News

Photo by PTTI EDU on Unsplash.

Photo by PTTI EDU on Unsplash.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

More work needed for non-certified workers

News Staff
Friday, March 7, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      With an estimated population of 46,031 residents in Habersham County per the 2020 census, it may come as a surprise that the county actually “exports” more residents to jobs outside of the county than it retains.
Opinions. FILE

Opinions. FILE

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Nicknames are as Southern as sweet tea …

Dink NeSmith
Friday, March 7, 2025
   As sure as a South Georgia boy shows up for the second grade snaggle-toothed, he’s going to be tagged with a nickname. I didn’t have to wait that long. Before Big Dink ever saw that I had blue eyes, too, I was destined to be Little Dink.    Monikers are as Southern as sweet tea.
Assistant Superintendent Patrick Franklin reads to Emilee Waldon’s third grade class. SUBMITTED

Assistant Superintendent Patrick Franklin reads to Emilee Waldon’s third grade class. SUBMITTED

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Branching out with reading

News Staff
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
   Level Grove Elementary School concluded Read Across Levelw Grove Week with 27 business professionals from around Habersham County visiting and reading to students. Annabelle Wiley, who organized the event for the school, said the theme this year at Level Grove is Branching Out.
Blaine Wasden spoke before the Cornelia Board of Commissioners on Thursday to express his thoughts on whether the city opted in or out of House Bill 581. Wasden said that he didn’t know whether the bill would be as much of a benefit to citizens as they believe it will be. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Blaine Wasden spoke before the Cornelia Board of Commissioners on Thursday to express his thoughts on whether the city opted in or out of House Bill 581. Wasden said that he didn’t know whether the bill would be as much of a benefit to citizens as they believe it will be. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Last man standing

News Staff
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      After a short public hearing last week, the city of Cornelia voted to opt into House Bill 581, along with the six other cities in the county. Cornelia was the last Habersham County municipality to do so.    The deadline to file documents to opt out was March 1.
The right side of the Dollar Tree storefront in Clarkesville is boarded with plywood after Friday’s crash, when a motorist accidentally drove into the building. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

The right side of the Dollar Tree storefront in Clarkesville is boarded with plywood after Friday’s crash, when a motorist accidentally drove into the building. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Motorist drives into storefront in Clarkesville

News Staff
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      On Friday, a motorist accidentally drove an SUV into the Dollar Tree storefront in Clarkesville. One pedestrian was transported to the hospital for minor or visible injuries, according to a Georgia State Patrol motor vehicle crash report.
Councilman Don Nix reviews a plot map for a property on Robertson Loop Road. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Councilman Don Nix reviews a plot map for a property on Robertson Loop Road. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Clarkesville to change millage rate assessment

Zach Taylor
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
   Clarkesville is changing the way it assesses its millage rate, but the taxes will stay the same.    “We’re not changing what you pay in taxes. We’re just changing the formula to match the surrounding communities and the way we do our millage rate,” City Manager Keith Dickerson said.
Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash.

Photo by Kimberly Farmer on Unsplash.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

High school earns AP recognition

News Staff
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      Habersham Central High School has once again been recognized as an Advanced Placement (AP) STEM School and an AP STEM Achievement School. The recognition comes after the 2024 AP exams, and the 2025 AP Honor Schools are based on the scores students across the state achieved.
Amanda Almazan, the Clarkesville Library’s youth services coordinator, takes a seat in the rocking chair amongst the children sitting at her feet to read this year’s pick for the featured title, Wombat Said Come In by Carmen Agra Deedy. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Amanda Almazan, the Clarkesville Library’s youth services coordinator, takes a seat in the rocking chair amongst the children sitting at her feet to read this year’s pick for the featured title, Wombat Said Come In by Carmen Agra Deedy. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Literacy for all

News Staff
Friday, February 28, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      The concept is simple, elegant, and powerful — a community that reads together grows stronger,” said Dr. Susan Davis, director of elementary schools at Habersham County School System and event chair for One Book Habersham.
Fields. SUBMITTED

Fields. SUBMITTED

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Golf shop theft arrest made

Zach Taylor
Friday, February 28, 2025
   A former employee of a local golf club was arrested Thursday, Feb. 20 on a warrant for theft by deception after reportedly stealing more than $80,000 according to the arrest warrant and $100,000 according to the initial report.    The suspect, Chad Eli Fields of Mt.
Phillips. SUBMITTED

Phillips. SUBMITTED

Exclusive Subscriber Content

N.C. man pleads guilty to murder

News Staff
Friday, February 28, 2025
By Megan Horn CNI News Service      An Otto, N.C., man pleaded guilty Monday, Feb. 24, to offenses related to a murder investigation involving a deceased body found in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest in August 2023.