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Among other things, Town of Alto Council Members, left to right, Allen Fox, PJ Huggins, Carolyn Cabe, Mayor Audrey Turner, Eddie Palmer and James Turner unanimously agree to include a resolution for the packaged sale of distilled spirits on the November ballot. CHAMIAN CRUZ/Staff

Among other things, Town of Alto Council Members, left to right, Allen Fox, PJ Huggins, Carolyn Cabe, Mayor Audrey Turner, Eddie Palmer and James Turner unanimously agree to include a resolution for the packaged sale of distilled spirits on the November ballot. CHAMIAN CRUZ/Staff

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Alto joins three other towns with distilled spirits ballots

Chamian Cruz
Friday, July 16, 2021
The Alto City Council passed a resolution to allow for a referendum for the packaged sale of distilled spirits to appear on the Election Day ballot in November. It joins Baldwin, Clarkesville and Cornelia which are expected to do the same.
Connie Post, Susan Wilkin, Addie Aycock and Elaine Manglitz work to construct the Combs Family’s home in Demorest. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

Connie Post, Susan Wilkin, Addie Aycock and Elaine Manglitz work to construct the Combs Family’s home in Demorest. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

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‘Women Build’ putting in work on new Demorest home

Brian Wellmeier
Friday, July 16, 2021
Women of Habersham County have been coming out in full-force through the rain and heat in recent days to see the Combs Family’s home is complete.  Construction on the Demorest home began on Saturday. By 10 a.m.

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Mom gets 25 years for baby murder

Chamian Cruz
Friday, July 16, 2021
Elba Maureen Santiago, the Cornelia mother accused of killing her infant daughter in 2019, is serving the remainder of her prison sentence at Lee Arrendale State Prison after being convicted of murder in the second degree.
GUNNELS

GUNNELS

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Officer back on duty amid shooting investigation

Chamian Cruz
Friday, July 16, 2021
Authorities reported 38-year-old Ashly Sophia Tolbert, of Dawsonville, “[reeked] of alcoholic beverages” when they arrested her on June 29 after attempting to flee from Cornelia Sgt. Deloney Gunnels, who ended up shooting at her vehicle’s tire while her 1-year-old son was in the back seat.
Sue Carnes and Dave Pelphrey read passages from the Book of Luke at Wednesday morning’s statewide reading event at the Habersham County Courthouse. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Sue Carnes and Dave Pelphrey read passages from the Book of Luke at Wednesday morning’s statewide reading event at the Habersham County Courthouse. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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‘Take a stand for God’

Matthew Osborne
Friday, July 16, 2021
For the third-straight year, a small group met on the steps of the Habersham County Courthouse at the same time for the same purpose. The same procedure was repeated in every county of Georgia, as folks gathered for an annual Bible reading at 7:14 a.m. on July 14.
From left, Kenneth McEntire, David Foster and Jeff Herrin were elected to the Habersham EMC Board of Directors on Thursday.

From left, Kenneth McEntire, David Foster and Jeff Herrin were elected to the Habersham EMC Board of Directors on Thursday.

HEMC elects three directors at annual meeting

News Staff
Friday, July 16, 2021
   Jeff Herrin, Kenneth McEntire and David Foster were elected to the Habersham Electric Membership Corporation Board of Directors at the annual meeting Thursday night.
Habersham County Airport commissioners Lawrence Bridges, D. Higgins, Ken Schubring and Chris Limbach talk amongst each other after the meeting Monday morning. CHAMIAN CRUZ/Staff

Habersham County Airport commissioners Lawrence Bridges, D. Higgins, Ken Schubring and Chris Limbach talk amongst each other after the meeting Monday morning. CHAMIAN CRUZ/Staff

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Jet fuel truck issues cost airport

Chamian Cruz
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
The Habersham County Airport lost at least 1,700 gallons in fuel sales last month due to an issue with its jet fuel truck.  “We literally had to turn people away because the fuel truck was down,” said Fix Base Operator Brenda Reed during the airport commission meeting Monday morning.

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Sewer repair to close part of Level Grove Road

Chamian Cruz
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Cornelia residents will need to use alternative routes for three to four weeks while the city replaces an old sewer main on Level Grove Road.  The road between Wayside Street and Highway 441 Bypass will be closed beginning July 19.

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Baldwin approves tank portion of water upgrade

News Staff
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Baldwin City Council members unanimously voted to approve the funding of a tank portion of a water system upgrade during Monday’s council meeting. The project began in 2016 and has experienced a series of delays in recent years.
Habersham County Manager Phil Sutton talks with his replacement Alicia Vaughn on Monday morning. Vaughn will take over as interim manager for at least the next four months. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Habersham County Manager Phil Sutton talks with his replacement Alicia Vaughn on Monday morning. Vaughn will take over as interim manager for at least the next four months. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Vaughn hopes to make temporary appointment a permanent one

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, July 14, 2021
Alicia Vaughn is hoping her time in Habersham County lasts longer than four months. Vaughn was named interim county manager on Friday after the Habersham County Board of Commissioners interviewed her the previous night and voted to offer the job with a 3-1 majority.