Eminent domain hearing moves to mid-September

A public hearing on using eminent domain to expand Demorest’s water system has been rescheduled.The Demorest City Council will now hold the hearing at 6 p.m. on Sept. 16. It was originally scheduled to take place during the Sept. 1 regular meeting.

Potential property acquistion may affect ‘Rails to Trails’

There’s an organization that’s been working quietly behind the scenes for a few years now, and the project they’ve been working on is just now becoming a reality.Ironically, it’s also just become a behind-the-scenes player in an eminent domain situation.

Whirlpool of questions: City of Demorest seeks Rabun County land in Tallulah Falls for city’s water system expansion

For Clint Irvin, it’s personal.“I grew up on Tallulah Lake,” Irvin said. “I learned to swim there.”His father and uncle, Johnny Irvin and David Irvin, own the two parcels Demorest is seeking to acquire through eminent domain. The lots are not only in a different city, but in a different county.

Tallulah Falls councilman arrested

Tallulah Falls Council Member Gerald Michael “Mike” Urpschot, 66, was arrested and booked into the Rabun County Detention Center on charges of striking an unattended vehicle and expired tag, according to the Rabun County Sheriff’s Office Media Arrest Summary. On Aug. 10 at approximately 4:53 p.m.

Citizens qualify for Clayton, Sky Valley council seats

Qualifying for city council seats in Sky Valley and Clayton ended last week and locals from both cities turned in qualifying paperwork to run for office. Qualifying for both elections began Monday, Aug. 17, and ended Friday, Aug. 21, at 4:30 p.m.

County commissioners roll back millage rate

The Rabun County Board of Commissioners approved the Calendar Year (CY) 2026 millage rate in the amount of 6.6590, which is a rollback from the 2025 millage rate of 7.0300, during a special called meeting on Tuesday, Aug. 25. The vote also came with an approval of the separate millage rate of 1.

City of Mountain City schedules work session

City of Mountain City council members will hold a work session on Tuesday, Sept. 1 at 6 p.m. at Mountain City’s City Hall, 41 Education Street. The agenda item includes ordinance reviews.

Sky Valley officials appear in court for ordinance decision

Sky Valley citizen Geraldine Smith and city officials appeared in Superior Court of Rabun County on Monday, Aug.

Rabun BOE rolls back millage rate for its 12th consecutive year

Rabun County Board of Education (BOE) members voted to roll back the Calendar Year (CY) 2026 millage rate for the 12th year in a row during a morning meeting on Friday, Aug. 21. The millage rate adopted was 6.6140, which is a rollback from the 2025 rate of 7.

Irvin supports commissioners ‘protecting Rabun County resources’

The City of Demorest’s intent for a water withdrawal and future water treatment plant in Tallulah Falls has brought much discussion among citizens in both Rabun and Habersham counties. Most of those opinions are not favorable towards the project.