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Joy Sullivan of Cornelia found a way to keep busy in retirement, creating fancy soaps and getting her product out to locals and folks out of state alike. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Joy Sullivan of Cornelia found a way to keep busy in retirement, creating fancy soaps and getting her product out to locals and folks out of state alike. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Local woman builds soap operation

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
   Joy Sullivan grew up the youngest of eight children in Rabun County when she first experienced making homemade soap with her mother and grandmother who mixed in handpicked herbs and natural ingredients in a big pot in their yard.
Habersham County Schools Safety Director Murray Kogod speaks at the GASROE convention at the University of Georgia. SUBMITTED

Habersham County Schools Safety Director Murray Kogod speaks at the GASROE convention at the University of Georgia. SUBMITTED

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Habersham school safety gets attention in Ga., U.S.

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
   In recent years, Habersham County Schools have reevaluated the way it approaches school safety, and have become a national leader in the process.
Loudermilk Mill on Highway 197 is flooded after the rain from Monday into Tuesday. The water level has risen and is close to reaching the bridge that leads to the home on the hill adjacent to the mill. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Loudermilk Mill on Highway 197 is flooded after the rain from Monday into Tuesday. The water level has risen and is close to reaching the bridge that leads to the home on the hill adjacent to the mill. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Blame it on the rain

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, January 10, 2024
   Habersham County was hit with more than five inches of rain in some areas as a massive storm saturated the area and postponed schools on Tuesday.    There was reported danger of high winds to go with the torrential rain, but the winds Tuesday were not as bad as feared.
Demorest Councilman Jimmy Davis is sworn in Tuesday by Mayor Jerry Harkness for his first term on the council along with his wife Patti and great grandson Carter Willis. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Demorest Councilman Jimmy Davis is sworn in Tuesday by Mayor Jerry Harkness for his first term on the council along with his wife Patti and great grandson Carter Willis. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Demorest raises its water rates 18 percent

Matthew Osborne
Friday, January 5, 2024
   Demorest City Council approved an 18 percent water rate increase at its first meeting of the year Tuesday night.    That takes the base rate (up to 2,000 gallons) for residents inside the city limits from $16.50 to $19.47. Commercial base rates are up from $40.15 to $47.38.
Habersham County School buses lineup to pick up students. SUBMITTED

Habersham County School buses lineup to pick up students. SUBMITTED

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Schools brace for winter weather

Julianne Akers
Friday, January 5, 2024
   Habersham County is in the middle of some of the coldest months of the year, a time when snow and ice can make driving on the roads unsafe.
Georgia General Assembly in session. Credit/Georgia Public Broadcasting

Georgia General Assembly in session. Credit/Georgia Public Broadcasting

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Assembly kicks off new session Monday

Matthew Osborne
Friday, January 5, 2024
   A new session of Georgia’s General Assembly begins Monday in Atlanta, and being the start of Year 2 of a cycle, plenty of bills will already be in play as legislators return to the dome.    “It will start a lot quicker,” Sen. Bo Hatchett said.
Caleb Maddox and Patricia Hall brought Makenzie Renee Maddox into the world Wednesday as Northeast Georgia Medical Center-Habersham’s first baby of 2024. SUBMITTED

Caleb Maddox and Patricia Hall brought Makenzie Renee Maddox into the world Wednesday as Northeast Georgia Medical Center-Habersham’s first baby of 2024. SUBMITTED

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Habersham New Year’s baby welcomed to the world

Julianne Akers
Friday, January 5, 2024
   Northeast Georgia Medical Center Habersham welcomed its first baby of 2024 when Makenzie Renee Maddox, 6 pounds and 3 ounces, entered the world at 11:46 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 3.
Lake Russell recreation area

Lake Russell recreation area

Death at Lake Russell not believed to be foul play

News Staff
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
   Personnel from the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office and Habersham County Emergency Services were dispatched at 7:46 a.m. Wednesday to an individual who had been found deceased in a picnic area near Lake Russell Beach.
Carson Crane, Habersham Kiwanis Club President Brad Crane, Habersham Kiwanis Club Secretary Nellie Snyder and Habersham Kiwanis Club Honorary Member Clay Christie stand behind full shopping carts for a photo. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Carson Crane, Habersham Kiwanis Club President Brad Crane, Habersham Kiwanis Club Secretary Nellie Snyder and Habersham Kiwanis Club Honorary Member Clay Christie stand behind full shopping carts for a photo. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Longtime volunteer helps Kiwanis bring smiles to kids

Zach Taylor
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
   During the Christmas season, Nellie Snyder, a dedicated member of the Habersham Kiwanis Club, went above and beyond to bring joy and happiness to over 489 kids in need.    The Toys for Kids donation and fundraising drive helps parents in need of Christmas presents for their kids.