Local

Amidst the pouring rain on Saturday, Sept. 12, the Stephens County High School for the first time hosted a JROTC Raiders meet behind the school. The group built an obstacle course for the event, and several regional schools flocked to Toccoa to participate from as far away as Athens-Clarke County. Swinging from the monkey bars here in the downpour is Bethany Byrd.

Amidst the pouring rain on Saturday, Sept. 12, the Stephens County High School for the first time hosted a JROTC Raiders meet behind the school. The group built an obstacle course for the event, and several regional schools flocked to Toccoa to participate from as far away as Athens-Clarke County. Swinging from the monkey bars here in the downpour is Bethany Byrd.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

How's it hanging?

News Staff
Thursday, September 17, 2026
Amidst the pouring rain on Saturday, Sept. 12, the Stephens County High School JROTC for the first time hosted a Raiders meet behind the school. The group built an obstacle course for the event, and several regional schools flocked to Toccoa to participate from as far away as Athens-Clarke County.
On Friday, students from Stephens County Middle School's sixth grade social studies class came together to create this memorial on the 25th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks.

On Friday, students from Stephens County Middle School's sixth grade social studies class came together to create this memorial on the 25th anniversary of the World Trade Center attacks.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Community commemorates 9/11 anniversary

News Staff
Thursday, September 17, 2026
BY J. TODD TRUELOVE AND MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORDThe Toccoa-Stephens County community came together Friday and over the weekend to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11 with a series of events.Those events included a luncheon for first responders at Grace Baptist Church, a 9/11 program at...
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

Exclusive Subscriber Content

City approves millage rate

News Staff
Thursday, September 17, 2026
BY TOM LAWTHE TOCCOA RECORD     City of Toccoa landowners will see a slight decrease in their tax bill this fall provided the appraised value of their property remaining unchanged or dropped from the previous year.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

Exclusive Subscriber Content

County axes transit system proposal

News Staff
Thursday, September 17, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD The Stephens County Board of Commissioners is taking a step back from its proposed transit system.Under the proposed transit system, residents would spend $6 to get on a bus and an additional $2 per trip.
Duke Collins tries to evade a Union County opponent.

Duke Collins tries to evade a Union County opponent.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Smashing success

News Staff
Thursday, September 10, 2026
After two losses to kick off the season, the Stephens County Indians football team played its first home game on Friday night, Sept. 4, against Union County. The Indians smashed Union County, 38-0. For more information, flip to page 6A for a full report on that matchup.
Scott Harding and Abby Shirley, two of the cast members of the Toccoa-Stephens Community Theater’s “Godspell” production, are excited to tell you that their show is coming to the Ritz Theatre Sept. 17-20.

Scott Harding and Abby Shirley, two of the cast members of the Toccoa-Stephens Community Theater’s “Godspell” production, are excited to tell you that their show is coming to the Ritz Theatre Sept. 17-20.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

TSCT showing Godspell Sept. 17-20

News Staff
Thursday, September 10, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD    The Toccoa-Stephens Community Theater has its current show lined up for performances next week.    “Godspell,” which is based on the Gospel according to Matthew, features music by Stephen Schwartz and a book by John Michael-Tebelak.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

Exclusive Subscriber Content

BOC holds hearing on public transit system proposal

News Staff
Thursday, September 10, 2026
BY J. TODD TRUELOVETHE TOCCOA RECORD     The Stephens County government is still working out details of how a public transportation system will work if one is implemented in the county.   At the request of a local resident, the county had a public hearing on the topic on Tuesday.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Loskoski talks Wellstar partnership

News Staff
Thursday, September 10, 2026
BY J. TODD TRUELOVETHE TOCCOA RECORD    The days of Stephens County Hospital remaining an independent entity are numbered. That’s not a bad thing, said hospital CEO Van Loskoski.
On Sunday, Aug. 30, Hope for a Drug Free Stephens held its fourth annual remembrance event at the Tugalo Greenspace.Among those in attendance was Kathy Petraeus, seen here lighting a candle in memory of her son, Logan.

On Sunday, Aug. 30, Hope for a Drug Free Stephens held its fourth annual remembrance event at the Tugalo Greenspace.Among those in attendance was Kathy Petraeus, seen here lighting a candle in memory of her son, Logan.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

In remembrance

News Staff
Thursday, September 3, 2026
Former state senator John Wilkinson, who also led North Georgia Technical College as president, was honored last week by the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Former state senator John Wilkinson, who also led North Georgia Technical College as president, was honored last week by the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Exclusive Subscriber Content

Wilkinson wins Lifetime Achievement Award

News Staff
Thursday, September 3, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD Former North Georgia Technical College (NGTC) president and state Sen. John Wilkinson won the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award presented by the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce last week.Wilkinson received the award during the Chamber’s annual awards...