Local

Electrical personnel and public works officials were among those served at Wolf Creek BBQ during the weekend, along with police officers and other first responder groups. Owner Mike Roberson estimates that 350 plates were served to those who attended the meal. SUBMITTED

Electrical personnel and public works officials were among those served at Wolf Creek BBQ during the weekend, along with police officers and other first responder groups. Owner Mike Roberson estimates that 350 plates were served to those who attended the meal. SUBMITTED

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Wolf Creek BBQ opens doors to first responders

News Staff
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      The storm’s clouds weren’t without a silver lining for the county’s many first responders. As they stepped up for the community, people like Mike Roberson of Wolf Creek BBQ stepped up for them.
McAllister. FILE

McAllister. FILE

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Mayor likely not seeking re-election

News Staff
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      “It’s time,” Mayor Ray McAllister said after Mt. Airy’s first council meeting of the year on Jan. 6. McAllister will likely not be seeking re-election during the 2025 municipal election, marking an end to an illustrious career as a leader and civil servant to the town.
State Rep. Chris Erwin came before the Habersham County Board of Education on Thursday to discuss and answer questions about House Bill 581. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

State Rep. Chris Erwin came before the Habersham County Board of Education on Thursday to discuss and answer questions about House Bill 581. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

State Rep. Erwin answers questions

News Staff
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      Before Tuesday’s night’s meeting, State Rep. Chris Erwin stopped by the Habersham County Board of Education office to discuss House Bill 581 with board members as they determine their next steps with the bill.
Phil Sutton of Sutton Consulting LLC presents an HB581 PowerPoint to Demorest city officials. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Phil Sutton of Sutton Consulting LLC presents an HB581 PowerPoint to Demorest city officials. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Sutton sums up bill

Zach Taylor
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
   The City of Demorest hosted a special called meeting on Monday to discuss House Bill 581.    Phil Sutton of Sutton Consulting LLC presented a PowerPoint on the bill, describing the nuances of the potential Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) homestead exemption and tax reform statutes.
From left, Director of Elementary Schools Dr. Susan Davis, Woodville Elementary School student Wiley Colston, Hilliard A. Wilbanks Middle School student Khamla Laosalie, and Assistant School Superintendent Patrick Franklin stand on the stage after the Habersham County School System spelling bee competition for photos. Laosalie won first prize after multiple rounds, and Colston earned the runner-up spot. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

From left, Director of Elementary Schools Dr. Susan Davis, Woodville Elementary School student Wiley Colston, Hilliard A. Wilbanks Middle School student Khamla Laosalie, and Assistant School Superintendent Patrick Franklin stand on the stage after the Habersham County School System spelling bee competition for photos. Laosalie won first prize after multiple rounds, and Colston earned the runner-up spot. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

V-i-c-t-o-r-i-o-u-s

News Staff
Friday, January 10, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      The stage was set on Thursday morning for the Habersham County School System Spelling Bee. After several rounds of increasingly complicated diction, Khamla Laosalie of Hilliard A.
Icicles hang from a street light with snow accumulating on the post from high winds in recent years. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Icicles hang from a street light with snow accumulating on the post from high winds in recent years. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

County prepares for snowy weekend

Zach Taylor
Friday, January 10, 2025
   Habersham County is gearing up for wintry weather beginning today and lasting through the weekend.    The National Weather Service forecasted at 2:48 p.m. Thursday for snow to fall before 2 p.m. Friday and sleet to begin after 4 p.m.
Baldwin Mayor and Council discussed HB 581 at its work session on Tuesday. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Baldwin Mayor and Council discussed HB 581 at its work session on Tuesday. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Cornelia hears potential effects of House Bill 581

News Staff
Friday, January 10, 2025
By Julianne Akers and Hannah Caudell      Two more cities discussed their options when it comes to House Bill 581 Tuesday night.
Probate Judge Pamela Wooley, left, shakes hands with Superior Court Judge Chan Caudell in a swearing-in ceremony in December. HABERSHAM COUNTY/Submitted

Probate Judge Pamela Wooley, left, shakes hands with Superior Court Judge Chan Caudell in a swearing-in ceremony in December. HABERSHAM COUNTY/Submitted

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Caudell steps down from Superior Court

Samantha Sinclair
Friday, January 10, 2025
   Judge Chan Caudell is stepping down from serving the Mountain Judicial Circuit as Chief Superior Court Judge. His last day on the bench will be Jan. 31.    He was reelected to the position last year, and was first appointed to serve the Mountain Judicial Circuit by Gov.
City Manager Mark Musselwhite, left, discusses the plan for the City of Demorest to hire Jessie Owensby of Civic Enhancement Strategies to develop the city’s Land Use Ordinance further. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

City Manager Mark Musselwhite, left, discusses the plan for the City of Demorest to hire Jessie Owensby of Civic Enhancement Strategies to develop the city’s Land Use Ordinance further. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Owensby to review Demorest’s land use ordinance

Zach Taylor
Friday, January 10, 2025
   Demorest’s land use ordinance is getting fresh eyes.    On Tuesday, the City of Demorest voted to hire Jessie Owensby of Civic Enhancement Services (CES) to review the new land use ordinance established in November and develop the details of the city’s minimum development standards.
Level Grove Elementary School Teacher Daniel Medders helps mentor young boys with an afterschool program. SUBMITTED

Level Grove Elementary School Teacher Daniel Medders helps mentor young boys with an afterschool program. SUBMITTED

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Gearing up for good

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
   January is National Mentoring Month, and an initiative led by Daniel Medders, a fifth-grade teacher at Level Grove Elementary School is helping guide young boys at the school.