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Mt. Airy considers farm wineries

News Staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
By Zach Taylor On Jan. 22, the Vrahiotes family was devastated to find their winery and young families’ memories burning to the ground. However, they’ve decided their story is not over yet.
(Hannah Caudell/Staff)

(Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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What a treat

News Staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Throughout the county, families enjoyed activities and gathering treats at Halloween events Friday night. Above, Mila Wren reaches into the candy bowl at BSG Coffee, where owner Zach Staggs held out the bowl for her to choose. Look for more photos from Halloween on Page 8.
Demorest Precinct Poll Worker Sonya Frady hands Megan Zimmerman a voter sticker after voting Tuesday morning. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Demorest Precinct Poll Worker Sonya Frady hands Megan Zimmerman a voter sticker after voting Tuesday morning. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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Voters select city leaders

News Staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair Voters headed to their polling places Tuesday to decide on continuing a sales tax and to elect city leaders. Early voting ended Friday with 3,202 deciding to cast ballots in person prior to Election Day Tuesday. Election results were not available by press time Tuesday.

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Demorest passes rollback tax rate

News Staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
By Hannah Caudell After little debate on Thursday, the Demorest City Council voted to approve the full rollback millage rate of 6.593, resulting in a net zero percent property tax.
DAV Chapter 15 Commander Amanda Doughty announced Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15 is disaffiliating with the Grant-Reeves Veterans Center in a letter addressed to members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7720. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

DAV Chapter 15 Commander Amanda Doughty announced Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15 is disaffiliating with the Grant-Reeves Veterans Center in a letter addressed to members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7720. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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DAV splits from Grant-Reeves

News Staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
By Zach Taylor After years of being one of three veteran service organizations under the Grant-Reeves Veterans Center umbrella, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15 is disaffiliating with the organization.
For the first time in six years, Alto’s town council voted 3-2 to raise the millage rate to 6.2 mills to accommodate the deficit anticipated in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.  (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

For the first time in six years, Alto’s town council voted 3-2 to raise the millage rate to 6.2 mills to accommodate the deficit anticipated in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.  (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Alto council members raise millage rate to 6.2

News Staff
Friday, October 31, 2025
By Hannah Caudell For the first time in six years, Alto’s town council voted 3-2 to raise the millage rate to 6.2 mills to accommodate the deficit anticipated in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
Voting is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

Voting is from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Election Day.

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Election Day is Tuesday

News Staff
Friday, October 31, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair Today is the last day of early voting for the Nov. 4 election. “We usually see the largest amount of voter turnout on our last day of early voting, since that will be the last opportunity for voters to vote prior to Election Day,” Election Supervisor Laurel Ellison said.
Heaven’s Saints Motorcycle Ministry Midway Chapter President Johnny Johnson stands at the altar at Clearview Baptist Church, where he serves as the pastor. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Heaven’s Saints Motorcycle Ministry Midway Chapter President Johnny Johnson stands at the altar at Clearview Baptist Church, where he serves as the pastor. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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‘Not about the bikes’

News Staff
Friday, October 31, 2025
By Zach Taylor Motorcycles and worship go hand in hand for a local group, which uses its bikes and the skills of riders and others to help the community.
SNAP recipients in Northeast Georgia and across the nation are at risk of losing these benefits from the anti-hunger program if Congress does not come up with a solution by Nov. 1. (Adobe Stock)

SNAP recipients in Northeast Georgia and across the nation are at risk of losing these benefits from the anti-hunger program if Congress does not come up with a solution by Nov. 1. (Adobe Stock)

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Food banks prepare for SNAP runout

News Staff
Friday, October 31, 2025
By Hannah Caudell As the United States government continues to shutter its doors, the nation’s largest anti-hunger program is at stake: the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, better known as SNAP.