Local

Georgia Municipal Association Member Services Consultant Pete Pyrzenski talks to Alto council members about their 2026 budget deadline, as well as other pressing issues the town is facing, especially at the end of the year. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Georgia Municipal Association Member Services Consultant Pete Pyrzenski talks to Alto council members about their 2026 budget deadline, as well as other pressing issues the town is facing, especially at the end of the year. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Alto faces tight budget deadline

News Staff
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
By Hannah Caudell Though the clock is ticking for Alto to pass a 2026 budget before the new year, Georgia Municipal Association Member Services Consultant Pete Pyrzenski advised council on Thursday that if they don’t have updated financials by Dec. 29, members may have to table the budget vote...
Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness helps to pack bags of food for kids in Habersham County. The Everyday Good’s Food4Kids program volunteers packed food for Habersham County students for the Christmas break on Tuesday morning. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness helps to pack bags of food for kids in Habersham County. The Everyday Good’s Food4Kids program volunteers packed food for Habersham County students for the Christmas break on Tuesday morning. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Help for the holidays

News Staff
Friday, December 19, 2025
Resources available for students, families By Hannah Caudell In 2024, 163 Habersham County students, or 2.16 percent of students, qualified as beneficiaries under the McKinney-Vento Act, a federal law outlining the rights of students who are defined as homeless, or unhoused.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Radio system deployment pushed to February

News Staff
Friday, December 19, 2025
By Zach Taylor Habersham County’s radio system update is nearing completion, improving coverage across the system and keeping residents and first responders safer. “We’re basically rounding third and coming home on this thing, finally,” Habersham County Radio System Administrator Tom Priddy said.
Candice Holcomb

Candice Holcomb

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Chamber names Holcomb president

News Staff
Friday, December 19, 2025
By Hannah Caudell After over two months of searching for a new president after Ellie Van Doornum’s resignation, the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce has announced the new president that will be filling her shoes: Candice Holcomb.
The Habersham County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance for public displays of fireworks. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

The Habersham County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance for public displays of fireworks. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

County adds fireworks ordinance

News Staff
Friday, December 19, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair Public displays of fireworks will now require a permit and rules in the county. The Habersham County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance outlining the process for permitting a public display of fireworks. It does not affect personal, private use of fireworks.
Cub Scout Gabriel Nichols lays a wreath during the ceremony on Saturday at Demorest City Cemetery. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Cub Scout Gabriel Nichols lays a wreath during the ceremony on Saturday at Demorest City Cemetery. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Honoring the fallen

News Staff
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
By Zach Taylor Saturday marked another year of Wreaths Across America ceremonies in Demorest and the Grant-Reeves Veterans of Foreign Wars Cemetery.
Newly appointed Partnership Habersham Chairman Tommy Thurmond speaks with Tim Ash (left). (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Newly appointed Partnership Habersham Chairman Tommy Thurmond speaks with Tim Ash (left). (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

State of the County reviews 2025, looks forward to new year

News Staff
Friday, December 12, 2025
By Zach Taylor North Georgia Technical College hosted the annual State of the County Address on Wednesday morning, with Partnership Habersham and the Habersham Chamber of Commerce leading the address.
Baldwin’s new City Manager Tiera Morrison takes the loyalty oath for the position. Morrison officially started with the city of Baldwin on Dec. 10. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Baldwin’s new City Manager Tiera Morrison takes the loyalty oath for the position. Morrison officially started with the city of Baldwin on Dec. 10. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Baldwin hires Morrison as new city manager

News Staff
Friday, December 12, 2025
By Hannah Caudell On Dec. 9, Tiera Morrison took the loyalty oath to become Baldwin’s new city manager. Morrison will be taking over the administrative duties of former chief administrative officer Emily Woodmaster, who is now an independent contractor with the city until Dec. 31.
Ivey

Ivey

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Ivey resigns as Alto police chief

News Staff
Friday, December 12, 2025
By Zach Taylor After a lengthy executive session Tuesday, the Town of Alto accepted Police Chief Josh Ivey’s resignation. Ivey has served with the Alto Police Department for 12 years, including nine years as chief. “I am still going to help out part-time,” Ivey said.
Ethan Ortiz proudly shows his colored gingerbread house at the Hillside Baptist Church Autism Christmas event. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Ethan Ortiz proudly shows his colored gingerbread house at the Hillside Baptist Church Autism Christmas event. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

‘Good holiday time’

News Staff
Friday, December 12, 2025
By Hannah Caudell and Zach Taylor Christmas magic was in the air on Sunday at Cornelia Community House as families from across the region brought their children to the annual North Georgia Autism Foundation Christmas celebration.