Local

Gymnastics gym in Clarkesville sees damage from storm. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Gymnastics gym in Clarkesville sees damage from storm. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Local gymnastics facility closes due to storm damage

Julianne Akers
Friday, January 3, 2025
The Habersham County Gymnastics facility is closed due to storm damage sustained on Sunday morning.    On Dec. 29, Habersham County’s north end sustained a substantial amount of storm damage, with a few businesses suffering from the effects of the storm.
Big Lots in Cornelia is one of hundreds of stores across the country closing. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Big Lots in Cornelia is one of hundreds of stores across the country closing. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Cornelia Big Lots to close in February

Julianne Akers
Friday, January 3, 2025
Big Lots in Cornelia is set to close in mid-to-late February with the potential to reopen under a different name.
At 5:26 a.m. on Jan. 1, Walker James Crump became Northeast Georgia Medical Center Habersham’s New Year’s Day baby. Crump was born to Anna Claire and Nathan Crump of Toccoa. SUBMITTED

At 5:26 a.m. on Jan. 1, Walker James Crump became Northeast Georgia Medical Center Habersham’s New Year’s Day baby. Crump was born to Anna Claire and Nathan Crump of Toccoa. SUBMITTED

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First baby of the year

News Staff
Friday, January 3, 2025
At 5:26 a.m. on Jan. 1, Walker James Crump became Northeast Georgia Medical Center Habersham’s New Year’s Day baby.    Crump was born to Anna Claire and Nathan Crump of Toccoa. He weighed in at six pounds and nine oz. and measured at 19.5 inches.
John Schneider was the lead act in Cornelia’s free concert in May. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

John Schneider was the lead act in Cornelia’s free concert in May. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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The stories that made 2024

News Staff
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
There was no shortage of news in 2024, making it difficult to narrow down the top stories of the year. However, a few stories did stand out as they had significant impact on the county as a whole, and some will continue to cause ripples into the new year. • Minleys Rodriguez-Ramirez murder.
A truck at Cap’n Auto Parts is buried beneath rubble from the roof. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

A truck at Cap’n Auto Parts is buried beneath rubble from the roof. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Storms cause outages, damage

News Staff
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Over the weekend, Habersham was hit by storms with wind gusts of over 20 miles per hour, resulting in damaged businesses, blocked roads and power outages.    Cap’n Auto Parts in Clarkesville experienced some damage.
Photo by Dimitri Karastelev on Unsplash

Photo by Dimitri Karastelev on Unsplash

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Cornelia considers opting out of HB 581

News Staff
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
The City of Cornelia is the first Habersham County municipality to consider opting out  of House Bill 581.    House Bill 581 has become an ever-growing topic of discussion amongst taxing entities in the county, and for good reason.
Jimmy Carter proudly shows a fish he caught in local waters. “He is holding an Oyster rod that I specially commissioned for him,” Rebekah Stewart said. “It is one of only two rods I ever commissioned.” SUBMITTED

Jimmy Carter proudly shows a fish he caught in local waters. “He is holding an Oyster rod that I specially commissioned for him,” Rebekah Stewart said. “It is one of only two rods I ever commissioned.” SUBMITTED

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Carter dies after a century of service

News Staff
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Former President Jimmy Carter died Sunday, Dec. 29, at the age of 100. He was at his home in Plains with family and had been under the care of hospice since February 2023. He was elected America’s 39th president, from 1977 to 1981, having previously served as Georgia governor.
Photo by Dan Dennis on Unsplash

Photo by Dan Dennis on Unsplash

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New laws will affect elections, taxes, health care

News Staff
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
Most new laws the General Assembly enacted this year took effect in July.    But some significant legislation or portions of legislation lawmakers passed pertaining to elections, taxes, and health care don’t become operative until New Year’s Day.
Longtime Habersham Central High School basketball coach Jimmy Black and his wife, Linda Jean, were both born and raised in Habersham County. A memorial ceremony for Coach Black was held Friday in Clarkesville. FILE

Longtime Habersham Central High School basketball coach Jimmy Black and his wife, Linda Jean, were both born and raised in Habersham County. A memorial ceremony for Coach Black was held Friday in Clarkesville. FILE

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Black leaves ‘incredible’ lasting legacy

Lang Storey
Saturday, December 28, 2024
Habersham County is reeling from the loss of Coach Jimmy Black - a beloved member of the Habersham community and legendary figure of the county’s sports scene. Black passed away Sunday at the age of 85 following an extended illness.
Alexis Lowe began teaching dance classes for children with special needs and disabilities at the Cornelia Library this year in hopes of increasing accessibility of programs for these students. FILE

Alexis Lowe began teaching dance classes for children with special needs and disabilities at the Cornelia Library this year in hopes of increasing accessibility of programs for these students. FILE

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Year in people

Julianne Akers
Friday, December 27, 2024
Throughout 2024, The Northeast Georgian covered the stories of people in the community who made a difference in the lives of others, made strides in their respective fields and those who represented Habersham County across the world.