Local

Local artist Renee Royal starts painting a crosswalk on Monroe Street Monday morning. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Local artist Renee Royal starts painting a crosswalk on Monroe Street Monday morning. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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Walking on flowers

News Staff
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
By Samantha SinclairMore and more mountain laurels are popping up in Clarkesville.Three crosswalks on city-maintained streets downtown are being repainted with mountain laurel images as a community project funded through the Mountain Laurel Festival.Local artist Renee Royal started painting the...
Cook Construction and Real Estate is seeking to annex five parcels totaling 45 acres into the city for a commercial development, along with another 20.92 acres already in the city limits. (Submitted)

Cook Construction and Real Estate is seeking to annex five parcels totaling 45 acres into the city for a commercial development, along with another 20.92 acres already in the city limits. (Submitted)

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County puts annexation on hold

News Staff
Wednesday, August 19, 2026
By Samantha SinclairCounty commissioners blocked Baldwin council members from making a decision on Cook Construction’s annexation request Monday night.The Habersham County Board of Commissioners objected to the proposed annexation of land at Ga. 365 and Duncan Bridge Road due to the increase in...
Habersham resident Sydney Blackburn shows Baldwin City Council members a series of maps showing Gainesville's urban sprawl. She explained that she feared the same for Baldwin — and the county in general — with the newly proposed Cook Construction development. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Habersham resident Sydney Blackburn shows Baldwin City Council members a series of maps showing Gainesville's urban sprawl. She explained that she feared the same for Baldwin — and the county in general — with the newly proposed Cook Construction development. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Baldwin residents weigh in on Cook development

News Staff
Tuesday, August 18, 2026
By Hannah CaudellResidents took their first opportunity to tell the Baldwin City Council how they felt about Cook Construction's newly proposed development Tuesday night.Cook Construction representatives and residents took to the podium to let council know how they feel about the potential...
Habersham County Commission Chairman Bruce Harkness signs general obligation bond purchase documents. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Habersham County Commission Chairman Bruce Harkness signs general obligation bond purchase documents. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

County pauses development plans again

News Staff
Monday, August 17, 2026
By Samantha Sinclair Cook Construction's plan to annex property into the city of Baldwin was halted by the Habersham County Board of Commissioners Monday night.
Chris Orr, left, and his daughter Abigail Orr, right, take a picture with former UGA quarterback Jake Fromm after Fromm’s youth football camp. (Submitted)

Chris Orr, left, and his daughter Abigail Orr, right, take a picture with former UGA quarterback Jake Fromm after Fromm’s youth football camp. (Submitted)

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Quarterback Fromm to talk at Tailgates and Testimonies

News Staff
Friday, August 14, 2026
By Noah AnsleyTailgates and Testimonies will kick off this Sunday at 6 p.m. at Level Grove Baptist Church, featuring NFL quarterback Jake Fromm.
Eagle Scout Adam Moore poses at the food donation box he rebuilt at Clarkesville First Methodist Church for his Eagle Scout project. (Submitted)

Eagle Scout Adam Moore poses at the food donation box he rebuilt at Clarkesville First Methodist Church for his Eagle Scout project. (Submitted)

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Moore values leadership lessons on Eagle path

News Staff
Friday, August 14, 2026
By Samantha SinclairIt’s a big week for Adam Moore.Today is his 18th birthday. He moved into his dorm at Young Harris College on Wednesday.
Hay bales on Old Athens Highway sit in a field after recently being cut. Recent rain showers in the area have helped to bolster the growth of hay, while also causing some challenges to farmers. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Hay bales on Old Athens Highway sit in a field after recently being cut. Recent rain showers in the area have helped to bolster the growth of hay, while also causing some challenges to farmers. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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A double-edged sword

News Staff
Friday, August 14, 2026
By Hannah CaudellThe drought that began late last year may finally be coming to a close, though the Northeast Georgia region isn’t completely out of the woods yet.While heavy rain showers over the past few weeks have offered some relief, certain regions of the state, including Northeast Georgia,...
(Keith Barlow/Staff)

(Keith Barlow/Staff)

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Inland port is fully operational

News Staff
Friday, August 14, 2026
By Hannah CaudellFrom a volume perspective, the Gainesville Inland Port (GIP) is ahead of where the Appalachian Regional Port (ARP) was when that facility opened in Northwest Georgia.The GIP was officially opened for business on May 4, the culmination of over six years of work from the Georgia...
Council President Stewart Swanson (right) congratulates Michele Quintal (center) after the ceremony with Jessica Barnett. Barnett is the Scoutmaster for Troop 5231 in Snellville. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Council President Stewart Swanson (right) congratulates Michele Quintal (center) after the ceremony with Jessica Barnett. Barnett is the Scoutmaster for Troop 5231 in Snellville. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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Council gives Quintal top volunteer award

News Staff
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
By Samantha SinclairA local Scouting volunteer was selected to receive the highest award a council may bestow on a volunteer.Michele Quintal of Clarkesville was presented the Silver Beaver Award Saturday at the Boy Scouts of America Northeast Georgia Council’s Council Recognition Ceremony.
File

File

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Eighth graders rank high in Milestones

News Staff
Wednesday, August 12, 2026
By Hannah Caudell and Ty TagamiIn Georgia Milestone testing, Habersham County’s former eighth grade students in particular rose to meet the challenge.The Georgia Department of Education (DOE) recently released new data regarding the results of Georgia Milestone testing across the state for spring...