News

District 50 candidate Stacy Hall has a strong support system in son Lincoln, wife Ivy and daughter Brinson.

District 50 candidate Stacy Hall has a strong support system in son Lincoln, wife Ivy and daughter Brinson.

Candidates lean on support systems throughout campaign

   They say behind every powerful man is a strong and equally powerful woman, and that is certainly the case for many political candidates.    For the candidates in Georgia Senate District 50, the campaigns are far from solo efforts.
Rick Austin, John Hendrix and Nathan Davis have been notified they could be recalled by Demorest residents.

Rick Austin, John Hendrix and Nathan Davis have been notified they could be recalled by Demorest residents.

Documents filed for recall of Demorest officials

   Recall applications were issued Monday for Demorest Councilmen Nathan Davis, John Hendrix and Mayor Rick Austin, according to Habersham County Elections Supervisor Laurel Ellison.
Baldwin City Council met Monday without City Administrator Jerry Neace, who is reportedly on his way out of occupying that position. Photo by ERIC PEREIRA

Baldwin City Council met Monday without City Administrator Jerry Neace, who is reportedly on his way out of occupying that position. Photo by ERIC PEREIRA

Neace out as Baldwin administrator

   UPDATE: Baldwin's City Council voted unanimously Thursday night to approve the separation agreement with City Administrator Jerry Neace.     Baldwin Mayor Joe Elam would not provide any details about the agreement or why it was necessary.
Habersham County’s industrial park recently received certification from Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development.

Habersham County’s industrial park recently received certification from Georgia Ready for Accelerated Development.

Developmental Authority primes industrial park for growth

   Over the past year, Habersham County’s industrial park has undergone several upgrades and changes that officials believe will soon make it the home to several job-providing industries for county residents.
Graduations at Habersham Central High School traditionally have a packed house, but the crowd will be limited to four tickets per graduate this year and will be socially distanced.

Graduations at Habersham Central High School traditionally have a packed house, but the crowd will be limited to four tickets per graduate this year and will be socially distanced.

Habersham Central graduates question commencement plan

   Several Habersham Central High graduates have made their feelings known on social media platforms that they are not pleased with the format for their graduation scheduled for Friday, July 31, at Raider Stadium.
Scarlett LaCount of Cornelia continues to battle stage 5 Wilms Tumor Cancer. There will be a community benefit at Pitts Park in Clarkesville on Aug. 1.

Scarlett LaCount of Cornelia continues to battle stage 5 Wilms Tumor Cancer. There will be a community benefit at Pitts Park in Clarkesville on Aug. 1.

Family keeps faith, hopes for a miracle

   Scarlett LaCount of Cornelia has gone through several trials and tribulations since she was diagnosed July 2019 with stage 5 Wilms Tumor Cancer which is a type of childhood cancer which starts in the kidneys according to the American Cancer Society.
Retired Habersham County teachers Debbie and Doug Vermilya battled COVID-19 at the same time, but they were able to recover and come out of it together.

Retired Habersham County teachers Debbie and Doug Vermilya battled COVID-19 at the same time, but they were able to recover and come out of it together.

Couple battles COVID-19 together

   It was not quite the 40th anniversary celebration Doug and Debbie Vermilya had envisioned.     Instead of being at a fancy resort or bed and breakfast, the retired Habersham County teachers shared a room at Stephens County Hospital, as both battled symptoms of COVID-19.
Heroin was seized at the Baymont Inn and Suites in Cornelia.

Heroin was seized at the Baymont Inn and Suites in Cornelia.

Alleged heroin dealer nabbed

   Gregory Ray Martin, 54, of Maysville was arrested and charged with trafficking heroin and possession with intent to distribute heroin Monday.

Schools prepared to overcome $5.7M shortfall

   At Thursday night’s Habersham County Board of Education work session, Superintendent Matthew Cooper and Finance Director Staci Newsome presented the system’s 2020-21 budget and reported a net loss of over $5.7 million in state funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic.