Local

The Chattahoochee Mountain Fair returned 2019 to the Habersham County Fairgrounds, but it will not be held this year, according to current COVID-19 guidelines.

The Chattahoochee Mountain Fair returned 2019 to the Habersham County Fairgrounds, but it will not be held this year, according to current COVID-19 guidelines.

Chattahoochee Mountain Fair forced to cancel

   For the first time in its 45-year history, the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair will be canceled.    The cancellation is due to current COVID-19 restrictions in place statewide by order of Gov. Brian Kemp, urging at-risk populations to shelter in place until Aug.
The marked area is where the entertainment district in Cornelia could be.

The marked area is where the entertainment district in Cornelia could be.

Cornelia to consider an entertainment district

   When having fun in groups is finally safe and legal again, Cornelia wants to be ready.    The city heard a proposal last month from Heath Barrett, Chairman of the Downtown Development Authority Board, about setting up part of the downtown area as an entertainment district.
Jim Morgan served in the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Storm.

Jim Morgan served in the U.S. Army during Operation Desert Storm.

A patriot, in his own words

   Each Sunday at 6 p.m. is showtime for Jim Morgan.    The Grant-Reeves VFW Post 7720’s Junior Vice Commander, is also the owner of an Internet radio station called Patriot Radio that hosts a program called “In Their Own Words” that highlights U.S. combat veterans’ stories.
Fletcher Holliday, President of Engineering Management Inc. (EMI) visited the council Tuesday night. EMI oversees the City’s wastewater treatment plant operations and ensures they are following EPD regulations.

Fletcher Holliday, President of Engineering Management Inc. (EMI) visited the council Tuesday night. EMI oversees the City’s wastewater treatment plant operations and ensures they are following EPD regulations.

Demorest moves forward with leachate dumping deal

   The city of Demorest has decided to move forward with formulating an agreement with Habersham County to dump leachate, or the landfill’s liquid runoff into the Demorest wastewater management system.     Fletcher Holliday, President of Engineering Management Inc.
Demorest Councilman Nathan Davis and former councilwoman Florence Wikle remained in a constant back and forth in Tuesday night’s meeting.

Demorest Councilman Nathan Davis and former councilwoman Florence Wikle remained in a constant back and forth in Tuesday night’s meeting.

Demorest's Davis: Go ahead and recall me

   Demorest was back to another heated discussion, thus time between councilman Nathan Davis and former councilwoman Florence Wikle on Tuesday night.
A sign at Tractor Supply in Cornelia lets folks know they are short on change.

A sign at Tractor Supply in Cornelia lets folks know they are short on change.

COVID-19 causes national coin shortage

   Another residual effect of COVID-19 is a shortage of coin currency.    According to a New York Post report, the Federal Reserve revealed last month that the pandemic had “significantly disrupted” the supply chain and circulation patterns for America’s metal money.     The U.S.
In the state’s $25.9 million budget signed by Gov. Brian Kemp Tuesday afternoon, state agencies only saw a 10% cut to their budgets, a reduction from the 14% originally thought to be coming when the session resumed on June 15.

In the state’s $25.9 million budget signed by Gov. Brian Kemp Tuesday afternoon, state agencies only saw a 10% cut to their budgets, a reduction from the 14% originally thought to be coming when the session resumed on June 15.

Georgia budget cuts not as bad as feared

   With the end of Georgia’s legislative session on June 26, lawmakers left having passed an amended budget that was better than many were expecting.    In the state’s $25.9 million budget signed by Gov.
Habersham Central’s Alexandra  Shalikashvili (3) was the top volleyball vote getter in the Blitz Hall of Fame balloting for 2020.

Habersham Central’s Alexandra Shalikashvili (3) was the top volleyball vote getter in the Blitz Hall of Fame balloting for 2020.

Blitz Hall of Fame picks six Habersham County athletes

   Blitz, a local channel covering high school athletics in Northeast Georgia, inducted six of Habersham County’s most outstanding athletes into its Hall of Fame in June.
Richard Nichols is shown with a big catch from the weekend's fishing trip that ended abruptly.

Richard Nichols is shown with a big catch from the weekend's fishing trip that ended abruptly.

Fishermen rescued after surviving boat accident

   For a few hours Sunday, Keila Nichols had to wonder if she lost her husband, who was missing after a boating accident. But before she was overcome by despair and worry, she turned directly to God.
Healthcare workers test patients at a drive-thru COVID-19 event on June 13 in Cornelia. Photo by ISAIAH SMITH/staff

Healthcare workers test patients at a drive-thru COVID-19 event on June 13 in Cornelia. Photo by ISAIAH SMITH/staff

Health officials seek to track down COVID-19 infections

   Contact tracing is a key part of the original strategy laid out by the White House for states to reopen their economies and society in general from the COVID-19 pandemic.