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BALDWIN, Ga. — The Baldwin City Council voted Monday to accept the resignation of Assistant Police Chief Justin Fargason following a lengthy executive session, with the mayor casting the deciding vote after the council split evenly. Councilwoman Nancy Lehman was not present for the special called meeting, which was held in the Baldwin Municipal Courtroom. […]

(SRN NEWS/AP) – Two months after Marjorie Taylor Greene resigned from Congress after a falling out with President Donald Trump, voters in her Georgia district will vote for her successor in a special election today. With top candidates including Republicans Clay Fuller and Colton Moore and Democrat Shawn Harris, this round of voting could be […]

The Habersham County Board of Education will hold a work session and its regular monthly meeting in the coming days at the school system’s central office in Clarkesville. The board will first meet for a work session at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026. The session will take place in the Board Meeting Room […]

Final round scheduled for Tuesday in Gainesville

As voters prepare for this year’s county commission elections, Habersham News is launching a series of interviews designed to help residents better understand where the candidates stand on the issues. With several contested races on the ballot, the goal of the series is to give voters an opportunity to hear directly from the candidates in […]

The family of a North Hall High School student charged with vehicular homicide in the accidental death of beloved North Hall High School math teacher Jason Hughes expressed its “deepest sorrow” in a statement to The Times on Monday.

The family of North Hall High School math teacher Jason Hughes, who was killed in a tragic accident Friday night, is asking for the charges to be dropped against the five students involved in the prank gone wrong.

Jason Hughes, a beloved North Hall High School teacher who died in a tragic accident Friday night, is being remembered for his kindness, compassion and faith.

This avid fan has followed college football since 1952. With spring practice upon us, it’s an ideal time to assess how greed is jeopardizing this grand game.

The subject matter of this letter might upset some folks, but I think it needs to be said. Sometimes the truth hurts.

We’ve begun another election cycle.

BALDWIN, Ga. — Baldwin police are asking for the public’s help identifying three individuals connected to a fraudulent check incident at a local business. According to the Baldwin Police Department, the incident occurred Friday, March 6, at a business located off Willingham Avenue in Baldwin. Investigators say the individuals are suspected of involvement in a […]

On the shores of Lake Lanier, grieving mothers will soon gather for a weekend centered on something many have struggled to find since losing their children: connection with others who truly understand their pain.

DEMOREST, Ga. — The Demorest City Council discussed possible changes to the city’s employee pension plan Tuesday night but ultimately tabled the issue while officials seek more information about how the changes could affect Social Security benefits. The discussion centered on a proposal from the Georgia Municipal Association’s retirement program that could increase pension benefits […]

Donations are pouring in for the family of the North Hall High School teacher and coach who lost his life over the weekend when he confronted pranksters who has “rolled” the trees at his house with toilet paper. As of mid-morning Monday, a GoFundMe account had raised a little over $196,000 for the wife and […]

(GA. NEWS NETWORK) *A push to halt an ICE detention center from opening in Social Circle is growing. Hundreds of people showed up at a rally outside the historic Walton County Courthouse Sunday to voice opposition to the project   *A controversial elections bill may have failed in the State Senate but don’t write its […]

Nancy Steptoe believes her newly created Facebook page, Stand With ICE Hall County, is more than about supporting ICE.

 (SRN NEWS/REUTERS) – Tylenol use among pregnant women fell after U.S. President Donald Trump linked autism to the over-the-counter pain relief medicine, according to an analysis of U.S. emergency room prescribing patterns published in the UK medical journal Lancet. In September, Trump said pregnant women should avoid using Tylenol, the brand name for the product […]

A overnight fire at Gold Creek Foods forced employees to evacuate early Saturday morning, according to Hall County Fire Rescue.

Gainesville resident William Wallace has qualified to run as a Democratic candidate in the Georgia Senate District 49 primary election on May 19, according to a press release from his campaign.

The student is being held in Hall County Jail without bond.

Newly obtained dispatch audio captures the moment Hall County 911 operators realized the DUI call involved their own sheriff.

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — The qualifying period for several Habersham County offices closed at noon Friday, setting the field for local races that will appear on the May 19 general primary ballot. Candidates qualified this week for two Habersham County Board of Commissioners seats and three positions on the Habersham County Board of Education. Qualifying ran […]

A months-long investigation into a North Georgia drug trafficking organization ended this week with 16 arrests and the seizure of large quantities of methamphetamine and fentanyl, according to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.

Gov. Brian Kemp has appointed a three-member committee to investigate Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch’s recent DUI arrest.

ELBERTON, Ga. — Authorities in Elbert County are searching for an overdue fisherman who did not return from a trip near Lake Russell. The Elbert County Sheriff’s Office said deputies, along with Elbert County Emergency Services and other local agencies, are actively investigating after David Payton failed to return from fishing off Highway 368 near […]

Chief Deputy Kevin Head said in a statement Friday, March 6, that he has assumed command of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office following his boss’s DUI arrest a week ago.

The City of Baldwin has rescheduled a special called meeting that was originally planned for Friday evening. According to a notice from the city, the meeting that had been set for Friday, March 6, 2026 at 5 p.m. will now take place on Monday, March 9, 2026 at 5 p.m. City officials said the meeting […]

State Rep. Lee Hawkins, R-Gainesville, has announced he’s seeking re-election to his House District 27 seat.

The Mayor and City Council of the City of Baldwin will hold a special called meeting on Friday, March 6, 2026, according to a notice released by the city. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. and will take place in the Baldwin Municipal Courtroom, located at 155 Willingham Avenue in Baldwin. City […]

Some things you just can’t make up. It appeared for several hours recently that, ahem, Mickey Mouse had been arrested in White County, but it turned out to be a misunderstanding or mistake. Whatever. And the sheriff’s office says it was the latter – the result of training error and took to social media to […]

Flea markets in Pendergrass and Cumming are included in a new listing of the state’s nine best flea markets, with the Pendergrass operation topping the list, which was compiled by familydestinationsguide.com. Check out the full list and what is said about each here: These 9 Georgia Flea Markets Are Absolute Treasure Troves This post was […]

A drug rain in Canon Wednesday resulted in the arrest of a Hall County man and two others. Franklin County sheriff’s officers and GBI drug agents arrested Bart Starks, 70, who lived at the house and Arthur Poole of Hall County. Starks is charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, possession of a controlled […]

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — City leaders in Clarkesville say long-discussed plans for a new inn could help strengthen the local economy while preserving the community’s small-town character. In a statement released March 4, the city said development of an upscale inn has been under consideration for more than a decade, though officials say the right opportunity has […]

(Georgia Recorder) — A sweeping GOP proposal that would overhaul local property taxes failed to pass Tuesday, with nearly all House Democrats opposing the measure over concerns about the impact to public services and schools back home. The proposal was rolled out with much fanfare in late January, with Speaker Jon Burns calling the proposal […]

Shiv Sachdeva says he has officially qualified to run against his longtime boss in the Republican primary for Hall County District Attorney.

CORNELIA — The Cornelia City Commission approved several infrastructure and public safety measures Tuesday, including a half-million-dollar paving project, the purchase of license plate reader cameras and updates to the city’s water and sewer tap fee schedule. The commission also approved contracts tied to Community Development Block Grant projects and an emergency HVAC replacement at […]

TALLULAH FALLS, Ga. — The Tallulah Falls Police Department is undergoing an internal audit following multiple reports of potentially unethical behavior. The investigation, first reported by Now Georgia, centers on allegations involving off-duty details and how officers are compensated for that time. While the exact nature of the complaints remains confidential, the audit seeks to […]

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — A heavy law enforcement presence was reported Tuesday on the outskirts of Clarkesville as multiple agencies worked an active drug investigation. Authorities were operating on Minyard Lane off Church Sawmill Road, where deputies and sheriff’s office K-9 units were observed at the scene. Officials tell Now Georgia they are in the early […]

Clarkesville, Georgia – The City of Clarkesville proudly announces that Officer Terry “J” Palmer Jr. of the Clarkesville Police Department has been formally recognized for extraordinary bravery and valor in the line of duty. Officer Palmer was recommended in May 2025 by Chief Daniel Clouatre for the Award of Valor in recognition of his heroic […]

The City of Cornelia City Commission approved a series of infrastructure projects, technology upgrades and grant initiatives during its regular meeting Monday night at Cornelia City Hall. Mayor and commissioners began the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance and an opening prayer before approving the evening’s agenda, which included two additions: a resolution to apply […]

Its organizers say an event in downtown Gainesville March 15 is meant “to continue to shed light on the horrible atrocities that are depicted within the Epstein Files.” And is planned as a “bi-partisan” gathering. “It is meant to shed light on not only the monsters within these files, but to show solidarity to the […]

BALDWIN, Ga. — The Baldwin City Council postponed action Tuesday night on two public safety agreements, opting to move both items to a future work session for additional review before taking a vote. Under new business, the council had been scheduled to ratify the Habersham County Local Emergency Operating Plan Resolution and approve an automatic […]

A 40-year-old Hall County woman, Jessica Marie Jenson, was being held in the county jail Tuesday night following her arrest Monday on nine counts of cruelty to animals. An animal control officer’s report says he answered a call about noon to the 1700 block of Creekside Lane in Oakwood where, following an eviction of the […]

Clock issue comes into play as the Lady Bears’ season comes to an end at 20-11.

When he was stopped on a county road last Friday by one of his own deputies, Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch had a blood-alcohol reading that was almost three times the legal limit in Georgia – 0.21%. The legal limit is 0.08%. That’s according to WSB-TV, quoting from a state patrol report. The veteran lawman, […]

Big wins by the Lady Lions and Gainesville’s girls highlight Hall County’s action on the pitch Tuesday.

Indiana signee Branson Crawford had 13-strikeout performance on the mound, along with a solo homer for the Trojans

BALDWIN, Ga. — The Baldwin City Council will meet tonight, Tuesday, March 3, at 6:00 p.m. in the Baldwin Municipal Courtroom, 155 Willingham Avenue. The meeting is expected to draw attention as council members conduct a public hearing on the proposed Cook Construction Annexation and Rezoning Application, an issue that has generated discussion in recent […]

CLEVELAND, Ga. – The White County Board of Commissioners this week approved a new five-year comprehensive plan for the county. During that meeting, Commission Chairman Travis Turner presented a plan for the board to study and possibly implement that highlights capital projects now through 2034. The plan takes into consideration projects currently underway or soon […]

CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — The Clarkesville City Council unanimously approved a new $10 municipal court technology fee Monday night and signaled it is not ready to commit to a countywide fire consolidation effort that could reshape emergency services across Habersham County. Technology fee approved The council approved a resolution requesting local legislation to authorize the $10 […]

The governor’s office says it is aware of the arrest of Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch on DUI and related charges last week. However, there is no indication that a process to suspend him has begun. The governor has the authority to appoint a committee to investigate sheriffs in Georgia who have been charged with […]

MOUNT AIRY, Ga. — The Mt. Airy City Council voted unanimously Monday to hire Baldwin-based Foothills Land Design to provide engineering services for the city’s proposed downtown development area and approved a new technology fee for municipal court cases. The engineering vote follows weeks of discussion after council members tabled an earlier proposal in February […]

A protest has been organized to raise awareness about convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein and to show solidarity with survivors who organizers say were trafficked, raped and tortured.

The FCC has signed off on the $34 million merger of Charter Communications (Spectrum) and Cox Communications. Charter is the primary cable TV supplier in Hall County. According to an Internet search, the company has about 160,000 customers in the county or about 78 percent of the population. The new company will have about 40 million subscribers […]

  BALDWIN, Ga. — The Baldwin City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday night on the proposed Cook Construction annexation and rezoning along the GA 365 corridor, a project that has drawn weeks of public debate and now faces a formal objection from Habersham County. The hearing is scheduled as part of the March […]

Representatives of North Georgia in Congress are reacting to overnight U.S. and Israeli airstrikes in Iran.

HALL COUNTY, Ga. — Hall County Sheriff Gerald Jay Couch was arrested Friday and charged with driving under the influence following a traffic stop in Hall County, according to authorities and jail records. The 63-year-old sheriff faces charges of DUI – alcohol/less safe, open container, and failure to maintain lane. In a press release issued […]

After 10 years of service to the City of Cornelia, Jessie Owensby is stepping into a new leadership role in neighboring White County — closing a chapter marked by professional growth, expanding responsibilities, and a deep loyalty to the community she calls home. Owensby began her career with Cornelia in 2015 as Community Development Director. […]

CORNELIA, Ga. — The Cornelia City Commission will meet Tuesday, March 3, 2026, with several significant items on the agenda, including a proposed municipal court technology fee, 2026 paving project bids, public safety agreements, and updates to water and sewer tap fees. The meeting will begin with an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, followed […]