Local

Election 2025

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City election qualifying starts soon

News Staff

Friday, July 25, 2025

By Samantha Sinclair Qualifying for the Nov. 4 municipal elections starts Aug. 18. The election features races for mayor in four cities, as well as several council seats in five cities. Qualifying period begins Monday, Aug. 18 at 8:30 a.m. and ends at Friday, Aug. 22 at noon.

The construction of a secure entrance vestibule is underway at Woodville Elementary School before the building opens back up for student instruction on Aug. 8. (Submitted)

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For a new generation

News Staff

Friday, July 25, 2025

By Hannah Caudell It’s no secret that Woodville and Hazel Grove Elementary Schools have a rich history. Both school houses have been standing since the 1950s, and generation upon generation of Habershamians have traversed their hallways.

The Agriculture Service Center, positioned beside where the old courthouse once stood, is a possible option for the new fire house. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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City gathering ideas for fire house, hotel

News Staff

Friday, July 25, 2025

By Samantha Sinclair Discussions on what to do with the old courthouse property took some shape Wednesday. The property was one of three new developments talked about during the Clarkesville City Council’s planning retreat.

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Demorest City Council talks fire needs

News Staff

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

By Hannah Caudell Homeowners and business insurance has risen by 15 to 20 percent in the past 12 months, according to Demorest Fire Chief David Scheuerer. He estimates that the problem will only worsen if the city’s fire department doesn’t make a few changes.

Firefighting crews from multiple stations responded to a fire on Plantation Drive in Clarkesville on Saturday night. (Submitted)

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Clarkesville fire leads to boil water advisory

News Staff

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

By Hannah Caudell The old Art-Full Barn location on Plantation Drive is no more after a fire ignited on Saturday night, prompting fire personnel from multiple stations to respond. The cause of the blaze is still under investigation. Firefighters were dispatched at 10:12 p.m.

Billy Ray Henson, Toby Whitfield and Kimberly Bryson

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Drug use investigation yields arrests

News Staff

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

By Hannah Caudell The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Unit made three new arrests last week in their effort to combat drug use and trafficking in the county. All three suspects were found in possession of methamphetamine.

Julie and Don Fraser stand beside a photo of Hal Symes at the Habersham County Airport. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Dedication to the craft

News Staff

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

By Zach Taylor When considering modes of travel and how the world around us was built, many people don’t initially think of helicopters or the men and women who pioneered this craft.

The Habersham County Jail will be 30 years old next year. The county hopes to build a new jail using SPLOSTS VIII funds, if approved by voters. (Submitted)

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New jail on county wish list

News Staff

Wednesday, July 23, 2025

By Samantha Sinclair Habersham County could finally get a new jail if voters approve the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or SPLOST, VIII referendum in November.

The Little Free Library in Lee Dorsey Cook Park is now doorless. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Alto investigates vandalism incidents

News Staff

Friday, July 18, 2025

By Hannah Caudell It started with the Little Free Library in Alto’s Lee Dorsey Cook Park. Holes had been made in the box’s plexiglass front. Alto’s town council suspected a vandal with a BB gun was the most likely culprit.

Cruz-Juarez

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U.S. Marshals nab Cornelia man

News Staff

Friday, July 18, 2025

By Hannah Caudell A wanted Habersham County man who is connected to a November 2024 incident involving sex crimes against children has been apprehended by U.S. Marshals in Hall County. Omar Cruz-Juarez, a 45-year-old man from Cornelia, has been one of Habersham County’s most wanted since Nov.