Local

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.
Mt. Airy is set to host their 150th-anniversary celebration this Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Mt. Airy is set to host their 150th-anniversary celebration this Saturday beginning at 8:30 a.m. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Mt. Airy celebrates 150th anniversary on Saturday

Zach Taylor
Friday, November 15, 2024
    The Town of Mt. Airy is celebrating its 150th anniversary this year, and its community festivities will be just as significant.    The railroad town was established in 1874 by Col. M.C. Wilcox and served as the highest point between New York and New Orleans at 1,545 feet.
There’s a chance Friday could be the final performance by school record-holding receiver Zeke Whittington. TOM ASKEW/Special

There’s a chance Friday could be the final performance by school record-holding receiver Zeke Whittington. TOM ASKEW/Special

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Raiders take on one of state’s best

Lang Storey
Friday, November 15, 2024
   For the second straight season, the Habersham Central football team is set to hit the road for their opening round matchup in the GHSA State Playoffs.    This time around, one of Georgia’s preeminent programs awaits as the Raiders (4-6) travel below the gnat line to face Lee County (10-0).