Thieves can make hundreds of dollars off of catalytic converters because of the rare metals they contain such as rhodium, palladium, and platinum.
According to Kevin Angell, the Public Information Officer for the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, local thieves are stealing the catalytic converters from vehicles left overnight in church parking lots. The converters can be worth several hundred dollars each because of different metals, some of which are rare such as rhodium, palladium, and platinum.
The thieves have been busy, with five separate incidents investigated in the past two weeks. Several of those have targeted multiple vehicles, Angell says.
Angell states that the church parking lots can be easy picking for thieves.
“People tend to leave cars at churches for a week or so at a time and park in areas on the back of the property or out of sight from the front of the church. That gives the thieves a safe place to steal the converters.” Thieves have also targeted vehicles left at empty vacation homes in the area.
Sargent Wesley Welborn, also from the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, provides these tips to protect your car:
Park in well-lit areas near a road rather than an out-of-the-way location in the parking lot.
If possible, park near security cameras or near motion-sensor lights.
Check on the parked vehicle as often as possible.
If at all possible, leave your vehicle at someone else’s home.
According to SLiPLO, a vehicle can be driven without its catalytic converter, but it will show some evidence that it is missing. When you return to a vehicle that has been left for several days, look out for these signs: (1) The engine will be unusually loud; (2) the check engine light will be on; (3) you’ll experience a headache when the windows are down; (4) you’ll experience less power when you accelerate from a slower speed (or less low-end torque); and (5) you’ll notice things are missing from underneath your vehicle.
Catalytic converter thefts have risen dramatically during the COVID pandemic. The American Automobile Association (AAA) states, “Any vehicle with sufficient ground clearance is a target. But pickup trucks, SUVs, and Toyota Priuses are often targeted because of their exceptionally expensive catalytic converters.” Thieves target vehicles based on three simple criteria: ease of theft, value of the specific converter, and opportunity.
If you know anything about these burglaries, contact Investigator Bob Kushman at the Sheriff’s Office (706)839-0500). Kushman is the lead investigator on these cases. Anonymous tips are accepted with no questions asked.
The Habersham Christian Learning Center works in partnership with Habersham high schools. (Photo by Jenna Shaw)
Habersham Christian Learning Center (HCLC) is a non-denominational, not-for-profit, community-based educational and spiritual service organization. According to Executive Director Sarah Harrison, “It’s mission is to provide life-style and character development courses for high school students through a released time for credit program; to provide guidance and assistance to HCLC students and involved family members with social/emotional/spiritual aspects of living; and to serve as a community resource or support for seminars, Bible studies, workshops, and/or youth activities as requested by the community.”
Sarah Harrison serves as Executive Director of HCLC. (Photo by Jenna Shaw)
The program Habersham Christian Learning Center offers is somewhat unique in the state, and was modeled on a program begun in Gainesville, Georgia.
It is a teen education program with attention given to crisis intervention which is taught on site by experienced instructors. Harrison shares, “Through daily classroom education, teachers empower 100 students to make sound decisions while enabling them to grow spiritually, emotionally, and intellectually by equipping them with Christian ethics, morals, and values.” The Center has been in operation since 1980 and works in conjunction with the Habersham School System.
Celebrating HCLC
After being unable to meet in person for several years because of COVID restrictions, Habersham Christian Learning Center was finally able to hold its annual meeting with sponsors and donors present. More than 100 people met at Clarkesville First United Methodist Church for the event.
Seth Hulsey, an HCLC teacher, blessed for the food that was provided by Bigg Daddy’s of Cornelia. The dinner sponsored by Tom and Connie Wilbanks in memory of Ms. Carol Epperson. Brownies by Faith donated desserts.
Music was presented by Ansley McAllister, Morgan Kastner, and Zach Shubert, before HCLC Staff member, Beth Knight shared about her appreciation for HCLC as a former student, employee, and mother of a former and future HCLC student.
Karli Greenfield from Truett McConnell University spoke about standing for truth and biblical integration in the classroom. Greenfield announced that Truett will be renaming their HCLC scholarship in memory of the late Sylvia Palmer. After Greenfield’s address, a video of interviews of HCLC students about hope for their generation was played. It can be viewed here.
Sarah Harrison shared how the Christian life brings hope to individuals and society. Harrison stated, “70-80% of HCLC students report being more likely to read the bible, pray, and attend church. In fact, research reveals that church attendance increases several markers of emotional and societal health.” Harrison asked attendees to hold on to hope in one of four ways: Pray, Serve, Tell, or Give. Lisa Nicholson concluded the program by thanking all of our supporters and sponsors.
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Moments from the HCLC Annual Meeting. (Photos submitted by Sarah Harrison)
Moments from the HCLC Annual Meeting. (Photos submitted by Sarah Harrison)
Moments from the HCLC Annual Meeting. (Photos submitted by Sarah Harrison)
Moments from the HCLC Annual Meeting. (Photos submitted by Sarah Harrison)
Moments from the HCLC Annual Meeting. (Photos submitted by Sarah Harrison)
Moments from the HCLC Annual Meeting. (Photos submitted by Sarah Harrison)
Moments from the HCLC Annual Meeting. (Photos submitted by Sarah Harrison)
Moments from the HCLC Annual Meeting. (Photos submitted by Sarah Harrison)
Raffle results
One of the event’s premier moments was finding out who won the raffle. David Colston pulled raffle winners at the end of the evening Linda Harris won the Cabin Raffle, a two-night stay in Pidgeon Forge that was donated by Ernie and Saresa Garrett. Lisa Williams won the Fly Fishing Trip on the Soque River that was donated by Tom and Connie Wilbanks. A door prize was donated by ACG Solutions was also awarded.
Perhaps the biggest winner of the night was HCLC, as the raffle raised $3,160 as well as reached brand new participants and supporters. HCLC hopes these connections will continue to benefit the ministry of HCLC in the future.
Funding raised
The Annual Meeting is always a fundraiser and this year’s event raised $19,475 (including the $3,160 raised through the raffle). The annual funding goal is a total of $25,000. Since the Annual Meeting, money has continued to come in, raising that total of $23,775 to date. Donations can be received through April 30th.
The Annual Campaign funds go directly to help fund the program of HCLC. Fundraising is a necessary part of the work of HCLC. Since the Center receives no tax funds, it is dependent upon the support of the community to pay for the building, transportation, utilities, teachers and staff, and other expenses. HCLC serves 200 students each year, 100 each semester––every single school day.
Five or six years ago, HCLC was in dire need of funding. Fortunately, as the word got out into the community about what the program was doing, the Habersham community stepped up in a mighty way. Since then, more churches have committed to regular support and more individuals have signed on for monthly giving. Right now, HCLC is financially strong, but it stays that way only through the vigilant work of fundraising. Currently, HCLC has about 12 months of operating funds in the bank, requiring donations and new sources of revenue to make future plans.
How can you help?
The HCLC continues to be dependent upon community support. If you would like to financially support their work with teenagers, contact Sarah Harrison.
Sarah Harrison contributed content to this report.
The Tallulah Falls Indians lost their “must-win” game two against Athens Christian by a 10-1 final on Thursday evening at home. The loss secures the visiting team of the fourth and final state playoff seed out of Region 8-A Private, leaving TFS just short of a back-to-back postseason appearance.
A six-run outburst in the first inning set the tone early for the visitors. Tallulah Falls would respond with its only run in the second inning on David Medina’s RBI single that plated Tyler Popham. Athens Christian would go on to score the next four runs to cap the scoring. Though Norman Bastian was roughed up in the first, Aubrey Higgins pitched six innings and gave up four runs while striking out five.
Offensively, the Indians collected six hits. Medina had a pair of singles, Joel Miller had a double, and Bastian, Popham, and Malique Charlton all had a single apiece.
TFS falls to 11-12 on the season and 5-9 in region play. They have one game remaining on the season, playing the third and final game of the series against Athens Christian on Friday at home in what serves as a makeup game from Tuesday’s postponement.
Mulligan plays a game of rock-paper-scissors with a student, a quick way to bond with Tesnatee's kids throughout the day. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)
Dr. Octavius Mulligan is a pillar of the Northeast Georgia community, teaching students and changing the lives of children in Hall, Habersham and White Counties over his years in education.
Formerly an assistant principal at Habersham Central High School, Dr. Mulligan is now the adored principal of White County’s Tesnatee Gap Elementary. Mulligan’s dedication to his students hasn’t faltered in his more than two decades of education as both a teacher and administrator.
Finding a passion
Mulligan didn’t have the best experience in school. As a child in New York, he fell behind in his education. Mulligan said he didn’t engage in school, skipping class because, at the end of the day, he didn’t feel like anyone there cared about him.
(Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)
“In the city I lived in, because it’s a big city, the teachers didn’t necessarily live in your neighborhood,” he said. “No teachers lived in my building, I lived in an apartment building. . . there were no relationships there. They came to school, they taught or did whatever they were supposed to do, and then they went back to their areas. And so here we are— I felt like they just didn’t care.”
He remembers one teacher, his sixth-grade teacher, Ms. Feluchi, who he could tell cared about him and his classmates. He knew then that that’s how every student should feel at school, and later on, when he found his passion for teaching at Piedmont University, he knew he wanted to pass that feeling along.
Mulligan moved to Georgia to be with family after skipping most of his freshman year of high school. In the rural town of Thomson, Georgia, where Mulligan’s teachers lived in his community and cared for their students both in and out of the classroom, things started to turn around.
Mulligan earned a basketball scholarship to Piedmont University while playing high school basketball in Thomson. Once at Piedmont, his coach made sure he knew his grades were a priority with Piedmont’s academic requirements for athletes. He told Mulligan there was an education professor that wouldn’t let him fail, but what started as an easy A turned to a calling.
“I had to teach a lesson, I had to teach the letter U, so I used my basketball uniform to do it, and I brought it in,” Mulligan said of an assignment where he had to teach a group of young children. “I actually wore it, and the kids were just sitting there, listening to every word I said, and I thought ‘I can do this, this is something I can do,’ and so, that took me into the education field.”
Years later, he’d graduate from Piedmont for the third time, this time with his Doctorate of Education.
Making a difference
As Principal Mulligan walks the halls, lunchroom or stops by classrooms, he’s often stopped by excited students hoping for a fist-bump, high five or hug. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)
Mulligan wanted to give students the space and environment to grow, and from his own experience, knew where public education fell short. When he worked at the secondary education level, he says he carried around his high school transcripts to show students where he was at their age, and to show them what they could overcome. Now an elementary school principal, he says he wants to show young kids a positive male influence.
He says when he was a student at the elementary level, he never saw male figures in his classroom. He says those details matter to kids.
“You rarely see males in the elementary level,” Mulligan said. “I never had a male teacher until. . . I got to junior high school, so I was like, I want to break that, and I want kids to see males in elementary school.”
He says he tries to bring male teachers into Tesnatee Gap when he can, but that’s just one of his many goals for the school. Mulligan is finding new ways every day for his students to feel seen, cared for and engaged in their learning. From helping teachers and staff build creative learning environments to playing a quick game of rock-paper-scissors across the lunchroom with the principal, Mulligan makes school the kind of place Tesnatee’s students want to be.
Mulligan visits the media center, which was gearing up for a “book tasting,” event, set up with all the ambiance of a swanky restaurant… complete with dim lights and jazz. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)
“We try to make it fun so that kids want to be here because if they want to be here, then you can do the things you need to do,” he says. “It’s difficult to do what you’re supposed to do and teach your kids when they don’t want to be here— I mean, just think about that kid getting a haircut who hates the clippers; he’s fighting the barber and it’s not going to look as good as it would if he just wanted to be there, and he sat there and just got it done —we try to make it fun for our kids.”
As he walks down the halls, students reach out for high-fives, fist bumps and hugs. He’s helped shy students come out of their shells, and students that are quite the opposite learn how to navigate their school environment. Students’ younger siblings even get excited to see him during pick up and drop off, looking forward to the day they’ll see Principal Mulligan in the halls.
He says that it isn’t just him making Tesnatee Gap the kind of place students want to be. He credits the school’s environment and success to the faculty, staff and other administration who are just as dedicated to making the school a safe, engaging place for children.
Tesnatee Gap Instructional Coach Erica Whitlock (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)
Tesnatee Gap Assistant Principal Diedre Alexander (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)
He especially credits Assistant Principal Diedre Alexander and Instructional Coach Erica Whitlock, who he says Tesnatee Gap couldn’t do what they do without.
“I just believe that all the educators, from the cafeteria folks all the way up to the administrators, superintendents, they care about [our] kids,” he says. “I believe that.”
Unemployment held mostly steady across Georgia in March. Data released Thursday by the Georgia Department of Labor shows all Regional Commissions with the exceptions of the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission and the River Valley Regional Commission recorded unchanged unemployment rates.
Unemployment rose one-tenth to 3.0 percent over the month in the Northeast Regional Commission which includes Barrow, Clarke, Elbert, Greene, Jackson, Jasper, Madison, Morgan, Newton, Oconee, Oglethorpe, and Walton counties. The rate for the region was 3.7 percent one year ago. Initial claims were down 148 (-15%) over the month (o-t-m) and down 5,769 (-87%) over the year (o-t-y) to 868.
(Source: Georgia Association of Regional Commissions)
Elsewhere in Northeast Georgia, the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2.6 percent over the month. The rate was 3.0 percent one year ago in the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission comprised of Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White counties.
All of the state’s Regional Commissions reported a rise in the labor force with the exception of the Northwest Georgia Regional Commission.
“Across Georgia, we continue to see increases in the labor force, the number of employed, and the number of jobs,” said state labor commissioner Mark Butler. “With Georgia having the lowest unemployment rate of the top ten most populated states, we are pleased to see Georgians enter the workforce filling the many open positions available in all of our regions and counties.”
Regional Commission unemployment reports
Atlanta Regional Commission – Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, and Rockdale counties.
The March preliminary unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.3 percent o-t-m, the rate was 4.6 percent one year ago.
The labor force was up 4,378 o-t-m and up 83,525 o-t-y, to 2,533,167.
The number of employed was up 3,976 o-t-m and up 111,432 o-t-y, to 2,448,890.
The labor force and number of employed were all-time highs.
Initial claims were down 1,740 (-17%) o-t-m and down 57,994 (-87%) o-t-y, to 8,795.
Initial claims were down o-t-m in Accommodation and Food Services and Administrative and Support Services, and down o-t-y in Administrative and Support Services and Accommodation and Food Services.
There were 96,787 jobs posted on Employ Georgia.
Central Savannah River Regional Commission – Burke, Columbia, Glascock, Hancock, Jefferson, Jenkins, Lincoln, McDuffie, Richmond, Taliaferro, Warren, Washington, and Wilkes counties.
The March preliminary unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.9 percent o-t-m, the rate was 4.6 percent one year ago.
The labor force was up 500 o-t-m and down 1,309 o-t-y, to 210,571.
The number of employed was up 450 o-t-m and up 292 o-t-y, to 202,335.
Initial claims were down 101 (-10%) o-t-m and down 4,656 (-84%) o-t-y, to 897.
Initial claims were down o-t-m in Manufacturing and Trade, and down o-t-y in Manufacturing and Accommodation and Food Services.
The March preliminary unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.3 percent o-t-m, the rate was 4.3 percent one year ago.
The labor force was up 1,374 o-t-m and up 7,365 o-t-y, to 349,722.
The number of employed was up 1,253 o-t-m and up 10,643 o-t-y, to 338,179.
The labor force and number of employed were all-time highs.
Initial claims were down 142 (-12%) o-t-m and down 7,808 (-88%) o-t-y, to 1,027.
Initial claims were down o-t-m in Accommodation and Food Services and Administrative and Support Services, and down o-t-y in Accommodation and Food Services and Administrative and Support Services.
There were 12,390 jobs posted on Employ Georgia.
Georgia Mountains Regional Commission – Banks, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin, Habersham, Hall, Hart, Lumpkin, Rabun, Stephens, Towns, Union, and White counties.
The March preliminary unemployment rate remained unchanged at 2.6 percent o-t-m, the rate was 3.0 percent one year ago.
The labor force was up 1,509 o-t-m and up 9,332 o-t-y, to 371,562.
The number of employed was up 1,198 o-t-m and up 10,415 o-t-y, to 361,760.
The labor force and number of employed were all-time highs.
Initial claims were down 137 (-18%) o-t-m, and down 5,246 (-89%) o-t-y, to 636.
Initial claims were down o-t-m in Accommodation and Food Services and Administrative and Support Services, and down o-t-y in Trade and Accommodation and Food Services.
There were 5,163 jobs posted on Employ Georgia.
Heart of Georgia – Altamaha Regional Commission – Appling, Bleckley, Candler, Dodge, Emanuel, Evans, Jeff Davis, Johnson, Laurens, Montgomery, Tattnall, Telfair, Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne, Wheeler, and Wilcox counties.
The March preliminary unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.7 percent o-t-m, the rate was 4.5 percent one year ago.
The labor force was up 638 o-t-m and down 1,614 o-t-y, to 119,448.
The number of employed was up 603 o-t-m and down 567 o-t-y, to 115,019.
Initial claims were down 47 (-9%) o-t-m, and down 2,300 (-82%) o-t-y, to 495.
Initial claims were down o-t-m in Health Care and Social Assistance and Manufacturing, and down o-t-y in Accommodation and Food Services and Manufacturing.
The March preliminary unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.5 percent o-t-m, the rate was 4.7 percent one year ago.
The labor force was up 275 o-t-m and up 905 o-t-y, to 223,227.
The number of employed was up 121 o-t-m and up 3,425 o-t-y, to 215,339.
Initial claims were down 21 (-3%) o-t-m and down 5,145 (-86%) o-t-y, to 812.
Initial claims were down o-t-m in Manufacturing and Accommodation and Food Services, and down o-t-y in Manufacturing and Accommodation and Food Services.
The March preliminary unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.0 percent o-t-m, the rate was 3.6 percent one year ago.
The labor force was down 11 o-t-m and up 8,328 o-t-y, to 433,918.
The number of employed was down 171 o-t-m and up 10,615 o-t-y, to 420,752.
Initial claims were up 3 (1%) o-t-m and down 8,866 (-83%) o-t-y, to 1,787.
Initial claims were up o-t-m in Manufacturing and Management of Companies and Enterprises, and down o-t-y in Manufacturing and Accommodation and Food Services.
There were 6,509 jobs posted on Employ Georgia.
River Valley Regional Commission – Chattahoochee, Clay, Crisp, Dooly, Harris, Macon, Marion, Muscogee, Quitman, Randolph, Schley, Stewart, Sumter, Talbot, Taylor, and Webster counties.
The March preliminary unemployment rate was up one-tenth to 4.4 percent o-t-m, the rate was 5.9 percent one year ago.
The labor force was up 429 o-t-m and down 1,632 o-t-y, to 146,430.
The number of employed was up 370 o-t-m and up 707 o-t-y, to 140,031.
Initial claims were down 82 (-10%) o-t-m and down 4,639 (-87%) o-t-y, to 712.
Initial claims were down o-t-m in Health Care and Social Assistance and Accommodation and Food Services, and down o-t-y in Manufacturing and Accommodation and Food Services.
There were 4,370 jobs posted on Employ Georgia.
Southern Georgia Regional Commission – Atkinson, Bacon, Ben Hill, Berrien, Brantley, Brooks, Charlton, Clinch, Coffee, Cook, Echols, Irwin, Lanier, Lowndes, Pierce, Tift, Turner, and Ware counties.
The March preliminary unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.3 percent o-t-m, the rate was 4.3 percent one year ago.
The labor force was up 864 o-t-m and down 1,686 o-t-y, to 181,868.
The number of employed was up 780 o-t-m and up 49 o-t-y, to 175,800.
Initial claims were down 53 (-8%) o-t-m and down 4,110 (-87%) o-t-y, to 642.
Initial claims were down o-t-m in Manufacturing and Accommodation and Food Services, and down o-t-y in Manufacturing and Accommodation and Food Services.
Tallulah Falls' TJ Cox, foreground, prepares for what would become the final serve in his 6-1, 7-5 win over Lakeview. With the win, his team now advances to State. (Twitter)
The Tallulah Falls Indians are Sweet 16 bound after edging out Lakeview 3-2 in the first round of the 1A Private state tournament. TFS earned the win on Wednesday evening on the home court.
With the match tied at 2-2, all eyes were on #3 singles, where freshman TJ Cox secured the win for Tallulah Falls with a 6-1, 7-5 win. Senior Josh Jackson won at #2 singles, and the first doubles combo of Jake Owensby and Zach Carringer also earned a win that needed extra play to determine a win.
Here it is…the final point in freshman TJ Cox’s #3 singles match that advanced TFS to the Sweet 16! pic.twitter.com/bVN51Ulwnz
An addict prepares heroin, placing a fentanyl test strip into the mixing container to check for contamination, Wednesday Aug. 22, 2018, in New York. If the strip registers a "pinkish" to red marker then the heroin is positive for contaminants. (AP Photo/Bebeto Matthews)
The strips that determine whether a substance contains fentanyl are currently considered paraphernalia in Georgia.
Fentanyl test strips are in a legal gray area because, while they are available online, a police officer could consider them a drug-related object.
That puts a life-saving tool in the same category as a syringe.
The ability to test substances for fentanyl before using them will save lives, Jeff Breedlove with the Georgia Council on Substance Abuse said.
“You know, fentanyl is in everything,” Breedlove said. “It’s commonly associated with heroin, but the fact of the matter is it can be in anybody’s drug of choice. It can be in anything, anywhere, at any time.”
The sentiment was echoed by public health leaders at the Rx and Illicit Drug Summit this week in Atlanta.
It’s the largest annual gathering of those responsible for addressing the U.S. opioid and addiction epidemic.
Much of this year’s summit focused on fentanyl-related deaths, especially among adolescents seeking prescription medications like Xanax.
Dr. Nora Volkow, the director of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, said teenagers typically favor prescription medications like benzodiazepines, stimulant medications, and opioid analgesics such as hydrocodone, Vicodin or OxyContin.
The number of illegally manufactured pills increased nearly eightfold during the pandemic, she said.
“And those illicitly manufactured prescription drugs have been estimated, 30% to 40% of them, to contain fentanyl doses that are sufficient to kill you,” Volkow said.
Gov. Brian Kemp is expected to sign legislation that will eliminate the gray area in the existing law that makes it a crime to carry these test strips.
“I’m confident that he will continue that leadership by clearing up the legal ambiguity around this so that law enforcement officers, if they choose to have it in their community, can have it and they wouldn’t be themselves breaking the law,” Breedlove said.
Fentanyl-related overdose deaths have spiked since the start of the pandemic, rising more than 106% between May 2020 and April 2021, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health.
This article appears on Now Habersham in partnership with GPB News
The Biden administration will fight to preserve the government’s ability to mandate masks on airplanes, trains and other public transit, following a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation Wednesday night that face coverings are still needed. (FILE PHOTO -John McCosh/Georgia Recorder)
(GA Recorder) — The Biden administration will fight a court decision for the authority to mandate masks on airplanes, trains and other public transit, following a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendation Wednesday night that a mandate was still needed.
The CDC said in a statement that the mandate keeps transportation safer for immunocompromised people and the greater public.
“CDC continues to recommend that people wear masks in all indoor public transportation settings,” the agency said. “As we have said before, wearing masks is most beneficial in crowded or poorly ventilated locations, such as the transportation corridor.”
The U.S. Justice Department filed a notice of appeal late Wednesday afternoon challenging the Monday ruling from U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle that struck down the mandate because she found the CDC lacked the legal authority to impose it.
The CDC said Wednesday the mandate had been “well within” its legal authority.
The Justice Department said Tuesday it would appeal the decision only if the CDC determined a mandate was necessary.
Mizelle’s ruling came just days after the CDC extended the mandate until May 3. The agency had said it needed to review public health conditions to determine if the requirement was needed after that.
Then-President Donald Trump appointed Mizelle to a federal judgeship in Florida and the Republican Senate confirmed her 49-41 following the 2020 election.
The American Bar Association rated Mizelle, then 33, “not qualified” because she lacked the 12 years of trial experience the professional organization considered to be a minimum requirement.
Before Wednesday’s CDC announcement, President Joe Biden and the administration had sent mixed signals about masking on transportation. Biden told a reporter who asked if passengers should still mask up that it was “up to them.”
White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday that Biden was answering the question “quite literally” because the mandate was not being enforced. The administration still recommended people wear masks while traveling, she said.
The mandate remained in effect Wednesday evening. An appeals court could issue an emergency order to resume the mandate, but the administration had yet to ask for such an order.
Most major airlines have made masking optional since Monday’s ruling. Local transit authorities are making theirown decisions.
The Rabun-Gap Nacoochee School’s Junior Thespian Troupe, in partnership with Habersham Community Theater, will present The Rainbow Fish on Saturday, May 7, at 2 pm. The play is offered as a fund-raiser for the Family Life Resource Center of Northeast Georgia. The production is directed by Amber Miller.
The Rainbow Fish
The play The Rainbow Fish is about the famous Rainbow Fish, the most beautiful fish in the ocean, who all creatures of the sea admire. But when the Rainbow Fish refuses to share his vibrant, shimmering scales, the whole cean seems to turn against the vain creature. Unhappy that no one adores him anymore, the Rainbow Fish seeks out the wise Octopus, who helps the young fish learn that it’s far better to be admired for being kind than for being beautiful.
The play is based on the popular children’s book series of the same name that was written by Swiss author Marcus Pfister. The series has received world-wide acclaim.
Benefit details
General admission to the performance is free with a donation of box of diapers, baby wipes, or a monetary gift to the Family Life Resource Center (FCR). Reservations are required. Call (706) 839-1315 or email the Habersham Community Theater box office to reserve seats for the performance.
The Habersham Community Theater has provided much of the information in this article.
Sofia Talvik is back in concert at Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center, Saturday, April 30, at 6 pm. American Highways says her latest album "is solid gold from start to finish." (Photo provided by SofiaTalvik.com)
Sautee Nacoochee Cultural Center will present Sofia Talvik in concert on the Sautee Nacoochee Center Outdoor Stage at 7 pm on Saturday, April 30. The gates open at 6 p.m. and a food vendor will be on site. In case of inclement weather, the concert will be moved indoors.
Sofia Talvik’s Back on the Road Tour
Sofia Talvik is a rare artist and an avid storyteller with a voice comparable to giants like Joni Mitchell, or as the Folk/Americana Magazine NoDepression said it, ”A singer/songwriter who is able to evoke the essence of Laurel Canyon circa the ‘60s as expressed in the work of Joni Mitchell, Judy Collins, Buffy Sainte-Marie and others who were able to paint beautiful tapestries from words and music”.
The audience will be treated to a unique and intimate evening, not unlike the 70’s coffeehouses and speakeasy’s. Seats will be up close and personal with a world class act that has played big festivals like Lollapalooza and SxSW and opened for artists like Maria McKee and David Duchovny (X-files, Californication). It is in this kind of setting where she can casually joke and communicate with the audience that her strength as a performer shines the most.
Goldmine Magazine describes Talvik’s voice as “a thing of singular beauty.” (Photo provided by SofiaTalvik.com)
Her delicate songs are performed in an intimate way, showing off Sofia’s angelic voice enhanced only by a tasteful mix of harmonies and delays, accompanied by the steady picking of her acoustic guitar and the rhythm section consisting of her own two feet, bells and a stomp box.
She’s an experienced international touring artist that has toured through 47 U.S states, many of the countries in Europe and far away places like New Zealand.
Sofia Talvik’s 8th studio album “Paws Of a Bear” was released September 2019. The album reflects inwards instead of to her surroundings, and explores thoughts about identity and home. The single “Take Me Home” charted in top 10 on Folk and Americana radio charts in the U.S and Europe.
Picking up her release tour from where it was shut down in 2020 by the covid pandemic, she will be playing songs from the new album as well as new unreleased tracks and older favorites.
Ticket sales
Tickets can be purchased online at from $12-22 per ticket. Children twelve and under the age of 12lease note that admission for children age 12 and under is free, which is a change from previously published information.
Frances Ellen Maney Chambers, age 91, of Alto, passed away on Sunday, April 10, 2022.
Born on April 20, 1930, in Banks County, she was a daughter of the late Ken Maney and Pauline Chambers Maney. Mrs. Chambers was a homemaker.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Chambers was preceded in death by her husband, Junior Chambers; son, Kenneth Chambers and Michael Chambers; sisters, Ernestine Blackburn and Mary Edna Chandler; brothers, Coil, Bob, Ed, Tommy & J.C. Maney.
Mrs. Chambers is survived by, son, Larry Maney of Breman, GA; 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Graveside services will be held at 11 am, Friday, April 22, 2022, at Line Baptist Church Cemetery with Pastor John Umberhant officiating.
Mrs. Chambers will lie in state from 10:30 am until the service hour on Friday at the graveside.
Cornelia UMC's Food Pantry is open on Thursdays from 1-2:30 pm for families needing food assistance. Reservations are not needed. Families can come once each month.(Margie Williamson/Now Habersham)
Cornelia UMC continues to provide groceries to those in the community who need assistance. In February 2022, however, the church changed the way it provides help by providing an opportunity for those who need food assistance to shop weekly from its pantry on Thursdays from 1-2:30 pm. While no reservations are needed, the church does ask that households only shop one Thursday per month. During the month of March, the pantry was able to provide food assistance to 220 families.
Cornelia UMC moved its food program from Saturdays to Thursday in an effort to meet a specific need in the community. Debbie Rumbold, the coordinator of the program explains, “While there are many places offering food, most seem to be open only on the weekend. Thursday addresses those who are not working. Just prior to our time on Thursdays, the Cornelia Soup Kitchen on Level Grove Road is open and is located just minutes from our church. Those in need can have a meal there and then shop our pantry.”
Rumbold adds, “We stopped doing the regular monthly meals because fewer people were attending, as businesses were getting back to normal after COVID lockdowns. Plus, we realized that our allotted funds could provide many meals for each family instead of just one by operating the weekly food pantry.”
Rumbold explains that she works with a host of enthusiastic church volunteers who show up to shop with the family member who comes for food. In fact, Rumbold says, “While I’m charge of it, we have so many people who love it that more show up to work than we have scheduled. We also have bi-lingual volunteers to help.”
Cornelia UMC hope to target those that truly need food assistance. They do not need financial information and there is no application required for services. The church does, however, ask for basic data in order to do required statistics.
According to Rumbold, the effort is very much supported by pastor Ben Wilcox and the congregation. In fact, at both Christmas and Easter, the church provided members with empty boxes and list of food items needed for the pantry. Additionally, Cornelia UMC is a part of the the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and receives supplies from them as well. Rumbold shares, “Ingles, Jaemor Farms, and Quality Foods have also helped us. At times, we have been able to give out grocery store gift cards that were donated by a church member.” However, their food pantry has limited supplies at times as we find certain items hard to obtain at times.
Cornelia UMC is located at 275 Wyly Street. (Margie Williamson/Now Habersham)
In addition to providing food, the church accepts personal prayer requests, have given referrals regarding grief support, and shares information on how to possibly get lower cost prescription meds. Plus the pantry volunteers can provide a list of other local food resources. Since some of the volunteers also serve with other non-profit organizations, they provide information about things like clothing acquisition for those in need.
Cornelia UMC is located at 275 Wyly Street, Cornelia Georgia 30531. For additional information, contact the church at (706) 778-4827.
Catalytic converter thefts have risen dramatically during the COVID pandemic. The American Automobile Association (AAA) states, “Any vehicle with sufficient ground clearance is a target. But pickup trucks, SUVs, and Toyota Priuses are often targeted because of their exceptionally expensive catalytic converters.” Thieves target vehicles based on three simple criteria: ease of theft, value of the specific converter, and opportunity.
