News

Habersham County Fire and EMS is running a bit low on personnel before a new class of recruits replenishes its roster. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Habersham County Fire and EMS is running a bit low on personnel before a new class of recruits replenishes its roster. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Habersham County Fire examines staffing challenges, ISO

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
By Zach TaylorStaffing remains a challenge for Habersham County Fire and Emergency Services, but Emergency Services Director and Fire Chief Jeff Adams contends that coverage of the area is good.
Water rises in the river Saturday afternoon. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Water rises in the river Saturday afternoon. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Storm floods roads, causes power outages

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
By Samantha SinclairThe water of the Soque River will typically rise during a rainstorm, but not like it did Saturday, according to Mark of the Potter owner Chad Peck.“It was crazy,” Peck said.
Daphne Penick

Daphne Penick

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Penick to retire from SHMS

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
By Hannah CaudellThe room of educators, administrators and community leaders stood in applause for South Habersham Middle School Principal Daphne Penick, who announced her retirement at Monday night’s Habersham County Board of Education meeting with the help of Superintendent Patrick Franklin.
Riley Hembree walked through the doors at El Patron for his surprise party last Saturday. His family and friends celebrated his 17th birthday and the fulfillment of his Make-A-Wish trip to Hawaii. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Riley Hembree walked through the doors at El Patron for his surprise party last Saturday. His family and friends celebrated his 17th birthday and the fulfillment of his Make-A-Wish trip to Hawaii. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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A wish comes true

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
By Zach TaylorSurviving the leading cause of death by disease in children is a moniker that Riley Hembree can be proud of as his Make-A-Wish dreams come to fruition.On March 24, 2025, Hembree was diagnosed with Rhabdomyosarcoma, a cancer that attacks the tissues and muscles of the body.

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City to consider revoking alcohol license

News Staff
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
By Zach TaylorAfter conducting a sting operation with its police department, the City of Demorest is hosting a public hearing on the potential revocation of the Chevron Food Mart’s alcohol license at 1 p.m. today at the Demorest City Hall Building, 250 Alabama St.
Daphne Penick

Daphne Penick

SHMS principal announces retirement

News Staff
Monday, January 12, 2026
After over 30 years at South Habersham Middle School, Principal and Counseling Coordinator Daphne Penick is retiring at the end of May 2026. Penick has held many roles in her three decades with South Habersham: student, teacher, counselor, administrator.
Sawyer Burgess proudly shows the completed stone pedestal with a bronze plaque noting the land for the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery was provided by Georgia Power. (Submitted)

Sawyer Burgess proudly shows the completed stone pedestal with a bronze plaque noting the land for the Lake Burton Fish Hatchery was provided by Georgia Power. (Submitted)

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Burgess reaches Eagle

News Staff
Friday, January 9, 2026
By Samantha SinclairIt was a challenge for Sawyer Burgess to reach the goal he set when he was in fourth grade, and just before the year ended, he achieved it.Burgess is Troop 5’s and his family’s newest Eagle Scout.
Demorest water customers will see new rates implemented in the near future, following the city’s approval of Engineering Management Inc. President Fletcher Holliday’s recommendation to move forward with a new rate structure that complies with American Water Works Association (AWWA) guidelines. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Demorest water customers will see new rates implemented in the near future, following the city’s approval of Engineering Management Inc. President Fletcher Holliday’s recommendation to move forward with a new rate structure that complies with American Water Works Association (AWWA) guidelines. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Demorest updates water rate structure

News Staff
Friday, January 9, 2026
By Zach TaylorDemorest water customers will see new rates implemented in the near future, following the city’s approval of Engineering Management Inc.
Mona Rumsey visits the grave of her Revolutionary War ancestor Martin Maney in Buncombe County, N.C., in October 2023. (Submitted)

Mona Rumsey visits the grave of her Revolutionary War ancestor Martin Maney in Buncombe County, N.C., in October 2023. (Submitted)

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Finding out about themselves

News Staff
Friday, January 9, 2026
By Samantha SinclairOne of Rod Rumsey’s favorite possessions is a painting of George Washington kneeling beside his horse. When he got it, he didn’t know how much he would be connected to the Revolutionary War general and first president through his future wife, Mona.