• HCHS graduate Rainlan Hobson walks off the stage after receiving her diploma at Raider Stadium Friday, May 22. (Landen Todd/Staff)

    HCHS graduate Rainlan Hobson walks off the stage after receiving her diploma at Raider Stadium Friday, May 22. (Landen Todd/Staff)

    Drenched for the diploma

    By Hannah CaudellAs they weathered varying bouts of rain, Habersham Central graduates walked across the graduation stage in plastic ponchos to receive their diplomas.“Did anybody bring a pontoon?
  • Caden Polley stands outside his home away from home, the TFS Natatorium.

    Caden Polley stands outside his home away from home, the TFS Natatorium.

    Being with family

    By Samantha SinclairSwimming has been important to Caden Polley.He started swimming in 2016, after deciding he didn’t want to continue with soccer as his older brothers had. When his family moved to Habersham County from McDonough when he was in third grade, he started swimming with the Hurricanes.
  • During a mission trip to Ecuador, senior Gracen Thomas helps share the Gospel. Thomas hopes to become a medical missionary after she completes her post-secondary education. (Submitted)

    During a mission trip to Ecuador, senior Gracen Thomas helps share the Gospel. Thomas hopes to become a medical missionary after she completes her post-secondary education. (Submitted)

    An unconventional path

    By Hannah CaudellThere aren’t many high school students that can say they skipped a grade to graduate at 16 years old, but that’s the case for senior Gracen Thomas.
  • The Habersham Central Band of Blue marches up Washington Street in the Mountain Laurel Festival Parade. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

    The Habersham Central Band of Blue marches up Washington Street in the Mountain Laurel Festival Parade. (Zach Taylor/Staff)

    Celebrating America’s 250th

    By Zach TaylorThis year’s Mountain Laurel Festival celebrated America’s 250th anniversary, with red, white and blue scattered around the city.Clarkesville Main Street Director Rosie Cantrell said the event drew a good turnout, with more than 2,000 people attending the festival.
  • Maintenance Technician Ryan Wade tightens a bolt on new equipment that will eventually help create pipes out of HDPE Pipe Solutions in Alto. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

    Maintenance Technician Ryan Wade tightens a bolt on new equipment that will eventually help create pipes out of HDPE Pipe Solutions in Alto. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

    More than a pipe dream

    By Hannah CaudellThe old Mount Vernon location in Alto is looking a lot different these days as a new industry moves into town.
    Country singer Kimberly Schlapman speaks at the Habersham Central High School graduation ceremony at Raider Stadium on Friday, May 22. (Landen Todd/Staff)

    Country singer Kimberly Schlapman speaks at the Habersham Central High School graduation ceremony at Raider Stadium on Friday, May 22. (Landen Todd/Staff)

    Schlapman returns to the boondocks

    By Hannah Caudell“Thank you, Jesus, that we were born and raised in the boondocks,” Kimberly...
    Ray Durham reads aloud the plaque during its dedication at the Memorial Day Ceremony Monday. It reads “This flag flies in remembrance of our Armed Forces service members and in appreciation of the spouses who stood beside them.” (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

    Ray Durham reads aloud the plaque during its dedication at the Memorial Day Ceremony Monday. It reads “This flag flies in remembrance of our Armed Forces service members and in appreciation of the spouses who stood beside them.” (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

    VFW, Whitfield honor veterans, families

    By Samantha SinclairRay Durham visits the Grant-Reeves Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7720 Memorial...
    Changes to the Unified Development Ordinance include the elimination of the Conservation Subdivision zoning district, placing those properties in the Agricultural district, bright green on the draft map. (Submitted)

    Changes to the Unified Development Ordinance include the elimination of the Conservation Subdivision zoning district, placing those properties in the Agricultural district, bright green on the draft map. (Submitted)

    County seeks input at second town hall

    By Samantha SinclairThe community will get another opportunity to learn more about and share their...
    Our Opinion. FILE

    Our Opinion. FILE

    Thumbs up, thumbs down

       Thumbs up – Living in the Bible Belt and being surrounded by fellow Christians is the biggest...
    TFS student-athletes Petar Gromiko, Selah Wiltshire, Jaeda-Lee Daniel-Joseph, Neyo Bain, Lia Sanjur, Ashton Roache, Charlie Harris and Mitchell McGahee pose during the Next Level Signing Ceremony on Thursday, May 21, at the Student Activity Center. (Landen Todd/Staff)

    TFS student-athletes Petar Gromiko, Selah Wiltshire, Jaeda-Lee Daniel-Joseph, Neyo Bain, Lia Sanjur, Ashton Roache, Charlie Harris and Mitchell McGahee pose during the Next Level Signing Ceremony on Thursday, May 21, at the Student Activity Center. (Landen Todd/Staff)

    Eight Indians ink up at ceremony

    By Landen Todd
    Left to right, seniors Charlotte Stafford, Keira Webb, Ava Carnes, Azaria Junaid and Jaeda-Lee Daniel-Joseph smile for a photo on the tennis court. (Submitted)

    Left to right, seniors Charlotte Stafford, Keira Webb, Ava Carnes, Azaria Junaid and Jaeda-Lee Daniel-Joseph smile for a photo on the tennis court. (Submitted)

    Lady Indians ride to new heights

    By Landen Todd
    Habersham Central rising senior Parks York (4) makes a jumping grab during a football scrimmage between Franklin County and Habersham Central at Raider Stadium on Friday, May 15. (Landen Todd/Staff)

    Habersham Central rising senior Parks York (4) makes a jumping grab during a football scrimmage between Franklin County and Habersham Central at Raider Stadium on Friday, May 15. (Landen Todd/Staff)

    Raiders wreck Lions in spring scrimmage

    By Landen Todd

    Mayor Barrie Aycock's last Clarkesville City Council meeting

    Video Embed

    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.