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Folks mingle at last year’s Mountain Laurel Festival in Clarkesville. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Folks mingle at last year’s Mountain Laurel Festival in Clarkesville. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Weekend of fun set to launch summer

Matthew Osborne
Friday, May 17, 2024
   The weekend will be buzzing in Habersham County, as the 62nd Mountain Laurel Festival kicks off the summer in extraordinary fashion Saturday in Clarkesville.    “The oldest festival of its type in Georgia features a vibrant collection of vendors and artists.
Baldwin’s cameras keep an eye on the school zone on Willingham Avenue. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Baldwin’s cameras keep an eye on the school zone on Willingham Avenue. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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School zone cameras net $3.2M in two years

Julianne Akers
Friday, May 17, 2024
   School zone cameras in Habersham County have collected more than $3.2 million in the past two years.    The cameras, which snap photos of speeders and mail them a citation, are located on Willingham Avenue in front of Baldwin Elementary School and on Highway 15 by Tallulah Falls School.
Rabun County Bank executives and local representatives gathered at a groundbreaking for the Clarkesville branch of Traditions Bank. Shown are (from left) Jerry Krivsky, Bob Tritt, Wanda Hutchison, Greg Funkhouser, Claude Dillard, Melanie Silvestri, Sidney Roland, Claude Rickman, Sam Beck, Victor Anderson, Bo Hatchett and Johnny Irvin. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Rabun County Bank executives and local representatives gathered at a groundbreaking for the Clarkesville branch of Traditions Bank. Shown are (from left) Jerry Krivsky, Bob Tritt, Wanda Hutchison, Greg Funkhouser, Claude Dillard, Melanie Silvestri, Sidney Roland, Claude Rickman, Sam Beck, Victor Anderson, Bo Hatchett and Johnny Irvin. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Traditions Bank ready to expand into Clarkesville

Julianne Akers
Friday, May 17, 2024
   Traditions Bank broke ground Wednesday morning on its new Clarkesville branch building set to open in the first quarter of 2025 at the corner of Washington Street and Old Historic U.S. 441, the former home of Stoney’s Family Restaurant for nearly 60 years.
Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash

Photo by Wesley Tingey on Unsplash

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Judicial circuit will add Banks County in 2025

Matthew Osborne
Friday, May 17, 2024
   The Mountain Judicial Circuit will absorb Banks County starting in 2025, joining Habersham, Stephens and Rabun counties.    Superior Court Judges Rusty Smith, Chan Caudell and Bill Oliver will preside over the four counties going forward.
The Board of Education honored the 2024 graduates of the Leadership Academy on Monday night. Shown are (from left) Pam Threlkeld, Claire Steverson, Keylia Patton, Gisela McGugan, Dora Lucas, April LaHayne, Melanie Jackson, Ashley Ivester, Kristy Hallford, Stacey Gailey, Lauren Fair and Ben Bolton. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

The Board of Education honored the 2024 graduates of the Leadership Academy on Monday night. Shown are (from left) Pam Threlkeld, Claire Steverson, Keylia Patton, Gisela McGugan, Dora Lucas, April LaHayne, Melanie Jackson, Ashley Ivester, Kristy Hallford, Stacey Gailey, Lauren Fair and Ben Bolton. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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School system raises new leaders from within

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
   Habersham County Schools’ Leadership Academy program had another sterling year, resulting in a new class of graduates honored Monday night.
Demorest firefighter Mary Ellen Smith paints a hydrant on Saturday afternoon. SUBMITTED

Demorest firefighter Mary Ellen Smith paints a hydrant on Saturday afternoon. SUBMITTED

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Demorest Fire looks to bolster its services

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
   Demorest Fire Department is undergoing a near total reboot, with many new personnel and a goal to upgrade the services the organization can provide.    Chief Dave Scheuerer is working on several initiatives to raise the level of the department.
Luis Perez presents his thoughts on the new ordinance requiring mechanic shop owners to remove cars from their premises after 14 days to prevent public safety hazards.

Luis Perez presents his thoughts on the new ordinance requiring mechanic shop owners to remove cars from their premises after 14 days to prevent public safety hazards.

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Cornelia looks to balance safety, business with car ordinance

Zach Taylor
Saturday, May 11, 2024
   Traffic and car shops dominated the talk at Tuesday’s Cornelia City Commission meeting.    Most of Cornelia’s mechanic shop owners attended the public forum about the new ordinance to prevent an excessive number of cars from being parked near the roadway for longer than 14 days.
Susan Goss, left, and Yvonne Hefner, right are sisters who both teach special education at Baldwin Elementary School.

Susan Goss, left, and Yvonne Hefner, right are sisters who both teach special education at Baldwin Elementary School.

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Sisters make special pair of educators

Julianne Akers
Saturday, May 11, 2024
   In Yvonne Hefner’s 28 years of teaching, she’s taught students from pre-K all the way to seniors in college.    Hefner said when she graduated from Piedmont University with her degree in early childhood education nearly 30 years ago, it was tough to find a job in teaching.
Randy and Mackenzie Chester are shown with their nine children Rosie, Paloma, Kells, Remy, Heidi, Azalea, Rune, Haven and Ezra.

Randy and Mackenzie Chester are shown with their nine children Rosie, Paloma, Kells, Remy, Heidi, Azalea, Rune, Haven and Ezra.

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Mom follows in footsteps with 9 children of her own

Matthew Osborne
Saturday, May 11, 2024
   When little Ezra was born 7 weeks ago, Mackenzie Chester saw her family life come full circle.    Chester was one of nine children, and now the Clarkesville mom has nine children of her own, ranging from newborn up to 16 years old.