Overturned commercial truck catches fire, snarls traffic

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March 14, 2025

John Wood Rollover - 2 — A Habersham County firefighter inspects the cab of the rollover truck while another sprays water on the truck. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)

A commercial box truck overturned on John Wood Road off of GA 15/ U.S. 441 Friday afternoon and caught fire in the Hollywood community. The wreck caused traffic delays on GA 15/ U.S. 441 and Historic 441 as first responders extinguished the flames.

Emergency personnel were dispatched shortly after 3 p.m. in reference to a rollover wreck and a vehicle fire.

According to emergency personnel on the scene, two people escaped the burning vehicle. One person was transported by ambulance to an area hospital with non-life threatening injuries. The second occupant of the vehicle was transported in a private vehicle.

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The section of John Wood Road between Historic 441 and GA 15/U.S. 441 was still closed as of 4:45 p.m. while wrecker crews off loaded the truck in preparation to upright the vehicle. The truck was loaded with steel.

No other vehicles were involved in the accident.

The Georgia State Patrol and the Georgia Motor Carrier Compliance Division are investigating the accident.

This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

Judges appointed to Mountain Circuit Superior Court

By

Joy Purcell

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March 14, 2025

Judges Carlton Hobie Jones and Nichole Carswell — Rabun County Probate Court Judge Carlton "Hobie" Jones and Mountain Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court Judge Nichole Carswell will fill the superior court seats left vacant by the retirement of Chan Caudell and the death of Russell "Rusty" Smith.

Governor Brian Kemp announced the appointment of Judge Nichole Carswell and Judge Carlton “Hobie” Jones III to serve on the Mountain Circuit Superior Court. The appointments are to fill vacancies created by the retirement of Judge Chan Caudell and the late Judge Rusty Smith.

Judge Nichole Carswell currently serves as the juvenile court judge of the Mountain Judicial Circuit and will fill the vacancy created by Judge Caudell’s retirement. Judge Carswell has served in her current role since 2017 and presides over the Mountain Judicial Circuit Family Dependency Treatment Court. Prior to her appointment, she was a partner at McClure, Ramsay, Dickerson & Escoe, LLP in Toccoa where she focused her practice on family law, adoptions, real estate law, probate, appellate law, and general litigation. Carswell earned her B.A. from Middle Tennessee State University and her J.D. from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law.

Judge Carlton “Hobie” Jones III currently serves as the probate judge in Rabun County and will fill the vacancy created by the passing of Judge Smith. Judge Jones has served as probate judge since his election in 2020. Throughout his 39-year career, Judge Jones has held positions as a municipal judge, a state court judge (by special appointment), and a magistrate judge. In 1986, he began his legal career as an associate attorney at Glover and Davis in Newnan and Peachtree City, Georgia. Judge Jones graduated from the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business and School of Law.

In addition to their judicial roles, both Judge Carswell and Judge Jones have served in various roles within the legal community. Judge Carswell and Judge Jones are members of the State Bar of Georgia and the Mountain Judicial Circuit Bar Association.

Julie Anna Griffith

By

Now Habersham

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March 14, 2025

Evans Funeral Home of Jefferson announces the death of Miss Julie Anna Griffith, age 35, of Cornelia, Georgia, who passed away on Thursday, March 13, 2025. Miss Griffith was born in Athens, Georgia, a daughter to Mrs. Lynne Ruth Serpa Griffith of Jefferson and the late Nolan Kent Griffith. Miss Griffith worked at Morris-Wrigley in Flowery Branch, Georgia. Julie was a huge advocate of giving all she could to help any of God’s creatures that were in need.

Survivors include her mother, Lynne Griffith of Jefferson, sisters, Rebecca Treadway and her husband Edgar of Maysville, Terri Patton and her husband Michael of Carnesville; brother, Kenneth Griffith and his fiancé Brianna Noble of Commerce; boyfriend, John Cody Carter of Cornelia and several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.

A Graveside service will be held on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at 3:00 PM in the Honey Creek Woodlands Cemetery in Conyers, Georgia.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in memory of Miss Julie Anna Griffith to the Cornerstone Animal Hospital, 285 Smithville Lane, Alto, Georgia 30510.

Evans Funeral Home, Inc., 1350 Winder Highway, Jefferson, Georgia. 706-367-5467

Online condolences at www.evansfuneralhomeinc.com

Betty Jo Gober: A life poured out in service of others

By

Nora Almazan

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March 14, 2025

There are very few people who didn’t know her or hadn’t been impacted in some way by her kindness and desire to help. Betty Jo Gober lived her life in a manner most humans couldn’t. She understood what it meant to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ and she did it everyday. “Mrs. Betty”, as she was respectfully called by all who knew her, passed away March 11, 2025 at the age of 85, just shy of her 86th birthday June 6, 1939.

Always helping people

“As a child, I remember there was always someone living in our house,” Pastor Greg Gober reflected about his mama. “Her heart was always reaching out to someone having a difficult time, making room, finding a way to give a step up. She lived her life like the Good Samaritan. Mama wanted to give a fresh start to those struggling.”

The Gober family: Felecia, Greg, James Jr., Betty and Earl. (submitted)

Married to James Earl Gober for 58 years, the couple raised three children: Felecia, Greg, and James Jr.

Mrs. Betty grew up in Toccoa, Georgia, with a deep love of God and a desire to serve people. Her large family included 11 grandchildren and 4 great-grand children and countless numbers of children from the community that she loved and nurtured throughout her life.

Gracious and poised

Greg remembers a night they were watching the movie The Help, and Mrs. Betty spoke up, “That was me.”

“We stopped the movie and said, ‘Mama, what do you mean?’,” Greg explained.

Mrs. Betty described what it was like back then. She worked for a family in Toccoa where she cooked, cleaned, and cared for the children. She described herself as more of a mom to the children than their own. Mrs.Betty loved the children she cared for like her own. She wasn’t allowed to eat the food in the house and knew her place in the home.

Greg described his mom as a very gracious and poised woman with no ill-will.

“She just did it. It was how things were and there was no bitterness or anger about it. Her love for the family and the children superseded any negative. Her love for people in general always overcame any obstacles,” Greg expressed.

Flags at half-staff

Mayor of Cornelia John Borrow requested the flags lowered to half-staff in honor of Betty Jo Gober. “Mrs. Betty was one of a kind. Humble, kind, generous, wise, and a visionary. I wanted to fly our flags at half mast as a symbol of mourning and respect for her for all that she did to help Cornelia and beyond,” Mayor Borrow said. “Mrs. Betty put into practice her beliefs, which were rooted in the Bible. Her life serves as an example to us to follow the two greatest commandments – to love God and to love people.”

As the flags fly half staff for Betty Jo Gober, three halos appear in the sky. (submitted)

Beautifully, a picture was taken of the flags flying for Mrs. Betty at half staff, and there appears above them three halos. For those who knew and loved her, the picture is not surprising but appropriate.

Member of Shady Grove Baptist Church

Mrs. Betty, a long-time member of Shady Grove Baptist Church, was widely regarded as a trailblazer who never sought attention for herself but always focused on others. As an employee of Standard Telephone Company (now Windstream), she was one of the first Black women to integrate the company.

Audrey Davenport, a family friend talked about the youth choir Mrs. Betty started. “She helped refine the first and most dynamic youth choir of Shady Grove (of which I was a member); she made certain that we attended practice regularly, which helped us stand proud among other regional youth choirs in the area. As a dedicated and hardworking community pillar and founding member of the Regional African American Museum, Inc., by her heart and hands assured that our published history in Habersham 200 has the most inclusive history of our community, in print to date.”

Betty and her husband Earl of 58 years. (submitted)

Betty Gober Day

The City of Cornelia designated June 6th as Betty Gober Day, a day to honor all that she has done for the community.

Mrs. Betty was an active member of the Wisteria Garden Club and Gold Club, where she held several leadership roles. She mentored elementary students and led Bible studies at local apartment complexes and community centers in Cornelia.

Regularly, Mrs. Betty collected and distributed food at her church’s food pantry and played a key role in launching the Habersham County Mentoring Program and was a major contributor to the Northeast Georgia Peace Council.

For over 20 years, she organized and participated in the National Day of Prayer in Habersham County.

It was apparent by all who knew her that she wanted the best for everyone in the community and saw the best in everyone.

A servant of Christ

Garry Chisolm, a life-long friend of the Gober family, wrote, “She (Mrs. Betty) loved God with every fiber of her being. Not just in words, but in action. She embodied what it meant to be a servant of Christ. She didn’t just talk about faith she lived it. And if you ever needed a reminder of what it meant to trust God, Betty had a way of giving it to you straight, with that soft but firm tone of hers. She could be gentle as a breeze, but if you were acting up or needed correction, she could get as stern as a Sunday morning sermon. And you would listen.”

Mrs. Betty loved teaching and studying the Bible. (submitted)

“My mom cracked the code to what it meant to be great in God’s Kingdom,” Greg added. “She loved up close and modeled an authentic faith.”

As the community celebrates the outstanding life of Betty Jo Gober, her pure heart and giving spirit remains in the people she helped, loved, and served.

Betty Jo Gober did indeed make the world a better place.

Arrangements

McGahee-Griffin & McEntire Funeral Home of Cornelia, Georgia, is in charge of arrangements. You can direct questions by calling 706-778-8668. An online guest register is available.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 16, 2025, at The Torch Worship Center, located at 800 Cannon Bridge Rd, Demorest, GA.

Interment will be in Level Grove Cemetery at a later time.

Receiving of family and friends will be held from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at Shady Grove Baptist Church, located at 226 M.L.K. Jr Drive in Cornelia, GA.

Hart County man faces human trafficking charges

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Brian Wellmeier

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March 14, 2025

A man was taken into custody in Hall County earlier this week for his alleged involvement in human trafficking and sexual relations with a minor, according to the GBI.

Reed Skelton, 26, of Hart County, has been arrested and charged with trafficking of persons for sexual servitude, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) announced Friday, March 14.

The arrest follows an investigation into a human trafficking case that originated in Fulton County, according to authorities, after the Hart County Sheriff’s Office requested the GBI’s assistance in the investigation.

According to the GBI, the investigation revealed that in the fall of 2024, Skelton allegedly initiated contact with a minor through social media. Police say Skelton traveled to Fulton County with the express purpose of meeting the minor, and that he allegedly transported the minor to a hotel in Fulton. There, he allegedly paid for sexual acts, according to authorities.

Skelton was apprehended in Hall County and booked into the Hall County Jail.

The case involved collaboration between the GBI, Cobb County Police Department, Hart County Sheriff’s Office, Hall County Sheriff’s Office, Gainesville Police Department, Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol and the Georgia Attorney General’s Office.

The investigation is ongoing.

‘Fish or cut bait.’ A month remains before potential buyback on business park lots

By

Brian Wellmeier

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March 14, 2025

Habersham Development Authority — Habersham County Development Authority (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)

The Habersham County Development Authority is increasing pressure on a developer who purchased two lots in the Airport Business Park, demanding that they either begin construction or potentially return the properties within around 30 days.

The parcels, located on prime real estate in the park, have sat idle for over two years despite initial plans for development.

About two years ago, the Hutchinson organization acquired lots five and seven in the Airport Business Park for $45,000 per usable acre, totaling 12 usable acres. Now, more than 27 months have passed with no visible progress, prompting the development authority to consider reclaiming the land at its next meeting in April.

Scott Hutchinson could not be immediately reached for comment.

If the authority decides to take action, it may involve repurchasing the land for $500,000—an outcome board members have expressed a desire to avoid.

During Habersham County’s Development Authority meeting Thursday, March 13, Executive Director of Partnership Habersham Charlie Fiveash confirmed a letter had been sent to the developer, who has allegedly indicated plans to build a “smaller building” than initially proposed.

“Those are some empty promises at this point,” Fiveash said. “…he has officially been put on notice. We’ll see how he responds, and then we’ll proceed – whether he wants to sell those sites back to the authority. Do we really want to burn our cash? Because those are two fairly sizable tracts. We always have to remember what our end game is. It’s not to sell sites. It’s for capital investment here within the community – that means jobs creation, capital investment and balancing our tax base.”

Habersham County Development Authority Chairman Jim Butterworth echoed those concerns, stating he’d heard the developer had perhaps offered the properties for a higher price to a potential buyer – a likely violation of the agreement made with the authority.

“That’s inappropriate,” Butterworth said. “We’d have first right of refusal. It can’t be sold for a profit after coming to an agreement that there’s going to be sites and structures built on it, and then 28-29 months later sold for a profit … it’s time to fish or cut bait.”

Officials said during the meeting additional covenants could come in phase II of the business park to prevent such issues in the future.

Before entering executive session, Butterworth said he’s hoping for progress on the properties in the next 30 days – as opposed to a potential buyback, which officials would rather avoid at this point in the deal.

“We want to get some activity going,” Butterworth said. “The idea is to build structures and create jobs and increase the tax base. That’s the goal.”

Banks County offers peer support for first responders

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Staff Report

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March 14, 2025

As first responders, Banks County Sheriff’s Office (BCSO) personnel face balancing the demands of 24/7 law enforcement service with the stressors of the job.

To address these challenges, the BCSO has implemented a peer counseling and chaplain program, providing vital support for their deputies and detention officers.

The program offers a valuable resource for BCSO members, allowing them to access help from a certified chaplain or peer counselor whenever they need it.

Peer support helps build mental and emotional resilience, empowering personnel to navigate the emotional toll that can come with their work.

Currently, BCSO is supported by three chaplains and one peer counselor, with additional resources available through the Georgia Office of Public Safety Support.

Deputies and detention officers benefit from the program knowing that the chaplains and peer counselors not only understand the challenges of law enforcement but actively serve in the same capacity.

The deputies who take on the role of chaplain or peer support counselor do so out of a passion for serving their colleagues and helping them cope with the stresses of the job.

While the chaplain and peer counselor roles are not primary positions, deputies undergo extensive training to earn certification. Each BCSO chaplain completes accredited training from the Georgia Sheriff’s Association, which includes six online courses, a 20-hour in-person basic certification course, and specialized training in peer support for distressed individuals.

Peer counselors also undergo a variety of specialized training. Corporal Burns, a BCSO Peer Counselor, has completed courses such as the Georgia Resiliency Program, Crisis Intervention Team (CIT), Mental Health First Aid, and basic Peer Support Certification.

Unlike many other law enforcement agencies that rely on outside personnel, BCSO has found it more effective to provide support through its own team, ensuring that those who understand the daily struggles of law enforcement are there to help.

Supporters, opponents of Kemp’s lawsuit legislation overhaul ratchet up pressure at Georgia Capitol

By

Maya Homan

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March 14, 2025

tort reform hearings — Michael Rosemary (left) said hotel employees ignored signs she was a sex trafficking victim and is arguing against legislation to limit lawsuit awards. Charles Tarbutton, a Sandersville trucking company CEO, said he speaks for the little guy who is getting hurt by large jury damage awards. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)

(Georgia Recorder) – With fewer than 10 legislative days to go until the gavel falls to send state lawmakers home on April 4, pressure is mounting on both sides of the fight over the future of Georgia’s civil litigation landscape.

Although Senate Bill 68, the omnibus lawsuit overhaul bill backed by Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, passed quickly through the state Senate, it has languished in the House Rules Subcommittee on Lawsuit Reform, a sign that the bill’s proponents in the House are still working to gain the support needed to ensure its passage.

The special subcommittee has held four separate hearings on the bill over the past two weeks, each featuring hours of public testimony, but lawmakers adjourned Wednesday without voting on the legislation. A companion bill with more bipartisan support, Senate Bill 69, has yet to be heard in the committee.

And as the end of session draws nearer, both supporters and opponents of the bill are getting organized, sending letters to lawmakers, providing testimony in committee and holding press conferences at the Georgia Capitol in an effort to plead their case to state lawmakers.

At a Thursday morning press conference held on the north steps of the Capitol building — a prominent location usually reserved solely through the governor’s office — business executives from across Georgia gathered to trumpet their support for the bill. Representatives spanning industries like manufacturing, agriculture, health care and trucking spoke about the growing cost of doing business in Georgia, arguing that large jury settlements and baseless lawsuits were leading to inflated insurance premiums that threatened their prosperity.

Charles Tarbutton. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)

“Georgia’s trucking companies are being run off of the proverbial road by Georgia’s imbalanced civil justice system,” said Charles Tarbutton, the president and CEO of the Sandersville-based trucking company B-H Transfer, adding that his company was currently facing a dozen lawsuits.

“I’ve heard many times over the last several weeks, ‘this is really about big corporations versus the little guy,’” Tarbutton continued. “I urge the members of the House to reject that fallacy. I speak on behalf of those 75,000 truck drivers in Georgia. We are the little guys.”

Kemp has previously argued that sweeping policy changes are needed to bring down insurance costs for businesses throughout the state, vowing to bring back lawmakers for a special session if he felt they came up short in delivering “meaningful, impactful” changes. A top Kemp aide also appeared on the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia talk show before the bill appeared on the Senate floor, threatening to use the governor’s substantial leadership committee campaign war chest to back primary challengers for any Republicans who voted against the bill or supported “unfriendly amendments.”

But at a second press conference Thursday, held later that same day on the opposite side of the building, members of the growing opposition to SB 68 voiced their objections, arguing that the legislation would restrict survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking from being able to hold bad actors accountable.

Michael Rosemary. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)

“Noticing and acting are two very different things,” said Michael Rosemary, a human trafficking survivor and activist who said hotel employees actively ignored the abuse she endured at the hands of her pimp.

Hotels like the one where she was abused, she added, “were complicit, and that makes them responsible. This bill would allow these very businesses to walk away without any consequences. It would take away one of the only forms of justice survivors have left: The ability to hold these businesses that enabled our abuse accountable.”

Victims’ advocates also raised concern about a provision that would allow trials to be bifurcated, or split into multiple stages, arguing that it would be retraumatizing for survivors of violence and abuse to have to provide testimony multiple times. They also urged lawmakers to add an amendment to the bill that would carve out a few exemptions for survivors of sexual abuse and human trafficking, as well as for children and elderly plaintiffs.

Despite the uncertainty, House Speaker Jon Burns, a Newington Republican, said he expects to see a vote on the bill in a committee meeting next week.

“We’re doing exactly what we said we would do,” Burns said when asked about the delay in passing SB 68. “We do what the House does when a bill comes over from the Senate: we’re speaking to the Senate, we’re speaking to the governor. We’re ensuring that we have all the information on the table.”

Gainesville mourns loss of longtime councilman

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Staff Report

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March 14, 2025

The city of Gainesville is mourning the loss of Robert “Bob” L. Hamrick Sr. – the longest-serving member of the Gainesville City Council. Hamrick, who served on council for 46 years, died on Monday, March 10 at the age of 96.

With prior service as both mayor and council member, Hamrick’s leadership spanned from 1970 to 2015. His tenure included multiple terms as mayor from 1973 to 2007.

Under Hamrick’s guidance, Gainesville saw progress in becoming one of the first cities to earn a spot on the Georgia Municipal Association (GMA) and Georgia Trend Magazine’s joint Cities of Excellence list.

The city also received the prestigious GMA Trendsetter Award. Additionally, Gainesville was granted Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) designation by the Federal Office of Management and Budget. By 2015, under Hamrick’s leadership, Gainesville had become the fourth-fastest-growing MSA in the United States, with over 77,000 people employed by numerous Fortune 500 companies in the area.

In recognition of his dedication to public service, the city’s departments thrived under Hamrick’s leadership, earning multiple accolades.

Notable achievements include the Gainesville Police Department’s national accreditation since 1993, the Gainesville Fire Department’s Class II ISO insurance rating, and the Gainesville Housing Division’s Magnolia Award of Excellence. Other honors include awards for the revitalization of downtown through Main Street Gainesville, along with recognition for the city’s water systems and senior services.

Even after retiring, Hamrick remained deeply involved in the city’s ongoing development, continuing to serve on various boards and committees.

City officials said Hamrick’s contributions to Gainesville shaped the city into what it is today, and his passing marks the loss of a beloved leader.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, March 14, at Gainesville First United Methodist Church, with a reception to follow in the Gathering Room. The community is invited to join in honoring his memory and celebrating his incredible life of service.

AAA offers free rides, tows to drivers on St. Patrick’s Day

By

Staff Report

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March 14, 2025

Traffic/gas prices — (Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham)

As St. Patrick’s Day weekend approaches, AAA is once again activating its Tow to Go program to help ensure the public’s safety and prevent impaired driving.
From 6 p.m. Friday, March 14, to 6 a.m. Tuesday, March 18, Tow to Go will be available in select states.

The service offers a free, confidential ride for impaired drivers and their vehicles, providing transportation to a safe location within a 10-mile radius.

For over 25 years, AAA has been offering the Tow to Go program, removing nearly 30,000 impaired drivers from the roads since its inception. The initiative serves as a vital safety net during major holidays, including St. Patrick’s Day, which is one of the deadliest holidays on U.S. roadways, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

In 2020 alone, over 11,000 lives were lost in drunk-driving crashes, many of which could have been avoided with a safe ride home.

“We take pride in being the last line of defense, shielding lives by preventing impaired driving,” AAA spokeswoman Montrae Waiters said. “AAA remains committed to educating the public that it’s important to find a safe ride home before drinking alcohol or taking drugs. Honestly, we want to make sure nobody’s left guessing if they’re clear-headed enough to hit the road.”

Tow to Go is free and available to both AAA members and non-members, but AAA encourages using the service as a last resort. The program operates in the following states: Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, North Dakota, Nebraska, Tennessee, Wisconsin, Colorado (Denver), North Carolina (Charlotte), and Indiana (Fort Wayne/South Bend).

To request a Tow to Go ride, drivers should call (855) 2-TOW-2-GO or (855) 286-9246. The program is confidential, but it’s important to note that it’s not intended for pre-scheduled rides. Tow to Go is designed to serve those who didn’t plan ahead and need a safe option to avoid impaired driving.

While the service is available in many areas, it may not be operational in rural regions or during severe weather conditions. AAA reminds everyone to always choose a designated driver before celebrating.

For more information about Tow to Go and to ensure a safe ride home, visit AAA’s website or call the Tow to Go hotline.

Contact:

Tow to Go Hotline: (855) 2-TOW-2-GO
Dates of Service: March 14th at 6 p.m. – March 18th at 6 a.m.

Habersham Central students honored for success

By

Staff Report

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March 14, 2025

Raider Scholars and Academic Lettermen (1) — Habersham Central Raider Scholars and Academic Lettermen were recognized for outstanding academic performance (Habersham County School System)

Habersham Central High School recently celebrated the achievements of its Raider Scholars and Academic Lettermen at a special ceremony held at the school’s Performing Arts Center.

The event marked the 20th Anniversary of the Academic Excellence Program, which has recognized students for their exceptional academic performance over the years.

During the event, Habersham Central Principal Adam Bagwell addressed the students, recognizing their hard work and dedication, as they received their awards from Sylvia Hoard, President of the Academic Booster Club.

The following students earned the prestigious Raider Scholar Award for maintaining a semester average of 95 or above for three semesters: Sharon Abanggan, Mackenzie Adams, Angel Aguilar, Jared Aguilar, Antonella Aguilera Nolasco, Jesus Aguilera Villalobos, James Aguirre, Anna Anastasio, Jennifer Andres Juan, Paige Antley, Mallory Armour, Maya Ballard, Kira Borton, Romeo Bowen, Hayden Brewer, Caleb Broome, Cayden Buck, Alice Bugulrow, Alexandria Carroll, Isabella Casanova, Ava Cash, Landon Chambers, David Clark, Isai Cordova, Mikayla Crandall, Kira Crews, Cosmo Crews, Jacob Cross, Layleigh Crowe, Dylan Davis, Evelyn Davis, Natalie Dees, Ally Dover, Megan Eash, Tristan Farr, Emila Fedun, Margarita Flores, Katelyn Gailey, Kaleb Gallagher, Tia Garrett-Lemaster, Arisbey Garrido, Angie Garrido Rivera, Alexa Gasca, William Good, Makenzie Gosnell, Yuliet Guzman, Noah Harkins, Adalyn Hawkins, Giovanni Herrera-Resendiz, Lacey Hicks, Brice Hope, Elijah Hornsby, Jaron Horton, Caroline Horton, Micah Huff, Oaklee Jackson, Reagan Nicole Jones, Evelyn Juhasz, Emma Keegan, Emmie Kyle, Emilee Lance, Collen Land, Tatiana Lara, Jared Linares, Maria Lopez, Marely Mares Chavez, Emely Martinez, Gage Massey, Eli Maye, Luke McDowell, Karalyne McEntire, Consuelo Miguel Andres, Margarita Miguel Juan, Sayden Mincey, Andrew Murphy, Camden Nash, Dacie Nash, Merrick Nations, Kayla Nifong, Bryce Nix, Kailey Otero Bravo, Dawson Pulliam, Jacob Ramirez, Titania Ramirez, Allan Ramos, Ryan Rennels, Lizahayek Reyes, Connor Rice, Marisol Ruiz Bravo, Ava Saxon, Addison Shubert, Jonathon Simmons, Kaden Smith, Charlotte Smith, Ellie Smith, Evan Smith, Zoey Sosebee, Gensie Star, Jillian Tedder, Olivia Terrell, Caylin Tucker, Daytona Underwood, Kamdyn Vandergriff, Diana Vega, Jackson Vonier, Keragan Way, Ethan Wheeler, James Wilbanks, Myra Wilbanks, Mason Witt, Parks York, and Jacob Ziemba.

Additionally, the following students received the Academic Letter Award for maintaining a semester average of 95 or above for four semesters: Verenice Aguilar Ortega, Jade Ballesteros, Sophia Blackburn, Andrew Burns, Jackson Butterworth, Leah Cantrell, Isabelle Cummings, Madison Garrett, Justus Gober, Montserrat Guerrero Contreras, Gracilyn Hart, Corie Jones, Kelly Martinez, Timmy McDuffie, Skye Medley, Jake Mihalick, Rafael Navarrete Flores, Jozlynne Powell, Willow Spalding, Ashlee Tackett, Jackson Thomson, and Cadence Wheeler.

Fifth semester service bars were awarded to: Kaleb Adams, Payton Adams, Zachary Baker, Brayden Kreed Barrett, Benjamin Blackwell, Kenzielynn Bodiford, Brooks Brown, Ruthie Bugulrow, Sawyer Burgess, Kelsie Campbell, Evie Carswell, Addie Caudell, and Kaylee.

School officials considered the ceremony a fitting tribute to the hard work and academic excellence of Habersham Central’s outstanding students.

Lunar eclipse dazzles North Georgia

By

Tyler Penland

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March 14, 2025

The first lunar eclipse since 2022 dazzled North Georgians overnight. With totality from 2:30 to 3:30 in the morning, you had to be a night owl to catch it.

Locals from all across the region and other parts of the country shared their photos with us on Facebook during the event as Now Habersham’s Tyler Penland shared some taken from his telescope.

We hope everyone that got to see the eclipse enjoyed it! The next will come in November of next year!