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Jeramy Ray Chastain, 30, of Dahlonega

Jeramy Ray Chastain, 30, of Dahlonega

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Boyfriend charged with murder in Alto fire

Matthew Osborne
Friday, March 13, 2020
   Jeramy Ray Chastain, 30, of Dahlonega was served a warrant on a charge of murder while waiting in the Habersham County Jail on trespass charges stemming from a fire in Alto on Saturday.
Level Grove Elementary School Principal Dr. Darlene Hudson stands with fourth grader Junior Gutierrez at his cancer-free diagnosis celebration.

Level Grove Elementary School Principal Dr. Darlene Hudson stands with fourth grader Junior Gutierrez at his cancer-free diagnosis celebration.

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Outgoing Level Grove principal leaves a legacy of leadership

Eric Pereira
Friday, March 13, 2020
   It’s Friday morning at Level Grove Elementary School, and Principal Dr. Darlene Hudson gets excited to take on her day after hearing her students lead the chant “Bulldog Strong, Bulldog Proud!” on the morning broadcast.
Superintendent Matthew Cooper announced Monday night at the Board of Education meeting that the school system had put its prevention plans in place and also had a contingency plan for learn-at-home methods in case further developments caused schools to close for an “extended period.”

Superintendent Matthew Cooper announced Monday night at the Board of Education meeting that the school system had put its prevention plans in place and also had a contingency plan for learn-at-home methods in case further developments caused schools to close for an “extended period.”

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CORONAVIRUS: Collins self-quarantines, Habersham schools have emergency plans

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, March 11, 2020
   U.S. Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga.) is among several federal officials who are self-quarantining after an encounter with a coronavirus patient at the Conservative Political Action Conference in February.
Investigators were on scene Saturday following the extinguishing of the Alto home fire.

Investigators were on scene Saturday following the extinguishing of the Alto home fire.

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Woman killed, house burned in Alto

Eric Pereira
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
   Emergency services responded to an Alto house fire which revealed the death of a woman Saturday. On Tuesday, the cause of death was ruled a homicide.
Bruce Palmer is running for District 1 county commission.

Bruce Palmer is running for District 1 county commission.

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Packed house set for local, state GOP primaries

Matthew Osborne
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
   The slate of state and local candidates was finalized Friday, and what a field it is going to be.    Each available Habersham County commission seat has three candidates.
The Habersham County Board of Education Extra Mile Award for March went to counselor Natalie Ziemba of the Habersham Success Academy. Ziemba was instrumental in planning a life skills day – also called “Adulting Day” – for her students, which taught them everything from cooking to car maintenance to sewing and financial planning. Ziemba recruited volunteers and presenters to teach the kids the skills they said were lacking in the normal curriculum. Ziemba got her award from board member Doug Westmoreland.

The Habersham County Board of Education Extra Mile Award for March went to counselor Natalie Ziemba of the Habersham Success Academy. Ziemba was instrumental in planning a life skills day – also called “Adulting Day” – for her students, which taught them everything from cooking to car maintenance to sewing and financial planning. Ziemba recruited volunteers and presenters to teach the kids the skills they said were lacking in the normal curriculum. Ziemba got her award from board member Doug Westmoreland.

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Westmoreland, Barron unopposed for school board

Matthew Osborne
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
   The two Habersham County Board of Education members who are up for re-election this year can breathe an early sigh of relief, as both are running unopposed in their districts.    Doug Westmoreland out of District 1 and Dr.
Changes to standardized tests

Changes to standardized tests

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Senate bill could change standardized testing in Georgia

Eric Pereira
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
   The state Senate approved bill 367 last week which would make some noticeable changes to standardized tests and how they are administered to students.     According to the bill, it would eliminate five standardized tests, among other things, and change the testing window.
Clarkesville Library hosted a Dr. Suess celebration as the world famous children’s author’s birthday was March 2. Children gathered for arts and crafts activities and reading Thursday. Youth Services Specialist Ashawna Green, children and parents gather for story time.

Clarkesville Library hosted a Dr. Suess celebration as the world famous children’s author’s birthday was March 2. Children gathered for arts and crafts activities and reading Thursday. Youth Services Specialist Ashawna Green, children and parents gather for story time.

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Habersham County school board goes all in on reading with $492K

Matthew Osborne
Tuesday, March 10, 2020
   In February, members of the Habersham County Board of Education listened to teachers tell them how valuable the Fountas & Pinnell literacy materials have been for their young students who are learning to read.