Tallulah Falls tennis earned a Thursday region split on the road at George Walton, as the Indians secured a 3-2 win and the girls dropped a 5-0 decision. For the boys, they lost the #1 and #2 singles lines but took wins in both doubles matches. TJ Cox at #3 singles clinched the win with an 8-2 victory in his match.
The Indians remain unbeaten at 3-0 and are 1-0 within region. The girls, meanwhile, are 2-1 overall and 0-1 in region.
INDIANS
#1 Singles: Josh Jackson (2-1) L 2-8
#2 Singles: Tanner Davis (2-1) L 4-8
#3 Singles: TJ Cox (2-0) W 8-2
#1 Doubles: Zach Carringer & Jake Owensby (3-0) W 8-4
#2 Doubles: Aiden & Everett VanOrman (2-0) W 8-6
LADY INDIANS
#1 Singles: Maggie Peacock (1-2) L 0-8
#2 Singles: Ashli Webb (2-1) L 0-8
#3 Singles: Evette Corwin (1-1) L 0-8
#1 Doubles: Sophie Herrera & Landry Carnes (2-1) L 3-8
#2 Doubles: Christy Hulsey & Cassidy Hayes (1-1) L 6-8
Exhibition: Annabelle Jackson & Ellesen Eubank (2-0) W 8-3
Volunteers and members of the Habersham Chamber of Commerce celebrate the Cornelia Soup Kitchen's reopening with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thursday, March 10, 2022. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)
After 10 years of service to the Habersham community and two years of not being able to serve meals in person, the Habersham County Chamber of Commerce joined the volunteers of the Cornelia Soup Kitchen to reopen their facility to the community once again.
Volunteers and chamber members came together Thursday morning to discuss the mission of the soup kitchen and cut the chamber’s ribbon to celebrate their doors opening once again.
Volunteers prepare to serve a meal. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)
“The mission is twofold,” said Christy Bowen, a volunteer with the Cornelia Soup Kitchen. “We’re meeting a physical need, people are hungry, and being able to serve them a nice warm meal meets one need. And then on the other hand, and this is why it’s been so exciting for us to open again, I feel like that need for connection is super important— being able to invite them [the community] back in, and say ‘I see you,” and ‘you’re important,’ and ‘we want to meet you where you are.'”
In the years the kitchen has been closed, the Cornelia Soup Kitchen, alongside the help of the chamber and Habersham community, has been able to make the upgrades they need to better serve their community.
Through fundraisers with the Habersham Chamber, generous equipment and labor donations and volunteer work, the soup kitchen is in the best shape it’s been in years to give to those in need. Donors helped the organization replace their broken floors, repaint their walls, and upgrade their kitchen. The community raised about $7,000 total for the nonprofit organization.
“That was sort of how the partnership formed,” Habersham Chamber of Commerce Marybeth Horton said. “Just us being able to use our social media and our membership base to help them get the word out about when their fundraising.”
The kitchen is managed by volunteers from five area churches, where they donate their time to make sure members of the community have access to a hot meal and someone to eat with. Shirley Dillard, a long-time volunteer and organizer for the Cornelia Soup Kitchen, says that their goal is to feed the hungry— regardless of who they are or what they’re experiencing.
Dillard helps volunteers with set up for opening the kitchen’s doors. (Hadley Cottingham/Now Habersham)
“We realize that that’s very expanded,” Dillard says. “We have people there that might not be destitute, but if they come and eat with us, then they can afford to pay their bills. We also have people that come for the socialization, especially the elderly, people that are living by themselves.”
She says the volunteers at the soup kitchen want to provide a place for the community to feel cared for, and that’s why they make sure that everything they make to serve is the same food they’d serve their own families.
“We’re here [for them],” Dillard says. “We’ve said from the beginning that we want our food to be as good as what you serve at home, we want to serve them what we would serve our family.”
Dillard hopes that one day, they can offer to bring meals to people who don’t have the means to get to the soup kitchen. She says that the organization needs volunteers to continue to keep the soup kitchen running, and to offer more programs in the future to help even more community members.
She encourages anyone interested in volunteering to further their mission to contact her at (706) 499-2672, or email the soup kitchen at [email protected]. If you’d like to donate to support the Cornelia Soup Kitchen, you can do so through their website here.
The price for a gallon of regular unleaded gas rose above $4 this week in Georgia. Gov. Kemp wants to temporarily lift the state's 29.1¢ per gallon tax (32.6¢ for Diesel). U.S. Sen. Ralph Warnock is pushing for the federal government to temporarily lift its 18¢ per gallon tax.
(GA Recorder) — Gas prices in Georgia could be a little less eye-popping as the state Legislature aims to temporarily suspend Georgia’s state tax on motor fuel sales.
“Gasoline prices are going up,” said House Speaker David Ralston. “I mean, this morning, it looked like another 10 cents overnight. That’s hurting Georgians, and this will be some relief for them.”
Georgia’s gas tax is 29.1 cents per gallon for gasoline and 32.6 cents per gallon for diesel. If the bill passes, that portion of the pump price would stay in motorists’ wallets.
The federal government also imposes an 18-cent tax on gasoline. Georgia U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock has introduced a bill in the United States Senate that would suspend that tax through the end of the year.
“Ordinary families are feeling the pinch, trying to buy gas and trying to buy groceries,” Warnock said in a statement Tuesday. “We ought to cut their taxes, and we ought to hold the oil and gas companies accountable, who are seeing record profits while people are paying record prices.”
Lines of cars fill the parking lot by the gas pumps at Sam’s Club in Tucker, Georgia as drivers wait to fill up with the discount gas. (Amanda Andrews / GPB News)
The state bill, grafted onto an earlier bill providing a tax credit for medical manufacturers, passed the House Ways and Means Committee Wednesday, and Ralston said it could come to the House floor Tuesday. If it passes there and in the Senate as expected, it will go into effect upon receiving Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature and last until May 31.
“I think the feeling is that will kind of get us through maybe this time that we’re in, and that was the date that the governor selected, and so I’m good with that,” Ralston said.
The primary election in which Kemp and other state officials will compete is scheduled for May 24.
As of Wednesday afternoon, Georgia drivers were paying an average of $4.16 for a gallon of regular gas, a record high for the state. On Monday, the average rate was $3.88, which is still $1.30 more expensive than this time last year. The metro Atlanta area saw the highest rates at $4.21 per gallon on average, while motorists in the Catoosa-Dade-Walker have the lowest price in the state at about $4.05.
If the bill were in effect Wednesday, the average Georgia driver would save about $4 to fill up a 15-gallon tank, about $58 down from $64.
Analysts point to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as the prime factor in driving up crude oil prices, which translates to higher prices at the pump.
Russia exports about 5 million barrels of crude oil per day. In an effort to hamstring the European petrostate’s economy, President Joe Biden announced a ban on Russian oil imports, acknowledging that the action will likely further increase American fuel prices.
“Since Putin began his military buildup on Ukrainian borders, just since then, the price of gas at the pump in America went up 75 cents,” Biden said. “And with this action, it’s going to go up further.”
Kemp placed the blame for the price squeeze squarely on Biden’s shoulders.
“President Biden took office in January of 2021, and to understand why we are in this current state of record-high inflation and costs to the average American family, people can simply track his first year of misguided policy decisions,” he said.
A gallon of gas at this Atlanta RaceTrac sold for $4.49 Wednesday. The state government is hoping to bring high gas prices down by temporarily eliminating the state gas tax. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
Last month, the state brought in about $157 million in revenue through its gas tax. The bill does not specify how the state will compensate for that money, but its sponsor, Columbia Republican Rep. Jodi Lott, said the state could dip into last year’s surplus or its revenue shortfall reserve to deal with a loss in revenue from the tax suspension.
“Because of our strong, fiscally conservative approach to budgeting, Lt. Governor Duncan, Speaker Ralston, and I can confidently propose a state motor fuel tax suspension to curb sky-high gas prices while also returning money back to hardworking Georgians through a tax refund and an income tax cut,” Kemp said. “With this latest measure, we are making it even more clear that in Georgia we are going to empower families to keep their money in their own pockets.”
Georgia has suspended its motor fuel tax in the past, most recently last May when a cyber attack crippled Colonial Pipeline, the Alpharetta-based company that provides most of the fuel for the east coast.
The violence in Ukraine that sparked the gas crisis the legislature is aiming to ease has invoked widespread, bipartisan condemnation from state lawmakers.
Shortly after the invasion began, Republican officials pledged to divest any taxpayer money benefitting Russia from the state retirement system. On Wednesday, the state Senate unanimously passed legislation prohibiting companies owned by the Russian or Belarusian government from bidding on state contracts, and the House unanimously passed a resolution condemning the invasion after a passionate speech by Ralston.
“I’m not naive, I realize our action today will not alter the course of events before us, it probably won’t even be read in Washington, but there are some occasions presented to us by fate where it is important to say what should be obvious, and that is to stand with good against evil,” he said.
Georgia Recorder Deputy Editor Jill Nolin contributed to this report.
Keo Daravong, age 66, of Cornelia, Georgia, passed away on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.
Funeral services will be held at 1:00 PM, Saturday, March 12, 2022, at the Whitfield Funeral Home and Crematory, South Chapel, Baldwin, Georgia.
The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM on Friday, March 11, 2022, at the funeral home.
Arrangements are entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Home and Crematory, South Chapel, 1370 Industrial Blvd., Baldwin, Georgia 30511. Phone 706-778-7123.
Bobbie Pruette Tucker, age 80, of Clarkesville, Georgia formerly of Lawrenceville, Georgia went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, March 9, 2022.
Mrs. Tucker was born on January 17, 1942, in Atlanta, Georgia to the late Jimmy and Helen Pruette. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, Richard Tucker; younger sister, Linda Welch; and younger brother, Ronnie Pruette. Bobbie loved her children, adored her grandchildren and gave great care to her pets over the years. She retired from Wal-Mart, having served for twenty years at the original Lawrenceville Store #548.
Survivors include her daughters and sons-in-law, Diane and Scott Knecht, of Clarkesville; Lori and Patrick Taylor, of Clarkesville; grandchildren, Danielle Hagedorn and spouse, Seth; Travis Knecht; Grace Thomas and spouse, Trayton; and Justin Taylor.
Graveside Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Sunday, March 13, 2022, at the East Shadowlawn Memorial Gardens in Lawrenceville, Georgia.
The family will receive friends directly following the graveside service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Habersham Animal Shelter, 4231 B Toccoa Highway, Clarkesville, Georgia 30523.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel at 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia 30535. Telephone: 706-778-1700.
Roger Harkens Popham, age 79, of Cornelia, Georgia formerly of Demorest, Georgia passed away on Tuesday, March 8, 2022.
Mr. Popham was born on October 10, 1942, in Demorest, Georgia to the late John Marvin and Helen Shirley Popham. Mr. Popham had retired from Lee Arrendale Prison as a Diagnostic Counselor with 20 years of service. He also was the owner of the Jolly Roger Kennel in Alto, Georgia. Roger was also one of the main founders of Popham Athletics and The Georgia Hapkido Academy. He attended Cornelia United Methodist Church. Roger was a United States Army Veteran serving in Germany during the Vietnam Era. He was a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Roger was a friend to many and never met a stranger.
Survivors include his loving wife of 32 years. Sue Popham, of Cornelia; daughter and son-in-law, Kae and Paul Sontag, of Buford; son and daughter-in-law, Robert Popham and Robin Wood, of Demorest; step-daughter and spouse, Donna and Richard Barnett, of Cornelia; step-daughter, Cindy Franco, of Richmond, VA; grandchildren, Brendan Sanders, Christopher Brack, Maria Franco, Kadin Wood, Connor Sontag, Dawson Barnett, Anderson Popham; brother and sister-in-law, John and Rae Popham, of Demorest; sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Steve Smith; and numerous nieces and nephews.
Funeral Services will be held at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, March 12, 2022, at the Cornelia United Methodist Church with Pastor Ben Wilcox officiating. Interment will follow in the Level Grove Cemetery with military honors by the United States Army and the Grant Reeves Honor Guard.
A livestream of the service will be available at facebook.com/whitfieldfh
The family will receive friends from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Friday, March 11, 2022, at the Whitfield Funeral Home, North Chapel.
Flowers will be accepted or memorials may be made to the Cornelia United Methodist Church, 275 Wyly Street, Cornelia, Georgia 30531.
The City of Baldwin will consider applications to bring two new businesses to the Highway 365 corridor at their Monday meeting: a daycare and the city’s first liquor store.
The two proposed businesses would sit about a quarter of a mile apart from each other, which meets legal regulations, and would be separated by Hayes Chevrolet.
The proposed daycare, owned by the Cumming-based education group, Aspire Learning, would be a 10,000 square foot facility. The liquor store, referred to in city documents as the “365 Superstore,” would be located off 365 by Charlie Davis Road and BC Grand Road.
The two circled locations show the approximate locations of the proposed daycare and liquor store. The southmost circle is the proposed daycare location, while the northmost is the proposed location of the liquor store. (Source: Google Maps)
Councilwoman Stephanie Almagono voiced her concerns that the liquor store would be in a part of town that could create problems.
“Using that BP station— it gets a little rough there in the evening,” Almagno said. “There are folks that are living behind that BP, [who] shouldn’t be living behind that BP, just hanging out behind that BP . . . now adding the liquor store to it, I’m fine with having them, but I just hope that we have patrols and things. We’re just adding a different element to the area.”
Elam says that the owner’s investment in the business could have a positive effect on the community.
Councilwoman Alice Venter said that she thinks the liquor store is an addition to Baldwin that she’d like to see, which she feels “positive about.”
“It’s very promising, I think,” Venter said. “The location’s brilliant as far as logistics, you’ve got people traveling up to the mountains, whether they’re going to North Carolina or just up to Clayton.”
Both Almagno and Venter said they did have concerns about how traffic might flow with vehicles entering and exiting the highway. Baldwin Police Chief Jeff Branyon advised the council to look into how the store would affect traffic.
The daycare would need the council to approve moving forward with development and to be annexed into the city for sewer and water access. The developer would also have to coordinate with the Georgia Department of Transportation for traffic safety.
“There’s a huge need for daycare services in this county,” Venter said.
The council will discuss both proposals at their Monday meeting. The city estimates they would have a public hearing for the daycare development on March 28.
Kemp’s post-qualifying event was also a clear showing of his support from the state Capitol crowd, with at least two dozen Republicans lawmakers from all over the state standing with him to cheer him on. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
Gov. Brian Kemp officially kicked off his bid for a second term Thursday with a large group of lawmakers and supporters backing his campaign.
Within minutes of qualifying, Kemp took aim at likely Democratic nominee Stacey Abrams in remarks at the state Capitol during an event with a rally flair. Supporters chanted “four more years” as he walked up.
Gov. Brian Kemp speaks to supporters after qualifying Thursday. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder
But before Kemp meets Abrams in a potential rematch, he will first need to overcome a challenge from his own party. Former U.S. Sen. David Perdue, who qualified as a candidate Wednesday, upset the GOP primary when he announced in December he would challenge Kemp. The result is a rare competitive primary contest involving a sitting governor.
Kemp made no mention of Perdue in his comments to supporters Thursday.
“What we’re going to have to overcome to win the nomination we’re not taking for granted, but our sights are focused on who the real opponent is going to be,” Kemp told reporters afterward.
To further complicate the race, Perdue has been endorsed by former President Donald Trump, who said he would work to defeat Kemp after the governor refused to go along with Trump’s plan to overturn the 2020 presidential election results.
Both Kemp and Perdue have tried to focus their message on why they believe each is the best suited to beat Abrams in the fall. Abrams, who qualified Tuesday, came up short by about 55,000 votes in 2018.
“Stacey Abrams would bring Georgia’s record economic success to a screeching halt,” Kemp said to the crowd. “And make no mistake, under a Gov. Stacey Abrams, Georgia would be one COVID-19 variant away from total and complete lockdown.”
Stacey Abrams speaks with reporters after qualifying to run for governor. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder
Kemp argues he’s already defeated Abrams once and is committed to doing it again, but Perdue claims he’s the only candidate who can rally a divided Republican party to the polls in the general election.
“I’m very, very concerned about our state,” Perdue told reporters this week. “And I want to make sure that we don’t turn our state over to the liberal Democrats. We see what’s happening in Washington right now, and I believe I’m the only one that can pull our party together and beat Stacey Abrams in the fall.”
Perdue said he would agree to debate Kemp so the governor will have to “answer to several things.” For example, he said he wants to press Kemp on his decision not to call a special session in the wake of the 2020 presidential election to “fix whatever was there” before the Jan. 5 runoffs. Perdue lost his Senate seat to now-U.S. Sen Jon Ossoff in that runoff.
Kemp has repeatedly defended his actions as being faithful to the law.
The limited polling available so far suggests Kemp would have the edge over Abrams. Kemp is also leading Perdue in the polls, but one survey indicated Trump’s endorsement of Perdue is not yet widely known among conservative voters in Georgia.
Kemp’s post-qualifying event was also a clear showing of his support from the state Capitol crowd, with at least two dozen Republican lawmakers from all over the state standing with him to cheer him on. West Georgia Congressman Drew Ferguson introduced the governor, making the case for Kemp’s re-election.
Kemp has also easily surpassed Perdue in fundraising, although Perdue did not rule out spending some of his own substantial wealth when asked this week. It also remains to be seen whether pro-Trump groups will help close the gap.
Former U.S. Sen. David Perdue talks to reporters Wednesday after qualifying to run for governor. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder
“We’re going to make sure this thing is well funded. We’re going to get our message out,” Perdue said.
Perdue is campaigning on eliminating the state income tax, which funds nearly half of the state budget and addressing the “voter integrity problem” in Georgia.
President Joe Biden’s narrow victory in Georgia was upheld after three recounts, including one done by hand.
Kemp has touted a controversial election measure he signed into law in the wake of the 2020 presidential election. That law included both new restrictions – like limiting the use of absentee ballot drop boxes – and some expansions, such as broader early voting access for most counties.
The governor is also campaigning on the state’s economic strength coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, an anti-abortion bill that has never taken effect, and a permit-less firearm measure he has pledged to sign.
“When it mattered the most, we chose freedom over government,” Kemp said of his handling of the pandemic.
“It’s disappointing that David Perdue’s made this a political issue, but it shouldn’t surprise people for a guy that outsourced jobs to China that he’s not supporting bringing jobs to Georgia,” Kemp said of the former Fortune 500 executive.
Republicans are also pushing through a $1 billion tax cut package. The proposal would replace the state’s graduated income tax rate, which tops out at 5.75%, with a lowered 5.25% rate.
White County Parks and Recreation has announced they have canceled the opening day baseball/softball activities that were planned for this Saturday.
“We were really disappointed on have to cancel the opening day Saturday due to the extremely cold temperatures and wind it was going to be too much to get the kids out in that,” said Kimberly McEntire Director for White County Parks and Recreation.
In an interview on WRWH News, McEntire said they have no plans for rescheduling opening day, but will have an end-of-the-season cookout.
White County Parks and Recreation Director Kim McEntire
During that same interview, McEntire talked about the recreation park facilities. She said the White County manager and board of commissioners have been proactive in making improvements. They’ve approved new bleachers for the gym and will install what she described as a “beautiful automatic gate” at the park entrance to showcase the facility.
The pavilion next to the pickleball courts at the White County rec complex on Asbestos Road was damaged in a recent storm. Depending on the weather, Mcentire said work should begin to rebuild the pavilion which is extensively used by the public.
As for the decision not to open the county’s public pool, McEntire said she knows it’s a “disappointment” but the county is working with Truett McConnel University to offer some aquatic activities.
In February, McEntire and White County’s Assistant Parks and Recreation Director Deena Cowart shared with commissioners that it’s not cost-effective to open the pool this summer, because of so many issues, plus McEntire said, “It’s hard to find lifeguards.” White County is considering possibly installing a Splash Pad at the park so kids can have some outdoor water activities.
The Cleveland City Council has announced that Tom O’Bryant has been named Director of Economic Development and Planning for the city.
The council made the announcement following an executive session Monday night. O’Bryant currently serves as the City’s Administrator. Cleveland Mayor Josh Turner said In his new role, Mr. O’Bryant will report directly to the Mayor and Council and will be charged with directing the economic development of the City, fostering relationships with businesses and investors, and creating an environment within the City where businesses can thrive and succeed. He will work closely with the Downtown Development Authority and assist with permitting, planning and zoning.
Mayor Turner said “Tom O’Bryant has a strong background in Economic Development and Planning and is the only person that the council would consider for this very important role. The Council has an immense amount of confidence in Tom to attract business and create a business-friendly environment. We are excited about the future with Tom at the helm to attract business and guide the city through these extraordinary times of growth.”
Tom O’Bryant commented “I am looking forward to this role with the City of Cleveland. I believe the City, and greater White County community, is positioned for tremendous growth. It is exciting to be able to plan and implement the economic future of Cleveland.”
O’Bryant previously worked in planning and development with the City of Commerce and Georgia Mountains Regional Commission prior to working for White County as the Director of Community and Economic Development from 2006 through 2017.
According to Mayor Turner O’Bryant will continue to carry out the duties of the City Administrator until his successor can be named.
The City of Cleveland will soon issue a job posting for the position of City Administrator.
The Tallulah Falls Indians unleashed their offense in a 14-run rout of visiting East Hall on Wednesday evening, playing well in all phases of the game in a 14-4 win.
The TFS lineup collected 16 hits, while 3 pitchers combined to throw a 1-hitter. The defense played an error-free ballgame, as the Indians got contributions from just about every player who came in the game.
Tallulah Falls held a slim 1-0 lead after the first 3 and a half innings but wore out home plate in the fourth inning with an 8-spot. East Hall retaliated with 4 runs in the fifth to pull it back to a 9-4 game. TFS scored 5 unanswered, including 4 in the sixth to walk it off with a game-ending bases loaded walk of Tate Shaw that triggered the mercy rule.
Shaw was one of 6 Indians with a multi-hit game. Norman Bastian, Jr. had 3 hits, while Joel Miller, Drew Bates, Frankey Moree, Danny Grant, and Shaw all had 2 hits apiece. Miller recorded 3 RBI, while Bates, Moree, and Tyler Popham all had 2 RBI. Meanwhile, Jeremy Medina went 4.1 innings, allowing 4 earned runs on no hits and 5 walks, striking out 8 and earning the win. Cole Bonitatibus and Aiden Gragg went 1.2 combined innings of relief to close out the game.
Bates had an RBI single in the first to plate Miller, staking Medina and the Indians to an early 1-0 lead. In the 8-run fourth, Popham drove in Caden Walker and Moree with a base hit before scoring himself on an error moments later. Miller, Bates, and Bastian, Jr. recorded RBI singles later in the frame to take a commanding 9-0 lead.
In the fifth, Miller’s single brought home Grant. The sixth inning featured a 2-run single by Moree and a bases loaded hit by pitch by David Medina and a walk with the sacks full by Shaw.
The Indians are now 3-3 on the season and return to the diamond on Friday at East Jackson.
The Habersham County Parks and Recreation Department announced this morning that the pools at the Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center are currently closed for maintenance.
“We had some duct work that became a hazard and needed to be better secured,” Habersham County Parks and Recreation Director Kurt Cooper tells Now Habersham.
Cooper says they plan to reopen the pools to the public Thursday afternoon, Mary 10.
