Local

Photo by Felipe Correia on Unsplash

Photo by Felipe Correia on Unsplash

Demorest to improve streets

   Two of three Georgia Department of Transportation - Transportation Alternatives Program grants were awarded to the City of Demorest to improve the city’s streetscapes inside the city limits.
Carswell and Jones. FILE

Carswell and Jones. FILE

Jones, Carswell named Superior Court judges

By Megan Horn CNI News Service      Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has officially appointed Rabun County Probate Judge Carlton H. “Hobie” Jones, III and Juvenile Court Judge B. Nichole Carswell to fill two Superior Court Judge vacancies in the Mountain Judicial Circuit.
Lt. General James L. Terry speaks with David Quintal and other scouts from Troop 5 after his keynote address. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Lt. General James L. Terry speaks with David Quintal and other scouts from Troop 5 after his keynote address. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Boy Scouts dinner honors Akin, Cantrell, Hayes

   Be Prepared is the motto of Boy Scouts, and Lt. Gen. James L. Terry thinks if we build leaders, we will be prepared.    “If you are prepared, then you don’t have to get ready,” Terry said. “Are we prepared? Are we ready? Are we ready as a nation?
New Superintendent Patrick Franklin fills the superintendent’s seat in the Board of Education meeting room with a new nameplate. Franklin took over former Superintendent Matthew Cooper’s position on Thursday, bringing with him over 20 years of professional experience, all of which has been spent in Habersham County. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

New Superintendent Patrick Franklin fills the superintendent’s seat in the Board of Education meeting room with a new nameplate. Franklin took over former Superintendent Matthew Cooper’s position on Thursday, bringing with him over 20 years of professional experience, all of which has been spent in Habersham County. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

A servant’s heart

By Hannah Caudell      Patrick Franklin’s tenure as superintendent of Habersham County School System began a little sooner than expected as former Superintendent Matthew Cooper said goodbye to faculty and students on Thursday, March 13, a fitting day for a man who has held the superintendent seat...
Alto Councilman Eddie Palmer offers his two cents on the fence issue during Tuesday’s work session. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Alto Councilman Eddie Palmer offers his two cents on the fence issue during Tuesday’s work session. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

On the fence

By Hannah Caudell      Making the city’s playground safer will have to wait another month.    The fence for the playground at 155 S. Grant St. in Alto was discussed during the Alto City Council work session, including new quotes and pricing.
Councilman Erik Keith and Councilwoman Kerri Davis review paperwork in the Monday Baldwin meeting. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Councilman Erik Keith and Councilwoman Kerri Davis review paperwork in the Monday Baldwin meeting. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Baldwin OKs Fieldale solar farm project

   After months of deliberating and public hearings, Fieldale Farms finally received the go-ahead from the City of Baldwin for its solar farm project.
E-911 Dispatcher Kailey Gould starts a conversation with students interested in her line of work.  HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

E-911 Dispatcher Kailey Gould starts a conversation with students interested in her line of work. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Paternship Habersham hosts career day at Ninth Grade Academy

By Hannah Caudell      The two gyms at the Habersham Ninth Grade Academy were filled with students congregating at tables organized throughout the rooms, each one showcasing a business within the community looking to inform and potentially recruit for the future.
Chef Inger Smith prepares a meal in the Senior Center’s kitchen. Smith is all about preparing healthy meals for everyone. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Chef Inger Smith prepares a meal in the Senior Center’s kitchen. Smith is all about preparing healthy meals for everyone. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Serving seniors

   The Habersham County Senior Center’s Meals on Wheels program is searching for more volunteers after staffing shortages have arisen in the past few months.    Currently, the Meals on Wheels program has 30 volunteers, with six routes for hot meals to tackle five days each week.
Brooke Whitmire, shown at Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center just weeks after being hired in 2022, has resigned from her position as the Habersham County Recreation Director. FILE

Brooke Whitmire, shown at Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center just weeks after being hired in 2022, has resigned from her position as the Habersham County Recreation Director. FILE

Rec department director resigns

   Habersham County is now looking for a new recreation department director.    Brooke Whitmire’s last day in the position was March 3, according to Interim County Manager Tim Sims, when she submitted her resignation and signed a separation agreement with the county.
Ninth Grade Academy Assistant Principal Maria Waters (left) stands behind up-and-coming Superintendent Patrick Franklin (right) as he voices his recommendation for her new role to the board. Waters was recommended by Franklin and Cooper to take over as principal of the Ninth Grade Academy starting on Thursday, as current Principal David Leenman will assume the assistant superintendent’s role that day, as well. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Ninth Grade Academy Assistant Principal Maria Waters (left) stands behind up-and-coming Superintendent Patrick Franklin (right) as he voices his recommendation for her new role to the board. Waters was recommended by Franklin and Cooper to take over as principal of the Ninth Grade Academy starting on Thursday, as current Principal David Leenman will assume the assistant superintendent’s role that day, as well. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Waters moves to principal role

By Hannah Caudell      Assistant Superintendent Patrick Franklin doesn’t start his superintendent tenure until Thursday, but that didn’t stop him from bringing his recommendation for a new Ninth Grade Academy principal to the table for board approval: Ninth Grade Academy Assistant Principal Maria...