Habersham EMC crews are responding to scattered power outages today as high winds move through the area.

Utility officials say crews are actively working to assess damage and restore service as quickly and safely as possible. Residents are reminded to stay away from downed power lines and to report any outages or hazardous conditions through HEMC’s official channels.

HEMC thanked members for their patience and understanding as restoration efforts continue and encouraged everyone to remain cautious during windy conditions.

Updates will be provided as work progresses.

Residents in the south end of Habersham County may experience little to no water pressure following an unexpected water main break, according to local officials.

The affected areas may include:

• Crane Mill Road
• Mud Creek
• King Road
• Underwood Road
• Mount Zion Road (west of U.S. 365)
• Alonzo Wade Road

Crews are currently on site and working to repair the break as quickly as possible. Until repairs are completed, customers in these areas may notice reduced pressure or temporary service interruptions.

Officials acknowledged the disruption and expressed appreciation for the public’s patience as crews work to restore normal service.

“We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and truly appreciate your patience and understanding,” the notice stated. “We understand that this can be quite an inconvenience, and we thank you for your cooperation during this time.”

No estimated time for full restoration has been announced at this point. Residents are encouraged to limit non-essential water use until service is fully restored.

As 2025 comes to a close, the start of a new year brings with it a fresh slate, a new beginning, and an opportunity to set new goals. Whether it’s personal growth, a new skill, or a change in routine, the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions is a way to reflect, plan, and look ahead with excitement.

But resolutions aren’t just about setting lofty goals or making big changes — they’re about making small, meaningful shifts that improve our lives. And everyone’s resolutions are unique! That’s why we want to hear from you. What are you planning to focus on in 2026?

Why Share Your Resolution?

Sharing your New Year’s resolution can be motivating. It’s a way to hold yourself accountable, connect with others who have similar goals, and inspire those around you. Plus, it can be fun to see how different people approach the new year, and sometimes, someone’s idea might spark your own.

Types of Resolutions People Make

• Personal Growth: This could be anything from learning something new, reading more books, or focusing on mental health. Many people choose to prioritize their well-being in the new year.
• Health & Fitness: This is a popular one! It might be to exercise more, eat healthier, or simply get enough sleep.
• Skills & Hobbies: Maybe you want to pick up a new hobby like painting, coding, or learning an instrument. Resolutions don’t always have to be about changing habits — they can be about discovering new things about yourself.
• Career or Academic Goals: Perhaps you want to level up in school or your job, like getting better grades or improving your work-life balance.
• Travel & Adventure: For some, a resolution might be as simple as exploring new places or planning an exciting trip.

Share Your Resolution with Us!

We want to hear from you! What’s your New Year’s resolution for 2026? Are you aiming to develop a new skill? Focus on your health? Or maybe just take things one day at a time?

Drop a comment, share a post, or start a conversation with friends and family about the goals you’re setting for yourself. Let’s inspire each other to start 2026 strong and achieve the things that matter most to us.

As the year draws to a close, take a moment to reflect. What are the things you want to leave behind in 2025, and what do you want to carry forward into the new year? Whatever your resolution is, remember that progress is progress — no matter how big or small.

Here’s to a fresh start, new challenges, and exciting opportunities in 2026! 🎉

From the very beginning, Habersham News was built with one goal in mind: to serve our community with local stories, local voices, and local pride. Today, we’re proud to share a milestone that belongs to you just as much as it does to us.

We’ve officially reached 1,000 followers on Facebook.

That number represents neighbors staying informed, families sharing stories, and a community choosing to support local news. Whether you’ve liked a post, shared an article, sent us a tip, or simply read along—thank you. Your support helps ensure that Habersham County continues to have a strong, independent local news source.

Help Us Keep Growing 🌱

If you enjoy what we do, we have one simple favor to ask:

➡️ Share our Facebook page with your friends and family.
A quick share or personal recommendation goes a long way in helping Habersham News reach more readers who care about what’s happening right here at home.

The more people who follow and engage with Habersham News, the more local stories we can tell—and the stronger our community voice becomes.

Thank you again for being part of this journey. We’re just getting started.

— Habersham News

(ATLANTA, GA) – Georgia State Patrol Troopers and Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Officers are urging motorists to prioritize safe driving during the upcoming Christmas and New Year’s holiday travel periods. High-visibility patrols will be conducted statewide on interstates and state routes to help reduce crashes and fatalities.

The Christmas travel period begins Wednesday, December 24, at 6:00 p.m. and ends Sunday, December 28, at 11:59 p.m. The New Year’s holiday travel period runs from Wednesday, December 31, at 6:00 p.m. through Sunday, January 4, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Each travel period lasts 102 hours.

“State Troopers and Officers remain committed to enforcing Georgia’s traffic laws and addressing unsafe driving behaviors that can lead to serious injuries or fatal crashes,” said Colonel William W. Hitchens, III, Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety. “We urge all motorists to make safety their top priority when traveling on Georgia’s roadways.”

During the 2024 Christmas holiday travel period, five fatalities were reported statewide. The Georgia State Patrol investigated 186 crashes, resulting in nearly 72 injuries and three fatalities. During the 2024–25 New Year’s holiday travel period, five fatalities occurred statewide, with the Georgia State Patrol investigating 271 crashes, leading to approximately 118 injuries and four of the five fatalities.

Motorists are reminded to plan ahead if holiday celebrations include alcohol by arranging a sober ride with a designated driver, taxi, rideshare service, or trusted friend or family member. “Driving sober, staying alert, and obeying traffic laws are essential,” said Colonel Hitchens. “Plan ahead for a sober ride home—because impaired drivers will be arrested.”

AAA projects 109.5 million Americans will travel by car for year-end trips this holiday season, a 2% increase over last year, with 89% of travelers choosing to drive.

The Habersham County Sheriff’s Office responded with Habersham County Emergency Services units Monday, December 15, 2025, to a wreck that resulted in a fatality outside Demorest.

The single-vehicle wreck was reported at 10:44 a.m. in the area of Twin Peaks Drive and Habersham Mills Road.

The Habersham County Coroner’s Office has released the identity of the man who died in a traffic accident last week. Kenneth “Vamp” Burton, 72, of Clarkesville, was killed in the crash.

The incident occurred Dec. 15 on Twin Peaks Drive near Habersham Mills Road outside Demorest. Emergency responders were called to the scene shortly before 11 a.m. after reports that a vehicle had left the roadway and struck a tree.

Local law enforcement agencies and the Georgia State Patrol responded to the crash. Authorities said Burton was pronounced dead at the scene.

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One person suffered serious injuries in a wreck Thursday, December 18, 2025, on Camp Creek Road near Wilson Road outside Cornelia.

The two-vehicle wreck in front of the City of Cornelia water treatment plant was reported at 3:52 p.m.

The wreck resulted in the closure of Camp Creek Road until just after 5:30 p.m.

Habersham News has contacted the Georgia State Patrol for more details and will follow up on this story once more information is available.

HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — Longstanding concerns about the future of the Habersham County landfill have eased after a recent report confirmed the facility now has capacity through May of 2048, significantly extending earlier projections that suggested only about a decade of remaining space.

Habersham County Manager Tim Sims said the extended lifespan is largely the result of improved daily operations at the landfill, particularly more consistent use of compacting equipment. For several years following the retirement of the landfill’s longtime superintendent, trash compaction was not occurring throughout the entire day, which reduced efficiency and caused the landfill to fill more quickly.

Under new landfill director Johnny Victor, county officials have made sure the compactor is running for most of the time the landfill is open. That change has dramatically increased compaction rates, allowing waste to take up less space and extending the usable life of the site.

Staffing improvements have also played a role. The county added two additional workers to ensure equipment can operate consistently throughout the day, addressing earlier staffing shortages that limited compaction operations.

Another major factor in extending the landfill’s lifespan was the county’s decision to stop accepting construction and demolition (C&D) debris. That material had previously been diverted into the municipal solid waste portion of the landfill after a separate C&D area filled up, accelerating the landfill’s overall capacity loss. Ending acceptance of that debris has slowed the rate at which space is consumed.

To address the need for C&D disposal, a private company is developing a construction and demolition transfer station at the former pulp mill site along Alto Mud Creek Road. Once operational, debris will be sorted for recycling at that location and then transported to an off-site landfill, rather than entering the Habersham County landfill.

Sims also addressed questions about a previously permitted waste-reduction operation along the Nancy Town Road and Welcome Home Road area. That facility has since been shut down by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division after failing to operate within the limits of its permit. Cleanup and enforcement at that site are being handled by the state, not the county.

According to the landfill capacity report received in November, the improved practices and operational changes have extended the landfill’s projected lifespan by approximately 19 years, pushing its expected closure date to May 2048.

County officials say continued attention to daily operations, staffing, and waste management policies will be essential to maintaining that timeline.

The Habersham County Chamber of Commerce has announced Candice Holcomb as its new president, following a comprehensive search process conducted by the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

According to Chamber leadership, an interview panel made up of business and community leaders from across Habersham County, along with current board members, conducted interviews over a three-week period. The board ultimately reached a unanimous decision to select Holcomb for the role.

Holcomb brings more than two decades of experience in nonprofit leadership, community engagement, and strategic relationship-building. Most recently, she served as President and CEO of Georgia Foothills United Way, where she led a multi-county organization serving Habersham, Stephens, and Rabun counties. In that position, she worked closely with business leaders, educators, nonprofit partners, volunteers, and donors to strengthen collaboration and drive long-term community impact.

Throughout her career, Holcomb has developed a reputation for fostering strong and authentic relationships, a skill Chamber leaders say aligns closely with the organization’s mission. Her work at United Way focused on connecting people and resources, building partnerships rooted in trust, communication, and shared goals.

Holcomb said those same values will guide her work at the Chamber as she steps into the new role.

With more than 20 years of experience spanning leadership, marketing, and community engagement, Holcomb is well known throughout Habersham County for her collaborative approach and commitment to the region. She has worked alongside local businesses, civic organizations, and community leaders to support economic growth, encourage innovation, and strengthen the local business environment.

As president of the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce, Holcomb will focus on advocating for local businesses, enhancing member engagement, supporting economic development initiatives, and continuing to build strong relationships that contribute to a thriving business community.

Her connection to Habersham County is both personal and longstanding. Holcomb has lived in the county for more than 20 years, and her husband, Justin, is a lifelong resident. Together, they have raised their family in Habersham County and remain deeply invested in the community.

Chamber Board Chairman Tommy Thurmond thanked stakeholders for their continued support of the organization and expressed confidence in Holcomb’s leadership as she begins her tenure.