Habersham County Emergency Services responded to a residential structure fire early this morning at approximately 3:58 a.m.Harris Street in Mt. Airy during C Shift operations.

Multiple units were dispatched to the scene, including Engines 5, 12, 13, and 14, Cornelia Fire Department Engine 22, and Med Units 02 and 12. LACI was also dispatched but did not respond.

Upon arrival, first-due units found an approximately 1,000-square-foot, single-story residence with an estimated 80–90% fire involvement. Fire crews initially deployed attack lines and began defensive operations from the exterior due to fire conditions and a roof collapse, which is believed to have occurred prior to the arrival of emergency personnel.

Once conditions were deemed safe, crews transitioned to interior firefighting operations. A thorough search of the structure was completed, and no victims were found. All occupants of the residence were accounted for.

Firefighters were able to quickly achieve knockdown of the main body of fire and began overhaul operations. Crews will remain on scene throughout the morning addressing hot spots and completing overhaul. Due to the anticipated extended scene time, personnel are being rotated as needed.

The Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene and has assumed responsibility for the fire investigation.

At this time, no injuries to civilians or emergency personnel have been reported. The cause of the fire remains under investigation

MT. AIRY, Ga. — Fire crews responded to a residential structure fire early Tuesday morning that caused extensive damage to a home on Harris Street and displaced its occupants during subfreezing temperatures.

The fire was reported just before 4 a.m. on January 13, prompting a response from more than 20 firefighters with Habersham County Emergency Services and the Cornelia Fire Department.

When crews arrived, there were initial concerns that someone might still be inside the residence. Officials later confirmed the home was unoccupied at the time of the fire.

Firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control while battling freezing conditions. The home suffered heavy damage as crews conducted suppression and overhaul operations.

At this time, no official information has been released regarding injuries, the cause of the fire, or the number of individuals displaced. Investigations are being conducted by Habersham County Emergency Services and the Georgia State Fire Marshal’s Office.

This story remains under investigation and will be updated as more confirmed details become available.

Time is running out for residents to secure a seat at the premiere of Habersham History’s newest documentary, “Flying High: The Story of the Habersham County Airport.”

The film will premiere on January 15, 2026, at The Common Ground in Cornelia. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m., with the premiere screening beginning promptly at 6:00 p.m. The documentary has a total run time of 33 minutes.

How to RSVP

Attendance is limited, and those wishing to attend must RSVP in advance. To reserve your spot, send an email to:

info@habershamhistory.org

In your email, please include the number of tickets you would like to reserve. Reservations will be confirmed by Habersham History while space remains available.

Produced by Habersham History, the film explores the origins, growth, and lasting impact of the Habersham County Airport — a facility that has played a vital role in the county’s development, emergency services, business growth, and community identity.

A trailer for the documentary is now available on YouTube and is already generating excitement among aviation enthusiasts, history lovers, and longtime residents. You can watch the trailer here:
👉 https://youtu.be/t2whFe259Bo

Habersham History officials encourage anyone interested in local history, aviation, or community storytelling to register now before remaining spots are filled. The premiere will offer viewers a first look at rare photographs, archival footage, and firsthand accounts that bring the airport’s story to life.

“This documentary is about more than just an airport,” organizers say. “It’s about the people, the progress, and the pride that helped shape Habersham County.”

Those who plan to attend are urged to sign up as soon as possible, as registration will close soon.

A recent blood drive in Habersham County is helping ensure that critical, life-saving care can begin even before patients reach the hospital.

Jennifer Davis, a nurse and paramedic with Air Methods, explained that the medical helicopter based at the Habersham County Airport carries packed red blood cells and plasma onboard so crews can begin treatment immediately at emergency scenes.

“We carry life-saving blood on our helicopter,” Davis said. “So we try to participate in blood drives about once a quarter. When people donate here, those units come right back to this area — they could be saving your neighbor’s life, or even someone in your own family.”

Air Methods works with a blood collection group based in Gainesville, ensuring that donations made locally remain available for patients in Northeast Georgia.

Davis emphasized that early access to blood products can make a critical difference for trauma patients. “We give it to patients on scene, before they ever get to the hospital. Sometimes that early treatment is what saves their life,” she said.

The Habersham-based helicopter crew consists of a pilot, a nurse, and a paramedic, operating daily from their hangar at the county airport. While Davis doesn’t fly the helicopter herself, she rides as part of the medical team providing care to patients during emergency transports.

The current blood drive is nearing completion, but Davis said the next drive is expected in April, and she hopes to continue hosting them in high-visibility locations to encourage more community participation.

“This is a great area for us to do it,” she said. “When we’re here, people can see us, ask questions, and learn how their donation helps.”

Davis also noted she plans to share upcoming flyers so the community can stay informed about future opportunities to donate.

Habersham County residents interested in giving blood are encouraged to watch for announcements and consider participating in the next drive — a simple donation that could one day help save a life in their own community.

Heavy rainfall has caused water levels to rise dramatically at Mark of the Potter in Clarkesville, leaving nearby creeks overflowing and creating eye-catching scenes for staff and visitors alike.

In a post shared on the shop’s Facebook page, staff joked that their trout were “wearing snorkels,” as water rushed through the area behind the iconic pottery shop. The creek behind the property and the ditch across the road were both flowing heavily, joining the already-swollen Soque River in showing just how much rain had fallen.

“Our staff came to work with waterwings over their winter coats just to get these photos,” the post read, highlighting both the unusual conditions and the lighthearted spirit of the team.

For safety, Mark of the Potter officials said staff members are adjusting work schedules due to the high water and encouraged the public to remain cautious as wet conditions continue.

Despite the flooding, the message ended on a caring note, with staff expressing hopes that everyone in the community remains safe during the heavy rains.

The rising waters serve as another reminder of how quickly local waterways can change during periods of intense rainfall, especially in scenic but flood-prone areas like the Soque River corridor.

RALEIGH, N.C. – Piedmont softball head coach Terry Martin has been honored as the 2026 recipient of the Beyond the Spotlight Legacy Achievement Award.

The award is given out in partnership with the  King and his Court Historical Preservation Foundation and the Triangle Collegiate Softball Classic Foundation.

This award is presented annually to Division III coaches, players, and volunteers who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, sportsmanship, and commitment to the sport of softball. Recipients embody the values of dedication and commitment – the two fundamental pillars that led to King & His Court’s legacy status as the “King of Softball” and brought them worldwide recognition. These same pillars serve as the criteria for selecting award recipients, honoring those who have left a lasting positive impact on the sport.

Martin, the longest-serving head coach in Piedmont Athletics history, will begin his 28th season leading the Piedmont softball program this spring. Over nearly three decades, Martin has built one of the most successful programs in Division III, guiding the Lady Lions to more than 600 victories, eight NCAA national tournament appearances, five conference tournament championships and 11 regular-season conference titles.

Across 27 seasons, Martin owns 651 career wins, placing him among the nation’s top 50 active Division III head coaches in total wins. His teams have produced 21 winning seasons, including four with 30 or more victories and a standout 40-plus win campaign in 2014. He has also been recognized seven times as conference Coach of the Year.

Success under Martin has extended well beyond the field. His teams have finished in the NFCA Division III Team Academic Award national top 10 three times, including a runner-up finish in 2009, with more than 20 Lady Lions earning All-American Scholar-Athlete honors. Martin has coached 11 USA South “of the Year” award winners and developed 41 all-conference selections, 15 NFCA All-Region honorees and multiple CoSIDA Academic All-Americans.

A native of Toccoa, Georgia, Martin starred as a catcher at Nyack College, earning All-Conference and All-American honors, and later completed his master’s degree at the United States Sports Academy. 

DEMOREST, GA – Piedmont University is pleased to announce a Family Workshop series featuring hands-on programs led by accomplished regional and international artists. The workshops will take place at the Piedmont Art Museum in downtown Demorest, January through March. All are free and open to the public.

The series begins with a Watercolor Workshop with Kathleen Kollock on Jan. 24 from 1–3 P.M. Georgia-based painter Kathleen Kollock creates watercolor, oil, and mixed-media works inspired by regional landscapes and native plant life. She is represented by Hemlock Gallery.

On Feb. 28 from 1–4 P.M., the museum will host Kids’ Arts & Crafts with Imani Spence. Spence is a concept artist and illustrator, a Piedmont University graduate, and the Gallery Coordinator at the Suwanee Arts Center. She teaches privately and at regional arts organizations, helping students build strong creative foundations.

The series concludes with a Sculpture Workshop with Normando Ismay on Mar. 28 from 1–4 P.M. Ismay is a multidisciplinary artist whose award-winning work integrates sculpture, painting, and performance to create vibrant, community-centered artistic experiences.

Registration is highly encouraged but not required. Registration is available at:
https://forms.office.com/r/qmeHr8gHAX

Workshops are aimed at ages 5–14, though all ages are welcome to participate. Children must be accompanied by an adult for the duration of the workshop.

This workshop series is supported by the Georgia Council for the Arts through a Vibrant Communities Grant, with funding provided by the Georgia General Assembly.

The MSMA is located at 567 Georgia Street, Demorest, GA 30535.

For more information, please contact the museum’s director, Rebecca Brantley, at 706-778-8500, ext. 1011 or via email at museum@piedmont.edu.

The Town of Alto will hold its first City Council meeting of 2026 on Tuesday, January 13, at 7 p.m. at Alto City Hall. A work session will be held prior to the meeting beginning at 6 p.m., allowing council members to review items before the official session begins.

The meeting will officially open with roll call, followed by the invocation and Pledge of Allegiance. Council members will then consider approval of the meeting agenda and the minutes from the called meeting held on December 29, 2025.

A major focus of the evening will be new business, including an executive session held pursuant to O.C.G.A. 50-14-3(6) to discuss personnel matters.

Following executive session, the town will formally swear in newly elected officials, including:

• Post 1: John Smith
• Post 3: Allen Fox
• Post 5: Debbie Turner

Additional organizational items on the agenda include the appointment of a Mayor Pro-Tem, City Attorney, and Municipal Judge, helping set the foundation for the town’s leadership and legal structure for the new year.

Residents are encouraged to attend and take part in Alto’s first council meeting of 2026 as newly sworn officials begin their terms and the town looks ahead to the year ahead.