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During a Habersham County Board of Commissioners meeting in 2021, Wade Rhodes shows off his admittedly crude model of placing PVC pipe underneath structures at the Airport Business Park to facilitate proper draining of water on the sites. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

During a Habersham County Board of Commissioners meeting in 2021, Wade Rhodes shows off his admittedly crude model of placing PVC pipe underneath structures at the Airport Business Park to facilitate proper draining of water on the sites. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Rhodes to challenge for county commission

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
   Wade Rhodes said Tuesday that he will throw his hat in the ring to challenge District 4 Habersham County Commissioner Bruce Harkness in the upcoming election.
Jeremy Spradlin (left) shakes hands with Habersham County Hall of Fame Inductee Rope Roberts at the Chamber of Commerce Gala on Feb. 8. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Jeremy Spradlin (left) shakes hands with Habersham County Hall of Fame Inductee Rope Roberts at the Chamber of Commerce Gala on Feb. 8. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Chamber honors its finest

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
   The Habersham County Chamber of Commerce recognized its best and brightest contributors for 2023 at its annual gala Feb. 8 at Piedmont University.
Kristie Dover holds a basketball themed book dedicated to her late husband and Raiders Coach Shane Dover. SUBMITTED

Kristie Dover holds a basketball themed book dedicated to her late husband and Raiders Coach Shane Dover. SUBMITTED

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Dover leaves school board, now 3 seats up in ’24

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
   Habersham County’s Board of Education was missing a friendly face Monday night.    Chairman Doug Westmoreland explained why early in the meeting, as he read a resignation letter by board member Kristie Dover, who has served on the school board for the last five years.
Level Grove Baptist Church was decorated to the nines for the Night to Shine. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Level Grove Baptist Church was decorated to the nines for the Night to Shine. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Kings, queens Shine at Level Grove

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, February 14, 2024
   A Night to Shine came to Habersham County for the first time Friday night, and it more than lived up to its name.    The event, which was created by the Tim Tebow Foundation, is a worldwide prom for people with special needs, ages 14 and older.
Audrey Davenport speaks in front of artwork by local school children to draw inspiration for the upcoming Tim Loves Tink mural. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Audrey Davenport speaks in front of artwork by local school children to draw inspiration for the upcoming Tim Loves Tink mural. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Mural finds home, seeks inspiration

Julianne Akers
Friday, February 9, 2024
   The City of Cornelia has settled on the placement for the upcoming Tim Loves Tink Public Art Mural project which will pay tribute to the legendary underpass in downtown Cornelia.    The mural will span a stucco wall located behind Campbell & Campbell law firm on South Main Street.
Casey Chastain had plenty of well wishers when his promotion to chief was announced. Family members include wife Whitney Chastain, Jack and Pat Chastain, Ricky Chastain, Kim Foster, Rose Chastain, Pam Chastain and Pat Galloway and Kristina Colbert. Demorest officers in attendance included Ty Moss, Bryan Collins, Justin Hicks and James Minutello. Councilmembers Jimmy Davis, Donnie Bennett, Andrew Ferguson and Shawn Allen, City Manager Mark Musselwhite and Mayor Jerry Harkness, congratulated Chastain as well.

Casey Chastain had plenty of well wishers when his promotion to chief was announced. Family members include wife Whitney Chastain, Jack and Pat Chastain, Ricky Chastain, Kim Foster, Rose Chastain, Pam Chastain and Pat Galloway and Kristina Colbert. Demorest officers in attendance included Ty Moss, Bryan Collins, Justin Hicks and James Minutello. Councilmembers Jimmy Davis, Donnie Bennett, Andrew Ferguson and Shawn Allen, City Manager Mark Musselwhite and Mayor Jerry Harkness, congratulated Chastain as well.

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Chastain set to take reins for Demorest Police

Matthew Osborne
Friday, February 9, 2024
   Demorest Police Department has been one of the top law enforcement divisions in Habersham County for many years under the leadership of Chief Robin Krockum.
Lee Arrendale State Prison had a large contingent of law enforecement vehicles come in, but a spokseman denied they were moving the inmates out. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Lee Arrendale State Prison had a large contingent of law enforecement vehicles come in, but a spokseman denied they were moving the inmates out. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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GDC: Nothing going down at Lee Arrendale

Matthew Osborne
Friday, February 9, 2024
   Residents who saw a caravan of law enforcement vehicles gather in Cornelia and head to Lee Arrendale State Prison on Wednesday took to social media wondering what all the commotion was.
Vertical Bridge attorney Mattaniah Jahn (front) rebuts a point made by Ralph Taylor who represents the county with Hunt & Taylor Law Group. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Vertical Bridge attorney Mattaniah Jahn (front) rebuts a point made by Ralph Taylor who represents the county with Hunt & Taylor Law Group. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Public speaks out against potential Baldwin cell tower

Julianne Akers
Friday, February 9, 2024
   A proposed cell tower in Baldwin has been met with strong opposition from the public with five people speaking against the structure at a public hearing Tuesday night. No one spoke in favor of the tower.
A Demorest fire engine at the Christmas celebration in 2023. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

A Demorest fire engine at the Christmas celebration in 2023. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Shorthanded Demorest Fire dismisses Palmer

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
   Demorest parted ways with Assistant Fire Chief Jerry Palmer on Friday after a tumultuous few weeks of back-and-forth between him and city leaders.    Palmer was a finalist for the permanent fire chief’s job that eventually went to Dave Scheuerer, the fire marshal for Jasper County, S.C.
The old Ingles and Rite Aid buildings sit on West Louise Street in Clarkesville. The buildings, owned by Ingles, cause a safety hazard, Clarkesville officials said Monday. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

The old Ingles and Rite Aid buildings sit on West Louise Street in Clarkesville. The buildings, owned by Ingles, cause a safety hazard, Clarkesville officials said Monday. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Clarkesville begins condemnation process for old Ingles building

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, February 7, 2024
   Clarkesville City Council met on Monday and unanimously approved the condemnation of the old Ingles and Rite Aid buildings located at West Louise Street.