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Clarkesville City Councilman Brad Coppedge explains the parking study in the work session on Monday. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Clarkesville City Councilman Brad Coppedge explains the parking study in the work session on Monday. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

City considers parking ordinance

Clarkesville’s Monday work session was filled with discussions of the parking situation on the square, which resulted in a decision to increase the severity from the parking study’s policy to draft an ordinance.
Nathan Dooley sits under a light at one of the booths in the Wolf Creek BBQ diner, concentrating on the task of putting stickers on to-go boxes.  HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Nathan Dooley sits under a light at one of the booths in the Wolf Creek BBQ diner, concentrating on the task of putting stickers on to-go boxes. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Lend a helping hand

By Hannah Caudell      Wolf Creek BBQ has made itself a staple in Habersham County, and restaurant owner Mike Roberson is no stranger to the many, many folks that frequent his establishment.
Councilwoman Angelia Kiker raises her hands joyfully after the city’s unanimous vote to purchase the old courthouse for $1.19 million. Kiker was the main force behind the historic purchase. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Councilwoman Angelia Kiker raises her hands joyfully after the city’s unanimous vote to purchase the old courthouse for $1.19 million. Kiker was the main force behind the historic purchase. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

‘We did it’

After years of failed offers, memorandums of understanding falling through, rising costs and discussions, the old courthouse is potentially sold to the City of Clarkesville, pending county approval and bank financing.
Maricela Castillo Arellano, left center, and her family attend the rally. Submitted

Maricela Castillo Arellano, left center, and her family attend the rally. Submitted

Rally brings immigration debate here

A quickly-organized rally took over a corner of a busy intersection in downtown Cornelia Saturday.    More than 100 people gathered on North Main Street where it meets Old Cleveland Road and Wayside Street to show their support of immigrants and to protest deportation policies.
Photo by Esteban Zapata on Unsplash

Photo by Esteban Zapata on Unsplash

Mt. Airy considers no thru truck ordinance

By Hannah Caudell      Mt. Airy Mayor Ray McAllister asked the council to read a new ordinance draft on Monday night with the hopes of designating “no thru truck” areas in the city limits.
Whitfield Funeral Home in Demorest. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Whitfield Funeral Home in Demorest. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Scammers mimicking voices in phone calls

By Hannah Caudell      The call came in the early hours of the morning, when Angie Sampsell was still asleep. It was Sunday, Oct. 20, three days after her husband, Erik, had passed unexpectedly at age 55. The funeral was scheduled for the following day.
Councilwoman Angelia Kiker raises her hands in joy after a unanimous vote to purchase the old courthouse property for $1.19 million. Kiker was the main driving force behind the city's historic purchase. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Councilwoman Angelia Kiker raises her hands in joy after a unanimous vote to purchase the old courthouse property for $1.19 million. Kiker was the main driving force behind the city's historic purchase. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Clarkesville Council OKs counter offer to buy old courthouse

After years of offers and discussions, the old courthouse is now potentially sold to the City of Clarkesville.  Last month's proposal to purchase the old courthouse sent by Clarkesville had a counter offer from the county.
Abigail Hotard (right) claps as her sister, Audrey, is announced Habersham Central High School’s valedictorian Wednesday morning. Abigail was announced as the class salutatorian. Samantha Sinclair/Staff

Abigail Hotard (right) claps as her sister, Audrey, is announced Habersham Central High School’s valedictorian Wednesday morning. Abigail was announced as the class salutatorian. Samantha Sinclair/Staff

Twins at the top

Habersham Central High School is seeing double at the top of its graduating class this year.    During Wednesday’s morning announcements, Audrey Hotard was announced as the Class of 2025 valedictorian, while her twin sister Abigail Hotard was announced as the salutatorian.
The Torch Legacy Pastor Mike Franklin (center) mentions how the workforce is likely to change over the next four to eight years due to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Hannah Caudell/Staff

The Torch Legacy Pastor Mike Franklin (center) mentions how the workforce is likely to change over the next four to eight years due to the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). Hannah Caudell/Staff

Leaders ready for strategic growth

By Hannah Caudell      Partnership Habersham held its first monthly meeting of the year on Wednesday with talks of population demographics and trends with a focus on household age, employment and education within the county.