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The County Commissioners listen to budget hearings from a few of the departments on Wednesday afternoon, including animal control, fleet and road maintenance, and emergency management services. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

The County Commissioners listen to budget hearings from a few of the departments on Wednesday afternoon, including animal control, fleet and road maintenance, and emergency management services. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

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County holds several FY 2026 budget hearings

News Staff
Friday, March 28, 2025
The county budget hearings were in full-swing on Tuesday and Wednesday, as well as Thursday morning, with a full docket of hearings from county agencies and officials, many of which were looking to expand their budgets to accommodate new equipment and project expenses in order to better support...
Demorest’s TAD and redevelopment powers are coming down to the wire with only one week left in this legislative session. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Demorest’s TAD and redevelopment powers are coming down to the wire with only one week left in this legislative session. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Demorest tax district in progress

Zach Taylor
Friday, March 28, 2025
Earlier this month, the City of Demorest heard from CEO David Branch of Artisan Land Companies about a potential new development outside the current Demorest city limits.
From left, Annalee Lewis, Abigail Taylor, and Ary Sanchez point toward the audience during one of their practice performances for Thursday’s opening night. “Mamma Mia!” will take the Habersham Central High School stage on Friday. The show will run through Sunday with a matinee show at 2 p.m. on the final day. The two-and-a-half hour show is filled with great vocals and choreography, with some funny moments mixed in. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

From left, Annalee Lewis, Abigail Taylor, and Ary Sanchez point toward the audience during one of their practice performances for Thursday’s opening night. “Mamma Mia!” will take the Habersham Central High School stage on Friday. The show will run through Sunday with a matinee show at 2 p.m. on the final day. The two-and-a-half hour show is filled with great vocals and choreography, with some funny moments mixed in. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Having the time of your life

News Staff
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      If you’ve yet to see a Habersham Central Stage Raiders’ production this season, perhaps you could take a chance on this weekend’s showing of “Mamma Mia!” The cult classic jukebox musical is set for a four-day run between Thursday, March 27 and Sunday, March 30.
Commissioners listen in on budget proposals from each departments in one of three public hearings this week. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Commissioners listen in on budget proposals from each departments in one of three public hearings this week. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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County enters budget season

Zach Taylor
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Habersham County has officially entered next fiscal year’s budget season with a three-day meeting cycle this week. Starting Tuesday through Thursday, beginning at 9:30 each morning, the county is hearing from each department for its budget proposals for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26).
Mold and water damage tears through paint on the third floor. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Mold and water damage tears through paint on the third floor. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Days winding down for old courthouse

Zach Taylor
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Things are moving along at the old courthouse in downtown Clarkesville.    There’s no date set for the demolition by the county, as agreed upon as part of the sale of the property to the city, but the county has started the environmental preparations.
Baldwin City Councilman Maarten Venter asks some questions about the vacuum truck that the council is considering for purchase. Ultimately, the council decided to table the decision until they could further review their options. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Baldwin City Councilman Maarten Venter asks some questions about the vacuum truck that the council is considering for purchase. Ultimately, the council decided to table the decision until they could further review their options. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

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Baldwin OKs two paving projects

Wednesday, March 26, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      Baldwin city council members approved two paving projects to go out to bid during Monday night’s regular meeting, as well as a backhoe repairs expense.
United Way Board Chairwoman Michelle Blackburn (left) stands with United Way President Candice Holcomb after the annual meeting last week. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

United Way Board Chairwoman Michelle Blackburn (left) stands with United Way President Candice Holcomb after the annual meeting last week. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Habersham United Way gets new chair

Zach Taylor
Wednesday, March 26, 2025
The Habersham County United Way branch of the Georgia Foothills United Way recently got a new board chairwoman who is excited about the new role.    “I am always excited about new opportunities to serve,” United Way Board Chair Michelle Blackburn said.
Mateo Mateo-Diego gets into the Lion Pride spirit while a volunteer paints his face to resemble the cat’s signature mane. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Mateo Mateo-Diego gets into the Lion Pride spirit while a volunteer paints his face to resemble the cat’s signature mane. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

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PAL around

News Staff
Friday, March 21, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      Piedmont University celebrated a decade-old tradition on Thursday with the Piedmont Athletic Lions (PAL) Games, a sporting event benefiting elementary school students with special needs in the county.
Habersham EMC Human Resources Director Gail Welborn accepts the Live United Award for HEMC from United Way President Candice Holcomb. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Habersham EMC Human Resources Director Gail Welborn accepts the Live United Award for HEMC from United Way President Candice Holcomb. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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United Way gets new name

Zach Taylor
Friday, March 21, 2025
Habersham United Way hosted its annual meeting at North Georgia Technical College on Thursday, and a host of new things came with the meeting.    Among those is a new name – Georgia Foothills United Way.
Piedmont nursing student Gracie Martin puts pressure on a gunshot wound during the disaster drill. Nursing students got a firsthand look at what a chaotic scene in the real world could look like. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Piedmont nursing student Gracie Martin puts pressure on a gunshot wound during the disaster drill. Nursing students got a firsthand look at what a chaotic scene in the real world could look like. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Training for disaster

News Staff
Friday, March 21, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      Piedmont’s Loudermilk Field was a sight to behold on Wednesday morning as a fleet of police and emergency medical services (EMS) vehicles drove in with sirens blaring.    The scene suggested chaos.