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Eric and Mariah Holbrooks were named king and queen of Mardi Gras after finding the baby in their king cake. SAMANTHA SINCLAIR/ CNI News Service

Eric and Mariah Holbrooks were named king and queen of Mardi Gras after finding the baby in their king cake. SAMANTHA SINCLAIR/ CNI News Service

‘Les Bon Temps Rouler’

News Staff
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Clarkesville Main Street held its annual fundraiser Saturday night and continued the Mardi Gras theme that has been so successful in past years. The event is to raise funds for the facade and sign grant program. The festivities included dinner, dancing, costumes, flamboyant decor and more.
HMC has lowered its service levels in the ICU and surgery departments, and it planned to close Total Fitness at the Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center to save more cash. FILE

HMC has lowered its service levels in the ICU and surgery departments, and it planned to close Total Fitness at the Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center to save more cash. FILE

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Hospital uses half its $6 million county allotment

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Habersham Medical Center is four months away from making it into the waiting arms of Northeast Georgia Health Systems. NGHS will take over July 1 after moving that timetable up by 17 months because of the hospital’s struggling finances. “We are making progress.

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Smith recalled as ‘salt of the earth’

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
The Tallulah Falls community celebrated the life of Melvin Smith over the weekend, recalling his more than four decades of service to the community as a first responder. “He was a true ‘salt of the earth’ kind of guy,” Habersham County Sheriff Joey Terrell said.
Kenneth Williams, a member of the Habersham King Pins, takes some time to practice his Wii Bowling skills on Tuesday. JOHN DILLS/Staff

Kenneth Williams, a member of the Habersham King Pins, takes some time to practice his Wii Bowling skills on Tuesday. JOHN DILLS/Staff

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Seniors throwing strikes

John Dills
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Habersham County Senior Center has thought of a way for patrons to stay active and have fun. Wii Bowling, a video game for the Nintendo Wii Console, has brought out seniors to play against one another in-house and compete against seniors in other counties.

TFS senior is a National Merit finalist

News Staff
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Tallulah Falls School senior Walker Bailey of Lula has been named a National Merit finalist bringing him one step closer to consideration for 7,250 National Merit Scholarships worth nearly $28 million.
Ryan Dukes speaks with student Madison Benfield after a ceremony honoring him Wednesday at Habersham Central High School. EMMA MARTI/Staff

Ryan Dukes speaks with student Madison Benfield after a ceremony honoring him Wednesday at Habersham Central High School. EMMA MARTI/Staff

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Band of Blue says goodbye

Emma Marti
Friday, February 24, 2023
Faculty, staff, students and parents gathered at Habersham Central High School Wednesday afternoon to say their goodbyes and express their gratitude to Ryan Dukes, who will be retiring this school year.
Ciera Locklair Breland is shown as a young Raider in the recreational basketball program. SUBMITTED

Ciera Locklair Breland is shown as a young Raider in the recreational basketball program. SUBMITTED

Habersham native still missing after a year

Matthew Osborne
Friday, February 24, 2023
Ciera Locklair Breland has been missing for a year, but family and friends are not giving up on her. Supporters organized a “Wear Green for Ciera” campaign Thursday on the Facebook group page that keeps the case in the conversation for many who have followed it, friends and strangers alike.
Madi Nix (left) and Baldwin Mayor Alice Venter (right) brought cards signed by puppies on Valentine’s Day to The Oaks at Scenic View Assisted Living. MADI NIX/Submitted

Madi Nix (left) and Baldwin Mayor Alice Venter (right) brought cards signed by puppies on Valentine’s Day to The Oaks at Scenic View Assisted Living. MADI NIX/Submitted

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Baldwin handling animal issues ‘one by one’

John Dills
Friday, February 24, 2023
After not finding a place for animal control in the fiscal year 2023 budget, the City of Baldwin has had to make up for that loss. From helping lost animals find their homes to having a mascot for the public works department, the city is making do with what they have.
Accepting Fenders Alley’s travelblazer award on Wednesday are (from left) Jessie Owensby, Cornelia’s Community Development Director; Fenders owners Jay and Melissa Reeder; employees Nelson Arias (in back), Mady Maysonet and Kris Bernadino; Jay Markwalter, president of Georgia Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Cornelia Mayor John Borrow. STEFANIE BOWDEN/Staff

Accepting Fenders Alley’s travelblazer award on Wednesday are (from left) Jessie Owensby, Cornelia’s Community Development Director; Fenders owners Jay and Melissa Reeder; employees Nelson Arias (in back), Mady Maysonet and Kris Bernadino; Jay Markwalter, president of Georgia Convention and Visitors Bureau; and Cornelia Mayor John Borrow. STEFANIE BOWDEN/Staff

Fenders honored with state tourism award

Matthew Osborne
Friday, February 24, 2023
Fenders Alley received a 2022 travelblazer award this week for “working to create a unique impact within the industry and for their community,” according to the award’s mission statement.