Local

Maricela Castillo Arellano, left center, and her family attend the rally. Submitted

Maricela Castillo Arellano, left center, and her family attend the rally. Submitted

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Rally brings immigration debate here

Samantha Sinclair
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
   A quickly-organized rally took over a corner of a busy intersection in downtown Cornelia Saturday.    More than 100 people gathered on North Main Street where it meets Old Cleveland Road and Wayside Street to show their support of immigrants and to protest deportation policies.
Photo by Esteban Zapata on Unsplash

Photo by Esteban Zapata on Unsplash

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Mt. Airy considers no thru truck ordinance

News Staff
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      Mt. Airy Mayor Ray McAllister asked the council to read a new ordinance draft on Monday night with the hopes of designating “no thru truck” areas in the city limits.
Whitfield Funeral Home in Demorest. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Whitfield Funeral Home in Demorest. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Scammers mimicking voices in phone calls

News Staff
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      The call came in the early hours of the morning, when Angie Sampsell was still asleep. It was Sunday, Oct. 20, three days after her husband, Erik, had passed unexpectedly at age 55. The funeral was scheduled for the following day.
Councilwoman Angelia Kiker raises her hands in joy after a unanimous vote to purchase the old courthouse property for $1.19 million. Kiker was the main driving force behind the city's historic purchase. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Councilwoman Angelia Kiker raises her hands in joy after a unanimous vote to purchase the old courthouse property for $1.19 million. Kiker was the main driving force behind the city's historic purchase. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Clarkesville Council OKs counter offer to buy old courthouse

News Staff
Monday, February 3, 2025
After years of offers and discussions, the old courthouse is now potentially sold to the City of Clarkesville.  Last month's proposal to purchase the old courthouse sent by Clarkesville had a counter offer from the county.  The counteroffer of $1.
Abigail Hotard (right) claps as her sister, Audrey, is announced Habersham Central High School’s valedictorian Wednesday morning. Abigail was announced as the class salutatorian. Samantha Sinclair/Staff

Abigail Hotard (right) claps as her sister, Audrey, is announced Habersham Central High School’s valedictorian Wednesday morning. Abigail was announced as the class salutatorian. Samantha Sinclair/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Twins at the top

Samantha Sinclair
Friday, January 31, 2025
   Habersham Central High School is seeing double at the top of its graduating class this year.    During Wednesday’s morning announcements, Audrey Hotard was announced as the Class of 2025 valedictorian, while her twin sister Abigail Hotard was announced as the salutatorian.
The Torch Legacy Pastor Mike Franklin (center) mentions how the workforce is likely to change over the next four to eight years due to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Hannah Caudell/Staff

The Torch Legacy Pastor Mike Franklin (center) mentions how the workforce is likely to change over the next four to eight years due to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Hannah Caudell/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Leaders ready for strategic growth

News Staff
Friday, January 31, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      Partnership Habersham held its first monthly meeting of the year on Wednesday with talks of population demographics and trends with a focus on household age, employment and education within the county.
Franklin. Hannah Caudell/Staff

Franklin. Hannah Caudell/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Board OKs Franklin as sole finalist

News Staff
Friday, January 31, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      During Wednesday night’s called Habersham County Board of Education meeting, board members made their decision official: Assistant Superintendent Patrick Franklin will become the new school system superintendent on April 1.
Smith. FILE

Smith. FILE

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Judge Smith leaves legacy of caring

News Staff
Friday, January 31, 2025
By Megan Horn and Enoch Autry CNI News Service      Superior Court Judge Russell “Rusty” Smith of the Mountain Judicial Circuit passed away on Tuesday, Jan. 28.    Rabun County Probate Judge Carlton H. Jones, III confirmed Smith’s passing to The Clayton Tribune Wednesday morning.
The City of Cornelia hosted many events for Hispanic and Latin culture over the past few years that helped it earn one of three 2025 Visionary City Awards by the Georgian Municipal Association in the small city category. Pictured here, Orlanda Marroquin holds an elote and a fresh taco at a festival in downtown Cornelia in July and runs a small business selling Hispanic foods and treats. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

The City of Cornelia hosted many events for Hispanic and Latin culture over the past few years that helped it earn one of three 2025 Visionary City Awards by the Georgian Municipal Association in the small city category. Pictured here, Orlanda Marroquin holds an elote and a fresh taco at a festival in downtown Cornelia in July and runs a small business selling Hispanic foods and treats. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Cornelia earns 2025 Visionary City Award

News Staff
Friday, January 31, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      The City of Cornelia adds an award to their list of accolades with their nomination to receive the 2025 Visionary City Award, an honor granted by the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) in collaboration with Georgia Trend Magazine.
Penske Logistics Truck Driver William Mitchell of Alto is pictured with the Penske truck he drives. Mitchell was responsible for saving the life of a pickup truck driver after witnessing a crash between the pickup truck and a fuel tanker. SUBMITTED

Penske Logistics Truck Driver William Mitchell of Alto is pictured with the Penske truck he drives. Mitchell was responsible for saving the life of a pickup truck driver after witnessing a crash between the pickup truck and a fuel tanker. SUBMITTED

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Highway Angel

News Staff
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      Penske Logistics Truck Driver William Mitchell could have never imagined what he would witness on the afternoon of Oct. 16, 2024, nor could he have ever predicted the instrumental role he would play in saving the life of a stranger.