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Baldwin Mayor and Council discussed HB 581 at its work session on Tuesday. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Baldwin Mayor and Council discussed HB 581 at its work session on Tuesday. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Cornelia hears potential effects of House Bill 581

By Julianne Akers and Hannah Caudell      Two more cities discussed their options when it comes to House Bill 581 Tuesday night.
Probate Judge Pamela Wooley, left, shakes hands with Superior Court Judge Chan Caudell in a swearing-in ceremony in December. HABERSHAM COUNTY/Submitted

Probate Judge Pamela Wooley, left, shakes hands with Superior Court Judge Chan Caudell in a swearing-in ceremony in December. HABERSHAM COUNTY/Submitted

Caudell steps down from Superior Court

Judge Chan Caudell is stepping down from serving the Mountain Judicial Circuit as Chief Superior Court Judge. His last day on the bench will be Jan. 31.
City Manager Mark Musselwhite, left, discusses the plan for the City of Demorest to hire Jessie Owensby of Civic Enhancement Strategies to develop the city’s Land Use Ordinance further. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

City Manager Mark Musselwhite, left, discusses the plan for the City of Demorest to hire Jessie Owensby of Civic Enhancement Strategies to develop the city’s Land Use Ordinance further. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Owensby to review Demorest’s land use ordinance

Demorest’s land use ordinance is getting fresh eyes.    On Tuesday, the City of Demorest voted to hire Jessie Owensby of Civic Enhancement Services (CES) to review the new land use ordinance established in November and develop the details of the city’s minimum development standards.
Level Grove Elementary School Teacher Daniel Medders helps mentor young boys with an afterschool program. SUBMITTED

Level Grove Elementary School Teacher Daniel Medders helps mentor young boys with an afterschool program. SUBMITTED

Gearing up for good

January is National Mentoring Month, and an initiative led by Daniel Medders, a fifth-grade teacher at Level Grove Elementary School is helping guide young boys at the school.
Clarkesville Councilwoman Angelia Kiker vies for a letter of intent to be sent to the county for purchasing the courthouse property. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Clarkesville Councilwoman Angelia Kiker vies for a letter of intent to be sent to the county for purchasing the courthouse property. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Clarkesville wants to buy courthouse

During Monday night’s work session, the City of Clarkesville voted to send a letter of intent to purchase the old courthouse property and pay for its demolition.
Clarkesville Mayor Barrie Aycock listens in on the HB581 discussion. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Clarkesville Mayor Barrie Aycock listens in on the HB581 discussion. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Clarkesville calls for county-wide meeting on HB581

Clarkesville is calling on the rest of the cities for a meeting on House Bill 581.    The City of Cornelia was the first of the Habersham County municipalities to consider opting out of the bill to host public hearings on the matter.
A train struck a Lincoln sedan at the railroad crossing on Main Street in Cornelia. No injuries were reported, with the sole occupant of the vehicle refusing medical care from Habersham’s Med 12. The crushed car is seen approximately 200 feet from the impact location. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

A train struck a Lincoln sedan at the railroad crossing on Main Street in Cornelia. No injuries were reported, with the sole occupant of the vehicle refusing medical care from Habersham’s Med 12. The crushed car is seen approximately 200 feet from the impact location. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Monday trainwreck results in no injuries

A train hit a Lincoln sedan on Monday afternoon at approximately 12:25 p.m. when Norfolk Southern alerted emergency services that one of their trains had struck a vehicle.
From left, Habersham Drug owner Deborah Gale stands behind the pharmacy counter with her daughter, Hannah. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

From left, Habersham Drug owner Deborah Gale stands behind the pharmacy counter with her daughter, Hannah. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Habersham Drug to close its doors

By Hannah Caudell      Just a few weeks after Crossroads Pharmacy shuttered their doors, Habersham Drug has also fallen victim to the current state of the pharmaceutical business.
Robin Krockum is the new sheriff in town as of Jan. 1, 2025. Krockum stands before a police vehicle with the new sheriff office sign, his name emblazoned at the bottom. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Robin Krockum is the new sheriff in town as of Jan. 1, 2025. Krockum stands before a police vehicle with the new sheriff office sign, his name emblazoned at the bottom. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

New sheriff in town

By Hannah Caudell      After almost three decades of serving the Habersham County community, former Demorest Police Chief Robin Krockum has been sworn in as the county’s new sheriff, relieving Sheriff Joey Terrell after four terms.
A scam alert sits in the conference room at McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, meant to warn incoming families of the scam calls that have been plaguing the North Georgia area for a little over a year. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

A scam alert sits in the conference room at McGahee-Griffin & Stewart Funeral Home, meant to warn incoming families of the scam calls that have been plaguing the North Georgia area for a little over a year. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Scammers target grieving families

By Hannah Caudell      Open the Hillside Memorial Chapel and Gardens website, and you will find a pop-up window on the homescreen.    “PLEASE BE AWARE…” it starts in all caps. “Please be aware of a scam in our area targeting families who have experienced a loss.