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Mayor Barrie Aycock enjoys time at the 2023 Clarkesville Fall Festival, one of the main events the city organizes each year. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Mayor Barrie Aycock enjoys time at the 2023 Clarkesville Fall Festival, one of the main events the city organizes each year. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Restoration of city history is Aycock’s legacy

News Staff
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair Earlier this month, Barrie Aycock tapped the gavel down for the last time as mayor of Clarkesville. She never imagined she’d be mayor for a decade when she first ran in 2016 to complete an unexpired term.
Habersham County School System Police Department Chief Murray Kogod (far left) and School Resource Officer Victoria Hopper (middle right) converse with a couple of students while buying them both Christmas presents and other necessities they may need over the holidays. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Habersham County School System Police Department Chief Murray Kogod (far left) and School Resource Officer Victoria Hopper (middle right) converse with a couple of students while buying them both Christmas presents and other necessities they may need over the holidays. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Shop with a Hero brings joy to kids

News Staff
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
By Hannah Caudell A legion of law enforcement officers were seen in Walmart on Friday afternoon, though they were accompanied by the friendly face of Santa Claus and a group of students and families, ready to pick out what they wanted for the most wonderful time of the year.
Wolf leads the annual Turkey Trot 5K in downtown Cornelia for the Kiwanis Club. His work as the club’s president helped 421 families this Christmas. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Wolf leads the annual Turkey Trot 5K in downtown Cornelia for the Kiwanis Club. His work as the club’s president helped 421 families this Christmas. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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From battlefields to benefits

News Staff
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
By Zach Taylor Growing up in Buford, Frank Wolf was instilled with the motto that once you climb a ladder and can take a breather, you should reach back and pull others up, and that’s what he continues to do today in Habersham. “My mentor always told me that we have two hands.
Georgia Municipal Association Member Services Consultant Pete Pyrzenski talks to Alto council members about their 2026 budget deadline, as well as other pressing issues the town is facing, especially at the end of the year. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

Georgia Municipal Association Member Services Consultant Pete Pyrzenski talks to Alto council members about their 2026 budget deadline, as well as other pressing issues the town is facing, especially at the end of the year. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Alto faces tight budget deadline

News Staff
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
By Hannah Caudell Though the clock is ticking for Alto to pass a 2026 budget before the new year, Georgia Municipal Association Member Services Consultant Pete Pyrzenski advised council on Thursday that if they don’t have updated financials by Dec.
Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness helps to pack bags of food for kids in Habersham County. The Everyday Good’s Food4Kids program volunteers packed food for Habersham County students for the Christmas break on Tuesday morning. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Demorest Mayor Jerry Harkness helps to pack bags of food for kids in Habersham County. The Everyday Good’s Food4Kids program volunteers packed food for Habersham County students for the Christmas break on Tuesday morning. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Help for the holidays

News Staff
Friday, December 19, 2025
Resources available for students, families By Hannah Caudell In 2024, 163 Habersham County students, or 2.16 percent of students, qualified as beneficiaries under the McKinney-Vento Act, a federal law outlining the rights of students who are defined as homeless, or unhoused.

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Radio system deployment pushed to February

News Staff
Friday, December 19, 2025
By Zach Taylor Habersham County’s radio system update is nearing completion, improving coverage across the system and keeping residents and first responders safer. “We’re basically rounding third and coming home on this thing, finally,” Habersham County Radio System Administrator Tom Priddy said.
Candice Holcomb

Candice Holcomb

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Chamber names Holcomb president

News Staff
Friday, December 19, 2025
By Hannah Caudell After over two months of searching for a new president after Ellie Van Doornum’s resignation, the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce has announced the new president that will be filling her shoes: Candice Holcomb.
The Habersham County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance for public displays of fireworks. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

The Habersham County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance for public displays of fireworks. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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County adds fireworks ordinance

News Staff
Friday, December 19, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair Public displays of fireworks will now require a permit and rules in the county. The Habersham County Board of Commissioners approved an ordinance outlining the process for permitting a public display of fireworks. It does not affect personal, private use of fireworks.
Cub Scout Gabriel Nichols lays a wreath during the ceremony on Saturday at Demorest City Cemetery. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Cub Scout Gabriel Nichols lays a wreath during the ceremony on Saturday at Demorest City Cemetery. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Honoring the fallen

News Staff
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
By Zach Taylor Saturday marked another year of Wreaths Across America ceremonies in Demorest and the Grant-Reeves Veterans of Foreign Wars Cemetery.
Newly appointed Partnership Habersham Chairman Tommy Thurmond speaks with Tim Ash (left). (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Newly appointed Partnership Habersham Chairman Tommy Thurmond speaks with Tim Ash (left). (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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State of the County reviews 2025, looks forward to new year

News Staff
Friday, December 12, 2025
By Zach Taylor North Georgia Technical College hosted the annual State of the County Address on Wednesday morning, with Partnership Habersham and the Habersham Chamber of Commerce leading the address.