News

Hillside Memorial Chapel and Gardens owner Brent Tolbert hold Shiloh, the newest addition to their workforce.

Hillside Memorial Chapel and Gardens owner Brent Tolbert hold Shiloh, the newest addition to their workforce.

Funeral home welcomes comforting companion

   Few things can get us through the grieving process, but Hillside Memorial Chapel and Gardens in Clarkesville has brought on one employee who they feel can bring a smile and comfort to anyone she meets.
The Alliance Community Gospel Choir rocks the house at the beginning of the Alliance for African American Music benefit concert Sunday in Cornelia.

The Alliance Community Gospel Choir rocks the house at the beginning of the Alliance for African American Music benefit concert Sunday in Cornelia.

WITH GALLERY: Music festival praises God with every breath

   This was no ordinary worship.    The 29th annual Alliance for African American Music benefit concert had a little bit of everything, as performers from all across the region came together Sunday at Cornelia United Methodist Church to belt out the gospel in all its musical forms.
Kyle and Caroline Lewallen are the owners of teXga Farms in Clarkesville.

Kyle and Caroline Lewallen are the owners of teXga Farms in Clarkesville.

Habersham County farm brings home the beef

   Habersham Countians now have the option to get the freshest cuts of beef directly to their fridge thanks to Caroline and Kyle Lewallen’s teXga Farms.      Each of them bring their own expertise – while Caroline knows marketing, Kyle knows about the cuts customers want.
Ron  Vandiver, 52, of Clarkesville passed away Thursday in an accident at work. He is survived by his wife, five sons, a daughter and his grandson, among other family and friends.

Ron Vandiver, 52, of Clarkesville passed away Thursday in an accident at work. He is survived by his wife, five sons, a daughter and his grandson, among other family and friends.

Clarkesville family man mourned after fatal accident

   A Clarkesville family lost its loving father and husband last week, but Ron Vandiver was far more even than that.    “He had a love for knowledge and learning all that he could,” his son Matthew Vandiver said Tuesday. “When he passed away, it was like a library burned down.
A vehicle ran into the county building’s administration sign Thursday in Clarkesville.

A vehicle ran into the county building’s administration sign Thursday in Clarkesville.

County's sign destroyed in snowy collision

   A single vehicle wreck destroyed Habersham County’s new administration building sign in Clarkesville Thursday late afternoon. County Manager Phil Sutton is hopeful their insurance claim will offer a full replacement.     The sign was placed in 2018 and cost $26,000.
Locke Arnold (left) will challenge Tim Stamey for his county commission seat in the May 19 primary.

Locke Arnold (left) will challenge Tim Stamey for his county commission seat in the May 19 primary.

Stamey, Arnold to vie for District 5 county seat

   Tim Stamey and Locke Arnold each announced this week they will vie for the District 5 seat on the Habersham County Commission.    Stamey won a special election in December to finish out the current term. He hopes to gain a full four-year term just five months later.
Georgia House of Representatives

Georgia House of Representatives

Anderson enters District 10 House race

   Former county commission chairman Victor Anderson announced Wednesday that he will try to keep the District 10 Georgia House seat in Habersham County.    Anderson will be running for the seat vacated by Georgia Rep. Terry Rogers (R-Clarkesville), who has been in office since 2011.
Warm winters can be a dangerous time for bee populations. Courtesy of June Dale/Daleville Farms

Warm winters can be a dangerous time for bee populations. Courtesy of June Dale/Daleville Farms

Warm winter affects bees, parasites

   According to the National Weather Service in Greenville-Spartanburg, temperatures have not been as cool as climate averages since Dec. 1, 2019. With a warm winter this season, bee populations face the threat of starvation and also parasites.
Members of the Class of 1958 (50th Reunion) include James Earl Gober, Louise Gibson King, Barbara West, Elnora Cantrell and Charlotte Bush. James West is seated.

Members of the Class of 1958 (50th Reunion) include James Earl Gober, Louise Gibson King, Barbara West, Elnora Cantrell and Charlotte Bush. James West is seated.

African American History: Community and lineage

   This article, the third of four, is based on materials in the 20 exhibition panels of the Regional African American Museum (RAAM) and the recent publication by the Habersham Historical Society (HCHS), Habersham200: New Thoughts of Old Things (A Brief History 1818-2018).