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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.

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

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

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.

Hall officially asks for District 50 recount

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.

Grandmother files complaint in Demorest over child’s removal

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).

Former deputy still struggling with effects of COVID-19

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.

Postal officials say they are ready to deliver mail, ballots

The U.S. Postal Service has struggled with funding, causing some to speculate about its long-term financial health.
Mt. Airy Council members Adam Tullis, Ray McAllister and Mayor Pro-Tem Mike McCoy discuss the town millage rate Wednesday night. Seated below are councilmen Patrick Leford and Chris Green.

Mt. Airy Council members Adam Tullis, Ray McAllister and Mayor Pro-Tem Mike McCoy discuss the town millage rate Wednesday night. Seated below are councilmen Patrick Leford and Chris Green.

Mt. Airy changes course, looks to avoid tax increase

The Mt. Airy Town Council held a lengthy discussion Wednesday after facing the reality that they might have to increase their millage rate in order to sustain their operating budget as a town.
Members of the Tallulah Falls School Class of 2021 gather to watch the sunrise on Aug. 24, the first day of the academic year. The school’s enrollment for the 2020-21 academic year is 531 students – 423 day students and 108 boarding students, representing 16 countries. Photo by E. LANE GRESHAM

Members of the Tallulah Falls School Class of 2021 gather to watch the sunrise on Aug. 24, the first day of the academic year. The school’s enrollment for the 2020-21 academic year is 531 students – 423 day students and 108 boarding students, representing 16 countries. Photo by E. LANE GRESHAM

Tallulah Falls students happy to be back together

Students took cautious but confident first steps into the new academic year at Tallulah Falls School on Aug. 24.     With enrollment for the 2020-21 academic year at 531 students – 423 day students and 108 boarding students, the Light in the Mountains remains bright.
Habersham County first responders got to the scene of a fire at Alec Mountain Road on Thursday afternoon.

Habersham County first responders got to the scene of a fire at Alec Mountain Road on Thursday afternoon.

Dog rescued from kitchen fire

Habersham County 911 received a call Thursday afternoon with report of a house on fire at 3077 Alec Mountain Road.     The caller advised her kitchen cabinets were on fire and the house was full of smoke, also said she had made it out of the structure but her dog was still inside.
Guns and money were seized along with $8,000 worth of meth and heroin in a bust Friday by the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office.

Guns and money were seized along with $8,000 worth of meth and heroin in a bust Friday by the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office.

ARDEO investigation nets five suspects, along with drugs, guns and cash

After a several month-long drug trafficking investigation conducted by the Banks County Sheriff’s Office, Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, and the Appalachian Regional Drug Enforcement Office (ARDEO), a search warrant was executed Friday at 741 Grant Mill Road in Alto and a traffic stop was made...