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Diego Gonzalez signs with South Georgia State College

By
TFS Athletics
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Diego Gonzalez (TFS Athletics)

Tallulah Falls senior baseball player Diego Gonzalez made a decision on his future by signing with South Georgia State College to continue his baseball and academic career.

“Since I arrived in the United States, my dream has always been to go as far as possible in baseball,” says Gonzalez. “That’s why I worked hard every single day with the goal of making that dream come true. Achieving it represents another step forward in my life, and it’s proof that hard work truly pays off.”

The shortstop will stay with current teammate and fellow South Georgia signee, Danny Grant, as they go to Douglas, Georgia to play for the Hawks. South Georgia is a member of the Georgia Collegiate Athletic Association (GCAA) and the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA).

“What attracted me the most to South Georgia State was knowing that they have great facilities, a competitive baseball program, and most importantly, the opportunity to prepare myself the right way for two years, since it’s a JUCO,” he adds. “It’s the perfect place to continue developing as both an athlete and a person.”

Gonzalez becomes the 16th Tallulah Falls baseball player to be able to compete at the next level, as head coach Justin Pollock has now tutored more than a dozen of those.

“TFS and Coach Pollock have been key in my development over the past three years,” says Gonzalez. “Every season, I grew not just as a player, but also as a man. I feel prepared for what’s next thanks to all the lessons, experiences, and advice I’ve received along the way.”

He is the ninth overall Tallulah Falls athlete this 2024-25 school year to officially sign paperwork. Gonzalez will be recognized at the annual Next Level Signing Ceremony on May 21, 2025 with all signees from this academic year.

Sarah Palin tells defamation trial jury that Times editorial ‘kicked the oomph’ out of her

By
Larry Neumeister and Michael R. Sisak
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Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin leaves Manhattan federal court, after testifying in her defamation trial against the New York Times, Monday, April 21, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

NEW YORK (AP) — Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin testified Monday at a defamation trial that an editorial about gun control in The New York Times in 2017 was devastating and “kicked the oomph” out of her.

The former Republican candidate for vice president whose college degree is in journalism answered questions in Manhattan federal court at a trial of her libel claims against the newspaper. She seeks unspecified damages.

“This was the gamechanger,” Palin said of the effect on her life after the newspaper in June 2017 published the editorial that became the subject of her lawsuit. “I felt defenseless. It just kicked the oomph right out of you.”

The editorial was written after U.S. Rep. Steve Scalise, a Louisiana Republican, was wounded when a man with a history of anti-GOP activity opened fire on a congressional baseball team practice in Washington.

In the editorial, the Times wrote that before the 2011 mass shooting in Arizona that severely wounded former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords and killed six others, Palin’s political action committee had contributed to an atmosphere of violence by circulating a map of electoral districts that put Giffords and 19 other Democrats under stylized crosshairs.

In a correction published less than a day later, the Times said the editorial had “incorrectly stated that a link existed between political rhetoric and the 2011 shooting” and had “incorrectly described” the map.

But Palin said the correction didn’t name her or restore her reputation, leaving it hard to overcome “when the loudest voice in the room, the most credible, biggest publication, was making things up about me.”

She said she received death threats.

“It got scarier. It got worse,” Palin said.

On cross-examination, a lawyer for the Times elicited from Palin that she still has millions of social media followers, is a best selling author and remains welcome to speak at events sponsored by Republican organizations.

Palin told reporters afterward that she was “thankful for the opportunity” to testify and that she is confident the jury will decide in her favor. She said she left court “believing that there’s still justice in the world” and “believing still that the press will be held accountable.”

Last week, former Times editorial page editor James Bennet cried as he apologized to Palin from the witness stand, saying he “blew it” when he inserted the incorrect information in the editorial.

He said he was “really upset, and I still am, obviously.”

In February 2022, a jury found against Palin’s libel claims, but the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan last year revived the case, citing errors made by the trial judge, including by dismissing the case while the last jury was deliberating.

After testimony concluded on Monday, lawyers asked Judge Jed S. Rakoff to make rulings in their favor as a matter of law rather than leaving everything for the jury to decide after closing arguments Tuesday. The judge rejected the requests.

“I think the 2nd Circuit has sent a message to this court that this is a case for the jury,” Rakoff said.

Helen to host 23rd annual Volkswanderung: A revival of a beloved German tradition

By
Jerry Neace
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A decades-old European tradition is making its way back to the charming alpine village of Helen, Georgia, as the 23rd Annual Volkswanderung returns to the community. Also known as a Volksmarch or “people’s walk,” the event is set to take place Saturday, April 26, blending scenic trails, cultural celebration, and community spirit in a non-competitive fitness walk open to all ages.

Alpine Helen Volksmarch Club President Rob Powell and Treasurer Bryan Meckley sat down with Now Habersham to explain what Volksmarching is and the revival of the event they have planned in Helen.

A walk through history

Originating in Germany and neighboring countries like Austria, Switzerland, and Liechtenstein in the 1960s, Volksmarching quickly became a popular way to combine health and heritage.

The movement officially took shape in 1968 when it was recognized by the International Federation of Popular Sports (IVV) as a non-competitive walking event that promotes fitness and fun. The tradition has since spread worldwide, with walkers collecting stamps, pins, and memorabilia from events across the globe.

For Powell, one of the passionate organizers of the Helen event, it’s a tradition he loved while living in Germany — one he felt compelled to bring back stateside.

“We did our first one as a family and said, ‘Wow, we like this,’” Powell said. “Now we’re bringing it to America — to Helen, as a matter of fact.”

He gave a bit of history of the event in Helen that dates back nearly 40 years. Helen first embraced Volksmarching in 1987, hosting annual walks through the town until 2007. After a long hiatus, the event was revived in 2022, and it has grown steadily since. Powell said this year marks the third walk since its relaunch, making it the 23rd Volkswanderung overall.

This year’s walk: Two scenic routes

Participants can choose from two walking routes designed to showcase the natural beauty of the area:

  • 10K Mountain Trail Walk: A more challenging but stunning route, this walk starts at Bodensee German Restaurant and winds through downtown Helen to the Helen-to-Unicoi Trail, leading up to Unicoi State Park Lodge and back. Walkers will enjoy mountain streams, forest views, and an authentic alpine atmosphere reminiscent of southern Germany.
  • 5K Riverside Trail Walk: A gentler, flatter alternative perfect for beginners, families with strollers, or leashed pets. This walk follows the Hardman Farm Trail along the Chattahoochee River, offering beautiful river views with minimal incline.

Participants can start any time between 7:30 a.m. and 10 a.m., and the walk will conclude by 12:00 p.m. The post-walk celebration — including live German music, food, beer, and a large prize drawing — will run from 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. back at Bodensee Restaurant.

Registration and festival details

  • Basic Walk Registration: $5 (covers AVA insurance and participation)
  • Festival Bundle: $25 (includes the walk, a commemorative pin, two German beers, a food ticket, a raffle ticket, and a bag full of sponsor goodies)

The first 200 registrants for the bundle package will receive a special gift bag featuring discounts, coupons, and giveaways from local businesses — a value that far exceeds the cost of registration.

The Rotary Club of Helen is sponsoring the prize drawing, and all proceeds from raffle ticket sales will benefit White County Circle of Hope, a local charity supporting victims of domestic violence.

“We’re a nonprofit, but we wanted to partner with a charity that gives back to our community,” Meckley said.

Collecting memories — and stamps

A unique feature of Volksmarching is the event and distance books, where walkers collect stamps from each event they complete. For many, these books are a badge of honor, filled with stories of journeys across the U.S. and Europe. Participants can purchase official AVA books and get them stamped at the event.

“Some people have walked thousands of miles and attended events in all 50 states and multiple countries,” Powell said. “We’ll have a booth displaying the history, along with pins, past T-shirts, and other memorabilia.”

Plans are already in the works for next year’s event, which may feature custom Helen beer steins, a nod to the German tradition where participants receive ceramic mugs instead of medals or shirts.

Promoting a different side of Helen

While Helen is often known for its Oktoberfest celebrations, downtown shopping, and Bavarian charm, the Volkswanderung offers a family-friendly, fitness-focused alternative.

“This gives visitors and locals alike the chance to see the quieter, more natural side of Helen,” Meckley said. “You get to walk through the woods, see the river, breathe the mountain air — and then come back to town and celebrate.”

The event is open to all ages and fitness levels, and leashed pets are welcome. Whether you’re a seasoned walker collecting stamps or just looking for a fun Saturday outing with the family, the 23rd Annual Volkswanderung has something for everyone.

For more information, visit the club’s website at www.alpinehelenvolksmarch.org or follow their signs and posters throughout Helen leading up to the event.

Dust off your walking shoes, grab your dog, your stroller, or your hiking buddies — and come see Helen like never before!

Habersham BOE names new principal at Hazel Grove Elementary

By
Brian Wellmeier
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Stefanie Eaton will succeed Tim Goss as the new principal at Hazel Grove Elementary School. (Brian Wellmeier/nowhabersham.com)

A new principal has been selected to succeed current Hazel Grove Elementary School Principal Tim Goss, Ph.D., who will retire at the end of the school year.

Stefanie Eaton, a longtime educator and current assistant principal of Level Grove Elementary, was named as Goss’ replacement at a regular meeting among Habersham’s Board of Education Monday, April 21.

Eaton has 20 years of experience in the field of education and spent 13 years as a classroom teacher. For nine years of her career, Eaton taught in Hall County before she came to Habersham.

With degrees in elementary education and special education, Eaton earned her master and specialist from North Georgia College and State University (now University of North Georgia).

“I’m thrilled,” Eaton said. “I’m so excited to join this sweet little school. I’ve heard nothing but wonderful things. It’s so community-centered and family-centered, and I’m just thankful to bring my little family into their family.”

Eaton will step into the position at the start of a new school year next fall.

“(Eaton) is a wonderful assistant principal, currently, at Level Grove – our largest elementary school,” Superintendent Patrick Franklin said Monday. “She’s worked there as a teacher, as an academic coach. She’s had great success at all levels. She’s shown her dedication to the mission (Success for all Students). I have no doubt she’s going to be a great addition to the Hazel Grove family.”

Gov. Kemp signs sweeping lawsuit reform bills into law

By
Jill Nolin
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Gov. Brian Kemp hands a pen to Sen. John F. Kennedy, a Macon Republican who was the lead sponsor of the bills overhauling Georgia’s civil litigation system. (Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder)

(Georgia Recorder) — Gov. Brian Kemp signed new lawsuit award limits into law Monday that he argues will bring balance to Georgia’s legal environment and send relief to the state’s businesses.

The signing marks the end of a bruising fight at the state Capitol with both sides of the aisle feeling the fallout. But the debate over whether the pair of bills will help rein in costs rages on.

“Both of these bills accomplished our goal of leveling the playing field in Georgia’s courtrooms and ensuring our business environment remains the best in the nation,” Kemp said in remarks at the state Capitol Monday.

“(They) simply bring transparency and fairness to a process that has been abused for too long, that has driven up costs for businesses and consumers alike,” he added.

Some of the bills’ biggest supporters caution that it will take time for that relief to come.

Chris Clark, president and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce said he believed the changes would help the state’s small businesses and health care providers, especially in rural communities – but not overnight.

“It’s not an easy fix. It’s not going to lower rates for everybody tomorrow,” Clark said Monday. “But if it can stabilize them, I think that’s a huge win.”

Insurance Commissioner John King, a Republican who is seen as a potential U.S. Senate candidate, said Monday that he expects to see reduced rates. If not, King said he wants to hear insurers explain why rates are not decreasing.

Gov. Brian Kemp hands a pen to Sen. John F. Kennedy, a Macon Republican who was the lead sponsor of the bills overhauling Georgia’s civil litigation system. (Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder)

“We’ve expended so much political currency in getting this done. Now I expect insurance companies to meet us in the middle,” King said.

In January, Kemp pledged to drag lawmakers back to Atlanta for a special session if “meaningful, impactful” changes were not made to the state’s civil litigation system. At one point, the governor’s top aide said the governor’s war chest would be used to back primary challengers for GOP defectors.

In the end, the votes did not fall neatly along party lines, with eight Republican lawmakers in the House voting against Senate Bill 68, which contained the bulk of the changes. It just barely cleared the House with a 91-82 vote after some changes were made.

The main bill includes provisions that would limit owners’ liability for injuries that occur on their property, restrict damages awarded for medical bills, and enable trials to more easily be split into multiple stages so that juries can determine liability and damages separately.

Georgia Democrats blasted Monday’s bill signing.

“Congratulations to Brian Kemp for threatening and arm-twisting his way to the signing of his number one priority this year: shielding insurance companies from accountability to Georgians in court,” said Matthew Wilson, who is serving as interim chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia and who is also a trial lawyer.

Rep. Tanya Miller, an Atlanta Democrat and an attorney who was a leading voice of opposition to the bills this session, said Monday that if insurance rates do stabilize, it won’t be because the state limited lawsuits in Georgia.

Miller called the Kemp-backed package “a manufactured solution to a manufactured problem.”

“The truth is, this so-called reform was never about solving a real problem,” Miller said. “The tort reform campaign has long been run on half-truths, selective anecdotes, and outright misinformation. There was no crisis in our judicial system, and no credible data supports the claim that injured citizens seeking justice in a court of law caused insurance premiums to spike.”

The bill had faced opposition from crime victims and their families and the trial attorneys who represent them. In the House, the bill was changed to carve out greater protections for survivors of human trafficking, but lawmakers did not extend similar protections to other child, elderly and sexual assault victims.

Critics had argued that the last-minute changes didn’t go far enough.

“Our laws should stand up for injured Georgians, not give big corporations a free pass for turning a blind eye,” said Rep. Stacey Evans, an Atlanta Democrat and an attorney who also helped lead the Democratic opposition to the bill.

In the House, the focus on insurance rates will continue this year. House Speaker Jon Burns last week announced the creation of a blue-ribbon study committee on insurance rates.

“Throughout the interim, the House will take another look at something that’s important: a close look at our state’s insurance markets and premiums to ensure that our fellow Georgians and companies of every size have access to coverage and are not being subjected to unjustified rate increases,” Burns said in remarks at Monday’s bill signing ceremony.

Sims named Habersham County Manager

By
Joy Purcell
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Interim Habersham County Manager Tim Sims has been appointed as the permanent Habersham County manager. Commissioners approved his full-time appointment during Monday’s county commission meeting.

Sims, who previously served as Habersham’s Chief Financial Officer, succeeds Alicia Vaughn who left in December. He was one of three finalists for the job following a months-long search which commissioners whittled down from among 60 candidates.

The two others who were up for the job were Demorest City Manager Mark Musselwhite and former Mt. Airy Town Manager Tim Jarrell.

Prior to the appointment, the commission excused themselves and went into executive session to discuss litigation, property disposal, and personnel. After about an hour and 20 minutes, the commission emerged from the executive session and returned to open the meeting.

Once the commission certified the closed session, Vice-Chairman Bruce Harkness made an announcement.

“There is one piece of business we need to take care of concerning interim county manager Mr. Tim Sims and we are not going to fire you,” Harkness laughed.

Commissioner Ty Akins made the motion. “I’ll make the motion that we make Tim Sims our permanent county manager. Commissioner Dustin Mealor seconded the motion. The vote to appoint Sims as the permanent county manager was unanimous.

After the announcement, Sims admitted that he was humbled by the commission’s decision. “I’m very humbled that they chose me, to entrust me to continue on with what I’ve been doing the past three and a half months,” he said.

Sims took over as the interim county manager on December 28, 2024 after former county manager Alicia Vaughn resigned with her last day being December 27.

After the meeting, Harkness outlined some of the next steps after appointing Sims permanently. “We will be voting on his employment contract next month, so we will be working on that between now and then,” he said.

A source of contention during Vaughn’s tenure was her salary. Harkness addressed that as part of the employment contract. “His salary is not going to be increasing very much. That was part of all the discussions,” he said. “We have to keep costs down.”

Harkness continued, ”He’s very capable. He’s worked for many, many years for county government but we do have to keep costs down and he was willing to work with us.”

$5,000 reward offered for info on threat that triggered Chestatee High lockdown

By
Joy Purcell
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FILE PHOTO - Hall County's Chestatee High School was placed on lockdown Monday, April 21, 2025, after school officials reported receiving a threatening phone call. (Source: Google Maps)

The Hall County School District is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the anonymous caller who threatened to harm students at Chestatee High School. The school received the threat shortly after 2 p.m. on Monday, April 21, prompting a lockdown and large-scale law enforcement response.

Chestatee High remained on an interior lockdown for approximately two hours as uniformed officers and K-9 units from the Hall County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) searched the buildings and school grounds. After the lockdown was lifted around 4:20 p.m., students were allowed to go home.

HCSO investigators are actively working to determine the identity of the anonymous male caller. They say the unknown caller “threatened the lives and safety of Chestatee High School students and staff.” Neither the sheriff’s office nor the school district described the precise nature of the threat.

‘Abundance of caution’

During the incident, school officials released updates telling parents they placed the school on an “interior lockdown” out of an “abundance of caution.” According to the school district, during an interior lockdown, students remain in classrooms or other secure areas inside the building, away from potential danger.

In a statement released late Monday, Hall County School Superintendent Will Schofield announced the reward. He says he’s “incredibly proud of our students, the team at Chestatee, and local law enforcement” for how they handled the situation. He hopes the reward money will encourage anyone with information to come forward and help authorities find and convict the person “responsible for this heinous crime.”

Superintendent Schofield expressed his gratitude to the sheriff’s office for its “quick and thorough response.” He says extra deputies will be on campus Tuesday to ensure staff and student safety.

A spokesperson for the sheriff’s office says, “Everyone at the school cooperated fully, and no one was injured during today’s operation.”

Schofield asks anyone with information about who is responsible for the threat to contact the Hall County Sheriff’s Office. The non-emergency dispatch line is 770-536-8812, extension 8.

Lady Indians win region title, Indians Runner-Up

By
TFS Athletics
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Mallory Higgins (Austin Poffenberger)

The Tallulah Falls School boys and girls golf teams played at Achasta on Monday, and both secured state playoff berths. The Lady Indians won the Region Championship, while the Indians were runners-up.

The girls combined for a 156 (2-score), with Liv Eckhard carding a 74 and Mallory Higgins an 82. Higgins finished with nine pars and three birdies, while Eckhard had 12 pars and three birdies. In extra holes, Eckhard won low medalist honors. She sank a 12-foot putt on the first playoff hole, tied again in the second, then birdied the third playoff hole to gain the sudden-death victory. Reagan Duncan shot her best 18-hole score with an 89, and Maeve Hatcher turned in an 81, while Sadie Henslee had an 83.

The boys came in second with a 226 score, just nine strokes out of first. Rylee Smith and Will Greene tied for the lowest TFS score, each carding 78s. Ryder Cantrell had an 82, a personal best on 18. Tate Turpin had an 88 and Kalvin Ngov 89. Hunter Bell also competed for TFS.

Braves rally on Sean Murphy’s 3-run homer, then hold off slumping Cardinals 7-6

By
Bill Trocchi
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Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Schwellenbach delivers in the first inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Monday, April 21, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)

ATLANTA (AP) — Sean Murphy hit a three-run homer during Atlanta’s five-run eighth inning, and the Braves beat the St. Louis Cardinals 7-6 on Monday night for their fourth consecutive victory.

Austin Riley hit a two-run homer for Atlanta, and Michael Harris II added two hits and drove in a run. Daysbel Hernández (2-0) got three outs for the win.

St. Louis lost its fifth consecutive game. It dropped to 1-10 on the road.

The Cardinals rallied with three runs in the ninth against Raisel Iglesias. Victor Scott II doubled home Pedro Pagés before Willson Contreras connected for a two-run homer.

Brendan Donovan walked with two outs before Murphy ended the game by tagging out Nolan Arenado on a dribbler ball just in front of home plate.

The Braves grabbed control in the eighth. Harris hit a tiebreaking sacrifice fly before Murphy went deep.

Cardinals reliever Phil Maton (0-1) got one out and was charged with four runs.

St. Louis wasted a solid performance by Erick Fedde, who pitched six innings of two-run ball.

Atlanta right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach permitted three runs — two earned — and eight hits in seven innings.

Cardinal manager Oliver Marmol was ejected in the eighth inning for arguing balls and strikes.

Key moment

Riley was initially ruled out on a grounder to shortstop in the eighth, but he was awarded a one-out single after a replay reversal. He scored the tying run on Matt Olson’s single.

Key stat

Riley has seven homers in his last 12 games against the Cardinals.

Up next

Cardinals right-hander Andre Pallante (2-1, 3.22 ERA) will start Game 2 of the three-game series. The Braves are going with a bullpen game on Tuesday after Spencer Strider was placed on the 15-day IL with a strained hamstring.

National, state gas prices dip

By
Staff Report
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(Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham)

Georgia drivers continue to see relief at the pump as average gas prices dipped again this week. The average price for regular unleaded gasoline in the state is now $2.92 per gallon, according to AAA-The Auto Club Group—down 6 cents from last week.

Though prices remain slightly higher than a month ago by 2 cents, they’re a notable 51 cents cheaper than this time last year.

Filling up a 15-gallon tank now costs drivers approximately $43.80, nearly $8.00 less than a year ago.

“Lately, oil prices have taken a dive, presumably swayed by uncertainty about the economy and worries about a recession sneaking up on us,” AAA spokesperson Montrae Waiters said. “Because of this, demand is down, and we have not seen crude oil prices this low in several years. If we continue this trend, we could keep seeing pump prices drop as we roll into summer.”

National prices trend lower

Nationally, gas prices are also trending downward in an unusual seasonal slide. The average price for a gallon of regular gasoline has dropped 3 cents since last Monday, now standing at $3.15.

Data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows a modest rise in gasoline demand, inching up from 8.42 to 8.46 million barrels per day. Despite the slight increase, total domestic gasoline supply dropped by 2 million barrels to 234 million, while production rose to an average of 9.4 million barrels per day.

With crude oil prices remaining low and demand still soft, analysts say drivers may continue to benefit from falling fuel costs as the summer travel season approaches.

Harvard sues Trump administration to stop the freeze of more than $2 billion in grants

By
Michael Casey and Jocelyn Gecker
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Students, faculty and members of the Harvard University community rally, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in Cambridge, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

BOSTON (AP) — Harvard University announced Monday that it has filed suit to halt a federal freeze on more than $2.2 billion in grants after the institution said it would defy the Trump administration’s demands to limit activism on campus.

In an April 11 letter to Harvard, the Trump administration had called for broad government and leadership reforms at the university and changes to its admissions policies. It also demanded the university audit views of diversity on campus and stop recognizing some student clubs. The administration has argued universities allowed antisemitism to go unchecked at campus protests last year against Israel’s war in Gaza.

Harvard President Alan Garber said the university would not bend to the demands. Hours later, the government froze billions of dollars in federal funding.

“The Government has not — and cannot — identify any rational connection between antisemitism concerns and the medical, scientific, technological, and other research it has frozen that aims to save American lives, foster American success, preserve American security, and maintain America’s position as a global leader in innovation,” said the lawsuit, filed in Boston federal court.

“Nor has the Government acknowledged the significant consequences that the indefinite freeze of billions of dollars in federal research funding will have on Harvard’s research programs, the beneficiaries of that research, and the national interest in furthering American innovation and progress,” it added.

Harvard’s suit called the funding freeze “arbitrary and capricious,” saying it violated its First Amendment rights and the statutory provisions of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.

Within hours, the White House lashed back.

“The gravy train of federal assistance to institutions like Harvard, which enrich their grossly overpaid bureaucrats with tax dollars from struggling American families is coming to an end,” White House spokesman Harrison Fields said in an email Monday. “Taxpayer funds are a privilege, and Harvard fails to meet the basic conditions required to access that privilege.”

For the Trump administration, Harvard presents the first major hurdle in its attempt to force change at universities that Republicans say have become hotbeds of liberalism and antisemitism. A part of that is targeting research funding which has fueled scientific breakthroughs but has become an easy source of leverage for the Trump administration.

In its letter earlier this month, the administration told Harvard to impose tougher discipline on protesters and to screen international students for those who are “hostile to the American values.”

It also called for broad leadership reforms at the university, admissions policy changes and the end of college recognition for some student clubs. The government also demanded Harvard audit its faculty and student body to ensure wide viewpoints in every department and, if necessary, diversify by admitting additional students and hiring new faculty.

Last Monday, Harvard said it would not comply, citing the First Amendment. The following day, Trump took to his Truth Social platform, questioning whether the university should lose its tax-exempt status “if it keeps pushing political, ideological, and terrorist inspired/supporting ‘Sickness?’”

The lawsuit follows one filed earlier this month by the American Association of University Professors demanding a federal judge declare unlawful and put aside a pending review and investigation of Harvard’s funding.

The university frames the government’s demands as a threat not only to the Ivy League school but to the autonomy the Supreme Court has long granted American universities.

“Today, we stand for the values that have made American higher education a beacon for the world,” Garber wrote Monday to the Harvard community.

“We stand for the truth that colleges and universities across the country can embrace and honor their legal obligations and best fulfill their essential role in society without improper government intrusion,” he added.

Anurima Bhargava, one of the alumni who has encouraged Harvard to take a tougher stand against the administration, praised the filing of the lawsuit.

“The Trump administration continues its reckless and unlawful attack for power and control over Harvard, slashing billions in funding for scientific research and innovation that improves and saves lives,” she said. “Today, Harvard once again refused to accede to the administration’s dangerous and escalating demands.”

The American Council on Education, a nonprofit with more than 1,600 member colleges and universities, applauded Harvard.

“It has been clear for weeks that the administration’s actions violated due process and the rule of law. We applaud Harvard for taking this step and look forward to a clear and unambiguous statement by the court rebuking efforts to undermine scholarship and science,” said Ted Mitchell, the council’s president.

White County adds state-of-the-art engine to Mossy Creek fire station

By
Joy Purcell
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Firefighters and elected officials celebrated the arrival of White County's new fire truck during a Push-In Ceremony at the Mossy Creek fire station on April 21, 2025. Pictured from left, White County Commissioner Edwin Nix, Fire Service Deputy Chief Terry Sosebee, Public Safety Director David Murphy, Fire Service Assistant Chief Josh Taylor, White County Commission Chairman Travis Turner, Commissioner Shan Ash, and Commissioner Craig Bryant. (Bryce Barrett/White County)

CLEVELAND, Ga. — White County Fire Services dedicated a new state-of-the-art fire engine to its fleet during a ceremony Monday morning. The county will house the new Engine 4 at Fire Station 4 in the Mossy Creek community.

A highlight of the ceremony was the “push-in,” where firefighters manually pushed the new engine into the station bay. This tradition dates back to the 1800s and signifies the teamwork and history of the fire service.

“This tradition reminds us of where we came from and reflects the teamwork that defines our fire service,” said White County Public Safety Director David Murphy. “As we push this new engine into service, we share our commitment to serving the Mossy Creek community and all of White County.”

The county purchased the new E-ONE engine from FireLine Inc. in Winder, Georgia. The engine features a 1,500-gallon-per-minute pump and a 1,000-gallon water tank and is outfitted with ISO and NFPA-compliant tools and equipment. It also carries Hurst extrication e-tools for vehicle extrication and Basic Life Support (BLS) medical gear to operate as a first-in medical unit.

 

The county paid for the apparatus with SPLOST money, demonstrating voters’ support for infrastructure improvements. During Monday’s ceremony, fire officials recognized the White County Board of Commissioners for its vision and continued support.

“This engine is more than just a piece of equipment; it’s an investment in safety, service, and the future of White County,” Murphy said.

What began as a volunteer fire station in 1991, White County Fire Station 4 has grown to become an integral part of the county’s fire response system. The new engine bolsters the county’s ability to respond to calls for help in the growing Mossy Creek area and beyond. Engine 4 is now in service and ready to respond.

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