Local

The old county courthouse in downtown Clarkesville could face demolition soon. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

The old county courthouse in downtown Clarkesville could face demolition soon. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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‘One of our only options’

Julianne Akers
Friday, November 22, 2024
   Demolition of the old county courthouse could be in the near future.    Habersham County Development Authority Chairman Jim Butterworth approached the board of commissioners on Monday calling demolition “one of our only options left.
County Manager Alicia Vaughn (right) presents a plaque to Animal Control Director Madi Nix as part of the county’s employee recognition program. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

County Manager Alicia Vaughn (right) presents a plaque to Animal Control Director Madi Nix as part of the county’s employee recognition program. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Interim likely for county manager

Julianne Akers
Friday, November 22, 2024
   The clock is ticking for Habersham County to select a new county manager before current manager Alicia Vaughn’s contract ends on Dec. 27, and the board is leaning towards selecting an interim candidate for the role until an official hire can be made.
Boyd Kinney, a graduate of the drug court program, speaks about his experience. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Boyd Kinney, a graduate of the drug court program, speaks about his experience. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Changing lives

Julianne Akers
Friday, November 22, 2024
   Between 1999 and 2018, Boyd Kinney was in and out of rehab facilities in Georgia until he stumbled upon accountability court, a set of strict five-phase programs that use classes, mental health treatment, drug screens and surveillance to keep people out of jail.
Doug Collins speaks at a Rotary Club of Habersham County meeting in 2019. FILE PHOTO

Doug Collins speaks at a Rotary Club of Habersham County meeting in 2019. FILE PHOTO

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Trump taps Doug Collins to head Veterans Affairs

News Staff
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
   President-elect Donald Trump will nominate former U.S. Rep. Doug Collins of Gainesville to head the Department of Veterans Affairs, Trump announced on social media Thursday.
Chloe Baird gets help from Coach Jessica Rockwell while participating in the county’s gym program. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Chloe Baird gets help from Coach Jessica Rockwell while participating in the county’s gym program. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Area gym seeks rec program

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
   A Cleveland-based gymnastics center is looking to take over the gymnastics program currently provided by the Habersham County Parks and Recreation Department, serving between 600 and 700 youth in the area.
Jimmy Maness and Stan Crump share a laugh while Crump sings “Oh, Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Jimmy Maness and Stan Crump share a laugh while Crump sings “Oh, Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Acoustic circle welcomes all

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
   In between the strumming of a guitar and gulps of coffee, a tight knit, inclusive community has formed on Thursday nights at BSG Coffee & Cafe in Cornelia.
School counselor Mandee Davis sits in her office at South Habersham Middle School. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

School counselor Mandee Davis sits in her office at South Habersham Middle School. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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‘Heartbeat of Habersham’

Julianne Akers
Friday, November 15, 2024
   Amongst the more than 7,000 students in the Habersham County School System, each one continues to face unique challenges in their mental health and family and social lives while others are still grappling with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nancy Lehman gets sworn into Baldwin City Council on Tuesday by Mayor Stephanie Almagno. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Nancy Lehman gets sworn into Baldwin City Council on Tuesday by Mayor Stephanie Almagno. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Lehman joins council

Julianne Akers
Friday, November 15, 2024
   The City of Baldwin has a full council once again after Nancy Lehman was sworn into the post two seat at Tuesday night’s meeting.    Lehman gained 55.24 percent of the vote during last week’s special election, defeating her opponent Mark Mullinax who garnered 44.76 percent of the vote.
Twenty-nine citizens of Demorest showed up to voice their concerns about the land use ordinance for a single plot that could be developed into duplexes in the future. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Twenty-nine citizens of Demorest showed up to voice their concerns about the land use ordinance for a single plot that could be developed into duplexes in the future. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Demorest lifts moratorium

Zach Taylor
Friday, November 15, 2024
   The City of Demorest approved a new extensive land use ordinance after 16 months of debating and changing the language. A moratorium, which lasted throughout the 16 months of discussion and prevented new construction, was also lifted today.    The approval took two separate motions.