of Foster and Edwards Streets in Cornelia.

Residents have been on edge about speeders near the intersection of Foster and Edwards Streets in Cornelia.

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Cornelia residents petition city for help with speeders

Matthew Osborne
Friday, July 10, 2020
   Residents of the neighborhood off Foster Street in Cornelia signed petitions recently to ask the City Commission for a speed bump in the area of Foster and Edwards Streets.