News

Habersham Medical Center will merge with Northeast  Georgia Health Systems on July 1. FILE

Habersham Medical Center will merge with Northeast Georgia Health Systems on July 1. FILE

Hospital streamlining services to save cash

Habersham Medical Center is working toward a merger with Northeast Georgia Health Systems  on July 1, but to get there, the hospital plans to make a few adjustments to its services.

Deputies, family seek missing man

Habersham County Sheriff’s investigators are helping a family look for a missing man who was last known to be in the Habersham County Jail. Joel Stanley Rosenbaum, 65, of Lawrenceville was arrested on a DUI charge after running off the road on Jan.
Michael Dunagan plays the piano alongside Jeff Kozyra on the cajón as patrons (from left) Cona Rider, Virginia Ross, Phyllis York, Peggy Jackson and Myra Hemphill gather around. SUBMITTED

Michael Dunagan plays the piano alongside Jeff Kozyra on the cajón as patrons (from left) Cona Rider, Virginia Ross, Phyllis York, Peggy Jackson and Myra Hemphill gather around. SUBMITTED

Just winging the music

Michael Dunagan is now playing tunes for Habersham County Senior Center after spending his life in finance and banking. Dunagan, a Hall County native and brother of the late First Lady Sandra Deal, enjoys spending his time with family and at the senior center spreading joy.
Fowler's book comes out March 1 and will be available on Amazon.

Fowler's book comes out March 1 and will be available on Amazon.

‘Worst’ birthday party leads to fun for kids

Clarkesville author Jason Fowler has penned his second book, a children’s story called “Max and the No Good, Rotten, Worst Birthday Party of All Time.
Sheriff Joey Terrell makes a presentation Friday while County Manager Alicia Vaughn (left), Commissioner Bruce Palmer (right) and Chairman Ty Akins listen. JOHN DILLS/Staff

Sheriff Joey Terrell makes a presentation Friday while County Manager Alicia Vaughn (left), Commissioner Bruce Palmer (right) and Chairman Ty Akins listen. JOHN DILLS/Staff

Terrell makes latest plea for new jail

Sheriff Joey Terrell and Col. Murray Kogod presented their concerns about the future of the jail to the Habersham County Commissioners at their retreat Friday.
New Clarkesville City Clerk Julie Poole (left) has enjoyed learning from former clerk Glenda Smith (right). EMMA MARTI/Staff

New Clarkesville City Clerk Julie Poole (left) has enjoyed learning from former clerk Glenda Smith (right). EMMA MARTI/Staff

Poole hopes to make her mark in Clarkesville

After moving to Clarkesville in 2007, the Poole family has certainly made a name for itself in the community, with Jason Poole as the fire chief of Clarkesville and Julie as the city’s newest City Clerk.

DUIs ‘down,’ but still raging

Drunk drivers remain a problem on Habersham’s roads. There were 14 DUI arrests by Habersham County Sheriff’s deputies over a five-day span this week, including three in a row on Thursday night.
Katie Deal is dressed in full costume before one of her performances, “Today, Tomorrow and Forever: A Tribute to Patsy Cline” in Dallas, Ga. SUBMITTED

Katie Deal is dressed in full costume before one of her performances, “Today, Tomorrow and Forever: A Tribute to Patsy Cline” in Dallas, Ga. SUBMITTED

Going where the music takes her

After growing up around music and having the urge to make her own, Katie Deal is now a successful singer and songwriter. Originally from Northeast Georgia, Deal is the daughter of former Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal and the late First Lady Sandra Deal.
County Manager Alicia Vaughn (right) presents a plaque to Animal Control Director Madi Nix as part of the county’s employee recognition program. Vaughn’s contract to lead Habersham County was renewed Monday night. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

County Manager Alicia Vaughn (right) presents a plaque to Animal Control Director Madi Nix as part of the county’s employee recognition program. Vaughn’s contract to lead Habersham County was renewed Monday night. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Vaughn’s contract renewed amid swirling tension

Habersham County Manager Alicia Vaughn’s contract was renewed Monday night after a brutally long Board of Commissioners meeting that ended with a 90-minute executive session and a bizarre closing speech by Vice Chairman Bruce Harkness.