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Habersham County budget needs more trimming to avoid millage rate increase

Habersham County budget needs more trimming to avoid millage rate increase

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Habersham County budget needs more trimming to avoid millage rate increase

Matthew Osborne
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Habersham County Commissioners have a proposal for a balanced budget in their possession, but it took a lot of squeezing to get there.    After around $2.5 million worth of cuts, County Manager Phil Sutton outlined a possible budget for 2020-21 Monday night with about $70,000 to spare.
Jackie Cane of Woodville Elementary delivers a crate of meals to a family May 1.

Jackie Cane of Woodville Elementary delivers a crate of meals to a family May 1.

Habersham County Schools' summer meals program starts June 1

News Staff
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
After serving an expected 180,000 meals from the closure of schools March 17 to the end of the school year, Habersham County Schools will serve summer meals with 13 pickup locations.    The summer meal program will run from June 1 to July 23 and will be available to any child 18 years or younger.
Cathy LaPrade works on a protective mask at My Pool Pal in Alto.

Cathy LaPrade works on a protective mask at My Pool Pal in Alto.

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Alto company pivots to supplying PPE

Isaiah Smith
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
Across the country, companies of all sizes are doing their part to produce masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE). In Alto, My Pool Pal has been doing its part to supply local hospitals and people with masks and gowns to help them stay safe amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
Healthcare workers at Habersham Medical Center appreciated the pizzas on Wednesday.

Healthcare workers at Habersham Medical Center appreciated the pizzas on Wednesday.

Donating pizza to heroes

News Staff
Tuesday, May 12, 2020
A group of local business owners formed a coalition to buy pizza for all the nurses at Habersham Medical Center on Wednesday, which was Nurses Day across the nation.
Dr. Ernest Burns leads a prayer at the Cornelia Train Depot on Thursday along with members of the Grant-Reeves Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7720 as part of the National Day of Prayer. Photo by ERIC PEREIRA/Staff

Dr. Ernest Burns leads a prayer at the Cornelia Train Depot on Thursday along with members of the Grant-Reeves Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7720 as part of the National Day of Prayer. Photo by ERIC PEREIRA/Staff

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Habersham County pauses for National Day of Prayer

Isaiah Smith
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Despite the unseasonably cool weather, Habersham County citizens of all ages braved the conditions Thursday to gather and participate in the 69th annual National Day of Prayer.     “God’s favor has been on this whole set-up,” said Myrna Fouts, one of the organizers of the event.
Habersham County EMTs help carry Commissioner Dustin Mealor out of the woods after he suffered a serious foot injury while mountain biking last weekend.

Habersham County EMTs help carry Commissioner Dustin Mealor out of the woods after he suffered a serious foot injury while mountain biking last weekend.

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Commissioner healing after biking accident

Matthew Osborne
Thursday, May 7, 2020
Dustin Mealor is an experienced mountain biker, but anyone can make a tiny mistake.    The Habersham County Commissioner was biking with some friends May 3 when he took a corner a little too fast.    “My foot hit a boulder and came right out of the socket,” Mealor said Tuesday.
Amber Burrell, Cherri Hendrix and Kim Sosebee spent much of their day Thursday encouraging passers-by to honk if they are dissatisfied with the performance of the Demorest city manager, Kim Simonds.

Amber Burrell, Cherri Hendrix and Kim Sosebee spent much of their day Thursday encouraging passers-by to honk if they are dissatisfied with the performance of the Demorest city manager, Kim Simonds.

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Former chief invited back as Demorest politics turn again

Eric Pereira
Thursday, May 7, 2020
The city of Demorest has approved to rehire Robin Krockum as Chief of Police, but City Manager Kim Simonds has declined Mayor Rick Austin’s request for her resignation.     “I decline your request that I resign as City Manager.
Members of the National Guard load a van up with supplies on Saturday, May 2, after conducting onsite coronavirus testing for all of the residents and staff members at Habersham Home, Habersham Medical Center’s nursing home. Photo by CODY ROGERS/Staff

Members of the National Guard load a van up with supplies on Saturday, May 2, after conducting onsite coronavirus testing for all of the residents and staff members at Habersham Home, Habersham Medical Center’s nursing home. Photo by CODY ROGERS/Staff

National Guard will return Monday for second attempt on COVID-19 testing at Habersham Home

Matthew Osborne
Thursday, May 7, 2020
The National Guard will come back to Habersham Medical Center’s nursing home at 9 a.m. Monday for a second attempt at testing residents and staff for COVID-19.    National Guard personnel came to Habersham Home on Saturday, May 2, but they were unable to complete the tests.