Local

Photo by Van Tay Media on Unsplash

Photo by Van Tay Media on Unsplash

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Balancing the unknowns

News Staff
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      The Habersham County Board of Education has decided to post its intention to opt out of House Bill 581.    The first public hearing on the matter will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 6. Another hearing will be held hours later at 4:30 p.m.
Immediately following the election of chairman, commissioners Jimmy Tench, Ty Akins and Dustin Mealor switched seats so Tench could take his place as chairman. Samantha Sinclair/Staff

Immediately following the election of chairman, commissioners Jimmy Tench, Ty Akins and Dustin Mealor switched seats so Tench could take his place as chairman. Samantha Sinclair/Staff

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County elects chairman, makes appointments

Samantha Sinclair
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
   The Habersham County Board of Commissioners has a new chairman.    The board elected Commissioner Jimmy Tench to serve as chairman at the opening of their meeting Monday night.
Baldwin Fire Chief Joe Roy stands before the audience at the Baldwin City Council meeting on Monday night to talk about Baldwin’s first department graduating class. New firefighter helmets sat on the table before him. Helmets are traditionally given to new firefighters upon graduation. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Baldwin Fire Chief Joe Roy stands before the audience at the Baldwin City Council meeting on Monday night to talk about Baldwin’s first department graduating class. New firefighter helmets sat on the table before him. Helmets are traditionally given to new firefighters upon graduation. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

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Baldwin honors first fire department graduates

News Staff
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      “This is your first graduating class for the City of Baldwin Fire Department,” Assistant Fire Chief Shaun Benfield said as the room erupted in applause.
Habersham Central Principal Dr. Adam Bagwell announces Joshua Burris as the 2025 STAR Student recipient for the school, as Burris’ peers clap for him behind the front office desk. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Habersham Central Principal Dr. Adam Bagwell announces Joshua Burris as the 2025 STAR Student recipient for the school, as Burris’ peers clap for him behind the front office desk. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

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Reach for the STARs

News Staff
Friday, January 24, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      Joshua Burris, a senior at Habersham Central High School with an impressive academic and leadership record, has earned the title of the school’s STAR Student of 2025.
Phil Sutton of Sutton Consulting LLC was the lead presenter for information concerning House Bill 581 on Wednesday night. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Phil Sutton of Sutton Consulting LLC was the lead presenter for information concerning House Bill 581 on Wednesday night. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

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Agreeing to opt in

News Staff
Friday, January 24, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      Multiple Habersham County municipality leaders decided to approve the resolution of intent to opt into House Bill 581, hoping to allow a new homestead exemption that limits how property taxes increase in the cities and counties.
More snowfall hit Habersham earlier in the week. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

More snowfall hit Habersham earlier in the week. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Habersham sees more snowfall

News Staff
Friday, January 24, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      It started on Tuesday afternoon with a light dusting in the southern part of the county and heightened accumulation in the north.    More snow was falling in Habersham County.
Jerry Lewis (left) shakes hands with Vietnam veteran Bob Babcock after the keynote address. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Jerry Lewis (left) shakes hands with Vietnam veteran Bob Babcock after the keynote address. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Babcock presents the capture of Saddam Hussein

Zach Taylor
Friday, January 24, 2025
   The Northeast Georgia Brotherhood of Veterans and Patriots had guest speaker Bob Babcock, Vietnam veteran, 30-year historian of the U.S.
Some men of the church come before the altar to pray, and their fellow church goers follow to lay hands in support. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Some men of the church come before the altar to pray, and their fellow church goers follow to lay hands in support. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

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A cup overflowing

News Staff
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      "Church family, I welcome you for the very first time to the Church of Living Water,” Pastor Cody Montgomery said during the inaugural sermon at the new church in Clarkesville. “A place where the hungry souls will get fed and the thirsty will be filled from his cup.
The Habersham County Rec. Department is getting some repairs. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

The Habersham County Rec. Department is getting some repairs. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Rec board considers facility repairs

Zach Taylor
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
   The Ruby C. Fulbright Aquatic Center pool deck and the roof of the building are in need of repair.    The county had a Request for Proposal (RFP) out for contractors willing to engage in the work required to restore the pool decking to its former glory run from Nov. 6 through Nov.