Local

Torch Christian Academy Teacher Katie Forde tells the story of Moses striking the rock in the Bible’s Exodus chapter to her second grade students. The academy currently has 10 students benefitting from the Georgia Promise Scholarship. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Torch Christian Academy Teacher Katie Forde tells the story of Moses striking the rock in the Bible’s Exodus chapter to her second grade students. The academy currently has 10 students benefitting from the Georgia Promise Scholarship. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Sixteen local students use Georgia Promise Scholarship

News Staff
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
By Hannah Caudell On July 1, Georgia’s new school voucher program went into effect. Sixteen students in Habersham County — including those attending Tallulah Falls School (TFS) and The Torch Christian Academy (TCA) — will benefit from voucher funds this year.
Early voting continues through Oct. 31.

Early voting continues through Oct. 31.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Early voting turnout picks up

News Staff
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair Saturday was the first day two locations were open for early voting and it was the busiest day for early voting so far with 199 people casting ballots in Habersham County. The pace kept up Monday, with 193 people voting throughout the day.
Mt. Airy Police Chief Jamie Bowden stands with Michael Kiser and Jackson Kilmete in front of the police car and a wanted poster at the Mt. Airy Trunk or Treat Saturday. The Bowdens set up a whole scene promoting the police department, which was flush with fake cash, fidget poppers and candy. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Mt. Airy Police Chief Jamie Bowden stands with Michael Kiser and Jackson Kilmete in front of the police car and a wanted poster at the Mt. Airy Trunk or Treat Saturday. The Bowdens set up a whole scene promoting the police department, which was flush with fake cash, fidget poppers and candy. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Cities ready for Halloween

News Staff
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair Halloween is Friday, and costumed children will be eager to hold out a basket or bag while asking for a treat. While Mt. Airy had a good turnout at its trunk or treat at its town hall Saturday, other local cities will be welcoming families at events Friday.
Since changing their school speed zone policy in August, the city of Tallulah Falls and its police department have seen a significant drop in revenue compared to last year. (File photo)

Since changing their school speed zone policy in August, the city of Tallulah Falls and its police department have seen a significant drop in revenue compared to last year. (File photo)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Speed zone cameras collect less money

News Staff
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
By Hannah Caudell Since changing their school speed zone policy in August, the city of Tallulah Falls and its police department have seen a significant drop in revenue compared to last year.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Chamber operating with interim coordinator

News Staff
Friday, October 24, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair The Habersham County Chamber of Commerce is open for business with Shane Smith filling in as interim chamber coordinator. Chamber Chairman Tommy Thurmond said Smith started in the role on Monday.
Dalton Pitts (center) worked on his ghostbusting skills with his parents, Victoria and Alex Pitts, during Mt. Airy’s Trunk or Treat event last year. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Dalton Pitts (center) worked on his ghostbusting skills with his parents, Victoria and Alex Pitts, during Mt. Airy’s Trunk or Treat event last year. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Halloween fun starts

News Staff
Friday, October 24, 2025
By Zach Taylor With Halloween just around the corner, some towns and churches are holding their events a bit earlier this year to get a jump-start on candy distribution.
PJ Huggins

PJ Huggins

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Alto tables millage vote

News Staff
Friday, October 24, 2025
By Hannah Caudell After the town’s third millage rate hearing, Alto’s council voted unanimously to table the vote on a millage rate increase until next week, when they hope to be presented with a budget draft that justifies the increase.
Josiah Morris works on a milling machine at North Georgia Technical College, a machine commonly used in the automotive and electrical industries. Habersham Success Academy students may be getting a taste of this type of instruction, too, with the addition of the Habersham Works program. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Josiah Morris works on a milling machine at North Georgia Technical College, a machine commonly used in the automotive and electrical industries. Habersham Success Academy students may be getting a taste of this type of instruction, too, with the addition of the Habersham Works program. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Getting a head start

News Staff
Friday, October 24, 2025
By Hannah Caudell Some Habersham County students will be graduating with a professional certificate already under their belts.
The proposed total annexation to Cornelia, including a parcel in the deannexation process from Baldwin, is shown in a map highlighting proposed zoning for the Red Apple Innovation Corridor. (Submitted)

The proposed total annexation to Cornelia, including a parcel in the deannexation process from Baldwin, is shown in a map highlighting proposed zoning for the Red Apple Innovation Corridor. (Submitted)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

City to annex 200-plus acres

News Staff
Friday, October 24, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair Cornelia is set to annex over 200 acres to be developed into a mixed-use corridor. The Habersham County Board of Commissioners was given the opportunity to object to the annexation at its meeting Monday night, but took no action, effectively showing no objections.
John Smith, a Baldwin resident on the Banks County side of the city, spoke before four council members to oppose the millage rate during one of Baldwin’s public hearings on Thursday. He believes something has gone awry in Baldwin after the revenue from millage rate increases have more than doubled since 2022. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

John Smith, a Baldwin resident on the Banks County side of the city, spoke before four council members to oppose the millage rate during one of Baldwin’s public hearings on Thursday. He believes something has gone awry in Baldwin after the revenue from millage rate increases have more than doubled since 2022. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Baldwin passes 11.990 millage rate

News Staff
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
By Hannah Caudell Only two people spoke at the last two Baldwin millage rate hearings on Thursday to voice their dissent and concern for the city’s proposed millage rate of 11.990 in Habersham County and 7.720 in Banks County.