News

A patrol vehicle damaged in June 2025 suffered disabling damage after a motorist hit the patrol car while it provided lights and a buffer for road workers. Now, any accident that has incurred damage involving a patrol vehicle will go through an accident review board at the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office. (Submitted)

A patrol vehicle damaged in June 2025 suffered disabling damage after a motorist hit the patrol car while it provided lights and a buffer for road workers. Now, any accident that has incurred damage involving a patrol vehicle will go through an accident review board at the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office. (Submitted)

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Sheriff’s office starts accident review board

News Staff
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
By Hannah CaudellTwenty-eight crashes involving patrol vehicles during in the last 14 months inspired a new sheriff’s office initiative in January: an accident review board.
The property at 1190 Old Cleveland Road will eventually be used by the City of Cornelia as a solar dryer facility for wastewater sludge. (Submitted)

The property at 1190 Old Cleveland Road will eventually be used by the City of Cornelia as a solar dryer facility for wastewater sludge. (Submitted)

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Cornelia commissioners talk water expansion

News Staff
Friday, February 27, 2026
By Hannah CaudellThe city of Cornelia will run out of water eventually.That’s what Carter and Sloope Senior Engineer Chase West told city officials on Saturday morning during Cornelia’s planning retreat.
Voters will be able to decide on the Habersham County ESPLOST VII referendum on May 19.

Voters will be able to decide on the Habersham County ESPLOST VII referendum on May 19.

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Partnership Habersham, school system kick off ESPLOST campaign

News Staff
Friday, February 27, 2026
By Hannah CaudellA sales tax to support schools is on the ballot again this year, and residents will decide whether they and Habersham’s visitors will pay it in the next cycle. And, Partnership Habersham is leading the effort to get people to vote yes.
The Habersham County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing during its meeting at 6 p.m. on March 3.

The Habersham County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing during its meeting at 6 p.m. on March 3.

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Land use code ready for review

News Staff
Friday, February 27, 2026
By Zach TaylorHow do you want the county to look in 10 years?Next week, the fate of the county’s land will be discussed.The Habersham County Planning Commission will hold a public hearing during its meeting at 6 p.m. on March 3 as county officials attempt to finalize a unified development ordinance.

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Fire consolidation may add tax

News Staff
Friday, February 27, 2026
By Zach TaylorThe numbers are in, and new taxes could come out.After one year of crunching numbers, the results from the fire consolidation study from SouthEastern Fire Consulting Company (SEFCCO) were shared in the Habersham County Board of Commissioners’ planning retreat on Tuesday.
Buford and Doris Lewis look at the future of their garden in preparation for spring. Below, school photos show Buford and Doris around the time they were married. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Buford and Doris Lewis look at the future of their garden in preparation for spring. Below, school photos show Buford and Doris around the time they were married. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Trust, love, tomatoes

News Staff
Friday, February 27, 2026
By Zach TaylorIn 1956, gas was 23 cents per gallon.One Habersham County couple made every penny of their gas money count as they drove around the area, building the foundations of a marriage that has lasted 70 years while eating Yates Apples and parched peanuts from farmers’ markets.
Emily Zaragoza signs the word ‘why.’ The HCHS student has been teaching sign language to local students through weekly ‘A Sign a Day’ videos. (Callie Cueva/Staff)

Emily Zaragoza signs the word ‘why.’ The HCHS student has been teaching sign language to local students through weekly ‘A Sign a Day’ videos. (Callie Cueva/Staff)

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Students build connections through sign language

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
by Callie CuevaTwo deaf students are eager to teach their peers how they communicate: through videos teaching American Sign Language (ASL).
(Kristen Adkinson/Staff)

(Kristen Adkinson/Staff)

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Cornelia considers vacation rental law

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
By Hannah CaudellEvery year, Cornelia gets a few hundred dollars of revenue from short-term rentals for the city’s hotel-motel tax, often in the form of a check from a vacation rental platform.
Election 2026

Election 2026

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Candidate sign-up starts next week

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
By Samantha SinclairAnyone wishing to sign up to run for a position on the county commission or school board must do so next week.Qualifying for the May General Primary Election and the Commission District 3 Special Election starts Monday at 9 a.m. and ends Friday, March 6 at noon.
Kitchen volunteers Kim Finley, Claudia Jessup and Tina Hatcher prepare meals for the guests at the warming center Monday night. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Kitchen volunteers Kim Finley, Claudia Jessup and Tina Hatcher prepare meals for the guests at the warming center Monday night. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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Providing warmth

News Staff
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
By Samantha SinclairA warming center that’s been in the works for several months quietly opened in Cornelia this month for those seeking shelter on cold nights.