News

Habersham Central graduates will have more space to themselves during this year’s ceremony July 31.

Habersham Central graduates will have more space to themselves during this year’s ceremony July 31.

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Habersham Central High graduation plans go forward for July 31

News Staff
Thursday, July 16, 2020
   Habersham Central High School canceled all of its other senior events, but the Raiders are dedicated to holding graduation as planned at 8 p.m. Friday, July 31, at Raider Stadium.
Colton Ledbetter of Clarkesville Elementary was excited about the start of the last school year, and many youngsters are anxious to get back to school this year and see their friends again.

Colton Ledbetter of Clarkesville Elementary was excited about the start of the last school year, and many youngsters are anxious to get back to school this year and see their friends again.

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Habersham County Schools reopening Aug. 21

Matthew Osborne
Thursday, July 16, 2020
   Habersham County Schools unveiled plans to reopen for students Aug. 21 at Thursday’s Board of Education work session, where Superintendent Matthew Cooper presented a detailed regimen of how that plan would be put into action.
Tallulah Falls School will welcome students back to class beginning Aug. 24.

Tallulah Falls School will welcome students back to class beginning Aug. 24.

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Tallulah Falls School will begin on-campus classes Aug. 24

News Staff
Thursday, July 16, 2020
   Tallulah Falls School will delay the start of school by two weeks and begin the 2020-21 school year on Monday, Aug. 24.    A letter from Head of School Larry Peevy said the revised date will allow for as smooth a transition back to in-person learning as possible.
Dr. Pamela Logan (left) provides an update to the Habersham County Board of Health on Friday.

Dr. Pamela Logan (left) provides an update to the Habersham County Board of Health on Friday.

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Habersham Medical Center sees uptick in COVID-19 care

Eric Pereira
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
   As of Tuesday afternoon, Habersham County had 785 COVID-19 cases, 41 deaths and 111 hospitalizations since the beginning of the data recording.     Habersham Medical Center CEO Tyler Williams commented on the intake of COVID-19 patients at the hospital.
Brooke Siskin of Gainesville is one of two Democratic candidates for Congress in the Aug. 11 runoff. She participated in the Farm Bureau political forum in Clarkesville on May 26.

Brooke Siskin of Gainesville is one of two Democratic candidates for Congress in the Aug. 11 runoff. She participated in the Farm Bureau political forum in Clarkesville on May 26.

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Congressional candidate spends weekend in jail

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
   Brooke Siskin of Gainesville, a candidate for the 9th Congressional District in the Aug. 11 runoff, spent four days in jail this weekend on a contempt of court charge stemming from an incident in March.
New city attorney Dale Samuels (right) conducts Monday night’s public hearing for a zoning variance request for property in the Highland Pointe subdivision.

New city attorney Dale Samuels (right) conducts Monday night’s public hearing for a zoning variance request for property in the Highland Pointe subdivision.

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Baldwin puts off decision on paving, park projects

Isaiah Smith
Wednesday, July 15, 2020
   Despite Baldwin’s City Council being in agreement about using Habersham County SPLOST VI funds to finance projects to pave Professional Drive and upgrade the Downtown City Park, the mayor and council elected Monday not to vote on them until a later meeting.
Demorest City Manager Kim Simonds and Councilman John Hendrix are paying the $6,000 outside legal bill that was purported to be paid by a 'benefactor.'

Demorest City Manager Kim Simonds and Councilman John Hendrix are paying the $6,000 outside legal bill that was purported to be paid by a 'benefactor.'

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Simonds, Hendrix revealed as Demorest 'benefactors'

Eric Pereira
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
   After a month of deflection and mystery, Demorest City Manager Kim Simonds and City Councilman John Hendrix confirmed Monday that they are the benefactors who are paying for $6,000 worth of outside legal fees incurred in an effort to remove the city attorney.
Panther Creek’s beautiful scenery and serene natural settings attract tourists daily, but Habersham County has needed to undergo multiple four-hour-plus rescues in the last five weeks. Photo by SAMANTHA SINCLAIR/CNI News Service

Panther Creek’s beautiful scenery and serene natural settings attract tourists daily, but Habersham County has needed to undergo multiple four-hour-plus rescues in the last five weeks. Photo by SAMANTHA SINCLAIR/CNI News Service

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Multiple long rescues at Panther Creek have tied up crews on weekends

Matthew Osborne
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
   Panther Creek was the site of two more major emergency calls over the weekend, including a medical emergency resulting in a 23-year-old woman’s death.    Dispatch got a call around 9:45 p.m. Sunday that the woman had a medical issue about 10 minutes into the trails.
Recently retired Demorest Elementary teachers Allison Roland (left) and Mary McDuffie chat at Demorest Springs Park on Monday. The two put in 30 years each teaching Habersham County students, 19 of those together at Demorest.

Recently retired Demorest Elementary teachers Allison Roland (left) and Mary McDuffie chat at Demorest Springs Park on Monday. The two put in 30 years each teaching Habersham County students, 19 of those together at Demorest.

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Retiring teachers move on after shutdown ended their careers abruptly

Matthew Osborne
Tuesday, July 14, 2020
   Longtime Demorest Elementary teachers Allison Roland and Mary McDuffie have not had much time to catch up since they both retired from education this summer, but they both admit it is strange not preparing for another year in front of a class of youngsters.
Georgia’s law on abortions would have been among the most restrictive in the country had it been allowed to take effect at the start of this year.

Georgia’s law on abortions would have been among the most restrictive in the country had it been allowed to take effect at the start of this year.

Judge strikes down Georgia abortion ban

Beau Evans
Monday, July 13, 2020
   A federal judge Monday blocked a Georgia law from taking effect that would ban most abortions after a heartbeat is detected, marking a pivotal decision in a case that has enflamed passions in the state for more than a year.    The ruling by U.S.