Local

(Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

(Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Fourth finale

Fireworks explode high above the Demorest ballfield as firefighters and their families got front row seats to show. Folks gathered behind Demorest City Hall Friday night for the grand finale of the city’s Glorious 4th of July celebration. 
sible development site. Cook Communities has requested permission from the Cornelia City Commissioners to construct 72 townhomes, 228 apartments and three outparcels for commercial development. The city has only approved a zoning change.

sible development site. Cook Communities has requested permission from the Cornelia City Commissioners to construct 72 townhomes, 228 apartments and three outparcels for commercial development. The city has only approved a zoning change.

Level Grove development gets OK

By Hannah Caudell Despite some concerns from citizens and community leaders alike, the Cornelia City Commissioners are considering another development project on 1900 Level Grove Road, a 36.84 acreage property that has been eyed by developers in the past year.
Lynn McCollum holds a photo of the display of Dr. Bodo Otto’s tools at the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton, N.J. Her certificate of membership for the National Daughters of the American Revolution is surrounded by photos and documents sharing some of the history of her Revolutionary War ancestors. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Lynn McCollum holds a photo of the display of Dr. Bodo Otto’s tools at the Old Barracks Museum in Trenton, N.J. Her certificate of membership for the National Daughters of the American Revolution is surrounded by photos and documents sharing some of the history of her Revolutionary War ancestors. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Revolutionary roots

By Samantha Sinclair When George Washington crossed the Delaware River with the Continental Army on Christmas night 1776, his surgeon Dr. Bodo Otto was there with him. Otto was the chief surgeon of the army, and the eighth great-grandfather of Lynn McCollum of Demorest.
The empty space in the Cornelia Crossing Shopping Center will soon be occupied by a package store that was recently approved by the Cornelia City Commissioners. However, there is some concern among Grant-Reeves Veteran Center leadership regarding a package store occupying space near the center. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

The empty space in the Cornelia Crossing Shopping Center will soon be occupied by a package store that was recently approved by the Cornelia City Commissioners. However, there is some concern among Grant-Reeves Veteran Center leadership regarding a package store occupying space near the center. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Cornelia OKs package store

By Hannah Caudell A new package store will soon be coming to Cornelia. City commissioners approved a request Tuesday night for conditional use to open a package store at 194 Cornelia Crossing Shopping Center.
Cornelia Police Department

Cornelia Police Department

Found grenades close city streets

By Samantha Sinclair Areas around Cornelia Police Department and City Hall were closed temporarily early Wednesday evening as two possible hand grenades were evaluated.
One of Baldwin’s water towers stands tall above the trees along US 441 within the city limits. Water was a hot topic of discussion during Thursday night’s regular meeting. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

One of Baldwin’s water towers stands tall above the trees along US 441 within the city limits. Water was a hot topic of discussion during Thursday night’s regular meeting. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Baldwin faces more water woes

By Hannah Caudell After continually seeing water pipe breaks, the city of Baldwin has decided to move forward with new software and possible intergovernmental agreements in order to catch pipe bursts quicker while collecting more money to potentially repair the city’s mountain system.
Bill Miles, state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Georgia Department, salutes a fellow soldier during last year’s Wreaths Across America ceremony at the VFW Post 7720 Cemetery. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Bill Miles, state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Georgia Department, salutes a fellow soldier during last year’s Wreaths Across America ceremony at the VFW Post 7720 Cemetery. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Continuing the mission

By Zach Taylor After leading more than 1,000 troops, Bill Miles has taken on an even bigger role: serving as state commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Georgia Department.
E-911 fees collected on cell phone bills have steadily declined, causing the county to offset costs with money from the general fund.

E-911 fees collected on cell phone bills have steadily declined, causing the county to offset costs with money from the general fund.

County OKs FY26 budget

By Samantha Sinclair Habersham County has a balanced — and lower — budget for the new year. The Habersham County Board of Commissioners approved the $80 million total budget for Fiscal Year 2026 Monday night. The total budget is 5.23 percent lower than last fiscal year’s budget.