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Nick Denton, a pitching and hitting instructor at Velo Factory, instructs Ava Buffington (left) to not hit his arm in a cross-body pitching drill for changeups. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Nick Denton, a pitching and hitting instructor at Velo Factory, instructs Ava Buffington (left) to not hit his arm in a cross-body pitching drill for changeups. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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Velo Factory offers top-tier training to local talent

Lang Storey
Friday, May 5, 2023
When the spring sports season was initially interrupted in early 2020, no one could have foreseen the impending crisis that would soon wreak havoc on the world. The pandemic ravaged nearly every aspect of society and athletics here in Northeast Georgia was no exception.
Habersham Central’s Zeke Whittington gives the jug machine a test on the first day of spring practice. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Habersham Central’s Zeke Whittington gives the jug machine a test on the first day of spring practice. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Raider spring football practice begins anew

Lang Storey
Friday, May 5, 2023
Activity is heating up for the Habersham Central football program. The Raiders were back in the weight room early this week and took the field for spring practice beginning Wednesday.
Alex Nava was escorted on Senior Day by his parents, Brittany and Manuel Nava, and his sisters Emily, Madison and Gabriella Nava. RANDY CRUMP/Special

Alex Nava was escorted on Senior Day by his parents, Brittany and Manuel Nava, and his sisters Emily, Madison and Gabriella Nava. RANDY CRUMP/Special

Three Raiders garner all-region honors

News Staff
Friday, May 5, 2023
Habersham Central Baseball produced three players named to the Region 8-6A All-Region Team. Freshman Maverick Chitwood led the way with his first-team selection as an outfielder. Senior Mason Dawe made the second team as a member of the infield.
Habersham Central boys tennis honorees (from left) include Kevin Wonders, Sam Hamilton, Bobby Ray Wallace, Josh Burris and Lije Smith. ROB WALLACE/Submitted

Habersham Central boys tennis honorees (from left) include Kevin Wonders, Sam Hamilton, Bobby Ray Wallace, Josh Burris and Lije Smith. ROB WALLACE/Submitted

Raider tennis honors its best

News Staff
Friday, May 5, 2023
The Habersham Central Tennis program held its end of season banquet Tuesday night for both the boys and girls teams. For the boys, sophomore Kevin Wonders was given the “Heart of a Raider” Award. Doubles tandem Sam Hamilton and Bobby Ray Wallace – both juniors – took home “Most Improved.
Young Taylor Swift fans Aubrey, Kennedi and Maya Kate Davis enjoyed the show in Atlanta over the weekend. SUBMITTED

Young Taylor Swift fans Aubrey, Kennedi and Maya Kate Davis enjoyed the show in Atlanta over the weekend. SUBMITTED

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Taylor Swift takes over the A-Tay-L

Emma Marti
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Taylor Swift started her Eras Tour in March in Glendale, Ariz., and over this past weekend, she finally landed in the A-Tay-L. Many Habersham County natives journeyed to the Mercedes Benz Stadium on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights.
Habersham County has plans for a new radio system with eight towers starting in 2025. JOHN DILLS/Staff

Habersham County has plans for a new radio system with eight towers starting in 2025. JOHN DILLS/Staff

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Habersham radio system still two years away

John Dills
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Habersham County’s new public safety radio system is still in the planning stages, as county leaders try to secure tower sites and get things up and running as soon as possible.

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United, NGHS let contract expire

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
After months of contentious negotiations, the contract between Northeast Georgia Medical System and United Healthcare ended Monday with no new deal in sight. That pushes NGHS’ hospitals and physicians out of network for employer-sponsored or individual health plans through United.
Terry Gladden (right) socializes with Councilmember Franklin Brown prior to Gladden’s last city council meeting. EMMA MARTI/Staff

Terry Gladden (right) socializes with Councilmember Franklin Brown prior to Gladden’s last city council meeting. EMMA MARTI/Staff

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Gladden says goodbye after almost 15 years

Emma Marti
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Clarkesville’s City Council meeting Monday brought some welcomed hellos as well as some bittersweet goodbyes. One of those welcomed hellos was the newly renovated community house. The Mary Street Community House had been abandoned for around 15 years before renovations began.

National Day of Prayer is Thursday

News Staff
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
Habersham County National Day of Prayer will be celebrated on Thursday, May 4. From 7 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., throughout the county, people will gather together and pray. For more information, contact 706-499-3824, or visit the “Habersham County, Ga National Day of Prayer” Facebook page.
HCHS Principal Dr. Jonathan Stribling (left) and Dual Enrollment/College Coordinator Dora Lucas (right) stand in front of some of the senior banners. EMMA MARTI/Staff

HCHS Principal Dr. Jonathan Stribling (left) and Dual Enrollment/College Coordinator Dora Lucas (right) stand in front of some of the senior banners. EMMA MARTI/Staff

Seniors celebrated with banners

Emma Marti
Wednesday, May 3, 2023
With a little more than three weeks until Habersham Central’s graduation ceremony, senior banners were being hung on the first day of May. A chilly temperature on the first day of May led teachers and administrators to bundle up for the task. Starting their task at 9 a.m.