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Dr. Martha Cantrell (left) talks to the Board of Education about Habersham County students’ AP testing scores. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Dr. Martha Cantrell (left) talks to the Board of Education about Habersham County students’ AP testing scores. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Students’ AP scores hit 86 percent

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
   Local students enrolled in Advanced Placement (AP) courses at Habersham Central High School and Habersham Ninth Grade Academy are continuing to earn college credit and break school records.    Dr. Martha Cantrell, gifted program coordinator for Habersham County schools, said at the Aug.
Jessica Umberger talked Wednesday to the U.S. Senate about mistreatment after giving birth to a baby in prison. YOUTUBE

Jessica Umberger talked Wednesday to the U.S. Senate about mistreatment after giving birth to a baby in prison. YOUTUBE

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‘I didn’t think I would make it out of there alive’

Julianne Akers
Monday, August 5, 2024
   While sitting in a Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., Jessica Drew Umberger said the worst experience of her life was the nine months she spent incarcerated at Georgia Department of Corrections’ (GDC) Helms Facility in Atlanta while pregnant.
Ollie Osborne talks with media specialist Annabelle Wiley about Level Grove Elementary’s Bulldog Broadcast, which is run by fifth graders with staff supervision, at the school’s open house Wednesday. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

Ollie Osborne talks with media specialist Annabelle Wiley about Level Grove Elementary’s Bulldog Broadcast, which is run by fifth graders with staff supervision, at the school’s open house Wednesday. MATTHEW OSBORNE/Staff

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Students get early welcome back to school

Matthew Osborne
Monday, August 5, 2024
   Superintendent Matthew Cooper always makes the most of the first day of school.    As he has the last 12 years, Cooper plans to visit all 14 schools on the first day for students today, Aug. 2.
VFW Post 7720 Commander Barry Church sits at his desk to review VFW files. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

VFW Post 7720 Commander Barry Church sits at his desk to review VFW files. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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New VFW Commander looks to bolster support in community

Zach Taylor
Monday, August 5, 2024
   Barry Church’s life of service has led him to do all he can for his fellow veterans.    Church spent 38 years in the military, from being drafted in November of 1966 through August of 2005, serving throughout the Vietnam War and into the Gulf War.
Shown here, Rhonda Vinson kisses Chastain on the forehead when visiting during the party hosted at Habersham EMC on Sunday. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Shown here, Rhonda Vinson kisses Chastain on the forehead when visiting during the party hosted at Habersham EMC on Sunday. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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MAMA’S 100TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED

Zach Taylor
Monday, August 5, 2024
Not everyone gets to live for a century, but that is the case for now-100-year-old Rosa Lee Chastain. Rosa Lee has spent 876,582 hours on Earth, and she has lived to the fullest throughout each one. Chastain has 3 children, 9 grandchildren, 41 great-grandchildren, and 30 great-great-grandchildren.
X. BRELAND and CIERA. FILE photo illustration

X. BRELAND and CIERA. FILE photo illustration

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Breland gets 12 years on gun charge

Matthew Osborne
Monday, August 5, 2024
   Xavier Breland, the only “person of interest” in the 2022 disappearance of his wife – Habersham County native Ciera Locklair Breland – was sentenced to 12 years in prison for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
Photo by Deactivated Account on Unsplash

Photo by Deactivated Account on Unsplash

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Lawmakers hope new election laws restore voter confidence

Brian Wellmeier
Monday, August 5, 2024
   Last session, Georgia’s legislature passed multiple bills that lawmakers believe will re-establish voter confidence in state and national elections.    House Bill 974 contains a number of provisions intended to ensure security in the upcoming elections, according to Rep.
Shown are the proposed drawings for the future housing development off Rocky Branch Road.

Shown are the proposed drawings for the future housing development off Rocky Branch Road.

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Clarkesville studies annexation for housing development

Matthew Osborne
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
   Clarkesville’s planning commission will decide Aug. 13 whether to recommend annexation of a property off Rocky Branch Road where a future housing development is proposed.    The property is on the right side of Rocky Branch Road just north of Highway 17/115 and encompasses 13.5 acres.    Dr.
Grant-Reeves Post 7720 Honor Guard Captain Jim Morgan and members Dana McCloud, Rick Chaffin, Bill McAllister and Brady Morgan march in the Color Guard during the Demorest Fourth of July Festival. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Grant-Reeves Post 7720 Honor Guard Captain Jim Morgan and members Dana McCloud, Rick Chaffin, Bill McAllister and Brady Morgan march in the Color Guard during the Demorest Fourth of July Festival. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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‘Honor they deserve’

Zach Taylor
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
   The Grant Reeves Honor Guard plays a crucial role in honoring our nation’s flag and veterans, embodying the deep sense of honor and respect that veterans have for our country.
Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash

Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash

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County insurance rises after $1.1M in claims

Matthew Osborne
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
   Habersham County had many budget challenges this year with all costs rising across the board, but one self-inflicted wound came in the form of a $111,000 insurance hike due to 66 automobile claims over the last five years.    Those claims totaled more than $1.