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Alice Venter, former mayor and council member on Baldwin’s City Council, expressed frustration during Tuesday’s regular meeting public comment section. Her complaint stemmed from a letter written by Mayor Doug Faust to County Manager Tim Sims about Councilman Joe Elam’s communication with the county. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Alice Venter, former mayor and council member on Baldwin’s City Council, expressed frustration during Tuesday’s regular meeting public comment section. Her complaint stemmed from a letter written by Mayor Doug Faust to County Manager Tim Sims about Councilman Joe Elam’s communication with the county. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Miscommunication leads to strife on council

News Staff
Friday, May 22, 2026
By Hannah CaudellA bout of miscommunication in Baldwin came to light on Tuesday night involving informal conversations with the Habersham County government about fire service consolidation.
Habersham County High School will hold its graduation Friday night at Raider Stadium. (File)

Habersham County High School will hold its graduation Friday night at Raider Stadium. (File)

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HCHS ceremony Friday evening

News Staff
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
By Hannah CaudellHabersham Central High School seniors will be walking across the stage on Friday to receive their diplomas, the symbol of over a decade of perseverance and hard work for most students.On May 22 at 8 p.m.

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TFS ceremony Friday morning

News Staff
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
By Hannah CaudellStudents from across the region and across the world will be brought together to celebrate their completion of high school at Tallulah Falls School (TFS).
Jessalan Smith checks in to vote with poll worker Leslie Trowbridge at the Habersham South precinct Tuesday morning. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Jessalan Smith checks in to vote with poll worker Leslie Trowbridge at the Habersham South precinct Tuesday morning. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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Voters cast ballots in primary election

News Staff
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
By Samantha SinclairVoters headed to voting precincts Tuesday morning to cast ballots in the General Primary Election.Habersham South Precinct Poll Manager Stephanie Martin said voters were lined up waiting to vote as doors opened at 7 a.m., and the flow was steady as the morning progressed.
The Habersham Central Band of Blue marches up Washington Street in the Mountain Laurel Festival Parade. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

The Habersham Central Band of Blue marches up Washington Street in the Mountain Laurel Festival Parade. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Celebrating America’s 250th

News Staff
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
By Zach TaylorThis year’s Mountain Laurel Festival celebrated America’s 250th anniversary, with red, white and blue scattered around the city.Clarkesville Main Street Director Rosie Cantrell said the event drew a good turnout, with more than 2,000 people attending the festival.
The new proposed zoning map, right, shows the revision that eliminated the Conservation Subdivision district, placing those properties in the Agricultural district. (Submitted)

The new proposed zoning map, right, shows the revision that eliminated the Conservation Subdivision district, placing those properties in the Agricultural district. (Submitted)

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Feedback prompts UDO changes

News Staff
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
By Samantha SinclairThe Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) has had some revisions, and Commission Chair Bruce Harkness would like to see at least one more town hall meeting to present the document and gather responses from the community before the commission adopts the document.
Election 2026

Election 2026

Primary Election Results

News Staff
Tuesday, May 19, 2026
 All precincts, unofficial: Special Election - County Commission District 3Danny McClellon 4432Jason Smith 3371 Special Election - ESPLOSTYes 5502No 3449 County Commission District 2Andrea Harper 2874Shelley Tullis 4052 County Commission District 3Danny McClellon 3892Jason Smith 2962
Families enjoy last year’s Cornelia Music Festival. (File)

Families enjoy last year’s Cornelia Music Festival. (File)

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Music, drones take stage in Cornelia

News Staff
Friday, May 15, 2026
By Samantha SinclairCornelia Music Fest will be held in the city’s newest park with a new grand finale.The concert is from 5-10 p.m. Saturday in Donald Anderson Park. But, instead of fireworks to close the night, the city will have a drone show.
Election 2026

Election 2026

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Tuesday is Election Day

News Staff
Friday, May 15, 2026
By Samantha SinclairAs turnout inched into double digits this week, leaders were looking for more people to take the time to vote in the May 19 primary.
Maintenance Technician Ryan Wade tightens a bolt on new equipment that will eventually help create pipes out of HDPE Pipe Solutions in Alto. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Maintenance Technician Ryan Wade tightens a bolt on new equipment that will eventually help create pipes out of HDPE Pipe Solutions in Alto. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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More than a pipe dream

News Staff
Friday, May 15, 2026
By Hannah CaudellThe old Mount Vernon location in Alto is looking a lot different these days as a new industry moves into town.