BELMONT, N.C. – The Piedmont men’s tennis team concluded its fall slate this past weekend, competing in the Belmont Abbey Hidden Duals in Belmont, North Carolina.
The Lions took on Belmont Abbey, Pfeiffer, Queens, and Johnson & Wales (NC) in mini-dual matches, prevailing in three and dropping just one.
Sophomore Yannick Wassmer Navarro closed out his fall season in style, going 2-0 in singles action while also picking up a pair of doubles victories.
Overall, the Lions went 6-6 in singles competition with five different players picking up victories.
Piedmont had more success in doubles, going 5-3 over the two days. Senior Bryce VanOrder led the team, winning all three of his doubles matches, taking one each with Kody Dills, Wassmer Navarro, and freshman Brent Sherman.
The Lions delivered strong performances in the clutch, winning all three of their singles matches that went to third-set match tiebreakers. Wassmer Navarro, VanOrder and Silas Sandles each outlasted their opponents late.
The event concludes Piedmont’s fall season. The Lions are scheduled to begin the spring campaign on Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Transylvania Invitational.
Habersham County Commission did not approve a proposed housing lease agreement for Parks and Recreation Director Brooke Whitmire at Monday night's commission meeting. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham).
In a 3-2 vote, the Habersham County Commission failed to approve leasing a house to the Parks and Recreation Director Brooke Whitmire. Commissioner Bruce Palmer made the motion to approve the lease agreement, with Commission Chairman Ty Akins seconding the motion. However, Commissioners Dustin Mealor, Jimmy Tench, and Bruce Harkness were the dissenting votes.
The denial came during the commission’s regular meeting on Monday night. The house is located at 4336 Toccoa Highway and is adjacent to the Ruby Fulbright Aquatic Center.
The lease agreement was on the agenda but not for discussion. It was within the consent agenda portion of the agenda that commissioners typically approve without any discussion. Tench had an issue with the contract being on the consent agenda and stated that he needed more information. Mealor made the motion to strike the executive session from the agenda and to move the lease agreement as an item for discussion under new business. The motion carried 5-0.
Commissioner Dustin Mealor (left) and Commissioner Jimmy Tench voted with Commissioner Bruce Harkness against approving the lease agreement. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)
Akins explained to the commission that they had decided to lease the property until they decided what they were going to do with it. He stated that they thought they had it leased a few months back to the Soque River Watershed Association (SRWA), but that deal fell through.
County Manager Alicia Vaughn explained that the county had a business interested in leasing the property but “It was not in the shape that they wanted to move forward; it definitely had some challenges.”
Harkness asked Vaughn, “Did we advertise it for rent?” Vaughn responded, “No, we did not advertise it for rent.” She explained that the county would not have had to advertise it had the SRWA rented the property since they are a non-profit agency that provides services to county citizens but if a commercial business had wanted to rent it, the county would have had to advertise the property for rent.
After those deals fell through, Akins explained that Whitmire expressed interest in renting the property and agreed to make repairs and improvements while she lived at the house.
Vaughn stated, “Us providing housing for an employee, it’s completely appropriate for us to do that and we also have really expanded services at Parks and Rec. We have a lot of after-hour events, so I think it is absolutely beneficial for us to have Brooke right there next to the aquatic center.”
Vaughn explained that it is difficult to find affordable housing in the area and this is something that would be reasonable for the county to do. She advised the commission that Whitmire still lived in Banks County.
Harkness made a light-hearted statement, “You know what they say about renting to employees and family members.” Vaughn asked, ”What?” He replied, “It’s dangerous.” Those who attended the meeting laughed at the comment.
Parks and Recreation Director Brooke Whitmire’s housing lease agreement was denied at Monday night’s commission meeting. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)
The terms of the lease state that Whitmire would have leased the property for $600 a month. However, over the course of the two-year lease agreement, Whitmire “shall contribute $3,000.00 during the term of the lease for renovations to the space and provide documentation of same” to the county. The contract also allowed for a one year extension to the lease agreement should the county not need the space. The lease agreement would have begun at the beginning of November.
The county would have been responsible for any maintenance issues with cost estimates under $500.00, such as a malfunctioning toilet, leaking drain or faucet, etc. during its normal operating hours: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. All after-hours maintenance would have been the responsibility of Whitmire. The county would have also provided ground maintenance and tree services for the property.
Whitmire would have been responsible for all utility services at her own expense. She would have also been responsible for providing property insurance in an amount that exceeded the appraised value of the premises.
The county purchased the property this past spring for the cash price of $140,000. The closing date was March 13, 2023. The county commission discussed purchasing the property during their February 20, 2023 meeting.
The U.S. House of Representatives is expected to vote again on whether to elect Jim Jordan as House speaker after the Ohio congressman failed to win the post on the first ballot. (U.S. House of Representatives livestream image)
WASHINGTON (States Newsroom) — The U.S. House rejected Ohio’s Jim Jordan as a candidate for speaker on Tuesday in the first round of voting. Jordan has pushed a second vote to Wednesday.
Jordan, co-founder of the far-right Freedom Caucus and one of the lawmakers who bolstered former President Donald Trump’s false claims about the 2020 election, was unable to clinch the votes needed to hold the gavel amid concerns about his agenda and frustrations with his history inside and outside of Congress. The House has now gone two weeks without a speaker.
Republican Reps. Don Bacon of Nebraska, Ken Buck of Colorado, Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon, Anthony D’Esposito of New York, Mario Díaz-Balart of Florida, Jake Ellzey of Texas, Andrew Garbarino of New York, Carlos Giménez of Florida, Tony Gonzales of Texas, Kay Granger of Texas, John James of Michigan, Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania, Jen Kiggans of Virginia, Nick LaLota of New York, Doug LaMalfa of California, Mike Lawler of New York, John Rutherford of Florida, Mike Simpson of Idaho, Victoria Spartz of Indiana and Steve Womack of Arkansas, as well as all Democrats voted against Jordan on the first ballot.
Florida Rep. Gus Bilirakis was the only Republican that didn’t vote.
House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik of New York said in her nomination speech that Jordan is a “patriot” who would “go after corruption and deliver accountability.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, standing, casts a vote for himself as House speaker on Tuesday, October 17, 2023. (U.S. House of Representatives livestream image)
“Jim is the voice of the American people who have felt voiceless for far too long,” Stefanik said. “Whether as Judiciary chair, conservative leader, or representative for his constituents in west central Ohio, whether on the wrestling mat or in the committee room, Jim Jordan is strategic, scrappy, tough and principled.”
House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California nominated New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries for speaker, saying he was the clear candidate for anyone who wanted a bipartisan path ahead.
“The choice before us is simple, come together on a bipartisan path forward, or take us over the cliff,” Aguilar said. “Abandon the extremism that is preventing us from getting things done, or triple down on division and dysfunction.”
“A vote today to make the architect of a nationwide abortion ban, a vocal election denier and an insurrection inside to the speaker of this house would be a terrible message to the country and our allies,” Aguilar said.
There was no majority of the vote needed to elect a speaker, with Jefferies receiving 212 votes and Jordan receiving 200, while other lawmakers got some of the Republican votes.
McCarthy had to hold 15 separate votes in January before he was able to become speaker and only after making several agreements behind closed doors with far-right members of the party.
After McCarthy announced he wouldn’t try again to become speaker, Louisiana’s Steve Scalise and Jordan announced their bids for the role.
Ohio Republican Congressman Jim Jordan, center, speaks with fellow Republicans on the House floor after losing the first ballot in his bid to become House speaker. (livestream image U.S. House or Representatives)
Jordan had said after losing the first nomination vote that he would back Scalise on the floor, but several of his followers refused to back their party’s speaker nominee.
House Republicans huddled again Friday to take a second nomination vote for speaker, choosing between Jordan and Georgia’s Austin Scott.
Jordan won that nomination vote, but another secret ballot taken afterward showed that more than 50 House Republicans said they wouldn’t support him during a floor vote.
Several holdouts remained heading into Tuesday’s floor vote, leaving Jordan short of the roughly 217 votes he would need to become speaker.
Those holdouts maintained their opposition throughout the first ballot on Tuesday afternoon.
“I’m voting for a good, solid, conservative Republican. That’s the only kind of person I’ll vote for,” Giménez said immediately following the vote.
Rep. Dusty Johnson of South Dakota said he anticipated that Jordan might not have all the votes on the first ballot, but he said he remained hopeful that those GOP holdouts would flip.
“A lot of the people who are holding out are very reasonable people,” Johnson said. “It’s my assessment that when people stay at the table that a deal is possible.”
Chavez-DeRemer, who voted for McCarthy on the first ballot, said she did so because he was the closest Republican to secure the necessary 217 votes but that she would “continue to reassess where things stand as this process plays out.”
Attempt to expand McHenry powers
Pennsylvania GOP Rep. Mike Kelly introduced a resolution Monday night to elect Rep. Patrick McHenry as speaker pro tempore for up to 30 days. Approving that resolution would expand McHenry’s powers beyond what they are as the speaker pro tempore by designation, Kelly said.
Under the resolution, McHenry, a North Carolina Republican, would stay in the role until Nov. 17 — the same day government funding is set to expire — or until a new speaker is elected, whichever is first.
McHenry has been serving as the speaker pro tempore by McCarthy’s designation under a process put in place to ensure continuity of government following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks.
Chavez-DeRemer said she feared the chaos the last few weeks would only continue under a Jordan speakership. With the Republican conference still bitterly divided, she said the chamber should empower McHenry.
“Until we can find clear consensus among the Republican Conference, it’s time to give expanded authority to Speaker Pro Tempore McHenry so the House can resume governing,” she wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
Kelly of Pennsylvania voted for Rep. Steve Scalise on the first ballot.
“We have elections for a reason,” Kelly said shortly before the vote.
He said he would reassess his support on additional ballots.
Rep. Victoria Spartz of Indiana told reporters on her way into the chamber that she would vote present if the vote count was not in Jordan’s favor.
On Monday night, she said she believed “intimidation techniques” were used to “push people on the floor before we find consensus.”
Orville Wayne Popham, age 87, of Clarkesville, Georgia, passed away on Tuesday, October 17, 2023, at his residence following an extended illness.
Wayne was born in Habersham County on December 02, 1935, to the late Arvil William & Mary Vinnlee Popham. He was also preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Carol Lovell Popham; granddaughter, Kennedy Ruthann Wright; sisters, Bobbie Popham Wright and Joyce Popham White.
Wayne was a member of Bethlehem Baptist Church. He worked in the grocery store business for several years, owning a store of his own, Wayne’s Grocery, in the 1960s. He then followed in his father’s footsteps as a painter, retiring from Habersham Mills in 1997 and from Piedmont College in 2010. One of his most prized possessions was his 1940 Ford Deluxe, given to him by his father when he was 16 years old. He kept this car for over 50 years and sold it to his nephew to be restored. Another highlight for Wayne was trying out for the Atlanta Crackers with his best friend, Maxie Skinner when they were teenagers. They made it to the final cut, and both chose their sweethearts at home over baseball.
Survivors include his children & their spouses, Lynn & Tommy Anderson of Gainesville; Leesa & Jeff Anderson of Clarkesville; Greg & Sue Popham of Commerce; Leslie Popham of Clarkesville; Leah & Garrett Misencik of Clarkesville. He was blessed with numerous grandchildren, numerous great-grandchildren, as well as lots of nieces and nephews.
A homegoing service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 19, 2023, at Hillside Memorial Chapel in Clarkesville, with Rev. Jody Anderson, Rev. Kenneth McEntire, & Rev. Tony Goss officiating. Interment will follow in the Bethlehem Baptist Church Cemetery, with Rev. Chip Cranford officiating at the graveside.
The family will receive friends at the funeral home from 11:00 a.m. until the service hour on Thursday, October 19, 2023.
Flowers are accepted, or memorials may be made to Habersham Senior Center, 217 Scoggins Drive, Demorest, GA. 30535.
Wilson Franklin Beavers (White County Sheriff's Office)
A judge handed down a 20-year sentence against a Sautee man who possessed thousands of child pornography images. A sentencing hearing was held Monday in White County Superior Court after Wilson Franklin Beavers pled guilty to child exploitation.
Enotah Judicial Circuit Assistant District Attorney Kelly Holloway argued for a lengthy prison sentence. Holloway presented evidence that the case not only involved specific pornographic images named in the indictment but also thousands of other explicit images.
Some of the images appeared to be children younger than 10 to 12 years of age, prosecutors said.
The DA’s office said none of the children involved were known to be local to North Georgia.
The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested the now 64-year-old Beavers in September 2020.
Superior Court Judge Buckley Levins sentenced Beavers to 20 years, with the first 15 in state prison. Upon his release, Beavers will be under special supervision. He is banned from having contact with children under the age of eighteen and cannot live in any location where minors congregate. He also is subject to a Fourth Amendment waiver which includes unannounced inspections of his computer and all electronic devices.
The judge also ordered Beavers to undergo mandatory mental health and sex offender treatment and ordered him to be placed on the sex offender registry.
“My office prosecutes these types of cases aggressively because the possession and distribution of this type of material causes and encourages the abuse and trafficking of children worldwide,” said Enotah Circuit District Attorney Jeff Langley at the conclusion of Monday’s hearing.
He warned that “anyone collecting these types of images is considered a potential threat to harm local children.”
Langley thanked GBI Special Agent Kelly Aldrich and Assistant District Attorney Kelly Holloway for their hard work investigating and successfully prosecuting the case.
A man's body was found floating in this section of the North Oconee River in Athens on Sunday, October 15, 2023. (Source: Google Maps)
Athens-Clarke County police say no foul play is suspected in the death of a man whose body was found floating in the North Oconee River.
The deceased man has been identified as 62-year-old James Seay. Police say he was homeless.
On the afternoon of Sunday, October 15, officers responded to the area of North Avenue and Willow Street. That’s where Seay’s body was found, less than a half mile from downtown.
“At the present time, no foul play is suspected. The investigation is ongoing,” says ACCPD Public Information Officer Lt. Jody Thompson.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective Lister at 762-400-7333 or by email at [email protected].
Habersham County E-911 Director Lynn Smith, right, presents Belinda Konarski with a certificate recognizing her achievement in attaining a perfect audit. (Jerry Neace/NowHabersham.com)
Habersham County E-911 and its staff recently received the agency’s first-ever perfect Georgia Crime Information Center audit. E-911 Director Lynn Smith credits Supervisor Terminal Agency Coordinator Belinda Konarski with that accomplishment.
The rules of the GCIC Council mandate audits of criminal justice agencies that access the Georgia Criminal Justice Information System network to assess compliance with the rules of the GCIC Council and other relevant state and federal statutes.
An audit of the Habersham County 911 was conducted on October 4, 2023, to assess compliance and that audit reflected that the agency was compliant in all areas evaluated, according to Compliance Specialist Melanie A. Harris of GCIC.
Smith publicly expressed her congratulations to Konarski and the entire Habersham County E-911 staff.
“This is the first time in the history of Habersham County E-911 [for a perfect audit]” she stressed. “I am very proud of each of you for your help with this and Belinda for keeping us all in compliance and doing as we should. Well done, Belinda!”
Cleveland Alcohol Review Board members are, from left, Chair Ken Payne, Charles Massingale, Haley Thomas, and Vice Chair Jesse Harkins. (Dean Dyer/WRWH.com)
CLEVELAND, Ga. — The re-established City of Cleveland’s Alcohol Review Board had its first meeting Monday night and elected officers.
The city has had a review board in the past, but it hasn’t been utilized for some time, so the city council decided to reestablish the board. The new board is made up of Jesse Harkins, Haley Thomas, Charles Massengale, and Ken Payne. The first three will serve as the voting members, with Payne acting as an alternate and voting when necessary.
Charles Massingale was selected as chairman, and Jesse Harkins was voted the vice chair.
After an orientation about their role and responsibilities presented by City Administrator Kevin Harris, the board got down to business.
Helen Cellar appeal
Their first real item of business was to hear an appeal from one of the applicants for a package store license in the city that will be issued this week.
Justin Whitmire discusses his license application denial with the review board during a meeting on Monday, October 16, 2023. (Dean Dyer/WRWH.com)
Justin Whitmire, owner of Helen Cellar, was one of five applicants for what will be three such businesses allowed in the city. Whitmire’s application was disqualified because his proposed site was found to be not within the city limits. Whitmire shared with the board during the hearing that at the time he made the application, he was told the property was in Cleveland.
An effort to get the property annexed into the Helen has not been successful at this time.
After hearing from Whitmire and three of the other applicants who said it was unfair to let Whitmire’s application move forward, the board voted to deny his appeal.
The city will now move forward with a lottery process this Thursday to decide which of the four remaining applicants will receive one of the three licenses to be awarded.
A map of the property Whitmire purchased shows its sits just outside Helen city limits. (WRWH.com)
Scott Lee Baxter, age 75, of Demorest (formerly of Escondido, CA), passed away on October 11, 2023, surrounded by his loved ones.
Born in San Diego, California, on March 10, 1948, Mr. Baxter was the son of the late Harry and Dorothy Dutcher Baxter. In addition to his parents, Mr. Baxter is preceded in death by sister Susan Wentz and brother-in-law Leroy Wentz, father and mother-in-law Joe and Alexandria Nix, sister-in-law Bernice Nix Ayers, and special nephew Ethan Scott Nix.
Survivors include his beloved wife, Cheryl Nix Baxter of Demorest, nephew Richard Wentz (Linda), nieces Karen Jacobsen (Tony), Kristen Petite, Robin Butts (Tom) and Sandy McElhenney (Rich), brothers-in-law Joe Nix (Victoria), Ray Nix (Teresa), and Alcide “Scooter” Nix (Carrie), his nieces and nephews by marriage, as well as numerous great nieces, great nephews and extended family members.
Mr. Baxter was a retired civil engineer with the City of Escondido, California. He was a lifetime bowler with many perfect games and championships. He enjoyed traveling, photography, and cycling. He loved all types of music and enjoyed performing Karaoke. His dry and quirky sense of humor kept everyone laughing.
The family would also like to express their gratitude to caregivers Tonya Oglesby, brother-in-law Scooter Nix, and niece Alexandria “Lexi” Nix Erwin. Many thanks and appreciation to both Northeast Georgia Hospice and Amedisys Hospice for the love and compassion shown to them during this time.
James Thomas LaHayne, 32, of Clarkesville, GA, died after his valiant battle against cancer on October 16, 2023.
Thomas was born in Demorest, GA, in 1991 to Rick and Cathy Bates LaHayne, of Batesville. He attended Habersham Central High School before joining the Marine Corps in December 2011. He honorably served his country in the Marine Corps until he was medically retired in October 2020. Thomas served his country and the Marine Corps as a powerline Mechanic on C130s.
Thomas married the love of his life, Staci, on September 21, 2013. They welcomed their beautiful daughter Bailee two years later, on April 5, 2015. As a family, they spent their time outdoors, hunting or at the ballfield. Thomas loved watching Bailee play sports and spent a lot of his time coaching her basketball and softball teams. He was a lifelong UGA and Braves fan and was blessed to take his daughter to her first game opportunities for both teams this year.
Everyone who knew Thomas knew how much he loved hunting and working with his hands. He was proud to graduate from the Sonoran Desert Institute with his Associate’s Degree in FireArm Technology. He spent his free time building guns, sharing his knowledge with friends and family, and hunting in the great outdoors. Thomas’ final wish was for all of his family and friends to come to know Jesus Christ as their personal Savior so that they could all be together with him in Heaven.
Thomas was preceded in death by numerous loved ones, including his maternal grandparents, Thomas and Nancy Bates of Cornelia.
He is survived by his loving wife, Staci LaHayne, and daughter Bailee Jade LaHayne. He is also survived by his father and mother, Rick and Cathy LaHayne; siblings, Justin LaHayne, Zachary LaHayne, and Nancy Woodbury; loving in-laws; his life-long friend Austin Tench; as well as 14 nieces, nephews, other relatives, as well as a host of friends.
Funeral services are scheduled for 3:00 p.m. Friday, October 20, 2023, at Bethlehem Baptist Church in Clarkesville, with Rev. Scott Doster, Rev. Brian Stephens, & Rev. Gordon Sanders officiating.
The family will receive friends at Hillside Memorial Chapel in Clarkesville from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. on Friday, October 20, 2023.
Donations to Take the Trip Foundation (Jason Carroll) secure.givelively.org/donate/take-the-trip-foundation or HCLC in care of the Nancy Bates Endowment Fund, 188 Owens Circle, Mount Airy, GA. 30563 in lieu of flowers would be greatly appreciated.
As a final request, the family asks that you take a moment to enjoy a bowl of Ramen in honor and memory of Thomas, as it was a favorite food after his time spent with the Marine Corps in Japan.
Glenn Kash Combs, 76, of Demorest, GA, went to be with our lord on October 15, 2023.
He was born on September 15, 1947, in Wolfe County, Kentucky, to the late Cecil and Addie Francis Combs.
In addition to his parents, Glenn was preceded in death by his wife, Elwanda Burton Combs, and daughter, Celeste Combs.
He served in the meat department of multiple grocery stores throughout his career as a butcher.
Glenn is survived by his daughters, Addie Hart of Canada; Glenna Combs, of Pendergrass; Christy Combs, of Baldwin; sister, Willma Rice of Kentucky; grandchildren, Logan Hart, Kaitlin Hart, Brendan Hart, all of Canada; Krystal Blaker of Gainesville, Joseph Blaker, of Gainesville; and Mandi Simpson, of Mt. Airy.
A private family service will be held at at later date.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Whitfield Funeral Homes & Crematory, North Chapel, at 245 Central Avenue, Demorest, Georgia 30535. Telephone: 706-778-1700
Ohio Republican Congressman Jim Jordan, center, speaks with fellow Republicans on the House floor after losing the first ballot in his bid to become House speaker. (livestream image U.S. House or Representatives)
Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan lost the first round of balloting in his bid to become the next U.S. House speaker. Twenty Republicans voted against him.
Jordan received 200 votes to Democrat Hakeem Jeffries’ 212. The GOP’s anti-Jordan contingent cast six votes for former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, seven votes for House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and three for former New York GOP Rep. Lee Zeldin, among other alternatives.
The 20 Republicans who voted against Jordan included House Appropriations Chair Kay Granger, Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, Rep. Ken Buck of Colorado, and a quartet of New York Republicans in purple districts.
An ally of Rep. Jim Jordan told reporters, “this is much worse than we expected.”
Flashback to January
The scene on the House floor Tuesday was reminiscent of January when it took 15 ballots to elect Kevin McCarthy as House speaker.
McCarthy was ousted last month when a small group of far-right conservative Republicans led by Matt Gaetz of Florida challenged his speakership.
The House went into recess following Tuesday’s vote. Jordan has pushed a second vote to Wednesday.
