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Artist and author Jan Walker holds the stuffed rabbit she has displayed at her house on Chambers Avenue in the Tower Mountain neighborhood of Cornelia. Walker also has two stuffed cats displayed as part of the neighborhood’s “bear hunt,” which is an effort to give children something to do while “sheltering in place” during the coronavirus pandemic.

Artist and author Jan Walker holds the stuffed rabbit she has displayed at her house on Chambers Avenue in the Tower Mountain neighborhood of Cornelia. Walker also has two stuffed cats displayed as part of the neighborhood’s “bear hunt,” which is an effort to give children something to do while “sheltering in place” during the coronavirus pandemic.

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Viral sensation 'bear hunt' comes to Habersham County neighborhood

News Staff
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
   What do you do with kids who are forced to stay home, but who can’t socialize or have friends over? Take them on a bear hunt!    That was the thinking of Angela Highsmith, who introduced the idea of the hunt in the Tower Mountain neighborhood of Cornelia.
A car visiting the Panther Creek trailhead from the metro Atlanta area tries to pull out into the road Friday afternoon while getting stuck on the police line set up to deter visitors.

A car visiting the Panther Creek trailhead from the metro Atlanta area tries to pull out into the road Friday afternoon while getting stuck on the police line set up to deter visitors.

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Officers crack down as locals call for Atlantans to stay home

Matthew Osborne
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
   Habersham County is putting in plans to protect its residents, and part of that plan would include keeping Metro Atlanta visitors out, if some county officials could have their way.
Angie Guthrie, owner of Java Joe’s Coffee Shop in Clarkesville, sells a gift card to Sheila Humphrey on Saturday. Photo by CODY ROGERS/Staff

Angie Guthrie, owner of Java Joe’s Coffee Shop in Clarkesville, sells a gift card to Sheila Humphrey on Saturday. Photo by CODY ROGERS/Staff

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Local businesses find ways to march on

Matthew Osborne
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
   Local businesses are working hard to serve their customers and hang on during the COVID-19 pandemic partial shutdown.    Several businesses saw solid traffic over the weekend even as the second week of social distancing came to a close.
The Habersham Seventh Day Adventist Church gave away bags full of medical masks, gloves, a bottle of hand sanitizer, a digital thermometer and books to anyone that drove through the Quality Foods parking lot Sunday at 9 a.m. Shown from left are Dortch Williams and Jorge Guillen. Not pictures are Rodney Sykes, Pat Williams and Rodney Williams, who also helped with the giveaway. Photo by CODY ROGERS/Staff

The Habersham Seventh Day Adventist Church gave away bags full of medical masks, gloves, a bottle of hand sanitizer, a digital thermometer and books to anyone that drove through the Quality Foods parking lot Sunday at 9 a.m. Shown from left are Dortch Williams and Jorge Guillen. Not pictures are Rodney Sykes, Pat Williams and Rodney Williams, who also helped with the giveaway. Photo by CODY ROGERS/Staff

DPH reports two COVID-19 cases in Habersham County

Matthew Osborne
Tuesday, March 31, 2020
   After having its first reported case rescinded as an error Friday, two positive cases of COVID-19 coronavirus were reported in Habersham County by the Department of Public Health (DPH) in its Tuesday afternoon update.

Habersham County lays out terms of emergency resolution

News Staff
Saturday, March 28, 2020
   Habersham County’s Board of Commissioners hashed out a two-week emergency resolution Saturday morning via conference call in an attempt to balance safety from the COVID-19 virus with allowing folks to continue doing business in the county.
It is unclear whether Habersham County got its first confirmed case of COVID-19 Friday afternoon.

It is unclear whether Habersham County got its first confirmed case of COVID-19 Friday afternoon.

Habersham County's first COVID-19 case deleted from DPH site

News Staff
Friday, March 27, 2020
   Habersham County had its first confirmed case of COVID-19 coronavirus reported by the Department of Public Health on Friday, but the case was no longer listed by Friday night.
Meeting notices must be given in advance, even if the meetings will be broadcast live online.

Meeting notices must be given in advance, even if the meetings will be broadcast live online.

Meetings going online thanks to COVID-19 restrictions

Matthew Osborne
Thursday, March 26, 2020
   Government meetings are going digital in the near future to ensure rules for social distancing are maintained amid the COVID-19 coronavirus crisis.    The upcoming Demorest meeting at 6 p.m. Tuesday will be live-streamed on the City of Demorest Facebook page.
Habersham County Sheriff’s Office staff are doing all it can to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the jail.

Habersham County Sheriff’s Office staff are doing all it can to prevent the spread of COVID-19 at the jail.

Habersham County Jail taking every possible precaution

Matthew Osborne
Thursday, March 26, 2020
   Habersham County Sheriff’s deputies are working hard to keep the spread of COVID-19 coronavirus from hitting the Habersham County Jail.    Sheriff Joey Terrell said every single person entering the jail – officers included – get their temperature taken before they come in.

Georgia reaches 1,500 COVID-19 cases with 48 deaths

News Staff
Thursday, March 26, 2020
As Gov. Brian Kemp made his announcement on the school closing extension Thursday, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Georgia moved past 1,500, with 48 deaths reported from the virus. As of noon Thursday, 1,525 Georgians had tested positive for COVID-19.
Vanessa Burns directs the choir during the Alliance for African American Music Festival in 2008.

Vanessa Burns directs the choir during the Alliance for African American Music Festival in 2008.

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Burns molds the voices of her worship

Eric Pereira
Thursday, March 26, 2020
   Many words can be said about Shady Grove Baptist Church elder Dr. Vanessa Burns. Those who have known her for many years say she is easy to work with, loving, a people person and even a “drill sergeant.