Mayor Ray McAllister stands in front of the principal’s office door of the old schoolhouse, now his office and town hall. (Zach Taylor/Staff)
A single Southern Magnolia tree stretches its limbs over the bus parking lot, where children attending Hazel Grove Elementary School are dropped off for a day of school and picked back up about seven hours later. The tree memorializes the passing of Donna Gail Wright 65 years ago. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)
Claudia Jessup and Brant Finley work together to prepare meals at the First Presbyterian Church on Christmas Day. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)
Emily Herrin is the founder of Price to Play, which has two goals: getting all kids outside to play, and to build playgrounds for all kids with all abilities. (Zach Taylor/Staff)
Over the past six years, Demorest water sales have nearly doubled, from $3.9 million in 2019 to $6.2 million in 2025. Expenses for the water department over the same timeframe increased by an average of 11 percent, including Fiscal Year 2025, and by nine percent excluding FY25, with maintenance and water payments to Baldwin and Toccoa being the most expensive line items. (Adobe Stock Image)
Alice Venter
Stephanie Almagno
John Fair of Peachstate Federal Credit Union, Scott Roland of Peachstate Federal Credit Union, Nicole Dover of Habersham EMC and Habersham Sheriff Deputy Aaron Autry honor Wilbanks Middle School’s REACH Scholars Jasmine Solorzano and Daniel Martinez. (Submitted)
Demorest Fire Capt. Tim Nunnally and Firefighter Justin Upchurch stand in front of Demorest Fire Engine 5 during the final week of the fire department’s service. (Zach Taylor/Staff)
David Scheuerer
