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Four individuals from Stephens and Franklin counties were arrested in the week following a firearm incident at Stephens County High School on Tuesday, Feb. 10. One of them was Tykerion Brown, 17, of Toccoa.

Four individuals from Stephens and Franklin counties were arrested in the week following a firearm incident at Stephens County High School on Tuesday, Feb. 10. One of them was Tykerion Brown, 17, of Toccoa.

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SCSO arrests four following firearm incident

News Staff
Friday, February 20, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD Four individuals have been arrested following a firearm incident on Feb. 10 at Stephens County High School.While two sporting events were ongoing at the school, students reported a firearm had been discharged multiple times in the parking lot.
Clyde Williams, left, was one of the more than 100 Kings and Queens who attended the third annual Night to Shine event hosted by Ebenezer Baptist Church in Toccoa on Friday night, Feb. 13. His chaperone, known as a “buddy,” was Karli Cobb, right.

Clyde Williams, left, was one of the more than 100 Kings and Queens who attended the third annual Night to Shine event hosted by Ebenezer Baptist Church in Toccoa on Friday night, Feb. 13. His chaperone, known as a “buddy,” was Karli Cobb, right.

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Shining bright

News Staff
Friday, February 20, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD Friday night at Ebenezer Baptist made people feel like it was prom night again.That was the intent as about 395 volunteers filled the church sanctuary and parking lot ready to welcome the evening’s honored guests.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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Sheerin is Stephens hospital’s new CFO

News Staff
Friday, February 20, 2026
BY J. TODD TRUELOVETHE TOCCOA RECORD    Stephens County Hospital will have a new chief financial officer (CFO).   On Monday, Feb. 16, the Stephens County Hospital Authority approved the hiring of Rick Sheerin as hospital CFO.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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Students will not need to make up recent snow days

News Staff
Friday, February 20, 2026
BY J. TODD TRUELOVETHE TOCCOA RECORD    Students and teachers are excused for the days that Stephens County schools closed due to winter storms Fern and Gianna.   For students those days are Jan 26-28, and Feb. 2-3.   Teachers were excused for Jan. 26-27, and Feb. 2.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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Five arrested in connection with burglary

News Staff
Friday, February 13, 2026
BY J. TODD TRUELOVETHE TOCCOA RECORD The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office arrested five suspects last month in connection with a Dec. 31, 2026, burglary at a Highway 123 residence.The sheriff’s office reported that investigators found the security cameras around the residence had been disconnected.
Work on a $3 million expansion project at the Ritz Theatre in downtown Toccoa has begun, as indicated by a portion of Doyle Street being fenced off to be used as a staging area for construction materials.

Work on a $3 million expansion project at the Ritz Theatre in downtown Toccoa has begun, as indicated by a portion of Doyle Street being fenced off to be used as a staging area for construction materials.

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Ritz Theatre expansion begins

News Staff
Friday, February 13, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORDConstruction on the Ritz Theatre expansion began last week, as indicated by a portion of Doyle Street being closed in front of the venue.
The Toccoa Elks Lodge was transformed into a 1920s-era casino on Saturday night, Feb. 7, for an event to benefit the Open Arms free healthcare clinic. The funds raised can keep the clinic going for three months. Enjoying themselves at a game table are Tim Hawks, Whitney Ledford, Jordan Krippner, and Kimberly Krippner.

The Toccoa Elks Lodge was transformed into a 1920s-era casino on Saturday night, Feb. 7, for an event to benefit the Open Arms free healthcare clinic. The funds raised can keep the clinic going for three months. Enjoying themselves at a game table are Tim Hawks, Whitney Ledford, Jordan Krippner, and Kimberly Krippner.

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Open Arms hosts annual fundraiser

News Staff
Friday, February 13, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD    Open Arms clinic transported residents back to a 1920s casino at the Toccoa Elks Lodge on Saturday night as part of its annual fundraiser.    The theme for the evening was the Roaring Twenties.
The speed limit on Historic Hwy. 17 was reduced from 55 miles per hour to 50 miles per hour in an effort to curtail speeders and drag racers.

The speed limit on Historic Hwy. 17 was reduced from 55 miles per hour to 50 miles per hour in an effort to curtail speeders and drag racers.

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Speed limit reduced on Historic Hwy. 17

News Staff
Friday, February 13, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD    Motorists must slow down an extra five miles per hour when traveling on a portion of Historic Hwy. 17 thanks to new speed limit signs on the road.    On Wednesday, Feb. 4, the signs were installed along portions of Historic Hwy.