White County Fire Services has promoted Terry Sosebee to the rank of Deputy Chief. Officials say the 30-year veteran of the department has played a key role in its evolution over the years. Sosebee’s promotion is the culmination of a long career that has coincided with the development of White County Fire Services from a group of volunteer fire departments to a 24/7 full-time operation.
“Terry’s experience and deep understanding of our department’s history and mission make him the ideal choice for this role,” said White County Public Safety Director David Murphy. “He’s helped build the foundation we stand on today and I have full confidence in his leadership moving forward.”
Sosebee began volunteering as a firefighter with White County Fire Services in 1990. He became a full-time employee in December 2003 and has worked his way up through the ranks holding positions such as Station 4 Captain (Volunteer), South Battalion Chief (Volunteer), Technical Services Officer, and most recently, Battalion Chief of Operations and Fleet. In this role, he was responsible for managing all operations for the department and ensuring the readiness of critical equipment and vehicles.
As Deputy Chief, Sosebee will oversee day-to-day operations of the Fire Services Division and coordinate responses with local officials and public safety agencies in emergency situations.
“I’ve seen this department through so much change over the years… from an all-volunteer group of neighbors helping neighbors to a highly trained, professional fire service,” Sosebee said of his promotion. “I’m incredibly honored and humbled by this opportunity to better lead the fine men and women who make up White County Fire Services.” He added, “It’s a privilege to serve alongside such dedicated individuals, I’m excited for what the future holds.”
A native of White County, Sosebee and his wife Karan are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary this year. They recently welcomed their first grandchild, a son born to their son Cole and his wife.
Lumpkin County is in some new territory (at least in recent memory). Four-star athlete Cal Faulkner left an indelible mark on the program and on Indians athletics in general. He will be sorely missed.
Several of the key players from the last two historic seasons are now gone…which puts Lumpkin at a crossroads.
The foundation laid by coach Heath Webb and his staff will mean that while there might be a small ‘reset,’ it doesn’t mean the program has to ‘rebuild’ anything. There’s enough talent and, more importantly, culture to keep this football program competitive.
Doris Ann Skelton Atkins, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2025, in Gainesville, where she was born on September 2, 1962. A proud graduate of White County High School, class of 1980, Doris exemplified a lifelong commitment to family, community, and the simple joys of life.
Doris was a devoted partner to her husband, Larry Donald Atkins, and an inspiring mother to her two daughters, Kayla Ashworth and Kimberly Boyd, who is married to Jeremy. She cherished her role as a grandmother to Harmony Boyd, Cayden Ashworth, McKayla Atkins, and Maylee Atkins, finding immense joy in their accomplishments and everyday moments.
In addition to her immediate family, Doris is survived by her sisters, Diane Gragg and Denise Gilbert, and her aunt, Melvina Wheelis. Her legacy is one of love, kindness, and unwavering support for those around her.
A woman of many interests, Doris enjoyed shopping and grew up gardening with her parents and enjoying time together with her family. She had a particular fondness for old model cars, sharing that passion with family and friends, which often sparked lively conversations and laughter.
Doris was preceded by her parents, Raymond Skelton and Ruby Louise Dyer Skelton, whose influence and values shaped her into the remarkable individual she became.
Private family services will be held at a later date.
As we remember Doris, we celebrate a life lived fully and a spirit that will continue to inspire those who had the privilege to know her. She leaves behind not just memories, but a deep-seated love that will remain in the hearts of her family and friends forever.
Gov. Brian Kemp, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Sen. John Kennedy spoke at a March press conference celebrating the passage of Georgia’s lawsuit overhaul bill. (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
ATLANTA (Georgia Recorder) — Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp kicked off the final day of the 2025 legislative session by signing Senate Bill 36, also known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), into law, appeasing some Georgian residents who have been calling for stronger protections under state law for free exercise of religion.
The bill mirrors federal legislation that has been in place since 1993, and imposes new restrictions on state and local governments’ ability to “substantially burden a person’s exercise of religion” unless it is “in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest.” It gained final passage out of the House on April 2 in a 96-70 vote that fell largely along party lines.
Democrats in particular have opposed the bill, arguing that without statewide civil rights protections, a RFRA law would allow Georgians greater leeway to discriminate against LGBTQ people and religious minorities.
Establishing new religious protections under state law has been a goal of the Georgia GOP since shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court legalized gay marriage in 2015. The bill’s sponsor, Acworth Republican Sen. Ed Setzler, first introduced the legislation nearly a decade ago during the 2016 legislative session. The same year, a similar religious freedom bill passed out of the Georgia Legislature, but was ultimately vetoed by then-Governor Nathan Deal, who said he wanted to keep Georgia “a welcoming state.”
Prior to Deal’s veto, some of Georgia’s largest employers, including Coca Cola and Delta Air Lines, warned that the RFRA bill that the Legislature passed would create a law that made recruiting essential workers more difficult.
In a speech immediately after signing the bill, Kemp downplayed concerns that the bill could increase discrimination, drawing parallels between RFRA and legislation from previous sessions aimed at combating hate crimes in the wake of Ahmaud Arbery’s murder and heightening statewide protections against antisemitism.
“Today I signed SB 36, also known as the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, or RFRA, ensuring that once again at the state level, that Georgians are protected, including Georgians of faith,” he said. “I wanted to let everybody know that despite signing that legislation, Georgia still remains a state that has no place for hate, and I can assure all Georgians of that today.”
Georgia Public Service commissioners, from left, Fitz Johnson, Tim Echols, Tricia Pridemore, Lauren "Bubba" McDonald Jr., and Jason Shaw. (PSC livestream image May 2023)
(Georgia Recorder) — Several candidates are vying to defeat a pair of incumbent Republican Georgia Public Service commissioners in an election that challengers say will become a referendum on rising Georgia Power bills.
Consumer watchdogs worry that the state’s largest utility will continue to raise rates on residential customers as it girds for a wave of data center growth that will spike demand for electricity over the next decade.
Qualifying for the Public Service Commission races wrapped up Thursday with Commissioner Tim Echols, who represents a wide swath of east Georgia, and Commissioner Fitz Johnson, who represents metro Atlanta, declaring their reelection bids.
Echols will face challenger Lee Muns in the June 17 Republican Primary for the commission’s District 2 seat.
The winner of the GOP primary will advance to a Nov. 4 general election against Savannah Democrat Alicia Johnson, who is unopposed in her primary.
This fall, Johnson will face the winner of the June 17 District 3 Democratic primary between DeKalb County clean energy advocate Peter Hubbard, former Atlanta state Rep. Keisha Sean Waites, technology advisor Robert Jones and Daniel Blackman, who will wage a second campaign after narrowly losing the 2020 election in a runoff to longtime Commissioner Lauren “Bubba” McDonald.
Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols (Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder)
The PSC general election will be included on ballots for the Nov. 4 municipal election.
The statewide election is taking place on an irregular schedule for PSC races that typically result in staggered six-year terms in five commission districts. This year’s primary and general election will mark the first time since 2020 PSC contests will appear on Georgia ballots.
Echols’ 2022 election was delayed by a lawsuit challenging the commission’s at-large district election process as being unfair to Black voters.
Commissioners represent – and must reside in – one of the five districts but are elected statewide.
This years’ PSC candidates said they’ll work hard to drum up interest because turnout will be lower than when there are higher profile races for governor, Congress, and the White House on the ballot.
Lee Muns (photo submitted)
The challengers said they’ll be campaigning as the best candidate to fight on behalf of the public in Georgia Power cases that the current five member Republican commissioners have routinely given the green light to increase utility costs and fossil fuels.
Echols, who is running for his third term on the PSC, said he’ll campaign on his support of Georgia Power’s reinvestment in its power grid and natural gas system.
Echols said he’s been supportive of clean energy technologies like electric vehicles and solar energy and is proud of voting in favor of increasing affordability initiatives for Georgia Power seniors and low-income customers.
“We also want to continue to make Georgia the best place to do business because when these companies come they provide jobs and when companies compete like Hyundai and Gulfstream in Savannah, the consumer wins because they make more per hour,” he said.
Through his career in the construction industry, Muns says he learned how to build power plants in the most cost-effective way.
Muns served five years on the Georgia Professional Standards Commission and is a former Columbia County school board member.
Muns said state regulators will have important decisions to make on the growth of mega data centers, the driving force in Georgia Power’s 2025 calls for significantly increasing its energy capacity over the next decade.
“In Georgia, we’ve got aging facilities,” Muns said. “We’re fortunate. We’ve got two nuclear power plant reactors that have come on board. But the thing that’s concerned me as I followed that process was the significant (Plant Vogtle) cost overruns.”
Public Service Commission candidate Alicia Johnson (Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder)
Alicia Johnson said her 25 years of policy advocacy in Savannah will help her pursuit of more clean, sustainable, and affordable energy in Georgia.
She criticized the commission’s approval of six Georgia Power rate hikes since the start of 2022.
“We believe that the underlying costs can be assumed by the companies themselves and not rolled over into the homes of everyday Georgia citizens who are now choosing between prescriptions and groceries, who are making choices between, paying their rent or their mortgage and getting gas,” Johnson said.
PSC’s Johnson faces four challengers
Fitz Johnson was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp in 2021 to fill a vacancy on the commission and will stand for reelection for the first time.
Heading into his first bid to keep his seat on the regulatory panel, Fitz Johnson acknowledges the pushback from many Georgia Power customers about higher utility bills.
Georgia Public Service Commissioner Fitz Johnson (Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder)
He said it’s important for the PSC to properly balance the needs of ratepayers while Georgia Power’s long-term Integrated Resource Plan case and the electric rate cases are decided this year.
“As part of our rule with the data centers… they are going to have to guarantee that contract so we don’t have the overbuild of infrastructure,” Johnson said. “Georgia Power, and I’m sure the power companies around the state, are doing a lot of pre-planning to make sure that we don’t overextend ourselves, to make sure that the fit is just right.”
Johnson attributed some of the rising utility costs to inflation and said he hopes to see rates stabilize under the Trump administration.
Blackman spent the last few years serving under President Joe Biden as a regional administrator for the Environmental Protection Agency where he implemented $3.5 billion in federal funding for projects that includes electrifying school buses and for water infrastructure in DeKalb County.
He said he aims to add new transparency to the extent that data centers are boosting household utility rates, while advocating for low-income energy assistance programs and helping build a secure electric grid that makes up the network of infrastructure that powers homes and businesses.
Daniel Blackman (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
“Our grid is extraordinarily important,” Blackman said. “Whether we’re protecting it from a national security risk or an extreme weather event, my goal is to campaign on a platform that ensures we can have a reliable grid without overburdening the ratepayers.”
Waites is an Atlanta Democrat who served in the Georgia House of Representatives from 2012 to 2017. She resigned from the House in September 2017 to make a run for chair of the Fulton County Commission before finishing in second place. After being elected to the Atlanta City Council in 2021, Waites resigned in 2024 to launch a bid for Fulton County Superior Court clerk.
Hubbard, who works as a clean energy advocate for nonprofit Georgia Center for Energy Solutions, said he is running for the District 3 seat since the PSC “ignores” evidence he’s presented while intervening in Georgia Power Company’s Integrated Resource Plan cases since 2019.
Hubbard has pledged in campaign statement that he “will put an end to the grift and disinformation that are raising your power bills.”
“Residential power bills in Georgia have gone up $60 per month in just the last three years. This is because the current Public Service Commission approves each fossil fuel plan that Georgia Power Company gives it,” Hubbard said.
Robert Jones said he’s prepared to become the District 3 state regulator after gaining experience in energy and communications regulation in California.
Public Service Commission candidate Robert Jones (Stanley Dunlap/Georgia Recorder)
He criticizes the current commission’s decisions allowing Georgia Power to shift some construction cost risks to consumers and the company’s fight against the expansion of household rooftop solar power growth. Jones said as commissioner he would advocate for rooftop solar and reducing fossil fuel use.
“I think as an investor-owned profit making utility, they should assume more of the risk for their capital investments,” Jones said. “I think the commission erred by rejecting net metering on solar power. Rooftop solar power is where we need to be going in Georgia. It’s not a threat to Georgia Power.”
Albert “AJ” Stinnett a 29 year old male was last seen earlier in the morning of Friday, April 4. (Dawson County Sheriff's Office)
The Dawson County Sheriff’s Office needs the public’s assistance in locating a missing person in Dawsonville, Georgia.
Albert “AJ” Stinnett, a 29 year old male, was last seen earlier in the morning on Friday, April 4, in the area of HWY 9 N near Perimeter Rd, in Dawsonville, Georgia.
He is believed to be wearing a tank top and shorts.
The Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office posted the BOLO (Be On the Look Out) on their Facebook page.
If you have any info on AJ’s whereabouts please contact the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office at 706-344-3636.
ATLANTA (Georgia Recorder) — The rising cost of child care and workforce shortages have hit Georgia families and providers hard in the aftermath of the pandemic.
While the state did see the burden alleviated via temporary federal relief programs for families and financial support for child care workers, those programs have ended. Advocates for children are calling on state lawmakers to now increase financial support for Georgia’s families. A pending proposal aims to introduce tax credits to offer parents some support, but time in the legislative session is quickly running out. Friday is the last chance for lawmakers to take action before the 2025 legislative session closes.
Child care expenses are a concern that hits home for John Jackson, head of financial planning and analysis for BlackRock in Atlanta and a member of the board of directors for Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students.
“As a dad of three daughters, I know how challenging it can be to find reliable, high-quality child care,” Jackson said. “I’ve had mornings where our backup child care is unavailable, and it’s instant chaos in terms of my wife and I trying to figure out who’s going to miss work, what schedule and meetings will be changed and how we are going to close those gaps.”
Several nonprofits like GEEARS and Voices for Georgia’s Children are advocating for financial support for families, especially those with young children. In the COVID era, many parents pulled their children out of child care facilities while teachers also left their workplaces due to stay-at-home orders. This allowed providers to lower their prices significantly, but as parents have returned to work and new families search for a place to take care of their children, providers have struggled to maintain enough openings at an affordable price.
“The child care system that we have now really doesn’t work for families who need care, or for the teachers who teach and care for the kids who are in care,” said Ife Finch Floyd, director of economic justice for the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute. “Often people call that a market failure, where we can’t always meet the needs of the demand.”
Child care providers face a hard time attracting new employees and retaining current workers while keeping prices affordable for families. Since other employers can offer more competitive wages, many workers may opt for a career outside of the child care industry. Many providers have raised prices to cover their expenses and increase workers’ wages.
A bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Brian Strickland from McDonough aims to ease the pressures of the increasingly expensive cost of raising a family for Georgians.
Sen. Brian Strickland (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
Strickland proposes to allow taxpayers to claim 50% of a portion of their child care expenses on their state taxes, up from 30%. His bill would also create a new $250 credit per child six years of age or younger. It also aims to offer a $1,000 tax credit for child care facilities for each employee whose child is six years of age or younger and is enrolled in the facility.
Strickland’s bill has now been tacked onto House Bill 136, legislation designed to increase financial support for foster care providers. Last year, Strickland was involved in a Senate study committee that explored child care costs in Georgia, where he says he learned more about how child care access affects not only families but businesses too. His work on this bill comes from a personal place – his own family life.
“Having two young children myself, a lot of people that I come in contact with have kids the same age as my kids and we’re are all struggling with the same thing,” Strickland said. “We’re all trying to figure out ‘can we make enough money working to cover child care costs?’ It’s something that’s affecting people all around our state.”
The bill has received bipartisan support throughout the session. Advocates and legislators emphasize the economic benefits of strong support for early education. A flyer passed out by GEEARS at a recent press conference read, “Every $1 invested in high-quality early learning yields as much as $13 in savings.”
“This is a piece that is designed to help the taxpayer,” Strickland said. “This is keeping more of the money that you’d otherwise be paying the government.”
Since the credits offered by Strickland’s bill are non-refundable and cannot exceed the taxpayer’s tax liability, they would cost the state tax revenue. State estimates of the original bill’s cost calculated the hit to the state budget to be about $179 million in the first year. Floyd said that the cost is likely higher than this number now, as the federal match provision increased the the state credit from 40% to 50%.
“We are supportive of tax policy that supports families with low to moderate/middle income,” said Floyd. “GBPI has long supported tax credits for the families of everyday Georgians and individuals to make sure that they can afford their basic needs and help plan for their futures.”
While there is bipartisan consensus on the reality of rising child care costs, there are differing views on the best ways to offer relief.
Rep. Lisa Campbell (Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder)
Kennesaw Democratic state Rep. Lisa Campbell proposes the “Georgia’s Children First” trust fund in House Resolution 396. Her bill would take a portion of Georgia’s budget surplus to support the Child and Parent Services Program, allocate money for child care providers and help purchase supplies that young children need, like diapers.
“The annual rate of child care in Georgia right now is about $11,000 per child per year,” Campbell said. “And that’s in many cases more expensive than a college degree.”
Creating a new trust fund in Georgia requires a constitutional amendment. Although her proposal did not receive a committee hearing before the Crossover Day deadline in early March, Campbell hopes to continue supporting this bill next year when bills filed this year that don’t pass in 2025 can have a second chance. She said Strickland’s tax credit is a “great thing to do.”
She also recognizes the role that gender plays in the fight to support families.
“When women exit the workforce to care for children and come back, it’s often very difficult to catch up in terms of the types of roles and responsibilities that they are offered,” she said. “It’s very rare that a woman will catch up to her peers who did not leave the workforce.”
The proposed tax credit was unanimously approved by the Senate in late March. Strickland frames this bill as a “step” towards increasing support for Georgia’s working families. Inside and outside of the Capitol, supporters of legislation like this are advocating for Georgia’s young children to be prioritized in various ways.
“We at Voices are big advocates for dollars and support for quality afterschool and summer learning programming as well,” said Polly McKinney, advocacy director for Voices for Georgia’s Children. “We know that school aged children deserve developmentally appropriate, safe, educational and fun places to grow into the happy, healthy and wise adults who will carry the rest of us into the future.”
The House approved Strickland’s proposal Wednesday but made a tweak to an unrelated part of the bill, so it still needs another vote in the Senate to make it to the governor’s desk and turn into law.
North Hall Middle School student Elleigh Haynes is one of two Hall County students who will advance to state competition in the Young Author Awards competition. (North Hall Middle School/Facebook)
The Hall County School District recognized its talented student writers who excelled in the prestigious Young Georgia Authors Writing Contest. These exceptional young individuals showcased remarkable creativity and literary skill, earning top honors at the district level before competing fiercely against their peers from 15 other school systems within the Pioneer RESA (Regional Educational Service Agency) Region.
A special spotlight shines on two outstanding students, Elleigh Haynes from North Hall Middle School and Daniela Aguilar from Johnson High School, who were named RESA-level winners.
Elleigh’s captivating work, “Two Worlds, One Heart,” and Daniela’s powerful piece, “When the Heart Speaks,” impressed the regional judges and will now advance to the highly anticipated state competition.
Hall County School system’s Daniela Aguilar from Johnson High School. (Hall County)
The Young Georgia Authors Writing Contest celebrates student writing across all genres and grade levels, encouraging young people to develop their voices and share their unique perspectives.
Hall County Schools acknowledged the following talented students who were named District Finalists for the 2024-2025 academic year:
Hall County Schools Young Georgia Authors District Finalists 2024-2025
Kindergarten: Ava Patrick, “Having Fun on a Snow Day” (Mount Vernon Elementary)
1st Grade: Bliss McDaniel, “Beary Likes Berries” (Deal Elementary)
2nd Grade: Stella Cox, “Hi it’s Me! I’m the Sloth it’s me!” (Mount Vernon Elementary)
3rd Grade: Cora Gaines, “Bob’s Life!!!” (Sardis Elementary)
4th Grade: Katie Craig, “Samantha and the Mysterious Neighbor” (Chestnut Mountain Elementary)
5th Grade: Caroline Joyner, “Daisy” (Mount Vernon Elementary)
6th Grade: Michael McCullough, “Gauntlets of Eldoria” (South Hall Middle)
7th Grade: Elleigh Haynes, “Two Worlds, One Heart” (North Hall Middle) – Region Winner
8th Grade: Annalise Williams, “Underground” (North Hall Middle)
9th Grade: Daniela Aguilar, “When the Heart Speaks” (Johnson High) – Region Winner
10th Grade: Catherine Wood, “Tales from the Ticket Bo” (North Hall High)
11th Grade: Aidan Everett Voyles (North Hall High)
12th Grade: Kevin Santibanez, “Expired Enlightenment” (Johnson High)
Elleigh Haynes and Daniela Aguilar will move on to represent the region at the state level of the Young Georgia Authors Writing Contest.
Their talent and hard work serve as an inspiration to all aspiring young writers.
Habersham County Sheriff Robin Krockum works inside his office at the Habersham County Sheriff's Office (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)
Since taking office in January, Habersham County Sheriff Robin Krockum has continued to evaluate the state of his office.
“In the first three months of starting any new job, you want to kind of evaluate operations,” Krockum said. “A lot of times, people will come in and they’ll want to make a lot of changes. I wanted to see what’s working well and what things need to be changed.”
Krockum said one of the first decisions made was rearrangements to personnel, specifically seeing where certain individuals fit in particular positions.
Between jailers, patrol deputies and administrative positions, as of now, Habersham County’s Sheriff’s Office has a total of 105 employees. On Monday, March 31, Krockum said his office is fully-staffed, which was not the case when he started in December, as he’s moved to fill previously vacant spots.
Five of those positions, Krockum said, include school resource officers – bringing that total to 10 people. Going forward, Krockum said he plans to “continue providing the citizens with the best possible service.”
“I try to run a service-oriented agency,” he said. “We service the citizens of Habersham to the best of our ability.”
The jail
Habersham County Detention Center (NowHabersham.com)
The most glaring need within the sheriff’s office continues to be the jail, which is long known to face issues of limited capacity, instances of potential rights violations and an array of obsolescence problems.
Currently, according to Krockum, Habersham County’s Detention Center is again almost at full capacity.
The facility was constructed with a capacity of 130 inmates. Now, with a capacity of 162, Habersham’s jail has 161 incarcerated individuals inside. And that’s not including the 32 who have been transported and booked in surrounding counties like Stephens, Lumpkin, Hall or Rabun, simply because there’s no space for them at the jail there in Clarkesville.
In the years ahead, Krockum said he plans to continue in dialogue with Habersham County’s Commission to push for a new jail, which recent estimates suggest could be around $50-60 million and possibly funded through SPLOST, or Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.
“But I think we could do it for less than that,” Krockum said, adding that problems with the jail are by design – in that it was originally built on landlocked property without the option, structurally, of building upward.
Policy and capacity
(Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)
In the meantime, with capacity at the jail a growing problem, Krockum said new policies – such as citations for lesser crimes like driving on a suspended license or probation violations – could be something to consider in the future.
The recent loss of two superior court judges – recently-retired Judge Chan Caudell, and the unexpected death of Judge Rusty Smith – in the Mountain Judicial Circuit earlier this year also have contributed to the higher numbers of inmates, Krockum said.
Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has since appointed Judge Nichole Carswell and Judge Carlton “Hobie” Jones III to fill the two vacancies.
“I think they’re going to do a great job,” Krockum said. “…I look forward to working with them and maybe helping get some of these inmates through the system and out.”
The job
Probate Judge Pam Wooley administers the oath of office to Sheriff Robin Krockum while his wife Meadow holds the Bible. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)
With a nearly 30-year career in law enforcement, Krockum said he’s eager to continue work as sheriff.
“It’s a lot busier than what I thought it would be coming in,” he said. “But I’ve prepared for this position for my entire law enforcement career. I still enjoy it. I look forward to coming to work. I feel honored that the people elected me in this position, and I’ll do everything I can to make sure we provide them the best service possible.”
Over the years, Krockum worked closely with his predecessor, former sheriff Joey Terrell.
Robin Krockum has been appointed as Chief Deputy for the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, seen with Sheriff Joey Terrell. (Habersham County Rob Moore)
Krockum, 52, has a 29-year career in law enforcement – first with the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office before he joined the Demorest Police Department. Krockum went on to lead Alto’s Police Department as chief when it was founded.
He came back to Habersham County Sheriff’s Office as a patrol commander under Terrell in 2009. He then returned to Demorest as police chief in 2016 until his retirement last year amid his bid for sheriff.
Over a dozen Athens-Clarke County inmates graduated from a reentry success program at the ACC jail Wednesday, April 2 (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)
More than 30 people watched as over a dozen inmates from Athens-Clarke County entered a vacant cell block at the county jail on Wednesday, April 2. Each of them donned suits – a visible symbol of the achievements they had earned over the past few months.
Now in its second year, the Clarke County Reentry Success program expanded in 2025, introducing more participants, peer support groups, mentoring sessions, and lessons in life skills, economics, psychology, and socioeconomics – insights that could shape their futures.
For six weeks, leaders from local nonprofits and social support organizations dedicated their time to teaching these men valuable skills, instilling core values, and imparting knowledge to help them succeed beyond incarceration at no cost.
“From the first week of the class to the last, I think you see a big difference,” Clarke County Sheriff John Q. Williams said. “It’s not just cosmetic…the biggest thing is: If we can connect them with employment, housing, so they don’t get thrust back right into what got them in here – that’s the biggest impact we can have.”
Sheriff John Q. Williams shakes hands with graduates Wednesday, April 2 (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)
Of the 17 participants who began the program, 13 graduated this week. Of those who didn’t, three were released from jail before the ceremony, while one had a court appearance at the time.
Throughout the program, all 13 graduates lived together in a dedicated cell block without supervision, coexisting peacefully – a testament to their commitment to change.
Shane Sims, from the nonprofit mentorship group Principles Over Passion, emphasized the importance of self-awareness in the reform process. He urged graduates to recognize and address their trauma before they could fully overcome it.
“True healing does not happen when we change behaviors, so to speak, but when we change the drivers of those bad behaviors,” Shane Sims with nonprofit peer mentor group Principles over Passion said. “What I tell the guys is – ‘You are not responsible for what happened to you.’ To a certain point, you are not responsible for the way you respond to what happened to you…however, it is your responsibility to take control of your life by controlling your actions.”
Sheriff John Q. Williams speaks to graduates Wednesday, April 2 (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)
Lemuel Laroche, of Chess and Community, reinforced the importance of critical thinking and conflict resolution.
“It’s easy to respond,” he said. “It’s easy to react to anything. Think before you move. How do you respond to a situation rather than react to a situation? Remember conflict resolution: The ability to think things through and speak things through.”
Regional efforts
Stephens County, Sheriff Rusty Fulbright announced efforts to secure a $750,000 grant to improve rehabilitation programs, including drug and alcohol treatment and potential GED courses for inmates.
“We’re actively working on it and trying to get the process moving,” Fulbright said.
Similarly, the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office is exploring options to expand educational opportunities. According to spokesperson Rob Moore, limited jail space restricts available programs, but the county is in early discussions with North Georgia Technical College about bringing a mobile GED facility to the jail.
Graduates are recognized Wednesday, April 2 (Brian Wellmeier/Now Habersham)
Banks County Schools hold Special Olympics April 4th at banks County High School. (Angie Bowen/Banks County Schools)
For many in our communities, this week marks a special occasion for athletes. The Special Olympics will occur in Habersham and Banks County on Friday, April 4, at Raider Stadium in Mt. Airy, Georgia.
Zach Hurley, a Special Education teacher at Habersham Central High School, eagerly anticipates this event yearly. “Watching my students ‘blossom’ is such a rewarding experience,” Hurley said. “The way the community comes together—students, volunteers, teachers, and administrators—ensures the day is fun for everyone. That’s what it’s all about.” Hurley is currently in his 19th year of teaching.
Many students participate to make the Special Olympics a memorable event for everyone. (Angie Bowen/Banks County Schools)
Banks County will also host its Special Olympics on April 4 at Banks County High School. Angie Bowen, Director of Communications/Public Relations and Digital Literacy, shared, “The event will run from 8:15 AM to 1:00 PM, and we expect around 80 athletes. The entire county participates in making the day a success. High school buddies are paired with each athlete, and students from other schools come in busloads to cheer from the stands. Numerous community members volunteer to distribute water, organize games, and provide snacks throughout the day.”
On April 11, Stephens County will kick off its Special Olympics with Opening Ceremonies at 10 a.m. The Track and Field event will take place rain or shine at Stephens County High School. “We’re hoping to be on the football field, but if the weather doesn’t cooperate, we’ll move indoors to the gym,” said Brandy Stacy, Director of Exceptional Children for the Stephens County School System. This year, around 83 athletes are expected. “I love this event because it allows our exceptional students to compete and succeed athletically. The support from teachers, students, coaches, and community members makes this one of the year’s best days!” Stacy added.
The White County School System will hold its Special Olympics on April 18.
Former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams speaks during a 9th District Democratic Party meeting at the Habersham County Recreation Department & Aquatic Center on Tuesday, Sept.. 17, 2019. (Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham)
(Georgia Recorder) — Georgia senators will get one last chance this year to pass a divisive bill that spells out legislative committee investigative powers to subpoena witnesses and require them to turn over evidence.
The Senate could take up the latest version of Senate Bill 255, which cleared the House Wednesday by a 91-67 vote following a debate over whether legislative power to conduct probes could be wielded as partisan political attacks against public officials and advocacy groups.
Rep. Rob Leverett, an Elberton Republican, said Wednesday that the measure does not expand current legislative powers but instead provides more explanation into how committees are able to legally exercise their subpoena powers in a transparent manner.
The bill was filed while Athens Republican Sen. Bill Cowsert chaired a Senate special investigative committee that became embroiled in a legal battle over the right to issue subpoenas compelling Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis to testify and turn over a trove of documents related to the election interference case she brought against President Donald Trump and 18 codefendants.
The Senate special committee was convened last year after Willis came under fire last year when she admitted to a romantic relationship with the special prosecutor she hired to lead the sweeping felony election interference case following former President Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory.
House Minority Whip Sam Park argued Wednesday that SB 255 could be used by lawmakers to continue efforts like the Senate committee’s investigation of Willis despite a state appellate court recently disqualifying the Fulton district attorney from the case over prosecutorial misconduct accusations. Willis has said her relationship with special prosecutor Nathan Wade did not overlap with the time she retained him to press the case against Trump and his allies.
Park, a Lawrenceville Democrat, said future legislative committees could begin using its powers to “subpoena election workers, nonprofit leaders, poll observers while demanding private emails and phone records from individuals who never committed a crime but now they’re forced to testify under oath and spend thousands on legal defense.”
Park said GOP legislators with majority control of a chamber could also target advocacy groups they oppose on other hot button issues like women’s reproductive rights.
Cowsert’s Senate Special Committee on Investigations is also expected to begin a probe of former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams’ ties to a voter registration nonprofit recently slapped with one of the largest campaign ethics fines ever levied by the state.
Earlier this session the Senate advanced Cowsert’s Senate Resolution 292, which would allow the committee to investigate the Abrams-founded New Georgia Project following a Jan. 15 settlement in a 2019 case alleging illegal campaign contributions to Abrams’ 2018 gubernatorial campaign.
In March, Cowsert said the committee’s purpose is not to target prominent figures in the Democratic Party, but is about holding candidates running for public office and nonprofits accountable for potentially using “dark money” to make illegal campaign contributions.
“We’re wanting to make sure we restore the faith in our in the public that you don’t have to worry in the future that funds donated to nonprofit advocacy tax-free organizations aren’t used illegally to collaborate support campaigns on either side of the partisan divide,” Cowsert said late last month.
