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Police Chief Casey Chastain said it is important that the Demorest police officers have reliable vehicles so they can continue to perform their jobs in an effective manner. (File)

Police Chief Casey Chastain said it is important that the Demorest police officers have reliable vehicles so they can continue to perform their jobs in an effective manner. (File)

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Vehicles top Demorest SPLOST project list

News Staff
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
By Zach Taylor Demorest discussed its potential Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) projects in its special called meeting on Thursday. For the third time, city council members discussed how its potential $2.4 million in SPLOST funds will be allocated.
that do not match the elevation of the road, which Baldwin’s council cannot remedy in the SPLOST VII cycle. Council hopes to fund the remainder of the project through SPLOST VIII funds, depending on whether voters approve the referendum in November. (File)

that do not match the elevation of the road, which Baldwin’s council cannot remedy in the SPLOST VII cycle. Council hopes to fund the remainder of the project through SPLOST VIII funds, depending on whether voters approve the referendum in November. (File)

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Water projects top of Baldwin’s SPLOST list

News Staff
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
By Hannah Caudell In November’s SPLOST referendum, Baldwin residents will be asked to vote for up to 15 projects for the city.

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Cornelia to discuss SPLOST VIII list

News Staff
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
By Hannah Caudell Cornelia’s City Commission will hold a special called meeting on Thursday, July 17 at 1:30 p.m. to discuss its SPLOST VIII project list, which includes improvements to community facilities, public safety, and streets and sidewalks.
Property values for the 2025 tax digest were approved by the Habersham County Board of Tax Assessors Monday morning. (Adobe Stock Image)

Property values for the 2025 tax digest were approved by the Habersham County Board of Tax Assessors Monday morning. (Adobe Stock Image)

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Assessors set property values

News Staff
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair Property values for the 2025 tax digest were approved by the Habersham County Board of Tax Assessors Monday morning. The total gross taxable value in the county was determined to be $3.028 billion by consultant McCormick Solutions. Last year’s total was $2.6 billion.
A seat sits empty in one of Level Grove Elementary School’s classrooms, where students are set to return on Aug. 8. The Georgia legislature has passed Senate Bill 123, which aims to combat chronic student absenteeism through more supportive measures. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

A seat sits empty in one of Level Grove Elementary School’s classrooms, where students are set to return on Aug. 8. The Georgia legislature has passed Senate Bill 123, which aims to combat chronic student absenteeism through more supportive measures. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Keeping students in school

News Staff
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
By Hannah Caudell Over 19 percent of students in the state of Georgia are considered chronically absent, meaning students are missing 10 percent of school days in the entire year.
A Baldwin Fire Department truck sits outside of the city’s fire department. Recently, Baldwin’s council approached Cornelia Commissioners to ask for a consolidation of fire services. Council is still looking for ways to cut down on its $429,030.77 budget deficit after passing the budget in June. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

A Baldwin Fire Department truck sits outside of the city’s fire department. Recently, Baldwin’s council approached Cornelia Commissioners to ask for a consolidation of fire services. Council is still looking for ways to cut down on its $429,030.77 budget deficit after passing the budget in June. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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City talks consolidation to cut budget

News Staff
Wednesday, July 16, 2025
By Hannah Caudell The idea was suggested in May: what if Baldwin consolidated their services to save more money? Councilwoman Alice Venter asked her fellow council members to consider this question again during last Tuesday’s regular meeting to save more money on the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
cilwoman Alice Venter and pose with puppies in February 2023. (File)

cilwoman Alice Venter and pose with puppies in February 2023. (File)

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‘This is trash’

News Staff
Friday, July 11, 2025
By Hannah Caudell Baldwin is holding off on paying the county for animal control. During Tuesday night’s meeting, Baldwin City Council members voted unanimously to table an allocation of funds to pay the full amount for contracted animal control services to the county.
public safety, including purchasing a pumper truck for the fire department and designing a new fire station. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

public safety, including purchasing a pumper truck for the fire department and designing a new fire station. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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Fire needs top city’s wish list

News Staff
Friday, July 11, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair Clarkesville leaders have determined how they would use the $2.3 million they’ll get from the next Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or SPLOST, if it’s approved by voters in November.
Clarkesville Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat for the 58-unit Village Crest Subdivision on Tuesday.

Clarkesville Planning Commission approved the preliminary plat for the 58-unit Village Crest Subdivision on Tuesday.

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Subdivision plans get first OK

News Staff
Friday, July 11, 2025
By Zach Taylor After nearly a full calendar year, the preliminary plat for the Village Crest Subdivision on Rocky Branch Road was unanimously approved by the Clarkesville Planning Commission. The 13.
Trista Blankenship, the executive director of Northeast Georgia Christian Counseling, counsels clientele from all across the Northeast Georgia region along with nine other counselors. Northeast Georgia Christian Counseling is a nonprofit dedicated to providing affordable and professional counseling to anyone for a reduced comparable rate, even as little as $25 per session with the help of the center’s Counseling Assistance Fund. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Trista Blankenship, the executive director of Northeast Georgia Christian Counseling, counsels clientele from all across the Northeast Georgia region along with nine other counselors. Northeast Georgia Christian Counseling is a nonprofit dedicated to providing affordable and professional counseling to anyone for a reduced comparable rate, even as little as $25 per session with the help of the center’s Counseling Assistance Fund. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Filling the gap

News Staff
Friday, July 11, 2025
By Hannah Caudell Habersham County is in a desert, of sorts. Affordable counseling services for residents, including those facing the challenges of poverty, are few and far between.  According to U.S. Census Bureau data dating between 2019 to 2023, about 13.