Local

The empty space in the Cornelia Crossing Shopping Center will soon be occupied by a package store that was recently approved by the Cornelia City Commissioners. However, there is some concern among Grant-Reeves Veteran Center leadership regarding a package store occupying space near the center. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

The empty space in the Cornelia Crossing Shopping Center will soon be occupied by a package store that was recently approved by the Cornelia City Commissioners. However, there is some concern among Grant-Reeves Veteran Center leadership regarding a package store occupying space near the center. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Cornelia OKs package store

News Staff
Friday, July 4, 2025
By Hannah Caudell A new package store will soon be coming to Cornelia. City commissioners approved a request Tuesday night for conditional use to open a package store at 194 Cornelia Crossing Shopping Center.
Cornelia Police Department

Cornelia Police Department

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Found grenades close city streets

News Staff
Friday, July 4, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair Areas around Cornelia Police Department and City Hall were closed temporarily early Wednesday evening as two possible hand grenades were evaluated. According to reports from the police department, two people approached officers outside the police department at about 6 p.m.
One of Baldwin’s water towers stands tall above the trees along US 441 within the city limits. Water was a hot topic of discussion during Thursday night’s regular meeting. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

One of Baldwin’s water towers stands tall above the trees along US 441 within the city limits. Water was a hot topic of discussion during Thursday night’s regular meeting. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Baldwin faces more water woes

News Staff
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
By Hannah Caudell After continually seeing water pipe breaks, the city of Baldwin has decided to move forward with new software and possible intergovernmental agreements in order to catch pipe bursts quicker while collecting more money to potentially repair the city’s mountain system.
Bill Miles, state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Georgia Department, salutes a fellow soldier during last year’s Wreaths Across America ceremony at the VFW Post 7720 Cemetery. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Bill Miles, state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Georgia Department, salutes a fellow soldier during last year’s Wreaths Across America ceremony at the VFW Post 7720 Cemetery. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Continuing the mission

News Staff
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
By Zach Taylor After leading more than 1,000 troops, Bill Miles has taken on an even bigger role: serving as state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Georgia Department.
E-911 fees collected on cell phone bills have steadily declined, causing the county to offset costs with money from the general fund.

E-911 fees collected on cell phone bills have steadily declined, causing the county to offset costs with money from the general fund.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

County OKs FY26 budget

News Staff
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair Habersham County has a balanced — and lower — budget for the new year. The Habersham County Board of Commissioners approved the $80 million total budget for Fiscal Year 2026 Monday night. The total budget is 5.23 percent lower than last fiscal year’s budget.
A crowd of over 30 people gathered in the Baldwin Police Department to participate in the June Baldwin City Council meeting, where the council approved a budget with a deficit of $429,030.77 to be offset by property tax increase. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

A crowd of over 30 people gathered in the Baldwin Police Department to participate in the June Baldwin City Council meeting, where the council approved a budget with a deficit of $429,030.77 to be offset by property tax increase. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

City balances budget with higher taxes

News Staff
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
By Hannah Caudell   After almost a month of debate between the Baldwin City Council and city citizens, the council unanimously approved a Fiscal Year 2026 budget in a 4-0 vote during Thursday night’s meeting. The budget has an updated deficit of $429,030.
Fireworks light up the sky over Demorest at the grand finale of last year’s Glorious 4th of July celebration. (File)

Fireworks light up the sky over Demorest at the grand finale of last year’s Glorious 4th of July celebration. (File)

Demorest, Baldwin to host Fourth fun

News Staff
Wednesday, July 2, 2025
Demorest’s Glorious 4th of July celebration will begin earlier than usual, to beat the heat of the July sun. The day is filled with activities, ending with a fireworks spectacular at night. Beginning at 7 a.m.
The Baldwin Comprehensive Plan stakeholder committee discussed the potential of a Baldwin downtown during Wednesday night’s meeting, and whether the downtown would appropriately be located on Willingham Avenue or off Highway 441. Willingham Avenue is where the Baldwin downtown used to be. (HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff)

The Baldwin Comprehensive Plan stakeholder committee discussed the potential of a Baldwin downtown during Wednesday night’s meeting, and whether the downtown would appropriately be located on Willingham Avenue or off Highway 441. Willingham Avenue is where the Baldwin downtown used to be. (HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

A new vision for Baldwin

News Staff
Friday, June 27, 2025
By Hannah Caudell Members of the Baldwin Comprehensive Plan stakeholder committee met for a second time on Wednesday evening to better outline the details of a new survey that will be put in front of residents over the coming months, and to create a new vision statement for the city for the next...
Ethan Little (left) describes his vision to Camp Counselor Ella Ballard during arts and crafts on Wednesday. The campers decorated picture frames, which will house a photo of them with their counselor at the end of camp on Sunday. (HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff)

Ethan Little (left) describes his vision to Camp Counselor Ella Ballard during arts and crafts on Wednesday. The campers decorated picture frames, which will house a photo of them with their counselor at the end of camp on Sunday. (HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Much-needed miracle

News Staff
Friday, June 27, 2025
By Hannah Caudell It’s been 30 years since the founders of Camp Hawkins began their journey toward better serving children and adults with special needs in the community; for 20 of those years, they’ve served the families of Habersham County and beyond who have children with special needs and who...