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Habersham Central Principal Dr. Adam Bagwell announces Joshua Burris as the 2025 STAR Student recipient for the school, as Burris’ peers clap for him behind the front office desk. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Habersham Central Principal Dr. Adam Bagwell announces Joshua Burris as the 2025 STAR Student recipient for the school, as Burris’ peers clap for him behind the front office desk. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

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Reach for the STARs

News Staff
Friday, January 24, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      Joshua Burris, a senior at Habersham Central High School with an impressive academic and leadership record, has earned the title of the school’s STAR Student of 2025.
Phil Sutton of Sutton Consulting LLC was the lead presenter for information concerning House Bill 581 on Wednesday night. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Phil Sutton of Sutton Consulting LLC was the lead presenter for information concerning House Bill 581 on Wednesday night. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

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Agreeing to opt in

News Staff
Friday, January 24, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      Multiple Habersham County municipality leaders decided to approve the resolution of intent to opt into House Bill 581, hoping to allow a new homestead exemption that limits how property taxes increase in the cities and counties.
More snowfall hit Habersham earlier in the week. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

More snowfall hit Habersham earlier in the week. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Habersham sees more snowfall

News Staff
Friday, January 24, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      It started on Tuesday afternoon with a light dusting in the southern part of the county and heightened accumulation in the north.    More snow was falling in Habersham County.
Jerry Lewis (left) shakes hands with Vietnam veteran Bob Babcock after the keynote address. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Jerry Lewis (left) shakes hands with Vietnam veteran Bob Babcock after the keynote address. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Babcock presents the capture of Saddam Hussein

Zach Taylor
Friday, January 24, 2025
   The Northeast Georgia Brotherhood of Veterans and Patriots had guest speaker Bob Babcock, Vietnam veteran, 30-year historian of the U.S.
Photo by Egor Myznik on Unsplash.

Photo by Egor Myznik on Unsplash.

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Second case of bird flu found in Elbert County

News Staff
Friday, January 24, 2025
   The Georgia Department of Agriculture has detected a positive case of bird flu in a second commercial poultry flock in Elbert County.    The first case was confirmed on Jan. 17 with the second case confirmed on Jan. 22.    According to a Jan.
Some men of the church come before the altar to pray, and their fellow church goers follow to lay hands in support. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

Some men of the church come before the altar to pray, and their fellow church goers follow to lay hands in support. HANNAH CAUDELL/Staff

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A cup overflowing

News Staff
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      "Church family, I welcome you for the very first time to the Church of Living Water,” Pastor Cody Montgomery said during the inaugural sermon at the new church in Clarkesville. “A place where the hungry souls will get fed and the thirsty will be filled from his cup.
The Habersham County Rec. Department is getting some repairs. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

The Habersham County Rec. Department is getting some repairs. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

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Rec board considers facility repairs

Zach Taylor
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
   The Ruby C. Fulbright Aquatic Center pool deck and the roof of the building are in need of repair.    The county had a Request for Proposal (RFP) out for contractors willing to engage in the work required to restore the pool decking to its former glory run from Nov. 6 through Nov.
Photo by Egor Myznik on Unsplash.

Photo by Egor Myznik on Unsplash.

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Bird flu hits facility in Elbert County

News Staff
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
By Samantha Sinclair and Julie Weeks      Elbert County reported Georgia’s first confirmed case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in a commercial poultry operation Friday, Jan. 17.
Deirdre and Fritz Engelmann pose for a photo at the Rally 4 Vets Inaugural Ball Monday night in Washington, D.C. Submitted

Deirdre and Fritz Engelmann pose for a photo at the Rally 4 Vets Inaugural Ball Monday night in Washington, D.C. Submitted

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Locals visit D.C. for Inauguration

Samantha Sinclair
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
   Inauguration Day didn’t go as originally planned.    On Friday, Jan. 17, the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies issued a statement that it was honoring the request of Donald Trump and his Presidential Inaugural Committee to move the ceremonies inside the U.S.
From left, Assistant Special Education Director Jennifer Chitwood, Superintendent Matthew Cooper, Director of Special Education Lisa Eller and Assistant Special Education Director Scott Kersh smile for a photo after Cooper was announced as the recipient of the 2025 Philip Wright Award. Cooper has been described as someone who champions the unique needs of students with disabilities and has provided an equitable learning environment for all students. SUBMITTED

From left, Assistant Special Education Director Jennifer Chitwood, Superintendent Matthew Cooper, Director of Special Education Lisa Eller and Assistant Special Education Director Scott Kersh smile for a photo after Cooper was announced as the recipient of the 2025 Philip Wright Award. Cooper has been described as someone who champions the unique needs of students with disabilities and has provided an equitable learning environment for all students. SUBMITTED

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Superintendent earns Philip Wright Award

News Staff
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
By Hannah Caudell      Superintendent Matthew Cooper was awarded the Philip Wright Award for the Habersham County School System, highlighting a commitment to improving education outcomes for students with special needs.