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Pastor Mike Franklin ponders life after walking away from the pulpit at The Torch. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Special

Pastor Mike Franklin ponders life after walking away from the pulpit at The Torch. BRIAN WELLMEIER/Special

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Passing The Torch

Brian Wellmeier
Saturday, June 1, 2024
   After more than two decades of leadership, Mike Franklin, longtime lead pastor and founder of The Torch, has decided to turn the reins of his church over to a new generation – but his involvement in ministry is by no means coming to an end.
District 1 goes to run-off, Palmer is granted a re-count. FILE

District 1 goes to run-off, Palmer is granted a re-count. FILE

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Woodall, Holbrooks push forward to runoff

Matthew Osborne
Saturday, June 1, 2024
   The District 1 county commission runoff is a little more than two weeks away, but the two candidates are out pounding the pavement to try and get the vote out on June 18.
Baldwin Councilwoman Alice Venter verbalizes her frustrations while Mayor Stephanie Almagno looks on at Tuesday’s meeting. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Baldwin Councilwoman Alice Venter verbalizes her frustrations while Mayor Stephanie Almagno looks on at Tuesday’s meeting. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Baldwin ponders millage increase, clashes over Woodmaster salary

Julianne Akers
Saturday, June 1, 2024
   A proposed budget including a 1.11 mill increase to property taxes was presented to Baldwin City Council on Tuesday night.    Chief Administrative Officer Emily Woodmaster said this potential tax hike came even after cutting new positions and travel and training expenses.
Mugshots of Henry, Hall and Ferguson after being booked into Habersham County Detention Center. SUBMITTED

Mugshots of Henry, Hall and Ferguson after being booked into Habersham County Detention Center. SUBMITTED

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Three wanted men rounded up in Clarkesville

Matthew Osborne
Saturday, June 1, 2024
   Dalton Police Det. Clinton Travis contacted authorities in Habersham County on Wednesday afternoon to see if they knew anything about three men who were wanted on the other side of the state in a series of burglaries and thefts.    “We knew the car was in the area,” Travis said.
Dr. Jonathan Stribling shares a laugh with graduate Brody Tyree on Friday night. Stribling took a job as White County’s assistant superintendent. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

Dr. Jonathan Stribling shares a laugh with graduate Brody Tyree on Friday night. Stribling took a job as White County’s assistant superintendent. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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‘Best Habersham principal’ says goodbye

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
   The same voice has bellowed over the loudspeaker on Friday mornings at Habersham Central High School for the last seven years.    “This is the Day of the Raider!” the speaker has exclaimed, showing his love for the school and its surrounding community.    Dr.
American and Prisoner of War/KIA Flags fly at half-staff at the KIA Memorial in Clarkesville in honor of those who gave all. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

American and Prisoner of War/KIA Flags fly at half-staff at the KIA Memorial in Clarkesville in honor of those who gave all. ZACH TAYLOR/Special

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REMEMBERING THE FALLEN

Zach Taylor
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
   VFW Post 7720 held an indoor Memorial Day ceremony on Monday despite the inclement weather. The rain did not stop veterans from honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the United States of America.
Dover and Neal mugshots. Submitted

Dover and Neal mugshots. Submitted

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Gang’s drug network takes hit in Habersham

Matthew Osborne
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
   The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) made a major gang bust in Habersham County earlier this month, but the group operating here was not the kind of gangs most folks think of from large urban areas.
Dr. Aaron Scott and his mother, Sheree Parrish, of Cornelia, embrace at the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

Dr. Aaron Scott and his mother, Sheree Parrish, of Cornelia, embrace at the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award ceremony. JULIANNE AKERS/Staff

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Lifetime achievement winner Scott remembers where he came from

Julianne Akers
Wednesday, May 29, 2024
   Habersham Central High School honored its 1991 alumnus Dr. Aaron Scott with the 2024 Lifetime Achievement Award at a ceremony held Friday, a few hours before graduation, where Scott gave the commencement speech.
Three decades of Raiders celebrate Brooke Roberts’ senior night as a Habersham Central cheerleader in the fall of 2007. From left: Ray Contreras, Kali Contreras (as a baby), Brittany Contreras, Mike Roberts, Brooke Roberts, Terri Roberts and Matt Roberts. SUBMITTED

Three decades of Raiders celebrate Brooke Roberts’ senior night as a Habersham Central cheerleader in the fall of 2007. From left: Ray Contreras, Kali Contreras (as a baby), Brittany Contreras, Mike Roberts, Brooke Roberts, Terri Roberts and Matt Roberts. SUBMITTED

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3 generations of Raiders

Julianne Akers
Saturday, May 25, 2024
   As Habersham Central High School Senior Kali Contreras moves her tassel tonight, she will become a third generation Raider graduate – following in the footsteps of her mother and father, two of her grandparents and an aunt and uncle.