Local

Clarkesville Councilwoman Angelia Kiker vies for a letter of intent to be sent to the county for purchasing the courthouse property. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Clarkesville Councilwoman Angelia Kiker vies for a letter of intent to be sent to the county for purchasing the courthouse property. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Clarkesville wants to buy courthouse

   During Monday night’s work session, the City of Clarkesville voted to send a letter of intent to purchase the old courthouse property and pay for its demolition.
Clarkesville Mayor Barrie Aycock listens in on the HB581 discussion. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Clarkesville Mayor Barrie Aycock listens in on the HB581 discussion. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Clarkesville calls for county-wide meeting on HB581

   Clarkesville is calling on the rest of the cities for a meeting on House Bill 581.    The City of Cornelia was the first of the Habersham County municipalities to consider opting out of the bill to host public hearings on the matter.
A train struck a Lincoln sedan at the railroad crossing on Main Street in Cornelia. No injuries were reported, with the sole occupant of the vehicle refusing medical care from Habersham’s Med 12. The crushed car is seen approximately 200 feet from the impact location. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

A train struck a Lincoln sedan at the railroad crossing on Main Street in Cornelia. No injuries were reported, with the sole occupant of the vehicle refusing medical care from Habersham’s Med 12. The crushed car is seen approximately 200 feet from the impact location. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Monday trainwreck results in no injuries

   A train hit a Lincoln sedan on Monday afternoon at approximately 12:25 p.m. when Norfolk Southern alerted emergency services that one of their trains had struck a vehicle.
From left, Habersham Drug owner Deborah Gale stands behind the pharmacy counter with her daughter, Hannah. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

From left, Habersham Drug owner Deborah Gale stands behind the pharmacy counter with her daughter, Hannah. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Habersham Drug to close its doors

By Hannah Caudell      Just a few weeks after Crossroads Pharmacy shuttered their doors, Habersham Drug has also fallen victim to the current state of the pharmaceutical business.
Robin Krockum is the new sheriff in town as of Jan. 1, 2025. Krockum stands before a police vehicle with the new sheriff office sign, his name emblazoned at the bottom. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Robin Krockum is the new sheriff in town as of Jan. 1, 2025. Krockum stands before a police vehicle with the new sheriff office sign, his name emblazoned at the bottom. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

New sheriff in town

By Hannah Caudell      After almost three decades of serving the Habersham County community, former Demorest Police Chief Robin Krockum has been sworn in as the county’s new sheriff, relieving Sheriff Joey Terrell after four terms.
A scam alert sits in the conference room at McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, meant to warn incoming families of the scam calls that have been plaguing the North Georgia area for a little over a year. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

A scam alert sits in the conference room at McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, meant to warn incoming families of the scam calls that have been plaguing the North Georgia area for a little over a year. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Scammers target grieving families

   By Hannah Caudell      Open the Hillside Memorial Chapel and Gardens website, and you will find a pop-up window on the homescreen.    “PLEASE BE AWARE…” it starts in all caps. “Please be aware of a scam in our area targeting families who have experienced a loss.
Gymnastics gym in Clarkesville sees damage from storm. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Gymnastics gym in Clarkesville sees damage from storm. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Local gymnastics facility closes due to storm damage

   The Habersham County Gymnastics facility is closed due to storm damage sustained on Sunday morning.    On Dec. 29, Habersham County’s north end sustained a substantial amount of storm damage, with a few businesses suffering from the effects of the storm.
Big Lots in Cornelia is one of hundreds of stores across the country closing. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Big Lots in Cornelia is one of hundreds of stores across the country closing. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Cornelia Big Lots to close in February

   Big Lots in Cornelia is set to close in mid-to-late February with the potential to reopen under a different name.
At 5:26 a.m. on Jan. 1, Walker James Crump became Northeast Georgia Medical Center Habersham’s New Year’s Day baby.  Crump was born to Anna Claire and Nathan Crump of Toccoa. SUBMITTED

At 5:26 a.m. on Jan. 1, Walker James Crump became Northeast Georgia Medical Center Habersham’s New Year’s Day baby. Crump was born to Anna Claire and Nathan Crump of Toccoa. SUBMITTED

First baby of the year

   At 5:26 a.m. on Jan. 1, Walker James Crump became Northeast Georgia Medical Center Habersham’s New Year’s Day baby.    Crump was born to Anna Claire and Nathan Crump of Toccoa. He weighed in at six pounds and nine oz. and measured at 19.5 inches.
John Schneider was the lead act in Cornelia’s free concert in May. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

John Schneider was the lead act in Cornelia’s free concert in May. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

The stories that made 2024

   There was no shortage of news in 2024, making it difficult to narrow down the top stories of the year. However, a few stories did stand out as they had significant impact on the county as a whole, and some will continue to cause ripples into the new year. • Minleys Rodriguez-Ramirez murder.