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Articles by Daniel Purcell
2 transported to hospital after rollover crash
(Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — Ambulances transported two people to the hospital Tuesday evening after an SUV overturned on GA 105 (Cannon Bridge Road) in the Fairview Community. Habersham County Emergency Services (HCES) was dispatched to the rollover crash near Hilton English Road shortly before 6 p.m. Crews arrived to find the SUV upside down along the side of the road in front of a residence. The wreck blocked one lane of traffic on Hwy.
PHOTO GALLERY: HCHS graduates celebrate
The Class of 2026 celebrates on the field at Raider Stadium in Mt. Airy, GA, after their graduation ceremony on Friday, May 22, 2026. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) Stormy weather delayed but did not diminish the celebration as hundreds of Habersham Central High graduates said goodbye to their public schooling and hello to their futures. Nearly 500 seniors from the high school and Success Academy received their diplomas during a ceremony Friday night, May 22, at Raider Stadium.
Wrong-way driver collides with disabled vehicle on GA 365
First responders arrive on the scene of a wrong-way crash on GA 365 South at the Habersham-Stephens County line on the morning of May 16, 2026. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — The Georgia State Patrol is investigating a weekend crash involving a wrong-way driver on GA 365 South. It happened around 1:12 a.m. on May 16 near Rock Road at the Habersham-Stephens County line.
Multi-agency manhunt underway off Highway 365
(Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) Multiple Agencies Conducting Manhunt Near Stephens-Habersham County Line Multiple law enforcement agencies are actively searching for two suspects who reportedly fled into the woods near the Stephens and Habersham County line Tuesday afternoon.
Man survives being struck by train in Alto
A southbound Norflok Southern train engine sits at the crossing of Grant Mill Road in Alto, Georgia, after a collision with a pedestrian Saturday afternoon, May 2, 2026. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) ALTO, Ga. — A man is hospitalized after being struck by a train Saturday afternoon in Alto. The incident happened shortly before 3 p.m. May 2 near Grant Mill Road and Gainesville Highway. Authorities said the injured man is deaf.
Thurmond campaigns in Demorest, focuses on cost-of-living concerns
Michael Thurmond speaks with attendees during a campaign stop in Demorest on April 25. Thurmond discussed cost-of-living issues and took questions from those in attendance. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) DEMOREST, Ga. — Georgia gubernatorial candidate Michael Thurmond made a campaign stop in Demorest on Saturday, April 25, hosting a small rally and meet-and-greet with local residents and candidates.
Circle of Hope’s mission fuels upcoming Denim & Diamonds Gala
For decades, Circle of Hope has served as a frontline resource for victims of domestic violence across Habersham, White, and Stephens counties. What began in the late 1980s with a single emergency shelter, housed in a farmhouse that accepted its first victim within hours of opening, has grown into a multi-layered support system addressing the complex realities of domestic violence.
Habersham County Special Olympics brings community together at Raider Stadium
The Special Olympics torch is carried into Raider Stadium during the opening ceremony, marking the official start of the Habersham County Special Olympics. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) MT. AIRY, GA. — The cheers started early and carried throughout the day at Raider Stadium as Habersham County students gathered for the annual Special Olympics on Friday. This year’s theme “Together we can triumph” wasn’t just a slogan. It played out in real time across the track, the field, and the stands.
White Co. Middle School students bring “Beauty and the Beast Jr.” to life with double-cast production
A quiet moment between Belle and the Beast comes to life during dress rehearsal as students put the finishing touches on Beauty and the Beast Jr. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) CLEVELAND, GA — More than 70 White County Middle School students are preparing to take the stage this week for Beauty and the Beast Jr., a student-driven production supported by drama teacher and director Lindsey Brackett.
Cornelia’s Casa Bariachi nearing grand reopening
(Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) CORNELIA — Casa Bariachi Mexican Grill is nearing its grand reopening, offering the community a first look at a completely refreshed interior after being closed for nearly six months. Now Georgia was given early exclusive access inside the restaurant, documenting a newly renovated dining space that customers will soon get to experience for themselves.
Grill-related fire damages shed, threatens home in Hollywood
A storage shed sits heavily damaged after a late-night fire off Buckhorn Road in Clarkesville on April 12, 2026. Crews were able to stop the flames before they spread to the nearby home. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) CLARKESVILLE — A late-night fire off Buckhorn Road came close to spreading to a nearby home Sunday night. Habersham County Emergency Services was dispatched just after 10:15 p.m. to a reported structure fire at 2010 Buckhorn Road.
Barricaded subject prompts road closures in Lavonia
LAVONIA, Ga. — Multiple law enforcement agencies are on the scene of a barricaded subject call in the area of Roberts Street and Jones Street Extension, according to information shared by the Lavonia Police Department. For public safety, authorities have closed the following roadways: Grogan Street at GA Highway 17 Jones Street Extension at Roberts Street Motorists are urged to avoid the area and use alternate routes. No additional details have been released at this time.
Altercation involving officer reported on Spring Street in Clarkesville
Officers gather at the scene of a reported altercation involving a law enforcement officer on Spring Street in Clarkesville Thursday afternoon. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) CLARKESVILLE — Authorities are investigating a reported altercation involving a law enforcement officer in downtown Clarkesville. Preliminary reports indicate a physical altercation allegedly occurred just before 1 p.m. Thursday on Spring Street, involving a subject and an officer. Multiple agencies responded to the scene.
Longtime Demorest leader John Popham honored with Congressional commendation
DEMOREST, Ga. — John Popham, a longtime member of the Demorest City Council, was honored Thursday morning with a Congressional Commendation recognizing his decades of service to the community. Popham, 87, served 44 years on the council before retiring about six years ago. Now receiving hospice care, he was recognized during a gathering of family, friends and community members who came together to mark his contributions to Demorest and Habersham County.
Car crashes into Cornelia building after multi-vehicle wreck
A vehicle sits partially inside Farm & Garden Co. of Cornelia after a multi-vehicle crash on Clarkesville Street in Cornelia on Wednesday. One person was transported to the hospital. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) CORNELIA — A chain-reaction crash involving three vehicles sent one car into a commercial building Wednesday at 646 Clarkesville St., according to authorities and a reporter on scene.
From darkness to dawn: why Easter still matters
Easter weekend carries deep meaning for many across Northeast Georgia and beyond; not just as a religious tradition, but as a story that continues to shape how people view hope, loss, and new beginnings. The timeline is familiar. Good Friday marks the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. A moment remembered as one of suffering and sacrifice. According to Scripture, His final words, “It is finished,” signaled the end of that chapter. Saturday followed with uncertainty.
6 people escape Cornelia house fire; 2 family dogs killed
CORNELIA, Ga. — Six people safely escaped a house fire Friday night on Copperhead Road, but the family lost two dogs in the blaze, according to fire officials. The fire was reported around 9:30 p.m. on March 27 in the 600 block of Copperhead Road, prompting a multi-agency response from Habersham County, Baldwin, and Cornelia fire departments. When crews arrived, they found a fully involved fire on the back porch that had already spread into the home’s attic.
No Kings Protest Georgia
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No Kings Protest Georgia
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National Theater Day: Big shows, local stages
HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — On National Theater Day, stages across Northeast Georgia are doing what they do best: bringing stories to life and giving communities a reason to gather, connect, and be inspired. From historic playhouses to school auditoriums, local productions are more than performances; they’re experiences built by neighbors, students, and storytellers right here at home. The Fiddler cast devoted the entire night to singing the play’s opening number, Tradition.
Firefighter sent to hospital after battling grass fire
A firefighter is helped out of the woods after collapsing while battling a grass fire threatening several homes off GA 197 North near Hardman Road on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — A grass fire near Georgia Highway 197 in the Hardman Road area threatened nearby homes and sent one firefighter to the hospital, officials said. The fire broke out near a new residential area about a half-mile north of North Georgia Technical College.
Homeowner airlifted to Grady after suffering burns in house fire north of Batesville
Habersham County firefighters spray down what's left of a residence that burned in the woods off GA 197 North in northern Habersham County on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) Georgia Highway 197 in north Habersham County is blocked in both directions due to a large house fire. Motorists should avoid the area between Henry Pitman Road and Bobby Brooks Road until further notice. The fire has been contained, and crews are now mopping up.
Woman rescued after SUV plunges down ravine on GA 197 North
Rescuers used a tow truck wench to help secure the vehicle and keep it from sliding into the Soque River. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — A woman was rescued after her SUV went down a steep ravine along Georgia 197 North, leaving her trapped for more than an hour and forcing an extensive emergency response. The crash happened about a mile north of “the dip,” where the roadway remains blocked in all directions as crews continue working to remove the vehicle.
Firefighters rescue dogs from burning home
A firefighter carries a dog to safety after finding it inside a burning house in Demorest Saturday night, Feb. 28, 2026. (Daniel Purcell/Now Georgia.com) DEMOREST, Ga. — Firefighters saved a house and several pets Saturday night after an apparent electrical fire broke out at the residence on Old Ridge Road. Units were dispatched to the area off Habersham Mills Road around 7:48 p.m. on Feb. 28 following reports of heavy smoke coming from the house.
Two-vehicle crash blocks Hwy. 115, sends two to hospital
A crash on Hwy. 115 near the roundabout in Habersham County sent two drivers to the hospital Friday morning. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — A two-vehicle crash shut down Highway 115 at Peachtree Cove on Friday, blocking traffic in both directions between the White County line and the roundabout. The collision resulted in injuries to both drivers. Two patients were transported to Northeast Georgia Medical Center in Gainesville.
Early morning fire causes significant damage to Clarkesville home
Heavy flames consume a Clarkesville home in the early morning hours Friday as a firefighter advances a hose line toward the fully involved structure on Robertson Loop Road. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — Early Friday morning, Habersham County Emergency Services were dispatched to a reported residential fire at a rhome off Robertson Loop Road in Clarkesville.
Body located inside submerged vehicle at Lake Lanier
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — A body was located inside a submerged vehicle Monday morning at Tidwell Park on Lake Lanier, according to the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office. In an official statement, authorities said, “We responded to Tidwell Park this morning for a submerged car. The Hall County Sheriff’s Office Dive Team assisted. A body was located inside the car.” Officials confirmed that next of kin has not been notified.
Firefighters from Cornelia Fire Department investigate scorch marks on the exterior of the Dunkin' Sunday afternoon after a drive-through caller reported flames near the store’s sign. No injuries were reported, and the business remained open. (Daneil Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) CORNELIA, Ga. — Emergency crews were dispatched to a reported commercial structure fire at the Dunkin’ on U.S. 441 in Cornelia just before 1 p.m. Sunday.
Where Georgia’s film industry is growing next
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — Georgia’s film industry has long been associated with major soundstages and metro Atlanta productions, but in recent years, that momentum has been steadily moving north. From independent filmmakers to nationally streamed series, North Georgia is emerging as a creative hub, and Dahlonega is playing a leading role in that growth.
Where Georgia’s film industry is growing next
DAHLONEGA, Ga. — Georgia’s film industry has long been associated with major soundstages and metro Atlanta productions, but in recent years, that momentum has been steadily moving north. From independent filmmakers to nationally streamed series, North Georgia is emerging as a creative hub, and Dahlonega is playing a leading role in that growth.
Be someone good, one cup at a time
Just off the busy highways in Cornelia, Georgia, there’s a coffee shop where people tend to stay longer than they planned. Not because they’re told to, but because no one is rushing them out the door. BSG Coffee doesn’t feel like a place built for efficiency. It feels like a place built for people. Inside, the pace is slower. Conversations stretch. Someone works quietly at a table while another group laughs nearby. A drink gets made. A chair gets pulled out. Time loosens its grip a little.
Fire displaces Mt. Airy family
Residents at 642 Hazel Creek Road in Mt. Airy were forced from their home when fire broek out during Winter Storm Gianna on Saturday, Jan. 31, 2026. (Patrick Faragson/NowGeorgia.com) MT. AIRY, Ga. — A Mt. Airy family was left homeless by fire during Saturday’s winter storm. Firefighters from several stations battled the blaze in subfreezing temperatures and snow. Around 3:29 p.m. on Jan.
Rabun County warming shelter open as extreme cold grips Northeast Georgia
The American Red Cross is operating a warming shelter at the Rabun County Recreation Department at 400 Rabun Park Road in Clayton. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) Volunteers manning the winter weather shelter in Rabun County want the public to know it is open and ready to receive anyone who needs help. Rabun is one of the few counties in Northeast Georgia to open a shelter during this severe weather event.
North Georgia recovery continues as cold lingers
Linemen work to restore power. Northeast Georgia was hardest hit by the storm, with tens of thousands of residents left without electricity. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) North Georgia’s recovery from the weekend winter storm is entering a slower, more complex phase defined by time, access, and prolonged cold, according to White County Public Safety.
Gov. Kemp marks International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Georgia
(AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris) ATLANTA, Ga. — Governor Brian Kemp has issued a proclamation recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day, honoring the memory of the more than six million Jewish lives lost during the Holocaust and acknowledging the lasting impact of the tragedy on the world. In a statement shared Tuesday, Kemp said the day serves as a reminder of the horrific loss of life during the Holocaust and the responsibility to confront hatred and antisemitism wherever it appears.
Storm impacts linger as Northeast Georgia begins recovery
A Clarkesville resident works to clear fallen trees and limbs in the aftermath of the ice storm (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) Across Northeast Georgia, the region is slowly transitioning from response to recovery following this weekend’s ice storm. Sunshine returned Monday, and many residents began to power down generators, pack away extra blankets, and step outside to assess conditions for the first time since the worst of the ice moved through.
Winter Weather Georgia
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Large Gas Leak in Clarkesville Remains Active After Storm-Felled Tree
Roads were blocked near the intersection of Highways 17 and 115 in Clarkesville as emergency crews responded to an active gas leak caused by a storm-felled tree that damaged a gas meter. Warehouse area CLARKESVILLE, Ga. – A large gas leak remains active in Clarkesville after a tree, brought down by winter weather, fell onto a gas meter, damaging a natural gas line and forcing road closures in the area. Officials say the fallen tree struck a gas meter, breaking a service line from the 6 in.
Weather, road conditions hamper fire response on Welcome Home Road
Winter Storm Fern severely hindered the ability of fire crews to put out a fire on Welcome Home Rd. in Mt. Airy. (Daniel Purcell/Now Habersham) HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — Severe winter weather and hazardous road conditions significantly hindered firefighting efforts during a structure fire Sunday morning on Welcome Home Road, contributing to the total loss of the home. Habersham County 911 received a call reporting the fire at about 10:25 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 25.
National Guard deploys to Northeast Georgia for winter storm response
ATLANTA, Ga. — Governor Brian Kemp has activated 120 Georgia National Guard members for deployment to Northeast Georgia as state officials respond to ongoing and anticipated impacts across the region. (Governor Brian Kemp/Facebook) In a statement posted Thursday on his official Facebook page, Kemp said the activation follows consultations with Major General Wilson and the state’s readiness team.
National Guard deploys to Northeast Georgia
ATLANTA, Ga. — Governor Brian Kemp has activated 120 Georgia National Guard members for deployment to Northeast Georgia as state officials respond to ongoing and anticipated impacts across the region. (Governor Brian Kemp/Facebook) In a statement posted Thursday on his official Facebook page, Kemp said the activation follows consultations with Major General Wilson and the state’s readiness team.
Winter weather is coming. You know the drill.
From runs on generators at local hardware stores to a rush for bread and milk at grocery stores, North Georgians are in winter weather prep mode. Now Georgia's Daniel Purcell delivers a lighthearted - and very accurate - report on just what that looks like. (Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) Every time winter weather is in the forecast, North Georgia responds the same way: together, prepared, and a little entertained. Here’s what winter weather prep actually looks like across our communities.
One seriously injured in rollover wreck on Camp Creek Road
Emergency personnel tend to a patient who was injured in a rollover wreck on Camp Creek Road in Mt. Airy on Jan. 15, 2026. (Daniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com) DEMOREST, Ga. — A section of Camp Creek Road was shut down for nearly an hour following a rollover crash Thursday evening. According to the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office, Camp Creek Road was temporarily closed between Chase Road and the Demorest–Mt. Airy Highway while emergency crews responded to the scene.
Early Morning Fire Destroys Mt. Airy Home
(Daniel Purcell/NowGeorgia.com) MT. AIRY, Ga. — Firefighters responded to an early morning residential fire on Harris Street in Mt. Airy that heavily damaged a home and left the occupants displaced in subfreezing temperatures. The fire was reported just before 4 a.m. on Tuesday, January 13. More than 20 firefighters from Habersham County Emergency Services and the Cornelia Fire Department responded to the scene.
One injured in multi-vehicle wreck on GA 365
The wreck temporarily blocked the southbound lanes of GA 365 as emergency personnel responded. (Daniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com) HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — One person was injured in a multi-vehicle crash in south Habersham County on Saturday, according to the Georgia State Patrol. The crash happened around 6:45 p.m. on Jan. 10 at the intersection of GA 365 and Duncan Bridge Road. The wreck shut down the southbound lanes of the highway for more than an hour.
Multi-vehicle wreck snarls traffic on GA 365
Air bags deployed in vehicles as the result of a wreck at the red light on GA 365 at Duncan Bridge Road on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. (Daniel Purcell/NowHabersham.com) HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — A multi-vehicle crash at the intersection of Georgia 365 and Duncan Bridge Road caused major traffic delays Saturday evening, blocking the southbound lanes of the highway. The wreck happened just before 6:50 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 10, according to Habersham County 911.
Students carry Lion King Jr. from classrooms to the community
By the time the curtain goes up this weekend, The Lion King Jr. at Habersham Central High School will already have lived it’s full circle of life. The show was originally set to close at the end of last semester. Instead, it kept going through scheduling changes, long after-school hours, and performances for kindergarten and first-grade classrooms across Habersham County. Now, after months of work and refinement, the Stage Raiders are opening the auditorium doors to the community.
How did someone from Habersham end up decorating the White House?
Hand-placed details on the Christmas tree, designed to reflect family, tradition, and care. (Photo courtesy Kimberly Adams) It started with an email. The kind you read. Then reread, just to be sure it’s real. “I reread it several times just to make sure it was real,” she said. “My kids couldn’t contain their excitement that Mom gets to decorate the White House, and when I FaceTimed my family in St. Louis, they were screaming too. It was pure joy.” At the time, she was on vacation with her family.
Triple-truck crash shuts down Hwy. 115 in Demorest, overturns excavator
DEMOREST, Ga. — Traffic came to a standstill Thursday afternoon after a three-truck crash shut down GA Highway 115 near Habersham Mills Road in Demorest. The wreck happened around 4:16 p.m. across from the Valero gas station. Three pickup trucks — a white Chevy Silverado, a white Ford F-250, and a white work truck towing a trailer — collided. The impact caused the trailer to flip, sending the attached excavator into a ditch.
Driver flees traffic stop in Clarkesville, caught after foot chase near Ingles
CLARKESVILLE, Ga. — Multiple law enforcement agencies responded Tuesday evening after a driver fled from a traffic stop in Clarkesville. The suspect, identified as Steven Crocker of Baldwin, led officers on a short foot chase through a wooded area near the Ingles grocery store. According to Clarkesville Police Chief Danny Clouatre, Officer Bill Simmons attempted to stop a sedan for a headlight violation after spotting the vehicle traveling without lights at night.
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