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The county still does not have a tax digest for determining property tax revenue for the $40.8 million general fund budget, but staff prepared a balanced budget based on estimates that growth was at four percent.

The county still does not have a tax digest for determining property tax revenue for the $40.8 million general fund budget, but staff prepared a balanced budget based on estimates that growth was at four percent.

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County takes look at FY2026 budget

News Staff
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair Habersham County Commissioners and a handful of people gathered at the courthouse Monday night heard details on the county’s proposed $80 million total budget for Fiscal Year 2026. The county still does not have a tax digest for determining property tax revenue for the $40.
Volunteer Edith Simmons works to tag and fold clothing in the donations section. Sharing and Caring Place accepts donations during open hours. (ZACH TAYLOR/Staff)

Volunteer Edith Simmons works to tag and fold clothing in the donations section. Sharing and Caring Place accepts donations during open hours. (ZACH TAYLOR/Staff)

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A place of giving

News Staff
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
By Zach Taylor Sharing and Caring Place in Cornelia has more than 40 years of service in the City of Cornelia, honoring a dedication in ministry to support the needs of people all over Habersham County.
Nathan Dickerson plays at the Cornelia Splash Pad on a hot Tuesday morning. Taking the kids to the pool or the splash pad may be one way to beat the extreme heat this week in Habersham County. (HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff)

Nathan Dickerson plays at the Cornelia Splash Pad on a hot Tuesday morning. Taking the kids to the pool or the splash pad may be one way to beat the extreme heat this week in Habersham County. (HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff)

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Try to beat the summer heat

News Staff
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
By Hannah Caudell The start of the summer will be hitting the Northeast Georgia area with a vengeance this week, as Habersham County residents could experience temperatures reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit on the heat index. It’s not exactly a heat wave for Habersham.
Eric NeSmith hands the gavel to Keith Barlow durring the Georgia Press Association annual meeting Saturday morning. (Submitted)

Eric NeSmith hands the gavel to Keith Barlow durring the Georgia Press Association annual meeting Saturday morning. (Submitted)

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State press association honors news staff

News Staff
Wednesday, June 25, 2025
Matthew Osborne, former editor of The Northeast Georgian, was the sole award winner for the paper in the Georgia Press Association’s 2025 Better Newspaper Contest on Friday at the Jekyll Island Club during the group’s 138th annual convention.
Myra Chandler rings the graduation bell at Mountain Education in Habersham. Chandler has celebrated her own graduation of sorts after retiring from Mountain Education after 16 years of counseling at the school, and a career in education and counseling that spans 54 years in total. Chandler is still involved with the school in a public relations role. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Myra Chandler rings the graduation bell at Mountain Education in Habersham. Chandler has celebrated her own graduation of sorts after retiring from Mountain Education after 16 years of counseling at the school, and a career in education and counseling that spans 54 years in total. Chandler is still involved with the school in a public relations role. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

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Leading the way

News Staff
Friday, June 20, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      Myra Chandler has just finished counseling her 50th graduating class.    Chandler, who just retired from a counseling position at Mountain Education in Habersham, has been the high school counselor of many names in the county and beyond.
Photo by Al Elmes on Unsplash

Photo by Al Elmes on Unsplash

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County OKs use for event center

Samantha Sinclair
Friday, June 20, 2025
   A new event center is one step closer to coming to the county.    At their meeting Monday night, the Habersham County Board of Commissioners approved a conditional use of property on Pea Ridge Road for an event center to be placed there.
Brown

Brown

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Council member Brown intends to run for mayor

Samantha Sinclair
Friday, June 20, 2025
   The longest-sitting person on the Clarkesville City Council wants to be the next mayor of Clarkesville.    Franklin Brown announced his intent to run in the election this week.    He said there are a great group of people assembled in the city leadership, and the city is strong financially.
David Quintal poses with one the dog houses he built with a team of volunteers for his Eagle service project. SUBMITTED

David Quintal poses with one the dog houses he built with a team of volunteers for his Eagle service project. SUBMITTED

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Quintal is Troop 5’s newest Eagle Scout

Samantha Sinclair
Friday, June 20, 2025
   David Quintal wasn’t thinking too far into his future when he was a Tiger Cub Scout.    His thoughts were focused on when he would get to race in a Pinewood Derby, or when he’d next get a treat at a meeting.    Becoming an Eagle Scout wouldn’t have crossed his mind back then.
Commission Chairman Jimmy Tench, right, hands Donnie Hunt a statue from the Habersham County Board of Commissioners as a token of their appreciation for his years of service to the county. Samantha Sinclair/Staff

Commission Chairman Jimmy Tench, right, hands Donnie Hunt a statue from the Habersham County Board of Commissioners as a token of their appreciation for his years of service to the county. Samantha Sinclair/Staff

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County selects new law firm, OKs manager’s contract

Samantha Sinclair
Wednesday, June 18, 2025
   On a night when they celebrated Donnie Hunt for his years of service as county attorney, the Habersham County Board of Commissioners decided on the appointment of a new firm to represent them.