HARTWELL, Ga. – Authorities have cleared Hart County Middle School following an investigation into a reported bomb threat that prompted a schoolwide evacuation Tuesday morning.
Hart County Schools spokesperson Grayson Williams notified parents by email that students were evacuated “out of an abundance of caution” and asked parents not to come to the school or attempt to pick up students, warning that doing so could interfere with emergency operations.
According to Hart County Sheriff Chris Carroll, Hart County 911 was notified at about 8:15 a.m. by the Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center of a reported bomb threat at the school. Deputies with the Hart County Sheriff’s Office and officers with the Hartwell Police Department responded immediately, and the school was evacuated as a precaution.
Multiple agencies assisted at the scene, including county and city fire departments, emergency management officials, the Georgia Emergency Management Agency, the Georgia State Patrol and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Bomb-detecting K-9 units from several agencies, along with GBI bomb technicians, conducted a thorough search of the entire school. No suspicious devices or items were found, Carroll said.
At about 1:30 p.m., school staff were cleared and allowed to return to the building.
Carroll commended school administrators, teachers and staff for what he described as a smooth and orderly evacuation, and thanked parents for their patience and cooperation during student pickup. He also praised the responding agencies for their coordinated effort.
The information was shared with Now Habersham by a concerned parent and confirmed through a copy of the district’s email and a social media post from the sheriff’s office.
The incident remains under investigation by the Hartwell Police Department and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
What began as a line of storms moving across a strong cold front became one of the most disruptive rain events North Georgia has seen in months.
Between Friday night and Sunday, between 2 and 6 inches of rain fell across the region, with the heaviest totals stretching from north of Dawsonville to Batesville. In the mountains, rapid runoff poured into creeks, rivers and drainage systems, pushing water out of banks and across roadways.
Along the Soque River north of Clarkesville, water surged past Mark of the Potter, turning the normally scenic stretch into a fast-moving torrent.
Flooding along the Soque at Mark of the Potter (Photo: Kristi Martin)
By Saturday morning, flooding was already spreading from White and Lumpkin counties into the Soque and Chattahoochee river basins, overwhelming culverts, washing out driveways and forcing emergency responders into high-water rescues.
Flooding was also recorded along Georgia 17 in Sautee Nacoochee and on the Chattahoochee River in Helen, where video showed the river roaring through town.
White County saw the most severe impacts
In White County, emergency crews responded to more than a dozen flooding-related calls between 9:44 a.m. and 3:56 p.m. Saturday. Officials later confirmed that 4.75 to 6.5 inches of rain fell in a short time, creating dangerous runoff from higher elevations.
Creeks and drainage systems failed across Helen, Cleveland, and rural parts of the county, flooding roads, collapsing driveways, and clogging culverts with storm debris.
One of the most serious situations unfolded at a camper park on Asbestos Road, where rising floodwaters trapped people inside their campers. A swift-water rescue team was sent in, and one person was taken to the hospital with minor injuries. The area was secured and residents were told to stay away until the water receded.
White County Public Safety officials provided a swift-water rescue at a camper park on Asbestos Road. (White County Public Safety)
Floodwaters also blocked access to the Yonah Preserve recreation complex, temporarily stranding families at the facility. White County officials provided food and drinks while people sheltered in place until it was safe to leave.
Flooding at Yonah Preserve (Bryce Barrett/White County)
“Once the torrential rain reached a critical point at Yonah Preserve, we asked the remaining people at the recreation center to shelter in place,” Commission Chairman Travis Turner said. “We were able to provide meals and give the children the opportunity to play in the gym while the rain stopped and the creeks began to recede.”
By mid-afternoon Saturday, water levels began to fall, and road crews worked to reopen routes as conditions improved.
Lumpkin County roads washed over
In Lumpkin County, Willow Pond Road near U.S. 19 North will remain closed through Monday. (Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office)
In Lumpkin County, water flowing off the mountains flooded and closed multiple roads as conditions deteriorated through the day.
Sheriff’s officials shut down Horton Road, Walnut Valley Drive at Black Mountain Road, Dawsonville Highway, Silom Church Road, Davis Chapel Road and Cavender Creek Road as water crossed pavement and made travel unsafe.
Most routes reopened later Saturday, but Willow Pond Road near U.S. 19 North remained closed into Monday, with access only from the Porter Springs Road side while crews monitored lingering damage.
Winds added to the damage
As the rain moved out, strong winds followed behind the system. Gusts reached 25 to 30 mph outside the mountains, with up to 35 mph at higher elevations. While most tree damage was reported farther west in Coweta County, officials said the gusty conditions contributed to downed limbs and isolated power outages across parts of North Georgia.
(Photo submitted by Alex Kleinert)
What the storm left behind
By Monday, emergency officials across the region confirmed that no fatalities were reported, and all known rescues and emergency calls had been resolved. Damage assessments and documentation were ongoing as counties reviewed washed-out roads, damaged driveways, and clogged drainage systems.
The rain also erased much of the region’s lingering drought, but it came at a cost.
Emergency managers said the weekend storm served as a reminder of how quickly mountain rainfall can become dangerous, especially when creeks, culverts, and rivers rise faster than people expect. Even as water levels dropped, officials continued urging caution, as it only takes a few inches of fast-moving water to turn a road into a life-threatening hazard.
Veteran marketing specialist Yvonne Marinelli was named the city of Clarkesville's new Economic Development Director. (Patrick Fargason/Now Habersham)
CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — The City of Clarkesville has named Yvonne Marinelli as its new economic development director, a newly separated role aimed at strengthening business recruitment, retention and long-term economic strategy.
Keith Dickerson announced Marinelli’s hire during the Clarkesville City Council’s January meeting. She is scheduled to begin the position Jan. 20.
Marinelli comes to the role after spending more than four years as a marketing specialist with The Northeast Georgian. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from North Georgia Technical College and works closely with the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce, where she currently serves as an ambassador.
In an interview with Now Habersham, Marinelli said her interest in economic development grew through her work with the newspaper and her involvement with the Chamber, where she gained exposure to how cities support and grow local economies.
“Listening to my friend Jesse Owensby (Cornelia’s Community and Economic Development Director) talk about economic development really sparked my interest,” Marinelli said. “She’s a wealth of knowledge, and the more I listened, the more I thought, ‘I wonder if I could do that.’ When the position opened, it just felt right.”
Clarkesville a ‘special place in my heart.’
She said the opportunity was especially meaningful because of her personal connection to Clarkesville, where she lives.
“Clarkesville holds a very special place in my heart,” Marinelli said. “My husband and I met downtown years ago when I was working at a restaurant. Being able to serve a community that I truly love is what drew me to the role.”
Marinelli said building and strengthening relationships with business and property owners will be her top priority.
“Building relationships with business owners and property owners is going to be imperative,” she said. “Thankfully, my role at The Northeast Georgian over the past four-plus years has allowed me to already establish relationships with many of our downtown businesses and some of our larger employers.”
She said those relationships — along with learning more about property ownership throughout the city — will be key as Clarkesville looks to continue its economic momentum.
“We really have so much potential to make the city — not just downtown, but within the city limits — even more thriving than it already is,” Marinelli said.
What are our community needs?
Clarkesville has seen recent commercial activity, including plans for a Waffle House and discussions surrounding a boutique hotel on the former courthouse property. Marinelli said supporting those types of projects starts with understanding community needs and keeping more local dollars in the local economy.
“It starts with asking what are our community needs,” she said. “What are we having to leave Habersham County for — whether that’s retail, recreation or certain services?”
Marinelli said she plans to use available market data to better understand where residents in the 30523 ZIP code are spending money outside the city and county.
“We want to keep those dollars local and infuse our local economy,” she said.
As new developments move forward, Marinelli said her role will focus on helping businesses navigate the process.
“That starts with getting to know who is coming in and how we can help them reach their goals,” she said. “That includes permitting, infrastructure questions and making sure they have what they need.”
A new job with a new team
Economic development was previously housed under Clarkesville’s Main Street program, but the city recently separated the two roles. Marinelli said that shift creates an opportunity to be more intentional and strategic.
“I’m not going into this with a handbook that says, ‘Here’s exactly what this role entails,’” she said. “I see it as an opportunity to build something really great, put processes in place and be intentional about how we move forward.”
She said collaboration will be key, particularly with the city’s new Main Street director Rosie Cantrell and grant writer Sara Burke.
“I think we’re going to make a really great team,” Marinelli said. “Having a grant writer on board is also going to be huge for helping the city fund things that maybe haven’t been able to be addressed yet.”
Looking ahead, Marinelli said her ideal first year would include filling more vacant storefronts in downtown Clarkesville.
“Clarkesville is a walkable downtown, and that’s something really special,” she said. “Having those retail and restaurant storefronts filled makes a huge difference.”
She said the relationships she has built as both a resident and through her previous role will guide her approach.
“After four-plus years doing what I’ve been doing, you kind of become friends with people,” Marinelli said. “You ask about their families, and you genuinely mean it. I really think it boils down to relationships. Everything else, I’ll figure out along the way.”
Former Rockmart coach Biff Parson was hired as the new head football coach of the Hart County High School Bulldogs. (Rockmart High School)
HARTWELL, Ga. — Hart County High School has named Biff Parson as its new head football coach, the Hart County Charter System announced Tuesday.
Parson brings more than 20 years of coaching, teaching and leadership experience at the high school, collegiate and professional levels, according to Grayson Williams, director of community relations for the Hart County Charter System.
Most recently, Parson served as head football coach and assistant athletic director at Rockmart High School. During his tenure, Rockmart made 10 consecutive playoff appearances, won nine straight region championships and finished as the AA state runner-up in 2018 and 2023.
“Hart County is excited to welcome Coach Parson back home,” Superintendent Jennifer Carter said. “His extensive experience, proven leadership, and commitment to developing student-athletes both on and off the field align perfectly with our vision for Hart County Schools. We are confident he will build strong relationships with our students, families, and community while continuing the proud tradition of Hart County football.”
Parson has previously held head coaching and coordinator roles at several Georgia high schools, including Banks County, Mary Persons, Lamar County, Dublin and Villa Rica. He also served as offensive coordinator at Hart County High School early in his career in 2002.
His background includes professional and collegiate experience as well. Parson coached in NFL Europe with the Frankfurt Galaxy, helping guide the team to a World Bowl championship in 2006 and a runner-up finish in 2007. He also coached quarterbacks at Liberty University.
In addition to football, Parson has coached track, basketball and golf, earning region and state championships in multiple sports. He is a board member of the Georgia Football Coaches Association and has served as football chairman of the Georgia Athletic Coaches Association since 2018. His experience also includes coaching multiple all-star teams, including the GACA and FCA All-Star games.
Parson holds a bachelor’s degree in physical education from Liberty University, a master’s degree in coaching from Georgia Southern University and a specialist degree in physical education from Augusta University.
As a player, Parson was a multi-sport standout at Franklin County High School and a four-year quarterback at Liberty University, where he was a two-year starter, team MVP and an All-American honorable mention selection. He later signed as a free agent with the Canadian Football League.
“My family and I are thrilled to be joining the Bulldog family,” Parson said. “This is a community that cares deeply about its students and its football program, and I can’t wait to pour into our players and compete at a high level.”
Parson and his wife, Anna, have two sons and will make Hart County home. Anna will join Hart County High School as a math teacher.
A bond hearing was held for home invasion suspect Antanavious Butler in Judge Bobby Peters court January 13, 2026. Butler is charged with the murder of Norman “Terry” Lane at his Brookstone Boulevard home in Columbus October 6, 2025.
Several members of Lane’s family huddled in the courtroom gallery for the hearing. Lane’s nephew Christopher Lane addressed the Judge pleading for no bond in the case. “The nature of this crime alone demonstrates an extreme and unacceptable danger to the community. This was not an accident or a moment of poor judgement,” Christopher Lane said. “It was a deliberate act of violence carried out with a weapon against an innocent elderly man. Someone capable of this level of violence poses an ongoing and serious risk to public safety.”
Judge Peters explained that under the current law if you’ve been in jail 90 days without indictment you’re entitled to bond and initially considered a $500,000 bond before the defendant’s mother addressed the Judge. Lucy Butler retired from the Lee County Sheriff’s department after more than three decades of service. “I’m embarrassed. I didn’t raise a child to take someone’s life,” Butler said.
Butler also told the Judge that her son was being seen at an East Alabama health facility for manic depression. Judge Peters immediately responded with no bond pending a mental evaluation for the suspect. Antanavious Butler also asked to speak and rambled incoherently for a few minutes about Jesus, his disciples and why he was being detained before being escorted back to his seat.
Prosecutor Don Kelly spoke briefly after the hearing. “I really wouldn’t want to characterize his statement,” Kelly said. “We know the Judge has told us to prepare and order for a psychological evaluation. We’ll cooperate with that and see what comes out of that.”
Mayor selects Human Resources Director (CCG)/NowGeorgia.com
Mayor Skip Henderson has selected Ola Terrell to fill the position of Human Resources Director for the city of Columbus. Mayor Henderson will go before the Columbus Council for approval of his appointment on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, during the next scheduled business meeting.
Terrell is a seasoned human resources executive with more than 18 years of progressive leadership experience in local government and the public sector. She brings extensive expertise in strategic workforce planning, employee and labor relations, organizational development, policy administration, compliance, and benefits administration.
Since 2023, Terrell has served as the Human Resources Director for the city of Americus, Georgia. Her prior leadership roles include Chief Human Resources Officer at Albany State University, Human Resources Director for the city of Germantown, Tennessee, and Human Resources Director for the Ware County Board of Commissioners.
“I am grateful for this opportunity,” said Terrell. “I have been privileged to serve in the public sector for many years, and I look forward to serving the employees of the Columbus Consolidated Government and this vibrant community.”
Wesley E. Myrick, executive director of the Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center, and advocates call on lawmakers to fully fund the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which face federal funding cuts in the upcoming fiscal year, on the first day of the 2026 legislative session on Jan. 12, 2026, in Atlanta. (Alander Rocha/Georgia Recorder)
(Georgia Recorder) — The hallowed halls of Georgia’s state Capitol were abuzz Monday as lawmakers, lobbyists and everyday citizens flocked to the Gold Dome for the start of the 2026 legislative session.
For lawmakers in the state House and Senate, that means a 40-day countdown to introduce, deliberate and finalize laws for the upcoming year has officially begun. The calendar for this upcoming session, which also includes days off for holidays and committee meetings, will run from mid-January until early April. The 2026 session is also the second in a two-year cycle, meaning bills that didn’t make it across the finish line in 2025 could get a second chance this time around.
On the first day of the session, both chambers signed off on this year’s legislative schedule, but not without some debate. The House passed the schedule with a 150-to-27 vote after some lawmakers objected to the Legislature being in session on Eid al-Fitr, a major religious holiday in the Islamic faith that marks the end of Ramadan. There are at least four Muslim lawmakers currently serving in Georgia.
In the Senate, the resolution passed unanimously, but not without criticism from Sen. Nabilah Parkes, a Duluth Democrat who is Muslim.
“I am voting yes today for the good of the order, but moving forward, we should have an inclusive calendar,” she told the chamber.
Under the calendar adopted Monday, a key deadline for bills to clear at least one chamber is set for Friday, March 6, and the last day of the session will be Thursday, April 2.
New leadership in the Senate
The Senate kicked off the start of the 2026 legislative session by electing Sen. Larry Walker III, a Perry Republican to be the new president pro tem. Walker, who has served in the Legislature since 2015, is the son of former House majority leader Larry Walker Jr., who retired from the Legislature in 2005.
“My father taught me that while we sit on different sides of the aisle, or come from different areas of the state, or different perspectives, we are all bound by a common duty to leave Georgia better than we found it,” Walker said in a speech following his election.
The position of president pro tem, which is the second-highest in the chamber, was previously held by state Sen. John Kennedy, a Macon Republican who resigned from his seat in December to focus on his bid for lieutenant governor. A special election to fill Kennedy’s seat will be held on Jan. 20.
Newly elected Rep. Akbar Ali makes his first appearance in the state House. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
In the House, three new lawmakers made their debut: Two Democrats, Rep. Akbar Ali of Gwinnett County and Rep. Eric Gisler of Watkinsville, and one Republican, Rep. Bill Fincher of Canton. All three were elected through recent special elections.
The chamber also held a moment of silence for Fincher’s predecessor, Mandi Ballinger, who died last year after a long battle with cancer.
Two House seats are currently left vacant after Reps. Karen Bennett and Lynn Heffner announced their resignations last week. Bennett, a Stone Mountain Democrat, was indicted for unemployment fraud shortly after she stepped down, while Heffner, an Augusta Democrat cited damage to her home from Hurricane Helene as the reason she could no longer fulfill a state law requiring representatives to live in the districts they represent. Another House Democrat who was charged with unemployment fraud, Rep. Sharon Henderson of Covington, was present for the first day of the session Monday.
On the Senate side, two lawmakers — Democrat Jaha Howard of Smyrna and Republican Jason Dickerson of Canton — also made their first appearance as state senators.
In an interview with the Georgia Recorder, Dickerson described the experience of being a newly elected lawmaker as “surreal.”
Republican Jason Dickerson of Canton made his first appearance as a state senator Monday. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
“When you see your name up on the board for the first time, that’s when it really hits home,” he said.
But the newly elected officials are not the only big change under the Gold Dome: Lawmakers returned Monday to a newly renovatedstate Capitol that has been restored to its original 19th century appearance, with some 21st century amenities – like a USB-C port – added to the desks.
“You probably noticed, this people’s house is looking a little bit brighter today in every essence of that word,” House Speaker Jon Burns said.
Advocates raise their voices
Lawmakers weren’t the only ones gearing up for the beginning of the session. Several advocacy groups held press conferences to encourage civic engagement and draw lawmakers’ attention to policy issues.
The ACLU of Georgia held a “Pack the Capitol” event alongside organizations like Indivisible Georgia Coalition and ProGeorgia to kick off the beginning of the 2026 session.
“Every law passed under this gold dome impacts 11.2 million Georgians,” said ACLU of Georgia policy and advocacy director Christopher Bruce. “That’s why the legislators need to listen more to the people than the politics. They need to listen more to the Georgians than the lobbyists.”
The Poor People’s Campaign and Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center also held a press conference to advocate for the state’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to be fully funded. In the fall, Georgia’s SNAP administrators signaled they would need more than $60 million in additional state dollars to maintain their staffing levels amid federal cuts to the program. More than one in 10 Georgians use SNAP to buy groceries.
Wesley E. Myrick, executive director of the Georgia Interfaith Public Policy Center, said that fully funding SNAP not only helps ensure that every Georgian has access to food, but also sustains the businesses in local communities.
“Making sure that seniors, disabled persons, students and families with children have access to fresh fruits, vegetables and proteins is a critical issue for our state,” Myrick said in an interview.
Republican lawmakers in both chambers are floating additional tax cuts this session amid growing concerns about affordability, with the House proposing cutting property taxes and the Senate vying to eliminate Georgia’s state income tax by 2032. Myrick argued that those tax cuts would only benefit a segment of the population, while fully funding SNAP would help the state overall.
“Not every Georgian is a homeowner, so they’re not going to benefit from tax credits,” he said. “But every single Georgian can benefit from the economic impact of SNAP on local businesses that employ people in every corner of our state.”
Georgia Recorder deputy editor Ross Williams contributed to this report.
SHMS Principal Daphne Penick holds the Top Staff Attendance of the Month award, presented to her during the Jan. 12, 2026, BOE meeting. Shortly after, Superintendent Patrick Franklin announced her retirement. (Patrick Fargason/NowHabersham.com)
South Habersham Middle School Principal Daphne Penick is retiring at the end of this school year. County school superintendent Patrick Franklin announced her pending departure at Monday’s Board of Education meeting. Franklin praised Penick for her years of service and dedication to the school.
“She started her career as a
teacher at South Habersham Middle School. She worked as a counselor there. As an assistant principal. Now, as principal, all in the same school building,” he said. “So when you say someone lives and breathes South Habersham, it’s Daphne Penick.”
Audience and BOE members give South Habersham Middle School Principal Daphne Penick a standing ovation for her many years of dedicated service. She is retiring in May 2026. (livestream image)
Franklin recalled “the joy” of working with Penick when she taught. “She was my supervisor, now I’m hers; we’ve gone through a lot of things together,” he added, calling it “a privilege” to work with her.
“You’re going to be missed, but you’ve done some amazing work there, so thank you,” he said, hugging Penick. The audience and board members gave Penick a standing ovation. She will remain on the job through the end of this school year.
Other system retirements
During the meeting, Superintendent Franklin also recognized five other employees who are retiring. They include Habersham Central High School teacher Lisa Barrett, Baldwin Elementary School teacher Yvonne Hefner, Cornelia Elementary School kindergarten teacher Brenda McAllister, Demorest Elementary School ESOL teacher Linda Jameson, and Fairview Elementary School 5th-grade teacher Holly Perry.
“I want to thank all these folks for their service and loyalty and their hard work in our school system for our students,” Franklin said.
The Habersham County Board of Education (Patrick Faragson/Now Habersham)
The Habersham County Board of Education elected new leadership, approved key business items, and heard updates on finances, safety, and student programs during its January meeting Monday night.
The board voted unanimously to name Joey Duncan as chair for 2026 and Russ Nelson as vice chair. Duncan succeeds Nelson, who served as chair in 2025.
“Before we move on, I just thought I’d thank Russ for his leadership this past year and what he has done leading this board and this group,” Duncan said after the vote.
Superintendent Patrick Franklin opened his report by recognizing countywide spelling bee champion Hridaan Patel, a student at North Habersham Middle School. Franklin praised Patel’s perseverance, noting he competed in the spelling bee last year but did not advance.
North Habersham Middle School eighth-grader Hridaan Patel (left with Franklin) took home the county-wide spelling bee. (photo submitted)
“He made it his personal goal to practice and get better throughout the year so that when the chance would come again, he would be ready,” Franklin said. “You set a goal a year ago, and you worked hard at it, and now you’ve achieved your goal.”
Franklin said Patel’s success exemplifies the district’s commitment to student growth and announced the board will now recognize the county spelling bee winner at a future meeting each year.
Turning to district operations, Franklin said the school system has had a strong start to the second semester.
“We have much to be grateful and thankful for,” he said. “I’m thankful to be in the school system having my children here.”
Habersham Works
Franklin also provided an update on “Habersham Works,” a new workforce development initiative designed for students planning to enter the workforce directly after graduation. The program is a partnership involving the school system, Habersham County’s economic development community, North Georgia Technical College, and local employers.
Habersham Schools Superintendent Patrick Franklin gives updates to the Board. (Patrick Fargason/Now Habersham)
About 15 students are currently participating through the district’s Success Academy. Franklin said students will earn multiple certifications, including OSHA safety, precision measurement, leadership, and interview skills, while working with employers during the school year.
“They will have jobs lined up before they leave school,” Franklin said. “This is just another example of building partnerships.”
School Resource Officers
Franklin highlighted the expansion of the school resource officer program, thanking the board for prioritizing funding to place an officer in every school building. He said the district has grown from six officers serving 14 schools to full coverage across the system.
“As a parent, that gives my heart great joy,” Franklin said. “To see a resource officer at the school, interacting with students and protecting that building, that’s something we’re extremely proud of.”
Franklin also praised Habersham Central High School’s recent production of “The Lion King,” calling it “an amazing experience” and commending students for their work in acting, music, and production.
Financial Report
Habersham Schools CFO Staci Newsome gives the board her financial report. (Patrick Fargason/Now Habersham)
Chief Financial Officer Staci Newsome reported the district remains in solid financial condition midway through the fiscal year. Newsome said the district has received about $34.3 million in revenue, or roughly 36% of the budget, compared to about $47.6 million at the same point last year.
“That’s not anything of concern right now,” Newsome said. “We’re doing very good overall.”
Expenditures total about $55.5 million, or 52% of the budget, slightly above last year but within expectations, Newsome said.
Local revenue collections showed mixed results, with property tax revenue slightly behind last year’s pace, while education local option sales tax revenue is “right on target,” and real estate intangibles and alcohol tax revenue exceeding budget projections.
“We’re in good financial shape halfway through this year,” Newsome said.
Technology Updates
The board approved a motion to make Habersham EMC the school system’s new bandwidth provider. The vote passed without objection. District officials previously discussed the change during the January work session as part of broader technology upgrades.
Board members also unanimously approved the Habersham County Family Connection
fiscal agent designation and acceptance for fiscal year 2027.
Beverly Cynthia Baron, aged 85, passed away on December 29, 2025, in Clarkesville, GA.
Born on September 15, 1940, Beverly dedicated over 30 years of her life to her career as a legal secretary. A graduate of Bryant University, she was known for her unwavering encouragement and belief in the importance of perseverance.
Beverly was deeply family-focused, a trait that resonated in every aspect of her life and endeared her to all who knew her.
She is survived by her loving daughter, Michelle Seidling; son, Jeff Baron; son-in-law, Brian Seidling; daughter-in-law, Kim Baron; and her cherished grandchildren, Sarah, Rachel, Leah, Elijah, and Teagan. She was preceded in death by her husband, Jacob Baron.
Visitation will be held at Sharon Memorial Park Cemetery, 40 Dedham St., Sharon, MA 02067 on Sunday, January 4, 2026, at noon, followed by a graveside funeral service at 12:45 PM the same day.
Teresa Smith Hamilton, age 56 of Cornelia, passed away Saturday, January 10, 2025.
Born in Habersham County on August 27, 1969, Teresa was the daughter of Martha Gragg Hamilton and the late Clyde Hamilton. Teresa worked in home health for many years, and she adored her grandchildren. She enjoyed cooking, camping, and spending time with family. In addition to her father, Teresa is preceded in death by her brothers Charlie Hamilton and David Hamilton.
Survivors include her mother Martha Gragg Hamilton of Cornelia, daughters Erica Hamilton of Mt. Airy, Jessica Chitwood (Benjie) of Clarkesville, Breanna Smith (Matt Grizzle) of Alto and Jessica Kabbes (Kasey) of Baxley, son R. J. Edwards of Mt. Airy, sister Jean Hancock of Clarkesville, twelve grandchildren, special friends Mark Broome and Sherry and Cliff Smith, as well as numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home on Friday, January 16, 2026, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM.
Seth Clark, a former Macon commissioner, has announced his campaign for lieutenant governor. (Photo courtesy of the candidate)
(Georgia Recorder) — Former Macon-Bibb commissioner Seth Clark on Monday became the latest Democrat to enter the race for lieutenant governor.
In an interview, Clark positioned himself as an alternative to the “career state Capitol folks (who) could learn a thing or two from local government,” saying that he is entering the race as a voice for middle Georgia in the state Democratic party. He said he believes having a candidate with geographical diversity will help Democrats in Georgia prevail in November.
“The Georgia Democratic coalition is much bigger than the 10 square miles of Atlanta, Georgia … and the divide between these two Georgias you hear all the time is better served by a Democratic coalition that looks like and is geographically from the state that produced it,” Clark said.
Clark, who stepped down from the commission in early January, said he is entering the race for lieutenant governor now because policies at both the state and federal levels are hurting families financially. As he waited for someone to enter the lieutenant governor’s race who he felt “could step up and speak to the needs” of Georgians, Clark said, he realized that he wanted to run.
“What matters is that these offices have people in them every day that wake up with the interests of their neighbors at heart, and the lieutenant governor’s office does not have that right now, and that office could use the refreshing results that we have seen in local government,” Clark said.
State Sen. Josh McLaurin, a Sandy Springs Democrat who is serving his fourth term in the Georgia Legislature, was the first Democrat to announce in May.
McLaurin welcomed the “late-entering” candidate in a press release Monday, saying that he looks forward to contrasting their records.
“When we need to get hard things done in a partisan arena, Democrats in the state legislature turn to me to deliver,” McLaurin said. “This is not a moment when Democratic voters can or should settle for anything less than a proven fighter.”
Those interested in being on the ballot this fall have until March to decide whether to run. The primary will be held in May, and the winner will go on to face the Republican nominee.
