• Habersham Central High School athletic trainer Will Bowden (left), Lundon Addison (second from right) and Sydney Lewis, a University of North Georgia athletic training master’s program student, escort Habersham Central football player Creed Jones (center) off the field. (Landen Todd/Staff)

    Habersham Central High School athletic trainer Will Bowden (left), Lundon Addison (second from right) and Sydney Lewis, a University of North Georgia athletic training master’s program student, escort Habersham Central football player Creed Jones (center) off the field. (Landen Todd/Staff)

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    Beyond the sideline

    Friday, September 4, 2026

    By Noah AnsleyLundon Addison’s journey into becoming an athletic trainer began with her athletic trainer at Flowery Branch when she was a water girl.“I became a water girl because a friend of mine asked me to do it with her,” Addison said.
  • Dacie Mash, Parker Homa, Carson Crane, Ethan Wheeler, Emmie Kyle, Zoey Sosbee, Megan Eash and Kaylan Barrett and the rest of the Raider Rowdies prepare to cheer on Habersham Central as they get ready to kick off against Stephens County. (Noah Ansley/Staff)

    Dacie Mash, Parker Homa, Carson Crane, Ethan Wheeler, Emmie Kyle, Zoey Sosbee, Megan Eash and Kaylan Barrett and the rest of the Raider Rowdies prepare to cheer on Habersham Central as they get ready to kick off against Stephens County. (Noah Ansley/Staff)

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    Getting rowdy

    Wednesday, September 2, 2026

    By Noah AnsleyThere’s one group of fans that stand out at every Habersham Central football game.The Raider Rowdies is the student section, and they were ready to support the Habersham Central Raiders as they played their first home game Friday night.
  • CTAE Director Dora Lucas (middle) shares a laugh with seniors Alexa Gasca (left) and Kamdyn Vandergriff (right) at the inaugural Chick-fil-A Leader Academy meeting on Wednesday. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

    CTAE Director Dora Lucas (middle) shares a laugh with seniors Alexa Gasca (left) and Kamdyn Vandergriff (right) at the inaugural Chick-fil-A Leader Academy meeting on Wednesday. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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    High school starts Chick-fil-A Leader Academy program

    Saturday, August 29, 2026

    By Hannah CaudellHabersham Central High School has begun creating a foundation of leaders for its new Chick-fil-A Leader Academy program.
  • A sign protesting eminent domain on the Irvins’ property sits on the shoreline of their property. Demorest plans to draw water at the site and build a water treatment plant. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

    A sign protesting eminent domain on the Irvins’ property sits on the shoreline of their property. Demorest plans to draw water at the site and build a water treatment plant. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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    Water talks affect two counties’ future

    Friday, August 28, 2026

    By Samantha Sinclair, Megan Horn and Noah AnsleyWhen it comes to water, Demorest is the king in Habersham County.
  • Blaine Lyle poses in front of the Coast Guard Cutter Alert ship in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (Submitted)

    Blaine Lyle poses in front of the Coast Guard Cutter Alert ship in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (Submitted)

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    Finding opportunities in service

    Wednesday, August 26, 2026

    By Noah AnsleyBlaine Lyle saw joining the Coast Guard as an opportunity to serve his country while getting tuition covered as he attends college. Throughout his six-and-a-half years of service in the Coast Guard, that opportunity has brought him three promotions and to four states.

    Local

    The city was seeking to acquire 9.61 acres on Tallulah Falls Lake in Rabun County in order to draw water from the lake and build a water treatment plant. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

    The city was seeking to acquire 9.61 acres on Tallulah Falls Lake in Rabun County in order to draw water from the lake and build a water treatment plant. (Hannah Caudell/Staff)

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    Demorest axes eminent domain plans

    News Staff
    Friday, September 4, 2026
    by Noah Ansley and Samantha SinclairDemorest is moving on from its plans to use eminent domain to...
    Martha Stuckey speaks about Cook Construction’s treatment of her as Cook Construction Attorney Vince Fitzgerald looks on. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

    Martha Stuckey speaks about Cook Construction’s treatment of her as Cook Construction Attorney Vince Fitzgerald looks on. (Samantha Sinclair/Staff)

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    Cook decision down to commercial vs. residential

    News Staff
    Friday, September 4, 2026
    By Samantha SinclairOne way or another, Cook Construction is going to develop property at Ga.
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    Op/Ed

    Our opinion

    Our opinion

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    Showing up

    News Staff
    Friday, July 31, 2026
    When natural disasters occur, it’s important that we remember to honor our first responders, who...
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    Sports

    Habersham Central senior wide receiver Jay Feltus (11) makes a leaping touchdown grab during the football game between Habersham Central and Monroe Area at the Purple Pit on Friday, Sept. 4. (Landen Todd/Staff)

    Habersham Central senior wide receiver Jay Feltus (11) makes a leaping touchdown grab during the football game between Habersham Central and Monroe Area at the Purple Pit on Friday, Sept. 4. (Landen Todd/Staff)

    Monroe Area takedown Raiders 49-17

    News Staff
    Friday, September 4, 2026
    By Landen ToddMonroe Area (3-0) takes care of the Raiders (1-2) 49-17 at the Purple Pit on a hot...
    Habersham Central defense in action during the football game between Stephens County and Habersham Central at Raider Stadium on Friday, Aug. 28. (Landen Todd/Staff)

    Habersham Central defense in action during the football game between Stephens County and Habersham Central at Raider Stadium on Friday, Aug. 28. (Landen Todd/Staff)

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    Raiders sail to Monroe Area

    News Staff
    Friday, September 4, 2026
    By Landen ToddHabersham Central football (1-1) heads on the road to play Monroe Area (2-0) on...
    Habersham Central senior linebacker CJ Davis (3) runs with the ball after intercepting it during the football game between Stephens County and Habersham Central at Raider Stadium on Friday, Aug. 28. (Landen Todd/Staff)

    Habersham Central senior linebacker CJ Davis (3) runs with the ball after intercepting it during the football game between Stephens County and Habersham Central at Raider Stadium on Friday, Aug. 28. (Landen Todd/Staff)

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    Raiders take home opener 45-7

    News Staff
    Wednesday, September 2, 2026
    By Landen ToddHabersham Central football (1-1) bounced back with a 45-7 win over the Indians (0-2)...
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    Regional

    Stephens County Hospital provides healthcare for Toccoa and surrounding North Georgia communities. (Submitted)

    Stephens County Hospital provides healthcare for Toccoa and surrounding North Georgia communities. (Submitted)

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    Stephens hospital joining Wellstar

    News Staff
    Friday, September 4, 2026
    by Michael 0’HearnCNI News ServiceStephens County Hospital is partnering with Wellstar Health...
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    Videos

    Mayor Barrie Aycock's last Clarkesville City Council meeting

    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.

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