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Marvin “Jim Tom” Hedrick became known worldwide for his long run as one of the featured subjects on the Discovery Channel’s show, “Moonshiners.” The Graham County native passed away Sept. 6 and the tributes that poured in painted a universally-beloved picture of “Jim Tom.” THE GRAHAM STAR/File photo

Marvin “Jim Tom” Hedrick became known worldwide for his long run as one of the featured subjects on the Discovery Channel’s show, “Moonshiners.” The Graham County native passed away Sept. 6 and the tributes that poured in painted a universally-beloved picture of “Jim Tom.” THE GRAHAM STAR/File photo

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N.C. moonshine legend ‘Jim Tom’ recalled fondly

(not verified)
Friday, September 15, 2023
   “I out-slickered ‘em.”    In an interview with The Graham Star in 2013, Marvin “Jim Tom” Hedrick displayed a badge of honor when pointing out he was never arrested for producing moonshine throughout his life.    Hedrick passed away Sept.
Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness cuts the ribbon Tuesday at the new Demorest Municipal Conference Center inside the city hall building. Shown are (from left) Chamber of Commerce President Ellie Van Doonum, Councilmen Shawn Allen, Dr. John Hendrix and Donnie Bennett, Chamber Board President Clayton Foster, Councilman Andrew Ferguson, Fire Chief Jonathan Kinght, Assistant Police Chief Casey Chastain, City Manager Mark Musselwhite, City Clerk Megan Chastain and Howard Bell from ACG. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness cuts the ribbon Tuesday at the new Demorest Municipal Conference Center inside the city hall building. Shown are (from left) Chamber of Commerce President Ellie Van Doonum, Councilmen Shawn Allen, Dr. John Hendrix and Donnie Bennett, Chamber Board President Clayton Foster, Councilman Andrew Ferguson, Fire Chief Jonathan Kinght, Assistant Police Chief Casey Chastain, City Manager Mark Musselwhite, City Clerk Megan Chastain and Howard Bell from ACG. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Demorest seeing massive uptick in development

Matthew Osborne
Friday, September 15, 2023
   Demorest City Council had its first meeting in its new space at city hall Tuesday, now dubbed the Demorest Municipal Conference Center.    Municipal court began there Wednesday as well, marking a new era for the city and its burgeoning headquarters.
Photo of a jet fuel pump truck. UNSPLASH

Photo of a jet fuel pump truck. UNSPLASH

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Airport finds water in jet fuel

Donald Fraser
Friday, September 15, 2023
   The Habersham County Airport Commission, at its September 14 regular monthly meeting, learned a recent load of Jet A fuel was heavily contaminated with water.
Maggie Moose wins the Jr. Showmanship champion belt buckle with her dairy cow. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Maggie Moose wins the Jr. Showmanship champion belt buckle with her dairy cow. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Animals play star roles at fairgrounds

Zach Taylor
Friday, September 15, 2023
   The Chattahoochee Mountain Fair held livestock shows from Saturday until Tuesday night at the outset of the eight-day event.    The shows for market hogs, commercial dairy cows, beef cattle, goats and sheep were a great display of what Northeast Georgia had to offer in livestock and showmanship.
Olivia Whitfield works with a canine pal at the Habesham County Animal Shelter. FILE

Olivia Whitfield works with a canine pal at the Habesham County Animal Shelter. FILE

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County moves forward with animal shelter project

Matthew Osborne
Friday, September 15, 2023
   Habersham County is pushing forward with its plans to build a new animal shelter, even though the project has been delayed.    The SPLOST VII plans for the new shelter included a budget of $1.
Habersham County Emergency Services personnel work at the scene of Friday morning’s fatal wreck on Georgia Highway 17. HABERSHAM COUNTY/Submitted

Habersham County Emergency Services personnel work at the scene of Friday morning’s fatal wreck on Georgia Highway 17. HABERSHAM COUNTY/Submitted

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Local man killed in head-on crash

News Staff
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
   An Alto man died Friday morning when two cars collided on Highway 17 near Cool Springs Road.    Adam Glenn Wilson, 57, of Alto was driving north on 17 toward Helen when he failed to maintain his lane, according to Georgia State Patrol reports.
The Airport Business Park sign in Baldwin, Georgia. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

The Airport Business Park sign in Baldwin, Georgia. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Deal cut to fill last spot in business park

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
   he Habersham County Development Authority was able to come to agreement Friday with Precision Digital for the sale of Pad 10 at the Airport Business Park.    The Development Authority agreed to handle the rough grading and the retention pond of 3.
McCoy Malcom (center) joins his classmates in waving Old Glory to celebrate the Hometown Heroes at Fairview Elementary on Monday afternoon. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

McCoy Malcom (center) joins his classmates in waving Old Glory to celebrate the Hometown Heroes at Fairview Elementary on Monday afternoon. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Fairview honors Hometown Heroes, remembers 9/11

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
   Fairview Elementary rolled out the red, white and blue carpet on Monday to continue its tradition of honoring first responders on the anniversary of Sept. 11 with their Hometown Heroes event.
Bryan Santana and Prince are happy to have safely reached the end of their hike with help from some new friends. SUBMITTED

Bryan Santana and Prince are happy to have safely reached the end of their hike with help from some new friends. SUBMITTED

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Day hike turns to dog rescue for outdoors group

(not verified)
Friday, September 8, 2023
A recent day hike to a popular waterfall in Habersham County turned into a memorable experience for three local hikers, a South Carolina man, his dog and others. The reason why didn’t even involve the picturesque falls.    Bryan Santana, who lives in Greenville, S.C.
Habersham County’s comprehensive plan meetings have been sparsely attended, but feedback has been plentifuil online. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Habersham County’s comprehensive plan meetings have been sparsely attended, but feedback has been plentifuil online. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Comp plan trends toward small-town values

Matthew Osborne
Friday, September 8, 2023
   While getting folks to show up at public meetings for the Habersham County Comprehensive Plan has been a struggle, the plan did receive hundreds of respondents’ worth of feedback to formulate its main concepts and direction.