News

The four-way stop in Clarkesville at the intersection of  Highway 197 and Louise Street could be replaced by a roundabout in the future. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

The four-way stop in Clarkesville at the intersection of Highway 197 and Louise Street could be replaced by a roundabout in the future. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

Folks unhappy about proposed roundabout

A proposed roundabout at the intersection of State Route 197 and State Route 385 is a topic of debate among some in the Clarkesville community, particularly the owner of Stoney’s Family Restaurant on the corner.
A diver from the Georgia State Patrol puts on his underwater gear shortly before first responders found the body of Mark Hicks on Monday morning. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

A diver from the Georgia State Patrol puts on his underwater gear shortly before first responders found the body of Mark Hicks on Monday morning. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Baldwin man found in Cornelia reservoir

A missing Baldwin man was found dead Monday morning at the Cornelia reservoir after first responders searched for him for more than two days. Mark Anthony Hicks, 50, of Baldwin was reported missing Saturday morning after a friend had not heard from him.
Longtime optometrist Dr. John Hendrix of Demorest is calling it a career after his 70th birthday next week. He has practiced for 43 years. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Longtime optometrist Dr. John Hendrix of Demorest is calling it a career after his 70th birthday next week. He has practiced for 43 years. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Seeing into the future

Dr. John Hendrix will celebrate his 70th birthday on Aug. 3, and he figured that was as good a time as any to retire after 43 years of optometry. A graduate of North Habersham High School, Hendrix began his life in Demorest and came back in 2019 after a long journey.
Habersham County Airport Commission board members Greg Caudell, Ken Schubring and D. Higgins discuss the possibility of hosting an airplane show at the airport next spring. CHAMIAN CRUZ/Staff

Habersham County Airport Commission board members Greg Caudell, Ken Schubring and D. Higgins discuss the possibility of hosting an airplane show at the airport next spring. CHAMIAN CRUZ/Staff

Airport commission ponders opening facility for events

The Habersham County Airport Commission is working on a policy to hold events that help to showcase the airport as soon as next spring.
Signs like these are put up when a public hearing is scheduled about a potential zoning change. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Signs like these are put up when a public hearing is scheduled about a potential zoning change. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Housing crunch still a reality after county commission’s ruling

Engineer Jason Smith argued Monday night in favor of a housing development on Lawrence Street in Cornelia near Chase Road, citing among other reasons that there are no rental units available within a five-mile radius of that location.

Demorest, Piedmont await judge’s ruling in suits

Attorneys for the city of Demorest and Mayor Rick Austin motioned for dismissal of two lawsuits brought by Piedmont University officials, court records show. Both sides had their say in hearings in Superior Court June 8 in front of Judge Joe C.
Reports show the vaccines work against the variant. FILE/METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICE

Reports show the vaccines work against the variant. FILE/METRO NEWSPAPER SERVICE

One-third of county immunized as Delta increases

The COVID-19 positivity rate in Habersham County is less than 2%, but with only about a third of the community vaccinated against the infectious disease, the county still has a long way to go to achieve herd immunity.

Cornelia looks to ensure safety of drinking water

Cornelia city officials announced last week that water customers have until Oct. 14 to prove they have a properly working Backflow Prevention (BFP) device on their water service to prevent drinking water from being contaminated due to backflow.