Local News

By: Brian Wellmeier Photo: White County Sheriff's Office A traffic stop in White County led to the arrests of two people and the seizure of large amounts of illegal drugs earlier this week. Police say deputies with the White County Sheriff’s Office conducted concentrated patrols along Hwy. 75 South near the Donald Alexander area on Monday, Feb. 9, leading to the traffic stop and subsequent drug arrests. According to authorities, the stop was initiated for a traffic violation

Two individuals are in custody following a shots-fired incident Tuesday night at Stephens County High School. According to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded at approximately 8 p.m. on February 10, 2026, to reports of gunfire in the student parking lot while two sporting events were taking place on campus. School Resource Officers who were already on duty at the school were alerted to possible gunshots and immediately responded along with the Sheriff’s O

By: Brian Wellmeier Photo: Baldwin Police Department Police responded to a domestic-related vehicle assault in Baldwin on the evening of Tuesday, Feb. 10, that ended in an arrest, according to the Baldwin Police Department. No injuries were reported during the incident. Police say officers with the Baldwin Police Department were dispatched around 4:58 p.m. to the Circle K at 3951 Hwy. 365 in reference to a motor vehicle crash. Upon arrival, officers believed the wreck to be

Carson Whitt as Shakespeare in Something Rotten! Community theatre at its very best is when the audience forgets they are watching neighbors, friends, and coworkers on a local stage and instead feels transported into a full-scale Broadway production. That is exactly what the Habersham Community Theatre accomplishes with its latest musical, Something Rotten! From the moment the curtain rises, the show launches into a whirlwind of comedy, music, and nonstop energy. The humor fi

Residents and visitors alike are invited to celebrate a unique blend of culture and fun as the city of Helen hosts its annual Fasching, a German-style Mardi Gras celebration, on Saturday, February 14, 2026, from 6:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. at the Helen Festhalle, located at 1074 Edelweiss Strasse in Helen. Fasching, Germany’s traditional carnival season, is known for lively music, festive costumes, dancing, and community celebration. The Helen event promises all of that and more,

Jury selection has begun in Hart County in the criminal trial against Jeremy Leonard Green, also known as “Coach Bob,” who faces multiple felony charges. Selection began February 10, 2026. Hart County Grand Jury previously indicted Green on several counts, including six counts of rape and child molestation. The six-count indictment alleges Green molested and raped “a teenage girl under the age of 16 from July 2015 to November 2015.” The case has drawn significant public atten

By: Brian Wellmeier Photo: Stephens County School District Facebook A firearm was discharged in the parking lot during a school event at Stephens County High School in the evening hours of Tuesday, Feb. 10, according to school officials. No injuries were reported. Officials say the school was placed on a precautionary lockdown as local law enforcement responded to the scene. The lockdown was later lifted after officers secured the area. Stephens County School System continues

By Brian Wellmeier The city of Demorest moved to open a formal investigation into its police department at a special called meeting Friday, Feb. 6. The decision came after city council members convened for an executive session to discuss personnel and possible litigation. Officials have not disclosed the nature of the investigation, though Demorest City Manager Mark Musslewhite said a request for inquiry into the matter was made by a staff member internally. “Council was on

Photo: Gainesville Police Department A single-engine plane was forced to make an emergency landing on a busy Hall County Road Monday, Feb. 9. Two motorists suffered minor injuries after being struck by the plane and were transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville. Gainesville Police Department Capt. Kevin Holbrook said there were two occupants – a veteran pilot as well as a student pilot – in the aircraft when it experienced a sudden malfunction. “The inve

"I'm not part of the political establishment," said Coach Dereck Dooley. "As a football coach, I led young people from all walks of life and worked hard every day to make a positive impact on their lives and create better opportunities for their future. And that is the kind of work I want to do for Georgians." That's former University of Tennessee head football coach Derek Dooley who is running for the United States Senate in Georgia against incumbent U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff.

The Banks County High School FFA Wildlife Management Career Development Event (CDE) teams recently traveled to Perry to compete in the state competition held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds — and returned home with outstanding results. The Banks County Junior Wildlife team captured the State Championship, earning 1st Place overall in Georgia, while the Senior team placed an impressive 4th overall among top programs from across the state. The Wildlife Management CDE tests

Valentine’s Day is often filled with red roses, heart-shaped candy boxes, and last-minute store runs. While there’s nothing wrong with the classics, the best gifts are the ones that make a person feel truly seen and valued. A meaningful Valentine’s gift doesn’t have to be expensive—it simply needs to be intentional. Give Something Personal One of the most cherished gifts you can give is something that reflects your relationship. A handwritten letter, a framed photo from a fav

A new chapter of beauty, care, and creativity came to life on Clarkesville Square, Thursday, February 6, 2026, as All in Bloom Flowers celebrated its Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening at 11:30 a.m. Owned by Dale Jones, All in Bloom Flowers brings far more to Clarkesville than traditional floral arrangements. With more than 15 years of experience in the floral industry, Dale has built her business around one simple but powerful belief: every customer deserves to be met exactly

Habersham County has announced the resignation of Commissioner Jimmy Tench, effective February 13, 2026. Commissioner Tench submitted his resignation letter on February 4, 2026, formally notifying the Habersham County Board of Commissioners of his decision to step down due to medical reasons. "I have known and respected Commissioner Jimmy Tench all of my adult life," Chairman Bruce Harkness said. "I went to school with his daughters and I got to know him when I was in school.

During the winter months, when cold days feel longer and needs feel heavier, simple acts of kindness can make a lasting difference. Bethlehem Baptist Church in Clarkesville is offering just such a gesture—opening its doors and its hearts to the community with a complimentary lunch for anyone who needs it. Bethlehem Baptist Church, located at 624 Highway 197 North in Clarkesville, will host a Community Lunch on Saturday, February 7, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The meal is din

Habersham County announces the resignation of Public Works Director and Capital Projects Manager Jerry Baggett. Mr. Baggett submitted his resignation in person on January 21, 2026. At Mr. Baggett’s request, the resignation was not made public at that time so it would not distract Public Works staff during response and cleanup efforts related to a predicted winter weather event. His decision to resign was made prior to the recent winter storms and was unrelated to those events

White County has announced the appointment of Jessie Owensby as its new Director of Community and Economic Development following a comprehensive and competitive selection process. In her new role, Owensby will lead the county’s planning and zoning, building inspections, code enforcement, geographic information systems (GIS), and economic development efforts. She will collaborate closely with county officials, advisory boards, and community stakeholders to promote responsible

The City of Clarkesville City Council met Monday, February 2nd, where City Manager Keith Dickerson officially announced his resignation. Dickerson will be leaving Clarkesville to accept a new position in McDonough, where he will work on the administrative side of city government for the next couple of years. During the meeting, Dickerson shared that he plans to return to Clarkesville in the future to retire. His final day with the City of Clarkesville will be February 20th. I

Every year on February 2nd, Americans turn their eyes to one very important question: Will we get six more weeks of winter, or is spring on the way? The answer, of course, comes from a groundhog. Up north, the most famous forecaster is Punxsutawney Phil, who lives in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Phil has been predicting the weather since 1887 and draws thousands of visitors each year to Gobbler’s Knob. According to tradition, if Phil sees his shadow, we get six more weeks of w

Dessert lovers, mark your calendars! The Cornelia Dessert Crawl is set to take place on Friday, February 6 , from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m., offering a delicious way to explore downtown Cornelia one bite at a time. This much-anticipated event invites participants to stroll through the heart of Cornelia while sampling sweet creations from eight local restaurants and bakeries. With just one ticket, guests will enjoy eight unique dessert stops — making it the perfect evening for familie