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Baldwin Councilwoman Alice Venter, left, stands to her feet next to Mayor Stephanie Almagno to explain what the public works department does for the city to justify their take-home vehicles, as well as other utility vehicles that are paid for with SPLOST dollars and maintained through public dollars. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Baldwin Councilwoman Alice Venter, left, stands to her feet next to Mayor Stephanie Almagno to explain what the public works department does for the city to justify their take-home vehicles, as well as other utility vehicles that are paid for with SPLOST dollars and maintained through public dollars. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

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Baldwin FY26 budget talks get tense

News Staff
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      Residents of Baldwin made their voices heard on Monday night during Baldwin’s regular meeting, where they held a public hearing for the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.
Habersham EMC crews work to repair power lines on Old Cleveland Road on Sunday afternoon. Samantha Sinclair/Staff

Habersham EMC crews work to repair power lines on Old Cleveland Road on Sunday afternoon. Samantha Sinclair/Staff

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Storm takes out trees, power

Samantha Sinclair
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
   A powerful storm made its way through North Georgia Saturday evening, leaving a path of destruction and power outages throughout the county.    Many businesses and restaurants had to close early Saturday due to power outages, and remained closed on Sunday.
Stewart Swanson presented the Habersham County Airport Commission with a suggestion to change the signage on the main terminal to the James Tatum Terminal, as was requested in a 2005 resolution that the county adopted before constructing its new terminal in 2018. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Stewart Swanson presented the Habersham County Airport Commission with a suggestion to change the signage on the main terminal to the James Tatum Terminal, as was requested in a 2005 resolution that the county adopted before constructing its new terminal in 2018. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Swanson suggests county airport renaming

Zach Taylor
Wednesday, June 11, 2025
   Stewart Swanson wants a part of airport history to get the recognition his family deserves.    He spoke at the Habersham County Airport Commission meeting on Tuesday about the airport’s naming in a 2005 resolution approved by the county.
Owner Andy Sudderth stands next to barrels full of whiskey in the new distillery in Mt. Airy, his hand resting on a ceramic jug from the R.M. Rose Distillery in Atlanta in the late 1800s. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Owner Andy Sudderth stands next to barrels full of whiskey in the new distillery in Mt. Airy, his hand resting on a ceramic jug from the R.M. Rose Distillery in Atlanta in the late 1800s. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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A rose in the kudzu

Zach Taylor
Friday, June 6, 2025
   Mt. Airy has a new draw to its small-town feel.    R.M. Rose and Company Distillery held a grand opening at the new distillery in Mt. Airy Saturday, continuing a legacy of over 150 years.    The former R.M.
The gate at the old water plant in Cornelia is set to be fixed by Franklin Fence Company. The project will cost the city $11,015.78. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

The gate at the old water plant in Cornelia is set to be fixed by Franklin Fence Company. The project will cost the city $11,015.78. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Cornelia sets estimated rollback millage

Zach Taylor
Friday, June 6, 2025
   Cornelia City Commissioners set the estimated rollback millage rate for upcoming tax assessments in accordance with House Bill 581.
The old funeral home building on Washington Street in Clarkesville will be demolished soon. SAMANTHA SINCLAIR/Staff

The old funeral home building on Washington Street in Clarkesville will be demolished soon. SAMANTHA SINCLAIR/Staff

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Demolition ahead for funeral home building

Samantha Sinclair
Friday, June 6, 2025
   Another building in Clarkesville will be demolished in coming weeks.    City Manager Keith Dickerson said Monday that the old funeral home building on Washington Street will be demolished after the demolition work on the old courthouse is fully complete, as the same demolition crew will be used.
Ann Lewallen (right) works in the Cornelia Elementary School kitchen service line to serve the children coming through for breakfast on Thursday morning. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Ann Lewallen (right) works in the Cornelia Elementary School kitchen service line to serve the children coming through for breakfast on Thursday morning. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

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Habersham schools summer food program starts

News Staff
Friday, June 6, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      Thanks to the Habersham County School System’s nutrition department, children 18 and younger can now participate in the system’s summer food program, which aims to alleviate childhood food insecurity during the summer for the county’s schoolchildren.
GlobalTech Owner Rush Mauney and his daughter and GlobalTech Director of Marketing and Communications Jessamine Cantey take a look Goose Creek Black Cherry candles coming down the production line. They are celebrating 30 years of the candle business with employees. Samantha Sinclair/Staff

GlobalTech Owner Rush Mauney and his daughter and GlobalTech Director of Marketing and Communications Jessamine Cantey take a look Goose Creek Black Cherry candles coming down the production line. They are celebrating 30 years of the candle business with employees. Samantha Sinclair/Staff

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Keeping the flame going

Samantha Sinclair
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
   Things are coming full circle for Jessamine Cantey.    She remembers when she little, and her father’s factory had just opened, going to a carnival in the factory’s warehouse. And, she remembers how special that day was for the families working at GlobalTech Industries.
Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

Photo by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash

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Clarkesville changes millage calculation

Samantha Sinclair
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
   Property taxes may not change in Clarkesville, but the way the rate is calculated will.    The Clarkesville City Council approved a resolution Monday night that amends the maximum millage rate in its charter.
Tullis

Tullis

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Tullis ready to run for mayor

News Staff
Wednesday, June 4, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      Mt. Airy citizens will see a familiar name on the mayor’s ballot in this year’s election.    Councilman Adam Tullis has announced his intent for mayor and has submitted his resignation letter to the town, effective on Aug. 17.