Local

Election 2025

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Candidate sign up ends today

News Staff

Friday, August 22, 2025

By Samantha Sinclair Qualifying ends today at noon, and as of noon Thursday, 14 candidates have qualified to run for office. Incumbents running for reelection include Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness, Clarkesville Councilwoman Angelia Kiker, Demorest Councilman Shawn Allen and Mt.

Makenna Pirkle (left) and Stella Nash (right) take a spin on the swing ride at the Chattacoochee Mountain Fair in 2023. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Fair celebrates its 50th anniversary

News Staff

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

By Zach Taylor Since 1975, the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair has welcomed thousands of people through its gates every year in early September, offering funnel cakes, fair traditions like the WCON Talent Show, contests, and more. This year is no exception.

A request to rezone just over 26 acres on Blair Road in order to build a new 17-lot subdivision was put on hold by county commissioners Monday night. (Submitted)

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County delays subdivision vote

News Staff

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

By Samantha Sinclair Commissioners decided to hold off on a rezoning decision which would open the process for a new subdivision development in the county. The zoning request made at the Habersham County Board of Commissioners meeting Monday night was to change 26.

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County sets millage rate

News Staff

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

By Samantha Sinclair Habersham County Board of Commissioners adopted the millage rate at the full rollback rate of 11.272 mills for determining property taxes for the county’s general fund.

(Landen Todd/Staff)

Special night

News Staff

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

After an hour-long storm delay, it was a big Friday night for the Raiders as they were able to finish on top of the Stephens County Indians for the first time since 2019. The final score was 27-3. “Special is the word that comes to mind,” Head Coach Benji Harrison said.

Election 2025

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Five qualify for elections on first day

News Staff

Wednesday, August 20, 2025

By Hannah Caudell Those who wish to qualify for city elections this year have another two days to do so. The qualifying period began Monday with five people qualifying on the first day — Angelia Kiker for Clarkesville City Council, Adam Tullis for Mt.

Discussions on the Demorest Fire Department were short in the meeting last Tuesday. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Fire department’s fate remains undecided

News Staff

Friday, August 15, 2025

By Zach Taylor After last month’s heightened tensions between Demorest City Council members about the fate of the Demorest Fire Department, city leaders had no new information when they met again Aug. 5.

The Habersham County Board of Commissioners is considering rezoning for a new subdivision. (Submitted)

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County to OK millage, hear subdivision plan

News Staff

Friday, August 15, 2025

By Samantha Sinclair Three public hearings are on the Habersham County Board of Commissioners meeting Monday night.

Vape shops are not a new thing to the Cornelia city limits, but a new zoning amendment aims to limit the number of vape shops within the city. (Adobe Stock)

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City to limit vape shops

News Staff

Friday, August 15, 2025

By Zach Taylor Cornelia is looking to limit the number of vape shops coming to the city limits with an amendment to its zoning ordinance. The proposed amendment will be discussed in a public hearing at the City of Cornelia Planning Commission meeting on Thursday, Aug. 21 at 5 p.m.

Isabella Ramey (right) runs with Vy as the pony jumps the first obstacle in the practice arena. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Preparing the ponies

News Staff

Friday, August 15, 2025

By Hannah Caudell Tucked away from the campuses of Tallulah Falls School, a pasture stretches to accommodate one of the school’s most unique treasures: the competitive pony team.