News

Early voting began on Tuesday for the 2024 presidential election. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Early voting began on Tuesday for the 2024 presidential election. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Early voting begins

   Early voting in Georgia for the 2024 presidential election and local races began on Tuesday, and Habersham voters were ready.    “We’re doing really good today,” Habersham South precinct elections manager Derek LaPerriere said.
Paulette Williams. FILE

Paulette Williams. FILE

Paulette Williams

   When The Beatles brought its rock music genre to the United States in the 1960s, the four-member group created waves of emotions. Now an area group of female candidates also has adopted the “Fab Four” calling card, as they seek to cause a Democratic wave of blue in Northeast Georgia in the Nov.
Victor Anderson. FILE

Victor Anderson. FILE

Victor Anderson

   Georgia District 10 Rep. Victor Anderson (R-Cornelia) has four years of experience at the state legislature under his belt, and he’s hoping for a third term as he seeks reelection this November where he faces a Democratic challenger – Paulette Williams of Rabun County.
Victor Anderson and Paulette Williams vie for State House District 10 seat. FILE

Victor Anderson and Paulette Williams vie for State House District 10 seat. FILE

Anderson, Williams vie for State House District 10 seat

Incumbent Victor Anderson (R-Cornelia) has a Democratic challenger in Paulette Williams for his District 10 State House seat. District 10 includes Habersham and Rabun counties. Early voting for the General Election started Tuesday and continues through Nov. 1. Election Day is Nov. 5.
Habersham County Family Connection Executive Director Donna Barrett sorts through donated dresses. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Habersham County Family Connection Executive Director Donna Barrett sorts through donated dresses. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Ready for the ball

   Tucked away in a few closets at Habersham Ninth Grade Academy is formal dress galore – a part of a program through Habersham County Family Connection that provides free homecoming and prom dresses to students.
Piles of dog food, trash bags, paper towels and diapers were donated to Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church. Grace Calvary was one of many churches in the area that collected donations to ship to North Carolina for Hurricane Helene relief efforts. SUBMITTED

Piles of dog food, trash bags, paper towels and diapers were donated to Grace-Calvary Episcopal Church. Grace Calvary was one of many churches in the area that collected donations to ship to North Carolina for Hurricane Helene relief efforts. SUBMITTED

Community comes together for relief

   One week after Hurricane Helene ravaged North Carolina in late September, hurricane relief efforts in Habersham County began popping up.
Lehman and Mullinax. FILE

Lehman and Mullinax. FILE

Mullinax, Lehman vie for Baldwin seat

   Two candidates, Nancy Lehman and Mark Mullinax, are facing off for Baldwin City Council’s vacant seat. The person elected to the position will serve the remainder of former council member Joseph Satterfield’s term which is a little over 3 years. Early voting begins on Oct.
Baldwin City Council met for a work session on Oct. 8. Pictured from left to right are Councilman Erik Keith, Councilwoman Kerri Davis, Councilwoman Alice Venter, Mayor Stephanie Almagno, Councilman Maarten Venter and Chief Administrative Officer Emily Woodmaster. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Baldwin City Council met for a work session on Oct. 8. Pictured from left to right are Councilman Erik Keith, Councilwoman Kerri Davis, Councilwoman Alice Venter, Mayor Stephanie Almagno, Councilman Maarten Venter and Chief Administrative Officer Emily Woodmaster. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Baldwin looks at tax increase

   Baldwin City Council held its first public hearing on a millage rate increase on Tuesday with no residents speaking for or against the tax hike.    The city is proposing a .689 mill increase which would take its millage rate from 8.481 to 9.17.
Jeff Blackwell carves into a cane during Clarkesville History Harvest on Saturday. His passion is woodworking, which he says brings him peace. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Jeff Blackwell carves into a cane during Clarkesville History Harvest on Saturday. His passion is woodworking, which he says brings him peace. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Sticks, Lies and Stories

   After surviving multiple heart attacks, strokes, and several heart surgeries, Jeff Blackwell is back in the saddle.    The local author and artist is now gearing up to release a new book, which he debuted at Saturday’s annual Sticks and Lies event.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Scene Unit arrived just after 9 p.m on Sept. 7. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Crime Scene Unit arrived just after 9 p.m on Sept. 7. ZACH TAYLOR/Staff

Man dies in officer-involved shooting

   A Clarkesville man shot in an officer-involved shooting last month is now dead.    Allen Patterson, 41, died on Sept. 20.    The shooting took place at Cameron Place Apartments on Saturday, Sept. 7.