Local

Deputy Nell Goss holds the 1996 Olympic Games Torch, which she carried during the opening ceremony. (Submitted)

Deputy Nell Goss holds the 1996 Olympic Games Torch, which she carried during the opening ceremony. (Submitted)

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Deputy Goss leaves trailblazing legacy

News Staff
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
By Hannah CaudellTo hear the people who know and love her tell it, Nell Goss did it all.
Myrna Fouts places her fingertips on her lips as she prays during National Day of Prayer at Donald Anderson Park in Cornelia on Thursday. (Landen Todd/Staff)

Myrna Fouts places her fingertips on her lips as she prays during National Day of Prayer at Donald Anderson Park in Cornelia on Thursday. (Landen Todd/Staff)

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Founding faith

News Staff
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
By Samantha SinclairThere’s one face that’s been a fixture of our local  National Day of Prayer for about 40 years.Myrna Fouts, easily identified by her patriotic scarf, seems to try to blend in with the crowd nowadays, but was the force behind the event for decades.
Habersham County resident Dale Green was the only resident to speak during the Board of Education’s budget public hearings. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Habersham County resident Dale Green was the only resident to speak during the Board of Education’s budget public hearings. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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BOE passes FY27 proposed budget

News Staff
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
By Hannah CaudellA proposed $129.6 million  budget for Fiscal Year 2027 has been passed by the Habersham County Board of Education.
Alex Robinson

Alex Robinson

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UDO to impact economic development

News Staff
Friday, May 8, 2026
By Zach TaylorHabersham County is fine-tuning its proposed Unified Development Ordinance, a document that will determine how land is used in the county, with a strong emphasis on controlling growth.

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City ends moratorium

News Staff
Friday, May 8, 2026
By Hannah CaudellThe process of annexing property into Cornelia just got a little more comprehensive.Cornelia commissioners put an end to a six-month annexation moratorium early on Tuesday night after unanimously passing a zoning ordinance amendment to add annexation procedures.

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Water rate hikes shock customers

News Staff
Friday, May 8, 2026
By Zach TaylorInstitutions and businesses are feeling the impacts of the new water rates in Demorest. On Tuesday evening, the city council approved the ordinace amendment implementing the rates.
Dr. Fran Chastain shows some of her favorite photos of her 13 children and nine grandchildren in her office at North Georgia Technical College. She has 13 children, 11 of which were adopted. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Dr. Fran Chastain shows some of her favorite photos of her 13 children and nine grandchildren in her office at North Georgia Technical College. She has 13 children, 11 of which were adopted. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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Mom to all

News Staff
Friday, May 8, 2026
By Samantha SinclairWhile growing up, Dr. Fran Chastain never thought she’d have children.That changed after she and her husband Ricky had their first child.“I had one and I fell in love with kids,” she said.But, she didn’t have a healthy pregnancy, so they looked into adoption.
Hope Murray joins in on the conversation surrounding short-term rentals at Tuesday’s Cornelia Commission meeting. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Hope Murray joins in on the conversation surrounding short-term rentals at Tuesday’s Cornelia Commission meeting. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Community fights STR growth

News Staff
Friday, May 8, 2026
By Hannah CaudellIf there’s one thing Cornelia residents in the Tower Mountain community don’t want, it’s short-term rentals.Short-term rentals, or STRs, have been a topic of discussion within the city since February, when commissioners had their planning retreat.
Supervisor of Elections Laurel Ellison advises voters to study sample ballots before entering the voting booth. Sample ballots are available at the elections office, or online at mvp.sos.ga.gov. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Supervisor of Elections Laurel Ellison advises voters to study sample ballots before entering the voting booth. Sample ballots are available at the elections office, or online at mvp.sos.ga.gov. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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Early voting turnout down for primary

News Staff
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
By Samantha SinclairThe first week of early voting saw 768 people stopping by the Habersham County Elections and Voter Registration Office to cast their ballots.Supervisor of Elections Laurel Ellison said turnout is lower than four years ago, so far.