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Josiah Morris works on a milling machine at North Georgia Technical College, a machine commonly used in the automotive and electrical industries. Habersham Success Academy students may be getting a taste of this type of instruction, too, with the addition of the Habersham Works program. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Josiah Morris works on a milling machine at North Georgia Technical College, a machine commonly used in the automotive and electrical industries. Habersham Success Academy students may be getting a taste of this type of instruction, too, with the addition of the Habersham Works program. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Getting a head start

News Staff
Friday, October 24, 2025
By Hannah Caudell Some Habersham County students will be graduating with a professional certificate already under their belts.
The proposed total annexation to Cornelia, including a parcel in the deannexation process from Baldwin, is shown in a map highlighting proposed zoning for the Red Apple Innovation Corridor. (Submitted)

The proposed total annexation to Cornelia, including a parcel in the deannexation process from Baldwin, is shown in a map highlighting proposed zoning for the Red Apple Innovation Corridor. (Submitted)

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City to annex 200-plus acres

News Staff
Friday, October 24, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair Cornelia is set to annex over 200 acres to be developed into a mixed-use corridor. The Habersham County Board of Commissioners was given the opportunity to object to the annexation at its meeting Monday night, but took no action, effectively showing no objections.
John Smith, a Baldwin resident on the Banks County side of the city, spoke before four council members to oppose the millage rate during one of Baldwin’s public hearings on Thursday. He believes something has gone awry in Baldwin after the revenue from millage rate increases have more than doubled since 2022. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

John Smith, a Baldwin resident on the Banks County side of the city, spoke before four council members to oppose the millage rate during one of Baldwin’s public hearings on Thursday. He believes something has gone awry in Baldwin after the revenue from millage rate increases have more than doubled since 2022. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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Baldwin passes 11.990 millage rate

News Staff
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
By Hannah Caudell Only two people spoke at the last two Baldwin millage rate hearings on Thursday to voice their dissent and concern for the city’s proposed millage rate of 11.990 in Habersham County and 7.720 in Banks County.
Habersham County Board of Commissioners approved a moratorium Monday night on housing developments, extending an emergency moratorium made in September.

Habersham County Board of Commissioners approved a moratorium Monday night on housing developments, extending an emergency moratorium made in September.

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County extends housing pause

News Staff
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair New housing developments will remain on hold in Habersham County through February, at the latest.
Habersham County Emergency Services will begin staffing Engine Station 5 on Jan. 1, 2026. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Habersham County Emergency Services will begin staffing Engine Station 5 on Jan. 1, 2026. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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County approves Demorest fire deal

News Staff
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair The Demorest Fire Department’s days are officially numbered. The Habersham County Board of Commissioners approved the intergovernmental agreement with the City of Demorest to provide fire services for the city.
Photographer and filmmaker Rhett Turner poses for a photo on the staircase of the Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art, where his exhibit is currently on display. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Photographer and filmmaker Rhett Turner poses for a photo on the staircase of the Mason-Scharfenstein Museum of Art, where his exhibit is currently on display. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Conserving America’s Wildlands

News Staff
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
By Zach Taylor Piedmont’s Mason-Sharfenstein Museum of Art opened a wild new exhibit last Thursday.
Election 2025

Election 2025

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Early voting turnout low in its first week

News Staff
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair In the first week of early voting, only 396, or 1.3 percent of voters, had cast ballots in Habersham County. Early voting started Tuesday, Oct. 14 for the Nov. 4 election and continues through Oct. 31.
Cornelia’s historic Scout Hut is set to get a restoration from the city, Habersham Kiwanis Club and Boy Scout Troop 24. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

Cornelia’s historic Scout Hut is set to get a restoration from the city, Habersham Kiwanis Club and Boy Scout Troop 24. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

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Cornelia agrees to Scout Hut restoration

News Staff
Friday, October 17, 2025
By Zach Taylor Cornelia’s Oct. 7 meeting began with a young man’s voice leading the Pledge of Allegiance, marking another drop of ink in the history books for the city.
Ellie Van Doornum

Ellie Van Doornum

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Chamber president, staff resign Thursday

News Staff
Friday, October 17, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair The Habersham County Chamber of Commerce is looking for a new person to lead it. The chamber’s board of directors accepted the resignation of its president, Ellie Van Doornum, effective Thursday.