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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.
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.
The city has been facing water woes since the beginning of the year, after a crucial part of the mountain system on U.S. 441 and Willingham Avenue burst, causing what seems to be a noticeable chain reaction in the system. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

The city has been facing water woes since the beginning of the year, after a crucial part of the mountain system on U.S. 441 and Willingham Avenue burst, causing what seems to be a noticeable chain reaction in the system. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Baldwin seeks emergency funding

News Staff
Friday, July 11, 2025
By Hannah Caudell Baldwin’s city council has voted unanimously to officially ratify a declaration of emergency for the city after facing recent water service challenges, especially along the city’s mountain system.
Clarkesville Officer Terry Lee Palmer is pinned with the Life Saving Award by his wife Samantha. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Clarkesville Officer Terry Lee Palmer is pinned with the Life Saving Award by his wife Samantha. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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Georgia FOP honors officer for valor

News Staff
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair A Clarkesville police officer was surprised with a statewide award for valor Monday night during the Clarkesville City Council meeting.
The Town of Mt. Airy Park may see some repairs to its parking lot soon. If the SPLOST VIII referendum passes in the next election, Mt. Airy may receive an estimate of $1.68 million to use on a select number of projects, including a possible repaving of Mt. Airy Park.

The Town of Mt. Airy Park may see some repairs to its parking lot soon. If the SPLOST VIII referendum passes in the next election, Mt. Airy may receive an estimate of $1.68 million to use on a select number of projects, including a possible repaving of Mt. Airy Park.

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Mt. Airy council OKs SPLOST, fire deals

News Staff
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
By Hannah Caudell After amending the agenda on Monday night, the Mt. Airy Town Council voted unanimously to approve the mayor’s authority to sign two intergovernmental agreements, one with the county commissioners and another with the city of Cornelia.

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Cornelia considers SPLOST projects

News Staff
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
By Hannah Caudell Habersham cities are working to meet a strenuous July 17 deadline set by the county commissioners for Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) VIII project lists that will go on this year’s November ballot. The city of Cornelia is no exception.