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Habersham County School Bus Driver Verner Kesler (left) greets children who board the bus after a Monday school day at Cornelia Elementary. Transportation Director Stephanie Walker (left) is also there to greet students. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Habersham County School Bus Driver Verner Kesler (left) greets children who board the bus after a Monday school day at Cornelia Elementary. Transportation Director Stephanie Walker (left) is also there to greet students. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

School system redraws bus routes for safety

By Hannah Caudell Georgia is one of the top five states for school bus accidents and fatalities in the nation. It also has a pretty high number of motorists passing school buses when they’ve stopped to board or drop off students.
Former Demorest Councilwoman Florence Burke Wikle (left) passed away at 83 on Monday. Pictured here, Wikle stands with John Popham at their last city council meeting. (File)

Former Demorest Councilwoman Florence Burke Wikle (left) passed away at 83 on Monday. Pictured here, Wikle stands with John Popham at their last city council meeting. (File)

Wikle leaves a legacy of service

By Zach Taylor Former Demorest City Council Member Florence Burke Wikle passed away at the age of 83 on Monday. Wikle was known for her dedication to her community, including her service as a councilwoman and as a member of the Tomochichi Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
Mt. approved annexation, variance and zoning changes to allow for a new development on Chase Road.

Mt. approved annexation, variance and zoning changes to allow for a new development on Chase Road.

Mt. Airy OKs annexation

By Zach Taylor Mt. Airy approved annexation, variance and zoning changes to allow for a new development by Alan Baker within the town limits on Chase Road on Monday.
Georgia Ostrich Farm owner Stefan Kuehnert stands in front of his breeding pair pen at the Turnerville location. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Georgia Ostrich Farm owner Stefan Kuehnert stands in front of his breeding pair pen at the Turnerville location. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Flock of ostriches

By Zach Taylor Northeast Georgia is home to many farmers who produce livestock, but none have the experience of Stefan Kuehnert.
To support the city’s budget as it currently stands, Baldwin would have to raise the millage to 11.273 for Habersham residents, an increase from 9.170 in 2024. (File)

To support the city’s budget as it currently stands, Baldwin would have to raise the millage to 11.273 for Habersham residents, an increase from 9.170 in 2024. (File)

Baldwin proposes property tax hike

By Hannah Caudell Things got heated at the Baldwin City Council meeting on Tuesday night when residents voiced concern about the millage rate, which could be raised by at least 2.103 mills for Habersham County residents.
Demorest residents expressed concerns about cutting down the more than 100-year-old trees in front of city hall – the former Demorest Elementary School – during presentations of landscaping, engineering for a parking lot and interior concepts to move the Demorest Post Office into the building.  (File)

Demorest residents expressed concerns about cutting down the more than 100-year-old trees in front of city hall – the former Demorest Elementary School – during presentations of landscaping, engineering for a parking lot and interior concepts to move the Demorest Post Office into the building.  (File)

Parking plans spark concerns for trees

By Zach Taylor Demorest residents expressed concerns about cutting down the more than 100-year-old trees in front of city hall – the former Demorest Elementary School – during presentations of landscaping, engineering for a parking lot and interior concepts to move the Demorest Post Office into...
incident involving a ride operator occurred Sunday night. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

incident involving a ride operator occurred Sunday night. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Ride operator injured at fair

By Zach Taylor A ride operator from Midway Rides was injured at the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair on Sunday night.
Girls Basketball Head Coach Bill Bradley, seen above at the girls basketball camp in June, is resigning from his role as girls basketball head coach.  (Landen Todd/Staff)

Girls Basketball Head Coach Bill Bradley, seen above at the girls basketball camp in June, is resigning from his role as girls basketball head coach. (Landen Todd/Staff)

HCHS Girls Basketball Coach Bradley resigns

By Landen Todd and Hannah Caudell Bill Bradley’s time as Habersham Central High School’s girls basketball head coach has ended. He resigned from his role on Aug. 27, and he confirmed his resignation to The Northeast Georgian Friday afternoon.
Neely Savage and her dairy cow Clover continue the 50-year tradition of showing livestock at the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair. The fair began with young people like Savage showing their livestock for the first time at the show barn at the inaugural fair in 1975. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Neely Savage and her dairy cow Clover continue the 50-year tradition of showing livestock at the Chattahoochee Mountain Fair. The fair began with young people like Savage showing their livestock for the first time at the show barn at the inaugural fair in 1975. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Fair amount of history

By Zach Taylor Being a part of the county’s most significant event each year would be a challenge for anyone.