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Lee Arrendale State Prison

Lee Arrendale State Prison

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Prison faces more claims of abuse

News Staff
Friday, June 4, 2021
At least five women incarcerated at Lee Arrendale State Prison in Alto have come forward in the last six months with allegations that they were shackled or placed in solitary confinement or both within six weeks of giving birth despite state and federal law, according to an Atlanta based advocacy...
Demorest native John King is tentatively set to perform Sunday, July 4, at a rebooted Independence Day mini-festival in his hometown. JOHN KING/Instagram

Demorest native John King is tentatively set to perform Sunday, July 4, at a rebooted Independence Day mini-festival in his hometown. JOHN KING/Instagram

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Fireworks are back, officially

News Staff
Friday, June 4, 2021
Habersham County will have a Fourth of July celebration after all, as Demorest City Council officially voted Tuesday to hang on to its tradition of hosting the fireworks. After some debate, the council agreed to commit as much as $21,000 to Pyrotecnico for a fireworks show on Sunday, July 4.
Cornelia Mayor John Borrow presented City Clerk Janie Henderson with a special gift which included a key to the city at Tuesday night’s meeting to honor her 24 years of service to the city. CHAMIAN CRUZ/Staff

Cornelia Mayor John Borrow presented City Clerk Janie Henderson with a special gift which included a key to the city at Tuesday night’s meeting to honor her 24 years of service to the city. CHAMIAN CRUZ/Staff

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Changed for the better - Clerk honored for 24 years of service to Cornelia

News Staff
Friday, June 4, 2021
For Cornelia City Clerk Janie Henderson, it was a single opportunity to work in local government that grew into a career that has spanned nearly 40 years.  “I never had this dream that I wanted to be a city clerk, but in any government position we’re considered a public servant,” she said.
Firefighters from Demorest and Cornelia’s fire departments (from left) Daniel Purcell, Chris Falck, Angela Martin, Chris Bruce, Shane Bentley, Brian Smith, former Demorest Chief Ken Ranalli and Drake Meister (in front with saw) trained together last year. KEN RANALLI/Submitted

Firefighters from Demorest and Cornelia’s fire departments (from left) Daniel Purcell, Chris Falck, Angela Martin, Chris Bruce, Shane Bentley, Brian Smith, former Demorest Chief Ken Ranalli and Drake Meister (in front with saw) trained together last year. KEN RANALLI/Submitted

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Demorest’s Ranalli leaves after decade as fire chief

News Staff
Friday, June 4, 2021
Ken Ranalli has served as fire chief in Demorest for more than 10 years, but Tuesday, he decided it was time to walk away. Ranalli resigned effective immediately, leaving a void at the top of the department he has served to high accolades for the last decade.
Boy Scouts (from left) Jaren Campbell, Mitchell McGahee, Sawyer Burgess, Kav Stapleton, Darrel Chaney, Gavin Dundore, Christian Cooper and Joseph McGahee got a chance to meet with former Major League Baseball player Darrel Chaney at Thursday’s American Values Dinner. JAKE McGAHEE/Submitted

Boy Scouts (from left) Jaren Campbell, Mitchell McGahee, Sawyer Burgess, Kav Stapleton, Darrel Chaney, Gavin Dundore, Christian Cooper and Joseph McGahee got a chance to meet with former Major League Baseball player Darrel Chaney at Thursday’s American Values Dinner. JAKE McGAHEE/Submitted

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Chaney shares inspirational messages, baseball tales with Scouts

News Staff
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Growing up, Darrel Chaney’s father always told him to work hard, play hard and pray hard. He held true to those values all throughout his life, including during the 1970s when he spent 11 years playing Major League Baseball with the Cincinnati Reds and the Atlanta Braves.
Shirley Combs, who owns Shirley’s Soul Food Cafe and Shirley’s Shelter, stole the night at the American Values Dinner with her story about how she blesses the residents of Toccoa-Stephens County. Touched by her story, Habersham Superior Court Judge Chan Caudell, left, and Oliver & Weidner LLC owner Jim Weidner laugh with Combs with their awards in hand following the event. CHAMIAN CRUZ/Staff

Shirley Combs, who owns Shirley’s Soul Food Cafe and Shirley’s Shelter, stole the night at the American Values Dinner with her story about how she blesses the residents of Toccoa-Stephens County. Touched by her story, Habersham Superior Court Judge Chan Caudell, left, and Oliver & Weidner LLC owner Jim Weidner laugh with Combs with their awards in hand following the event. CHAMIAN CRUZ/Staff

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Honorees find common ground at American Values Dinner

News Staff
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Two Habersham Countians were honored at the 2021 American Values Dinner on Thursday hosted by the Boy Scouts of America Northeast Georgia Council and raised a record $130,000 that will go toward local Scouting programs.
Ray Durham salutes the KIA Memorial in Clarkesville along with Sandra White (left). BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

Ray Durham salutes the KIA Memorial in Clarkesville along with Sandra White (left). BRIAN WELLMEIER/Staff

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A day to remember together

News Staff
Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Memorial Day ceremonies were held Monday in Habersham County for the first time in two years, as locals recognized the true reason for the holiday – to pause and reflect. The first event was held at the VFW’s Grant Reeves Memorial Park in Demorest.
Demorest Fire Chief Ken Ranalli explains the features of his truck earlier this year.

Demorest Fire Chief Ken Ranalli explains the features of his truck earlier this year.

Demorest Fire Chief Ranalli resigns

News Staff
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
In a surprise move, Demorest Fire Chief Ken Ranalli resigned his post Tuesday after more than 10 years of service. Ranalli also works as a firefighter in DeKalb County and has been in the firefighting business his entire life.

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SOAR keeps chopping

News Staff
Friday, May 28, 2021
The S.O.A.R Professionals Women’s Group held their quarterly meeting at The Axe Armory on May 19 followed by an al fresco lunch in Fender’s Alley. Nearly 45 members strong, S.O.A.R.