From left, Riley Hembree and A.J. Walker (back row) smile for a photo with Cendall Pitts and her niece, Hadley Powers (front row), one of the mega supreme title holders of the Miss Rowdy Pageant. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)
Wednesday, July 22, 2026
By Hannah CaudellRiley Hembree and A.J. Walker live about a thousand miles away from each other, but the two were able to reunite for the Miss Rowdy Beauty Pageant that happened over the weekend.
Horace Leachman, a local artist in the Habersham community, holds up two of his many drawings at his friend Denise Eller’s barn. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)
Friday, July 17, 2026
By Hannah CaudellOne day, Horace Leachman, a local artist in Habersham County, came up with an idea to help share his love for art with the community and children: an art box.
Commission Chairman Bruce Harkness was surprised with the opportunity to ring the old courthouse bell after its unveiling. Plans are to set the mechanism so the bell can not be rung and damaged. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)
Wednesday, July 15, 2026
By Samantha SinclairHabersham County’s historic courthouse bell now has a new home near the entrance of the Habersham County Courthouse.While the celebration was shortened to just the ceremony due to rain, several — who U.S.
Lauren Bowers and Mandy Brock of Hangry’s Grill show hotdogs similar to those for the Red, White and Tunes hotdog eating contest. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)
Friday, July 10, 2026
By Samantha SinclairRed, White and Tunes looks like the Fourth of July with its concert in the park followed by fireworks, but this year, in honor of America’s 250th birthday, another holiday tradition will be added — a hotdog eating contest.
Samantha Sinclair/Staff
Wednesday, July 8, 2026
The Miller family watches the 20-minute-long fireworks display at the edge of Demorest Springs Park Saturday night during the finale of the city’s Glorious 4th. The annual full-day Fourth of July celebration included a parade marching through downtown, activities in the park and a concert.
Cook Construction wants to annex 45 acres into Baldwin and combine it with 20.92 acres already in the city for commercial development at Duncan Bridge Road and Ga. 365. (Submitted)
Fertilizer is spread over Gilbert Barrett’s field on Monday. Fertilizer costs had been rising due to multiple factors, including the U.S.-Iran conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)
Under the previous zoning, data centers were allowed in Medium Intensity and High Intensity zones — marked dark blue and red on the 1992 map — and subdivisions with unlimited one-acre lots were allowed in Light Intensity zoning district, or all light blue areas. The newly-approved zoning map limits data centers to General Industrial zoning districts, marked in grey, and creates a minimum lot size of three acres in Agricultural zoning district, marked by green on the map. (Submitted)
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The 2026 Habersham County state swim team includes (front row) Ryelin London, Jonah McEntire, Grayson Free, Rowan Schofill, Omar Nunez, (second row) AbbyGrace Head, Ava Free, Kayleigh McEntire, Naomi Russo, Emmeline Penland, Ellie Gates, Adalynn Sheffield, Adalyn Reynolds, (back row) Coach Mike Krippner, Noah Reynolds, Elliott Rudeseal, Lincoln Penland, Luke Russo, Logan Thompson, Jameson Thompson, Ty Beack, Brody Kastner, Lucus Woodworth and Coach Sadie Hagel pose at the State Swim Meet in Moultrie.
Habersham Central rising sophomore Beckett Tench runs with the ball during the FCA Camp at Piedmont University on Wednesday, July 15. (Landen Todd/Staff)
TFS junior swimmer Harper Barrett swims during a practice at the TFS Natatorium on Thursday, July 9. (Landen Todd/Staff)
(Adobe Stock Image)
Emir Caner was Truett McConnell University’s president for 17 years. He separated from TMU in September 2025. (File)
Mayor Barrie Aycock's last Clarkesville City Council meeting was Dec. 8, 2025. Aycock was elected to the Clarkesville City Council in 2013, with her term starting in January 2014. She resigned in January 2016 to run for mayor in a special election, and began her term as mayor in March 2016.
