Local

County Commissioners and County Planning Commission members hold a joint meeting on the Unified Development Ordinance. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

County Commissioners and County Planning Commission members hold a joint meeting on the Unified Development Ordinance. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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County leaders look to manage growth

News Staff
Friday, December 12, 2025
By Zach Taylor For almost a year and a half, Habersham County has been developing a new Unified Development Code (UDC) to strengthen zoning guidelines and manage growth.
(Zach Taylor/Staff)

(Zach Taylor/Staff)

Must be Santa

News Staff
Thursday, December 11, 2025
Cities across the county welcomed the Christmas season this weekend, starting with Demorest Thursday night. Above, Shelby Connor tells Santa and Mrs. Claus what she wants for Christmas in Demorest.
Kelly McCormick

Kelly McCormick

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McCormick as chief appraiser

News Staff
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
By Zach Taylor After a long interview in executive session Tuesday morning, the Habersham County Board of Assessors hired Kelly McCormick as chief appraiser. “I’m really excited about the opportunity to be the chief appraiser here in Habersham.
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City pauses annexation applications

News Staff
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
By Hannah Caudell After last Tuesday’s meeting saw more than 150 people packed into Cornelia’s courtroom for the commission meeting that would decide the fate of 216 acres of county property, the Cornelia City Commission held a special-called meeting on Tuesday to put an emergency moratorium in...
Principal Lana Jones and Assistant Principal Kellie Cash celebrate ennifer Reynolds and Chandler Herrin as Demorest Elementary teacher and support person of the year. (Submitted)

Principal Lana Jones and Assistant Principal Kellie Cash celebrate ennifer Reynolds and Chandler Herrin as Demorest Elementary teacher and support person of the year. (Submitted)

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Schools choose top teacher, support staff

News Staff
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
By Hannah Caudell Before Christmas break, Habersham’s 14 public schools announced their individual teacher and support people of the year. In the spring, the school system will choose the district winners of the year from this pool of nominees.
The city of Clarkesville will begin to reline 11 manholes throughout the city. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

The city of Clarkesville will begin to reline 11 manholes throughout the city. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Clarkesville to start repairing manholes

News Staff
Wednesday, December 10, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair The city of Clarkesville is moving forward with plans to reline manholes. In its work session Monday night, the council approved spending $35,575 to repair 11 manholes throughout the city, paid through Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds.
The commissioners voted unanimously to strike down the ordinance.

The commissioners voted unanimously to strike down the ordinance.

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Cornelia gives up on eminent domain

News Staff
Friday, December 5, 2025
By Hannah Caudell On Thursday, City Manager Dee Anderson told The Northeast Georgian that he didn’t believe this city commission would try to pass an eminent domain ordinance again.  “I don’t think that ordinance will see the light of day again,” Anderson said.
Demorest examines water rates and how they will affect its residents and commercial users, based on a study by EMI. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Demorest examines water rates and how they will affect its residents and commercial users, based on a study by EMI. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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City reviews water rates

News Staff
Friday, December 5, 2025
By Zach Taylor As the largest water provider in the county, the City of Demorest is reviewing its future water rate structure to keep up with system maintenance costs.
Cindy Foster Grace is highly involved in the Tomochichi Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Cindy Foster Grace is highly involved in the Tomochichi Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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Dedication and connection

News Staff
Friday, December 5, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair When her father, well-known local pharmacist John L. Foster Jr., retired, Cindy Foster Grace spent time taking care of him and becoming fascinated with his new hobby — genealogy. “My dad is the one who got me into genealogy,” Grace said.
The Cornelia City Commission took time to listen to everyone who wished to speak during public forum Tuesday night. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

The Cornelia City Commission took time to listen to everyone who wished to speak during public forum Tuesday night. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Annex dies, revival possible

News Staff
Friday, December 5, 2025
By Hannah Caudell Cornelia Mayor John Borrow called Tuesday night’s turnout a record in public participation across the city and county, with upwards of 150 people present at Cornelia’s meeting alone, and hundreds of others watching the public forum unfold online.