News

The Habersham County Board of Education held its first two budget hearings on Monday, proposing to maintain last year’s millage rate of 10.354. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

The Habersham County Board of Education held its first two budget hearings on Monday, proposing to maintain last year’s millage rate of 10.354. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Exclusive Subscriber Content

School board holds line on millage rate

Julianne Akers
Thursday, July 18, 2024
   The Habersham County Board of Education held its first two budget hearings on Monday, proposing to maintain last year’s millage rate of 10.354.    While it is not an increase in the millage rate, it will be the first time in over a decade that the school board has not rolled back the rate.
The Hall family gathers at Father’s Day, including (from left) Enocka Franky, Ivy Hall, Brinson Hall (front), Stacy Hall, Ange Badji (back) and Lincoln Hall with Barbara Bush. SUBMITTED

The Hall family gathers at Father’s Day, including (from left) Enocka Franky, Ivy Hall, Brinson Hall (front), Stacy Hall, Ange Badji (back) and Lincoln Hall with Barbara Bush. SUBMITTED

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Opening our doors to the world

Matthew Osborne
Thursday, July 18, 2024
   Habersham County is a beautiful piece of the world, and young people from many different countries have had the chance to come here and enjoy it.
Baldwin Assistant Police Chief Justin Ferguson (right) and Sgt. Aaron Spivey (left) introduce new officer Logan Ivester to the city council Monday.

Baldwin Assistant Police Chief Justin Ferguson (right) and Sgt. Aaron Spivey (left) introduce new officer Logan Ivester to the city council Monday.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Baldwin continues building up police force

Matthew Osborne
Thursday, July 18, 2024
   Baldwin Police introduced its latest graduate of the academy to join the force and the third since December 2022 at Monday’s city council meeting.    Logan Ivester – one of three brothers serving in law enforcement in Habersham County – graduated from the police academy just three weeks ago.
Bella Hunter practices a front walk-over in June. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Bella Hunter practices a front walk-over in June. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Residents spring forward to defend gymnastics

Brian Wellmeier
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
   As officials continue to consider cuts amid ongoing debates over the budget, more than a dozen residents pleaded to Habersham’s Board of Commissioners on Monday to preserve the county’s gymnastics program.
Jack Horton and Drew Atha discuss plans for renovations at Clarkesville Elementary construction site. CARROLL DANIEL CONSTRUCTION/Courtesy

Jack Horton and Drew Atha discuss plans for renovations at Clarkesville Elementary construction site. CARROLL DANIEL CONSTRUCTION/Courtesy

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Coming full circle

Julianne Akers
Friday, July 12, 2024
   The last time Jack Horton walked the halls of Clarkesville Elementary School, he was a student. Now, he is on the job in a hard hat and neon vest as a construction worker helping complete renovations at school.
An overhead shot of downtown Clarkesville is shown Thursday. This block of downtown was sold for $3.6 million to an Alpharetta developer. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

An overhead shot of downtown Clarkesville is shown Thursday. This block of downtown was sold for $3.6 million to an Alpharetta developer. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Clarkesville block sold for $3.6M

Brian Wellmeier
Friday, July 12, 2024
   A former mayor and owner of a Fulton County-based construction company has bought a major commercial strip in downtown Clarkesville that was built in the 1940s.    Joseph Lockwood, owner of J.K. Lockwood Construction in Alpharetta, recently purchased the property at 1423 Washington St.
Highway 365 has been paved across most of the lower two-thirds of where the road runs through the Habersham County. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Highway 365 has been paved across most of the lower two-thirds of where the road runs through the Habersham County. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Highway 365 paving nearing completion

Julianne Akers
Friday, July 12, 2024
   The $12.6 million paving project underway on Georgia Highway 365 is at the tail end of construction and set to be complete on Aug. 31.    Officials from the Georgia Department of Transportation said the project is being completed by C.W. Matthews Contracting, who began construction in February.
Photo by Pepi Stojanovski on Unsplash

Photo by Pepi Stojanovski on Unsplash

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Budget meeting set as wrangling goes on

Matthew Osborne
Friday, July 12, 2024
   Habersham County’s leaders have called for a budget hearing Monday, July 22, on the idea that perhaps a compromise can be reached by then for the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Commercial strip in Clarkesville gets sold for $3.6 million. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Commercial strip in Clarkesville gets sold for $3.6 million. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Clarkesville downtown block purchased for $3.6M

Brian Wellmeier
Thursday, July 11, 2024
   A former mayor and owner of a Fulton County-based construction company has bought a major commercial strip in downtown Clarkesville that was built in the 1940s.    Joseph Lockwood, owner of J.K. Lockwood Construction in Alpharetta, recently purchased the property at 1423 Washington St.
Ringo and Jingo are among the cats that are looking for new homes across the region. Habersham County’s animal shelter is overflowing with cats and dogs this summer. SUBMITTED

Ringo and Jingo are among the cats that are looking for new homes across the region. Habersham County’s animal shelter is overflowing with cats and dogs this summer. SUBMITTED

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Nonprofit helps ‘potential superstars’

Julianne Akers
Thursday, July 11, 2024
   With the Habersham County Animal Shelter at capacity and unable to take in more animals, local nonprofit Hands for Paws has worked to give the shelter some relief. But now, it feels the same pressure of overcrowding.