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Shelley Tullis studies the absentee and early voting results with her husband, Mt. Airy Mayor Adam Tullis, as results start coming in to the Habersham County Elections and Registration Office Tuesday evening. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Shelley Tullis studies the absentee and early voting results with her husband, Mt. Airy Mayor Adam Tullis, as results start coming in to the Habersham County Elections and Registration Office Tuesday evening. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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McClellon, Tullis win county seats

News Staff
Friday, May 22, 2026
By Samantha SinclairDanny McClellon will be filling the vacant seat on the Habersham County Commission soon.He was elected in a special election Tuesday to complete Jimmy Tench’s unexpired term in the District 3 seat. He will start serving once results are certified and he can be sworn in to office.
During a mission trip to Ecuador, senior Gracen Thomas helps share the Gospel. Thomas hopes to become a medical missionary after she completes her post-secondary education. (Submitted)

During a mission trip to Ecuador, senior Gracen Thomas helps share the Gospel. Thomas hopes to become a medical missionary after she completes her post-secondary education. (Submitted)

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An unconventional path

News Staff
Friday, May 22, 2026
By Hannah CaudellThere aren’t many high school students that can say they skipped a grade to graduate at 16 years old, but that’s the case for senior Gracen Thomas.
Caden Polley stands outside his home away from home, the TFS Natatorium.

Caden Polley stands outside his home away from home, the TFS Natatorium.

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Being with family

News Staff
Friday, May 22, 2026
By Samantha SinclairSwimming has been important to Caden Polley.He started swimming in 2016, after deciding he didn’t want to continue with soccer as his older brothers had. When his family moved to Habersham County from McDonough when he was in third grade, he started swimming with the Hurricanes.

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How consolidation affects Alto, Baldwin

News Staff
Friday, May 22, 2026
By Hannah CaudellIf Baldwin were to one day consider consolidating the city’s fire department with the county’s, it may mean the city of Alto and current Baldwin firefighters would suffer the brunt of the consequences.
Alice Venter, former mayor and council member on Baldwin’s City Council, expressed frustration during Tuesday’s regular meeting public comment section. Her complaint stemmed from a letter written by Mayor Doug Faust to County Manager Tim Sims about Councilman Joe Elam’s communication with the county. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Alice Venter, former mayor and council member on Baldwin’s City Council, expressed frustration during Tuesday’s regular meeting public comment section. Her complaint stemmed from a letter written by Mayor Doug Faust to County Manager Tim Sims about Councilman Joe Elam’s communication with the county. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Miscommunication leads to strife on council

News Staff
Friday, May 22, 2026
By Hannah CaudellA bout of miscommunication in Baldwin came to light on Tuesday night involving informal conversations with the Habersham County government about fire service consolidation.
Habersham County High School will hold its graduation Friday night at Raider Stadium. (File)

Habersham County High School will hold its graduation Friday night at Raider Stadium. (File)

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HCHS ceremony Friday evening

News Staff
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
By Hannah CaudellHabersham Central High School seniors will be walking across the stage on Friday to receive their diplomas, the symbol of over a decade of perseverance and hard work for most students.On May 22 at 8 p.m.

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TFS ceremony Friday morning

News Staff
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
By Hannah CaudellStudents from across the region and across the world will be brought together to celebrate their completion of high school at Tallulah Falls School (TFS).
Jessalan Smith checks in to vote with poll worker Leslie Trowbridge at the Habersham South precinct Tuesday morning. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Jessalan Smith checks in to vote with poll worker Leslie Trowbridge at the Habersham South precinct Tuesday morning. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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Voters cast ballots in primary election

News Staff
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
By Samantha SinclairVoters headed to voting precincts Tuesday morning to cast ballots in the General Primary Election.Habersham South Precinct Poll Manager Stephanie Martin said voters were lined up waiting to vote as doors opened at 7 a.m., and the flow was steady as the morning progressed.
The Habersham Central Band of Blue marches up Washington Street in the Mountain Laurel Festival Parade. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

The Habersham Central Band of Blue marches up Washington Street in the Mountain Laurel Festival Parade. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Celebrating America’s 250th

News Staff
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
By Zach TaylorThis year’s Mountain Laurel Festival celebrated America’s 250th anniversary, with red, white and blue scattered around the city.Clarkesville Main Street Director Rosie Cantrell said the event drew a good turnout, with more than 2,000 people attending the festival.
The new proposed zoning map, right, shows the revision that eliminated the Conservation Subdivision district, placing those properties in the Agricultural district. (Submitted)

The new proposed zoning map, right, shows the revision that eliminated the Conservation Subdivision district, placing those properties in the Agricultural district. (Submitted)

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Feedback prompts UDO changes

News Staff
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
By Samantha SinclairThe Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) has had some revisions, and Commission Chair Bruce Harkness would like to see at least one more town hall meeting to present the document and gather responses from the community before the commission adopts the document.