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Demorest council candidates Patti Davis and Jim Welborn take a look at precinct results at the Habersham County Elections and Voter Registration Office Tuesday night. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Demorest council candidates Patti Davis and Jim Welborn take a look at precinct results at the Habersham County Elections and Voter Registration Office Tuesday night. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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SPLOST gets overwhelming ‘yes’

News Staff
Friday, November 7, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair The one cent sales tax that funds a variety of capital projects for the county and its cities was once again approved by voters to continue. The Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, or SPLOST, and bond referendum passed with 69.
Emily Woodmaster

Emily Woodmaster

Woodmaster becomes independent contractor

News Staff
Thursday, November 6, 2025
During Thursday night's meeting, Baldwin's council unanimously approved an independent contractor agreement between the city and Chief Administrative Officer Emily Woodmaster, who will become an independent contractor the city effective immediately.
The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office team, including Sheriff Robin Krockum (far left) smile as Allen Poole, the director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (middle), presents them with the sheriff’s office’s third place award in Category Four in the Governor’s Challenge Awards. The sheriff’s office also earned HEAT Team of the Year for the fourth time. (Submitted)

The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office team, including Sheriff Robin Krockum (far left) smile as Allen Poole, the director of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (middle), presents them with the sheriff’s office’s third place award in Category Four in the Governor’s Challenge Awards. The sheriff’s office also earned HEAT Team of the Year for the fourth time. (Submitted)

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Sheriff’s office is top HEAT Team

News Staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
By Hannah Caudell The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office gets to add another award to their trophy case shelves after the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) announced that the sheriff’s office has once again earned the HEAT (Highway Enforcement of Aggressive Traffic) Team of the Year award.

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Mt. Airy considers farm wineries

News Staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
By Zach Taylor On Jan. 22, the Vrahiotes family was devastated to find their winery and young families’ memories burning to the ground. However, they’ve decided their story is not over yet. During Monday night’s regular meeting, the Town of Mt.
(Hannah Caudell/Staff)

(Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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What a treat

News Staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
Throughout the county, families enjoyed activities and gathering treats at Halloween events Friday night. Above, Mila Wren reaches into the candy bowl at BSG Coffee, where owner Zach Staggs held out the bowl for her to choose. Look for more photos from Halloween on Page 8.
Demorest Precinct Poll Worker Sonya Frady hands Megan Zimmerman a voter sticker after voting Tuesday morning. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

Demorest Precinct Poll Worker Sonya Frady hands Megan Zimmerman a voter sticker after voting Tuesday morning. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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Voters select city leaders

News Staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair Voters headed to their polling places Tuesday to decide on continuing a sales tax and to elect city leaders. Early voting ended Friday with 3,202 deciding to cast ballots in person prior to Election Day Tuesday. Election results were not available by press time Tuesday.

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Demorest passes rollback tax rate

News Staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
By Hannah Caudell After little debate on Thursday, the Demorest City Council voted to approve the full rollback millage rate of 6.593, resulting in a net zero percent property tax.
DAV Chapter 15 Commander Amanda Doughty announced Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15 is disaffiliating with the Grant-Reeves Veterans Center in a letter addressed to members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7720. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

DAV Chapter 15 Commander Amanda Doughty announced Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15 is disaffiliating with the Grant-Reeves Veterans Center in a letter addressed to members of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7720. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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DAV splits from Grant-Reeves

News Staff
Wednesday, November 5, 2025
By Zach Taylor After years of being one of three veteran service organizations under the Grant-Reeves Veterans Center umbrella, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 15 is disaffiliating with the organization.
Election 2025

Election 2025

Election results

News Staff
Monday, November 3, 2025
Voting ends at 7 p.m. on Election Day, Nov. 4. This page will be updated as the results are available.   *Habersham results are complete.* *Banks results are complete.
For the first time in six years, Alto’s town council voted 3-2 to raise the millage rate to 6.2 mills to accommodate the deficit anticipated in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.  (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

For the first time in six years, Alto’s town council voted 3-2 to raise the millage rate to 6.2 mills to accommodate the deficit anticipated in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.  (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Alto council members raise millage rate to 6.2

News Staff
Friday, October 31, 2025
By Hannah Caudell For the first time in six years, Alto’s town council voted 3-2 to raise the millage rate to 6.2 mills to accommodate the deficit anticipated in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget.