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Physical education teacher Lindsay Herrin (front right) and math teacher Hannah Blalock (front left) help judge a dance competition during a Battle of the Houses at Habersham Ninth Grade Academy.

Physical education teacher Lindsay Herrin (front right) and math teacher Hannah Blalock (front left) help judge a dance competition during a Battle of the Houses at Habersham Ninth Grade Academy.

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Habersham Ninth Grade Academy celebrates five years of house system

News Staff
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
   New friends, a sense of responsibility to peers and fun are terms that can be associated with the house system at Habersham Ninth Grade Academy (HNGA).     The school’s house system began five years ago, with all students and staff members divided into six houses.
Habersham County EMS is having trouble staffing its fifth ambulance for emergency calls.

Habersham County EMS is having trouble staffing its fifth ambulance for emergency calls.

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Habersham County seeks personnel for EMS, 911 dispatch

Matthew Osborne
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
   Habersham County EMS Director Chad Black was all set to make a presentation to the county commissioners about being short on staff and resources, but he was called out to a wreck during Monday’s workshop, illustrating the entire problem in real time.
Lane Gresham is the director of community relations for Tallulah Falls School.

Lane Gresham is the director of community relations for Tallulah Falls School.

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Gresham unopposed for Clarkesville council seat

Matthew Osborne
Tuesday, January 14, 2020
   E. Lane Gresham was the only qualified candidate who filed with the city of Clarkesville for its open council seat by the deadline Friday.    Habersham County’s Elections Office did not receive any more completed packets, though some were picked up during the filing period last week.
Cornelia Fire Department is among those asking if the city would be better off with its own 911 system for emergencies.

Cornelia Fire Department is among those asking if the city would be better off with its own 911 system for emergencies.

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Cornelia ponders building its own 911 system

Matthew Osborne
Friday, January 10, 2020
   The city of Cornelia is considering striking out on its own for emergency calls.    At the first city council meeting of the year Tuesday, Fire Chief Billy Joe Jenkins Jr.
Vaping is on the rise among young people.

Vaping is on the rise among young people.

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Schools push back on youth vaping trend

Matthew Osborne
Friday, January 10, 2020
   Habersham County school officials believe they have made a dent in the growing national trend of young people using e-cigarettes and vapes, but the battle is far from over.
Valerie Nicole Pelles, 24, of Toccoa

Valerie Nicole Pelles, 24, of Toccoa

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Prison guard fired, arrested

Matthew Osborne
Friday, January 10, 2020
   An officer at Lee Arrendale State Prison was arrested Monday after entering the facility with a pack of cigarettes and an alcoholic beverage, according to Georgia Department of Corrections records.
 South Habersham Middle School seventh grader Richard Navarro spelled "throttle" to win the Habersham County spelling bee.

 South Habersham Middle School seventh grader Richard Navarro spelled "throttle" to win the Habersham County spelling bee.

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Literacy celebrated as 7th-grader spells his way to victory

Eric Pereira
Friday, January 10, 2020
   South Habersham Middle School seventh grader Richard Navarro couldn’t help but smile after learning he spelled the winning word “throttle” correctly.    Navarro stood alone as the winner of the Habersham County School System Spelling Bee Wednesday morning.
New Cornelia Mayor John Borrow is sworn in Tuesday night before the commission meeting.

New Cornelia Mayor John Borrow is sworn in Tuesday night before the commission meeting.

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Borrow ready to help Cornelia grow

Matthew Osborne
Friday, January 10, 2020
   Judah Borrow, dressed in a handsome suit topped with a bow tie, hugged his dad Tuesday to congratulate him on being installed as the new mayor of Cornelia.    The 5-year-old had an important question on his mind, though.    “Daddy, do you have to sleep here now?” the boy asked.