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Photo of former Demorest Fire Chief Jonathan Knight. FILE

Photo of former Demorest Fire Chief Jonathan Knight. FILE

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Alcohol, harassment drove fire chief out

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, October 18, 2023
   A letter sent to the Demorest city manager outlining transgressions by former Fire Chief Jonathan Knight prompted the brief investigation that resulted in his resignation, a public records request shows.
Erik Keith (left) is sworn in to the office of Baldwin City Council by Mayor Alice Venter (right) Tuesday’s meeting. Keith is finishing out former councilman Larry Lewallen’s term, and will be sworn in again in January for a full term. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Erik Keith (left) is sworn in to the office of Baldwin City Council by Mayor Alice Venter (right) Tuesday’s meeting. Keith is finishing out former councilman Larry Lewallen’s term, and will be sworn in again in January for a full term. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Baldwin puts final touches on proposed rollback millage rate

News Staff
Friday, October 13, 2023
   The Baldwin City Council announced some more tweaks to the city’s millage rate which is set to be certified at a special called meeting on Oct. 27. The millage rate for Baldwin residents in Habersham County will be 8.481. For Banks County residents, the rate will be 2.662.
Cornelia City Manager Dee Anderson presents a draft of the 2024 budget to the mayor and commission. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Cornelia City Manager Dee Anderson presents a draft of the 2024 budget to the mayor and commission. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Grant could offset Cornelia’s millage increase

Zach Taylor
Friday, October 13, 2023
   The Cornelia City Commission met Tuesday evening for a public hearing for Thomas Street and Grand Avenue, a draft for the municipal budget and a proposed increase in its millage rate.    The City of Cornelia has not raised its millage rate from 8.
Demorest City Council candidates (from left) Jim Welborn, Donnie Bennett and Jimmy L. Davis held a forum Tuesday night for voters. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Demorest City Council candidates (from left) Jim Welborn, Donnie Bennett and Jimmy L. Davis held a forum Tuesday night for voters. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Demorest candidates talk about the city’s future

Matthew Osborne
Friday, October 13, 2023
   Demorest’s three candidates for two seats on the city council for the next four years gathered Tuesday night at the new conference center to talk about the issues facing the city going forward.
Pastor Mike Franklin talks to one of many church groups he has taken to Israel over the last 10 years. THE TORCH/Submitted

Pastor Mike Franklin talks to one of many church groups he has taken to Israel over the last 10 years. THE TORCH/Submitted

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Israel crisis felt worldwide

News Staff
Friday, October 13, 2023
   Thousands of people, including hundreds of children and at least 25 Americans, have been killed in Israel and in Palestinian territories since Saturday’s surprise attacks by Hamas, a Palestinian militant organization.
Local artist and creative Gretchen Vanderbunt stands for a photo in Helen, Georgia. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Local artist and creative Gretchen Vanderbunt stands for a photo in Helen, Georgia. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Creativity and yellow cows

Zach Taylor
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
   Gretchen Vanerbunt is a local painter who strives to bring joy to others with the colors she uses in her work.    Beginning her art career, she studied at the University of North Georgia (UNG) and majored in photography.
Shift Captain Jody Holland monitors the residential fire. WHITE COUNTY/Submitted

Shift Captain Jody Holland monitors the residential fire. WHITE COUNTY/Submitted

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White County house explodes, cause unknown

News Staff
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
A loud boom heard on Sunday evening was an explosion and fire that took a family’s home.    On Sunday, Oct. 8 around 8:30 p.m., White County Communications received reports of an explosion and residential fire in the area of Gunn Circle.
Mayor Alice Venter and the Baldwin City Council were working Tuesday night to get on the same page about a millage rate rollback. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Mayor Alice Venter and the Baldwin City Council were working Tuesday night to get on the same page about a millage rate rollback. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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With new data, Baldwin eyes full millage rollback

News Staff
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
   The City of Baldwin announced via a video on its Facebook page on Oct. 5 that they are implementing a full rollback of the millage rate, backtracking their initial consensus at last week’s work session on a partial rollback.
Bruce Palmer headshot. FILE

Bruce Palmer headshot. FILE

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Palmer’s bevy of trips questioned

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
   Habersham County Commissioner Bruce Palmer is seemingly everywhere around the county, attending nearly every public meeting and even hosting some of his own.    Palmer is more than halfway through his first term, and he was the chairman of the board in 2022.
Habersham County firefighters check the engine compartment of the burning truck on Sutton Road in the Fairview community. HABERSHAM COUNTY/Submitted

Habersham County firefighters check the engine compartment of the burning truck on Sutton Road in the Fairview community. HABERSHAM COUNTY/Submitted

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Habersham chase leads to White County shooting

News Staff
Wednesday, October 11, 2023
   A police chase that began in Habersham County resulted in shots fired in White County.    On Saturday morning, Oct. 7, shortly after 11 a.m., Habersham E-911 dispatched Emergency Medical Services to a reported vehicle fire 562 Sutton Road in Demorest.