Local News

By: Brian Wellmeier Photo: Stephens County Sheriff's Office Three Toccoa residents were taken into custody Wednesday, Feb. 18, after deputies responded to a report of gunfire at a Skyline Drive home and later uncovered a large quantity of suspected drugs during a court-authorized search, according to police. According to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office , deputies were dispatched around 12:48 p.m. on Feb. 18 to a residence near Stephen Drive following reports of shots fir

By: Brian Wellmeier A Gainesville man is facing multiple charges following an investigation by the Banks County Sheriff's Office into alleged sexual offenses dating back several years, according to police. Authorities said Felipe Esteban Nunez, 32, was taken into custody Feb. 13 in connection with incidents reported to have occurred in Banks County between 2018 and 2019. According to investigators, the alleged victim — who was a juvenile at the time of the reported incidents

By: Brian Wellmeier Photo: Habersham County School System Law enforcement officials say a man seen carrying weapons near a Habersham County school Thursday morning never entered campus property and did not pose a threat to students or staff. A school employee and several parents reported seeing the individual walking along Owens Circle near Habersham Ninth Grade Academy as students and faculty arrived prior to the start of the school day. Deputies with the Habersham County S

Habersham County Family Connection is inviting local parents and caregivers to a special community resource event designed especially for families with infants and young children. The “Baby & Me” Event will be held on Tuesday, February 24, from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Career Center located inside the Cornelia Goodwill. The event is completely free and aims to connect families with helpful services, information, and much-needed supplies. Families who register and attend

By: Brian Wellmeier Photo: Stephens County Sheriff's Office Four people now face charges after gunfire erupted outside Stephens County High School during the evening of school sporting events earlier this month, prompting a lockdown and multi-agency investigation, according to authorities. According to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office , deputies responded to reports of shots fired in the student parking lot on the night of Feb. 10, while two athletic events were underway

By: Brian Wellmeier On Tuesday, Feb. 17, Baldwin’s City Council said it plans to proceed with a public hearing on the proposed Cook Construction annexation, even after county leaders formally challenged the move earlier this week. City officials said the hearing will still take place at 6 p.m. on March 3. On Monday, Feb. 16, the Habersham County Board of Commissioners voted to file an official objection to the annexation request tied to property along the Ga. 365 corridor.

Photo: Ashlyn Brady PIO Habersham County residents now have another important layer of protection thanks to the generosity of the Habersham Pickleball Club. On February 11, the club hosted its 5th Annual “Dink Your Heart Out” tournament in recognition of National Heart Health Month. The yearly event blends friendly competition with a meaningful purpose — raising awareness about heart health while supporting community safety. Proceeds from this year’s tournament registration f

By: Nora Almazan Authorities are asking for the public’s assistance in locating a missing woman last seen over the weekend. Annie Tisdale was last seen at approximately 5:00 p.m. Saturday and has not returned home. Family members and law enforcement are concerned for her safety. At the time she was last seen, Tisdale was wearing a black dress with white polka dots and a cowboy hat. She is believed to be driving a 2015 black Toyota Tacoma pickup truck (4-door, 2WD) bearing Geo

By: Nora Almazan Clarkesville will once again bring the spirit of New Orleans to Northeast Georgia as Mardi Gras in Clarkesville returns on Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 6:00 p.m . The celebration will be held at North Georgia Technical College’s Industrial Technology Event Center, offering guests an evening filled with food, music, and community pride. This annual Mardi Gras celebration is more than just a night of festivities—it is a key fundraiser supporting the Clarkesvil

By: Nora Almazan Every year, just after Valentine’s Day, something begins to happen across the Christian world. Ashes appear on foreheads. People start giving up sweets, coffee, or social media. Church sanctuaries grow a little more reflective. The season is called Lent, and while many people recognize the word, fewer understand its purpose. Lent is not really about giving up chocolate. It is about making room for God. When Lent Happens Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which fal

By: Brian Wellmeier Residential homes on Wilbanks Road in Habersham County Habersham County’s Board of Commissioners on Monday, Feb. 16, agreed to keep tighter reins on large-scale housing growth, voting to continue a temporary halt on residential proposals. The board extended its existing moratorium for 30-days, which blocks the county from accepting rezoning applications tied to residential developments creating more than five lots. The measure pushes the pause to March 17

By: Brian Wellmeier Habersham County Commissioners Meeting Monday, February 16. The Habersham County Commission objected to a proposed annexation that could make way for a shopping center in the city of Baldwin during its regular meeting Monday, Feb. 16. The vote was unanimous, placing Baldwin in the position of either moving forward through arbitration or abandoning the proposal altogether. The property is currently zoned low-intensity. Cook Construction has requested the pr

Race fans looking for a memorable day at the track will have the chance to experience NASCAR in a whole new way as the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame Museum in Dawsonville announces its all-inclusive Race Day Adventure Package on February 22nd. The special event departs from the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame Museum, located at 415 Highway 53 East in Dawsonville, and provides participants with transportation, exclusive access, and behind-the-scenes experiences throughout the day. F

Gainesville Theatre Alliance invites audiences to experience an evening of pure comedic chaos with its production of The Play That Goes Wrong by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields. The Olivier Award-winning comedy runs February 13–21 at Brenau University’s Hosch Theatre, located inside the John S. Burd Center for the Performing Arts. An opening night reception, catered by Nothing Bundt Cakes, followed the February 13 premiere performance. Set on the fictional ope

Law enforcement and correctional professionals from across Georgia, North Carolina, and Florida gathered in Clarkesville last week to participate in the FBI-LEEDA Supervisor Leadership Institute. The four-and-a-half-day training seminar is designed specifically for supervisors and middle managers and focuses on strengthening leadership skills within public safety agencies. The program follows the FBI-Law Enforcement Executive Development Association’s “Cops Teaching Cops” mod

By: Nora Almazan A Hart County jury has found Jeremy Leonard Green, also known as “Coach Bob,” guilty on all six counts in his criminal trial. The verdict was returned following jury deliberations in Hart County Superior Court. Green faced multiple felony charges, including rape and child molestation. Following the guilty verdict, the court sentenced Green to two life sentences plus 90 years in prison, along with a $100,000 fine. Jeremy 'Bob' Green was found guilty in Hart Co

Habersham County — A Habersham County school bus was involved in a traffic accident Friday afternoon, February 13, along Highway 365. According to school officials, the accident occurred at approximately 2:50 p.m. while the bus was traveling northbound on the highway. Superintendent Patrick Franklin confirmed that no students were on the bus at the time of the accident . The bus driver was not injured, and the driver of the other vehicle involved also reported no injuries. Th

By: Brian Willmeier A Toccoa woman who faces charges for the death of her child has been arrested after police say she failed to appear in court. Toccoa police arrested Victoria Galliher on Friday, Feb. 13, after she allegedly failed to show up for court in connection with the 2022 death of her infant child – a case authorities say has drawn “significant attention within the community.” Galliher’s failure to report to court led to “immediate activation of outstanding warrants

Habersham County officials have released additional information regarding the upcoming special election to fill the District 3 seat on the Habersham County Board of Commissioners following the resignation of Commissioner Jimmy Tench. Tench’s resignation becomes effective February 13, 2026. At its regularly scheduled meeting on February 16, the Habersham County Board of Commissioners is expected to vote on a resolution calling for a special election to fill the remainder of Te

A historic motorsports facility in Banks County is one step closer to reopening after county leaders voted to allow racing to return to the former Atlanta Dragway property. In the words of Commissioner Chris Ausburn, "Start your engines!" On February 10, the Banks County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a conditional use permit allowing a drag racing facility to operate again on the 318-acre site located near Banks Crossing in Commerce. The property is home to the