Baldwin City Council will hold a special called meeting tomorrow night at 6pm at the Municipal Court of Baldwin (155 Willingham Avenue in Baldwin) with a full agenda that includes budget matters, infrastructure updates, and the first formal step in considering a major proposed development by Cook Construction at the northwest corner of Duncan Bridge Road and U.S. 365.

Among the most closely watched items will be the first readings of two ordinances tied to Cook Construction:

• Cook Construction Annexation Ordinance #2026-01183A
• Cook Construction Zoning Ordinance #2026-01184Z

City officials stress that tomorrow’s vote, if one occurs, would not approve the project, but would simply begin the legal and public review process.

What Tomorrow’s Vote Means

Mayor Doug Faust, who was sworn in earlier this month, explained that the vote would represent only a first reading.

“This just means we’re starting to talk about it,” Faust said. “It doesn’t mean it’s been annexed, it doesn’t mean it’s been rezoned, and it doesn’t mean anyone is breaking ground.”

Under Georgia law, annexation and zoning proposals must go through multiple readings and include a public hearing before any final approval can occur.

Former Baldwin City Councilwoman Alice Venter echoed that explanation.

“The first reading is just to explore the possibility,” Venter said. “It’s basically the council saying they’re willing to hear what the developer has to propose. The real decision comes with the second reading.”

What Cook Construction Is Proposing

According to both interviews, Cook Construction has discussed plans that could include:

• Big-box and warehouse retail
• Supporting commercial businesses
• Possible assisted living or nursing home facilities
• Recreational elements

The proposal does not include housing or data centers, which were major concerns in a similar proposal previously rejected in Cornelia.

Mayor Faust believes the project could represent an economic opportunity.

“It’s a large economic development project,” Faust said. “It’s not in our downtown — it’s on the main highway. That gives an opportunity for traffic to be managed and for Baldwin to become more of a regional draw.”

Faust noted that commercial development could help balance the city’s tax base and generate additional sales tax revenue.

Key Concerns: Water, Sewer, and Traffic

Venter, however, expressed significant concerns about Baldwin’s current water and sewer capacity.

“We’re pretty much running at capacity,” she said, adding that Baldwin also experiences more than 40 percent water loss. “Any option is going to take millions of dollars to fix.”

She said future development should require clear plans showing how water and wastewater infrastructure would be funded and improved.

Mayor Faust said the city will rely on engineering studies to determine whether Baldwin can support the project.

“I’m not an engineer,” Faust said. “We’ll have our engineering firm review those calculations. This is a multi-year development process, not something that happens overnight.”

Traffic was another concern raised by both officials. Venter noted that the Duncan Bridge and U.S. 365 intersection is already dangerous and could require major improvements if the project brings hundreds or even thousands of daily workers.

Faust acknowledged traffic challenges and said they would be part of the review process.

Timing and Training Concerns

Venter also urged caution due to the number of relatively new elected officials on council. She plans to recommend that council avoid major policy changes until all new officials complete state-mandated training for newly elected leaders.

Mayor Faust acknowledged the learning curve but emphasized that the process will be deliberate and transparent.

Public Input Encouraged

Both Faust and Venter emphasized that public participation is critical.

“There are lots of questions to be asked,” Faust said. “I hope folks come with an open mind and a desire to learn more.”

Venter said she plans to speak during public comments and encourage residents to stay engaged as the process continues.

Comment from Cook Construction

Habersham News reached out to Cook Construction for comment regarding the annexation and zoning proposals, but did not receive a response prior to our publication deadline. This story will be updated if a response is received.

Other Agenda Items

Tomorrow night’s special called meeting will also include:

• Budget additions for a Code Compliance Officer and School Resource Officer
• Sale of a fire department mini pumper
• Water and wastewater report from City Engineer Fletcher Holliday
• Consideration of a solid waste collection agreement
• First readings of an ethics ordinance and a charter amendment
• Authorization to rebid the wastewater treatment facility solids handling building

Bottom Line

Tomorrow’s meeting does not decide the future of the Cook Construction project. Instead, it marks the beginning of a public, multi-step process that will include further council readings, negotiations, studies, and a public hearing.

For Baldwin residents, the meeting represents an opportunity to begin shaping a conversation that could influence the city’s economic, environmental, and infrastructure future for decades to come.

Tomorrow night, the college football season reaches its grand finale with the CFP National Championship, and while fans across the country will be glued to the screen, Habersham County has two more reasons to watch just as closely.

Alongside the national title game, Habersham News’ CFP College Pick ’Em Contest has officially come down to just two finalists:

🏈 Shane Hunt
🏈 Luke Atwood

Out of everyone who entered, these two survived the chaos, the upsets, the heartbreak, and the busted brackets to stand alone at the top.

When UGA Isn’t There… We Improvise

Let’s be honest — plenty of folks in Habersham were hoping to be cheering for UGA in the championship. But since the Bulldogs aren’t in it this year, we’re offering a local alternative:

👉 Instead of Miami or Indiana…
👉 Cheer for Shane or Luke.

Same passion. Same intensity. Just fewer pads and a lot more pride on the line.

Here’s How It Gets Decided

The stakes are beautifully simple:

• If Indiana wins the National Championship, Luke Atwood wins the Habersham News Pick ’Em Contest outright.
• If Miami wins, the contest won’t be decided immediately — instead, Habersham News will use each finalist’s predicted final score as the tiebreaker to determine whether Shane or Luke claims the title.

So not only does the winner matter… the score might matter just as much.

The Final Drive

Both Shane and Luke have stayed neck-and-neck through the playoffs, proving that predicting college football is equal parts skill, luck, and emotional endurance. Now it all comes down to one last game… and one final set of numbers on the scoreboard.

No pressure or anything.

Who Will Habersham Crown?

So tomorrow night, while the nation crowns a champion, Habersham News will be crowning one too.

Will it be Shane Hunt?
Or will Luke Atwood pull off the final upset?

If you don’t have a dog in the national fight, now you do.

📣 Pick a side. Cheer loud. And enjoy the chaos.

And no matter who wins — we’ll be celebrating both the champion on the field and the champion of Habersham News’ CFP Pick ’Em. 🏆🏈

Emergency crews responded to a commercial fire alarm at the Burger King in Cornelia this morning (Saturday, January 17th) after reports of possible smoke inside the building.

According to Cornelia Fire Chief Jenkins, Cornelia Fire, Baldwin Fire, LACI, and Habersham County Emergency Services Station 5 were dispatched to Burger King, located at 114 Habersham Village Circle. Cornelia Engine 22 was the first unit to arrive on scene and found no visible smoke or fire from the exterior of the building.

Lieutenant Kyle Shelton made contact with the restaurant’s manager, who reported that smoke had been coming from an HVAC vent inside the restaurant. Fire crews investigated the issue and determined the source to be a broken belt in the HVAC unit caused by a mechanical malfunction.

Officials confirmed that no fire was present, no further hazards were identified, and no injuries were reported. Once the issue was addressed, employees were able to safely return to normal business operations.

Fire officials noted that the quick response and investigation ensured the situation remained a minor mechanical incident rather than a larger emergency.

The Cornelia Fire Department reminds businesses and residents that fire alarms should always be taken seriously, as they often provide the earliest warning of potential hazards.

Construction of the Georgia Ports Authority’s (GPA) Blue Ridge Connector (BRC) in Gainesville remains on schedule, with officials confirming the $127 million inland terminal is expected to open in Spring 2026. The project is poised to transform freight movement in Northeast Georgia by providing direct rail service between Gainesville and the Port of Savannah.

Once operational, the 200-acre facility will allow manufacturers and shippers to move goods by double-stack rail service through Norfolk Southern Railway, replacing what is currently a five-hour truck trip. GPA officials estimate the connector could eliminate as many as 400,000 truck trips per year through the Atlanta metro area, easing congestion while improving supply-chain efficiency.

A Major Investment in Northeast Georgia

The Blue Ridge Connector represents a $127 million investment funded by the Georgia Ports Authority. Construction is nearing completion, with Carroll Daniel Construction and Simpson Trucking & Grading serving as key local contractors on the project.

The terminal will feature:

• Six rail tracks
• 14 rubber-tired gantry cranes
• Double-stack container handling capabilities
• Monday–Friday operating schedules

GPA has also begun actively hiring for terminal positions in preparation for opening.

Economic and Environmental Benefits

State and local leaders say the Blue Ridge Connector will strengthen Northeast Georgia’s manufacturing corridor, which includes forest products, food processing, and advanced manufacturing industries.

Key benefits include:

• Supply Chain Efficiency: Door-to-door rail service will streamline shipping and reduce costs.
• Economic Growth: The facility is expected to attract new business investment and support existing employers.
• Environmental Impact: By removing hundreds of thousands of truck trips, the project will significantly cut carbon emissions.
• Reduced Congestion: Shifting freight from highways to rail will help relieve pressure on Atlanta’s already crowded interstates.

Supporting Infrastructure Already in Place

Several supporting road improvements in Hall County, including upgrades to White Sulphur Road and Cagle Road, were completed in Summer 2025 to accommodate increased traffic and improve access to the terminal.

Looking Ahead

With its Spring 2026 opening approaching, the Blue Ridge Connector is quickly becoming one of the most significant logistics projects in Northeast Georgia’s history. Officials say the facility will not only strengthen Georgia’s position as a national logistics leader, but also bring long-term economic and environmental benefits to the region.

As construction moves into its final phases, local leaders and businesses alike are watching closely, anticipating a new era of freight movement and economic opportunity for Gainesville and surrounding communities.

A Baldwin woman was arrested Wednesday afternoon after her 4-year-old son was found walking alone along Willingham Avenue without adult supervision.

According to a press release from the City of Baldwin, Habersham County E-911 received multiple calls at approximately 3:50 p.m. on January 14, 2026, reporting a young child walking by himself on the roadway. Two concerned adults stopped to help and remained with the child at a nearby business until law enforcement arrived.

Officers with the Baldwin Police Department responded and began searching for the child’s guardian. The boy told officers his mother had left him at home to go shopping and that he was trying to find her. He was unable to provide his parents’ full names or describe where he lived, prompting officers to request assistance from the Georgia Department of Family and Children Services (DFCS).

About 30 to 45 minutes later, the child’s mother, Miranda Perry, arrived at the scene looking for her son. Perry told officers the child had left their apartment at the Heritage Garden complex. She stated she had left him at home while she picked up her other children from the bus stop and went to a local clothing store. She also reported that the child’s father, who works night shifts, was asleep inside the apartment and was unaware the child had left.

Following the investigation, Perry was arrested and charged with Reckless Conduct. DFCS assumed responsibility for the child’s welfare and will continue its investigation.

City officials used the incident to remind parents and caregivers that child safety devices such as doorknob covers and latches are not fail-safe and should not replace proper supervision. Authorities also emphasized that if a child is left with a sleeping caregiver, that person must be aware and able to supervise the child.

This incident marks the second recent case in which a child was found on a busy roadway after being left with a sleeping caregiver. Officials noted that no injuries occurred in either situation.

Baldwin Police thanked the citizens who intervened and ensured the child’s safety until help arrived.