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Habersham County EMS Director Chad Black (left) presents Jeff Cain (right) with a plaque commemorating his years of service while surrounded by the County's EMS workers. Black also thanked Cain for his work in helping merge the county's firefighters and EMS into a single department like it is today.

Habersham County EMS Director Chad Black (left) presents Jeff Cain (right) with a plaque commemorating his years of service while surrounded by the County's EMS workers. Black also thanked Cain for his work in helping merge the county's firefighters and EMS into a single department like it is today.

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Habersham County Fire Chief Cain says good bye after 27 years

Isaiah Smith
Monday, January 11, 2021
   For Habersham County Fire Chief Jeff Cain, timing has been everything in his 27-year career in fire service. When he elected to leave a job he'd held for 15 years to become a full-time fireman, his reasoning was simple – the timing was right.
Demorest Fire Chief Ken Ranalli explains the process his staff has to go through to get additional lighting at an emergency scene, including pulling a generator stored in the department’s pump truck. The truck has been in service in Demorest for 25 years.

Demorest Fire Chief Ken Ranalli explains the process his staff has to go through to get additional lighting at an emergency scene, including pulling a generator stored in the department’s pump truck. The truck has been in service in Demorest for 25 years.

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Demorest council delays purchase of SPLOST fire truck

Matthew Osborne
Friday, January 8, 2021
   For the fourth-straight meeting, the Demorest City Council debated whether to commit to purchasing a fire truck, and for the fourth time, they declined to approve it at Tuesday’s meeting that went sideways even from there.
Habersham County Sheriff’s deputies located Bobby Neal in a camper in Hollywood on Dec. 31. Photo courtesy of Habersham County Sheriff's Office

Habersham County Sheriff’s deputies located Bobby Neal in a camper in Hollywood on Dec. 31. Photo courtesy of Habersham County Sheriff's Office

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Fugitive found hiding under bed of camper

News Staff
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
   A man accused of child molestation who was wanted for jumping bail was apprehended on Dec. 31 by Habersham County Sheriff’s deputies.
Heavy crowds at Panther Creek Park often cause scenes like this, with visitors parking alongside the edge of the road which can create safety hazards.

Heavy crowds at Panther Creek Park often cause scenes like this, with visitors parking alongside the edge of the road which can create safety hazards.

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Panther Creek seeks funding for 100-vehicle parking lot

Isaiah Smith
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
   On a summer day, it’s not abnormal to see cars of Panther Creek Park visitors lined down Historic Highway 441. However, U.S. Forest Service officials are hoping to change that soon, as they have begun looking into constructing a new parking lot for park visitors.
For many, keeping a roof over their heads during the last nine months has been difficult. Some have been able to make rent, while others have had to make do with what they have to survive.

For many, keeping a roof over their heads during the last nine months has been difficult. Some have been able to make rent, while others have had to make do with what they have to survive.

Renters face possibility of homelessness during pandemic

Chamian Cruz
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
   After a year that demonstrated the importance of home, renters will now receive some form of relief from Congress’ latest stimulus package in 2021.
Superintendent Matthew Cooper reads to Brandi Burrell’s fourth grade class virtually at Level Grove Elementary on Nov. 19. Habersham County Schools will be virtual until at least Jan. 25 with staffing concerns relating to COVID-19. BRANDI BURRELL/Submitted

Superintendent Matthew Cooper reads to Brandi Burrell’s fourth grade class virtually at Level Grove Elementary on Nov. 19. Habersham County Schools will be virtual until at least Jan. 25 with staffing concerns relating to COVID-19. BRANDI BURRELL/Submitted

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Habersham County schools going virtual through at least Jan. 25

Matthew Osborne
Monday, January 4, 2021
   Habersham County Schools made it through the first semester of in-person learning without interruption, but schools did not resume Tuesday as planned due to staffing concerns created by COVID-19.    The school system added two days to the holiday break and planned to reopen Thursday, Jan.
Outgoing Commissioner Natalie Crawford said her good byes after being recognized at the Dec. 21 county commission meeting.

Outgoing Commissioner Natalie Crawford said her good byes after being recognized at the Dec. 21 county commission meeting.

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Crawford reflects on 'richly rewarding' eight years on county commission

Matthew Osborne
Thursday, December 31, 2020
   When Natalie Crawford first ran for the Habersham County Commission in 2012, she had a pretty good idea what she was getting into.    As a single mom of a 14-year-old daughter and a 7-year-old son, she knew it had to be a family decision.