Helen Oktoberfest to Test Strength at Third Annual Stein Holding Competition

Oktoberfest visitors will have a chance to put their strength — and their ability to hold a beer stein — to the test when Helen hosts its third annual Stein Holding Competition on Saturday, Oct. 10. The competition will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Helen Festhalle and will feature separate men's and women's categories. Competitors will see who can hold a beer stein the longest. The competition comes in the middle of Helen's 56th annual Oktoberfest, which runs through No

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10 hours ago1 min read

Banks County Sheriff’s Office Announces Shopping With a Hero Benefit Ride

The Banks County Sheriff’s Office is inviting motorcycle and Jeep enthusiasts to hit the road for a good cause during its Shopping With a Hero Benefit Ride on Saturday, Oct. 24. The ride will raise money for the Sheriff’s Office Shopping With a Hero program, with all proceeds from the event benefiting the program, with the start beginning at the Banks County Recreation Department and travel to the Rabun County Recreation Center. Registration is at 8 a.m., with kickstands up a

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11 hours ago1 min read

Soque River Watershed Association Fundraiser Raises Nearly $25,000

The Soque River Watershed Association raised just under $25,000 during its annual fundraiser Thursday evening, Sept. 24, bringing supporters together for an evening focused on conservation, community and the future of the Soque River. The event, held at North Georgia Technical College’s Industrial Technology Center, featured a prime rib dinner, live music by John Burke and an auction that included fly-fishing experiences and artwork. Ten donor tables were represented during t

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20 hours ago2 min read

Clarkesville Council to Discuss Police Body Cameras, Grants at Tuesday Work Session

The Clarkesville City Council will discuss the possible purchase of new police body cameras, grant opportunities and the city’s MainStreet Manager position during a work session Tuesday evening. The council will meet at 5 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29. Among the items on the agenda is a discussion about the possible purchase of new body cameras for the Clarkesville Police Department. The agenda does not provide additional information about the proposed purchase, including potential

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1 day ago1 min read

White County Earns Financial Reporting Award for 17th Consecutive Year

White County has earned national recognition for its financial reporting for the 17th consecutive year. The Government Finance Officers Association awarded the county its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for White County’s Fiscal Year 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. The award recognizes state and local governments whose financial reports meet standards for transparency, accountability and full disclosure of financial information. Wh

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1 day ago1 min read

Region 2 EMS Council Announces 2026 Award Recipients

Emergency Medical Services professionals from across North Georgia gathered at Piedmont University in Demorest for the 2026 Region 2 EMS Awards Ceremony. The annual event recognizes excellence in emergency pre-hospital care throughout the 13-county region, which includes Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union and White counties. The 2026 Region 2 EMS Award recipients are: Dr. Gary Kempler “Trauma Call of the Year” Award

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1 day ago3 min read

U.S. News & World Report Ranks Piedmont University No. 3 Top Private College in Georgia

Piedmont University has been ranked the No. 3 private college in Georgia by U.S. News & World Report. The ranking was released as part of U.S. News & World Report’s latest college rankings. Piedmont is included in the Regional Universities South category, which encompasses colleges and universities across 13 states and territories. Regional universities offer a broad range of undergraduate programs along with some master’s programs and a limited number of doctoral programs. “

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1 day ago1 min read

Habersham County Earns Financial Reporting Award for Ninth Consecutive Year

From left to right: Jacob Holm, Hannah Long, Kiani Holden, Jill Thompson, Katherine DeVane. Photo: Habersham County Habersham County has received national recognition for its financial reporting for the ninth consecutive year. The Government Finance Officers Association awarded the county its Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting for Habersham County’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the fiscal year that ended June 30, 2025. The award re

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Sep 221 min read

Property Taxes and the Cost of Local Government: Finding a Better Balance

By: Rep. Victor Anderson Georgia State Representative Victor Anderson Photo: submitted For many homeowners in Northeast Georgia, one of the most noticeable increases in the cost of living has arrived in the mailbox in the form of a property tax bill. Georgia has spent considerable time over the past several years looking for ways to provide property tax relief. But there is another side to that discussion: counties, cities and school systems still have to pay for law enforcem

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Sep 223 min read

Mac Koon Named Habersham County Public Works Director

By: Nora Almazan Mac Koon, Public Works Director. Photo: Habersham County Habersham County has named Mac Koon as its new Public Works Director, promoting him to the position after he most recently served as interim director. Koon joined Habersham County in December 2024 as Assistant Public Works Director. He brings more than 18 years of public service experience to the position, including military service and work with the U.S. Department of Defense. As Public Works Director,

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Sep 222 min read

Big Red Apple Festival Returns to Downtown Cornelia Saturday

By: Nora Almazan One of Cornelia’s favorite fall traditions returns this weekend as the Big Red Apple Festival takes over downtown Saturday, Sept. 26. The 38th Annual Big Red Apple Festival will be held from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m., bringing a full day of food, arts and crafts, vendors and entertainment to downtown Cornelia. The annual festival has become a fall tradition for families across Habersham County and Northeast Georgia, offering visitors a chance to spend the day down

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Sep 211 min read

Habersham Commissioners to Consider Fire Agreement, Airport Contracts and Recreation Grant

By: Nora Almazan The Habersham County Board of Commissioners will meet Monday evening with fire protection, airport planning, recreation improvements and animal control services among the issues scheduled for consideration. The meeting begins at 6 p.m. Sept. 21 in the Jury Assembly Room of the Habersham County Courthouse, located at 295 Llewellyn Street in Clarkesville. Among the items under new business, commissioners will consider an automatic aid agreement with the City of

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Sep 212 min read

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