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Stephens County Sheriff Rusty Fulbright visited the Capitol last week to support House Bill 973, which would provide for the state’s mental health hospital. He is standing about seven rows back near the center on the staircase.

Stephens County Sheriff Rusty Fulbright visited the Capitol last week to support House Bill 973, which would provide for the state’s mental health hospital. He is standing about seven rows back near the center on the staircase.

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Fulbright supports mental health hospital

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
BY J. TODD TRUELOVETHE TOCCOA RECORD Stephens County Jail has for some time had an overabundance of inmates with mental health issues.It’s not alone in that regard. Jails across Georgia face the same problem, tasked with treating mentally ill inmates.Last week, on Feb.
A body found on Nov. 26, 2025, near the Alban Court neighborhood in Toccoa was positively identified this week as 27-year-old Christgene Staten.

A body found on Nov. 26, 2025, near the Alban Court neighborhood in Toccoa was positively identified this week as 27-year-old Christgene Staten.

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Body identified

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
BY J. TODD TRUELOVETHE TOCCOA RECORD    A body that was found in a tent last November has been identified as  that of Christgene Staten of Dayton, Ohio.   Staten’s body was found on Nov. 26, 2025, in a tent in a wooded area near the Alban Court neighborhood.
Adam Hazell is the planning director for the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, and he is assisting Stephens County's local governments in updating their comprehensive plans this year.

Adam Hazell is the planning director for the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, and he is assisting Stephens County's local governments in updating their comprehensive plans this year.

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Planning ahead

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORDBy 2040, Toccoa-Stephens County could potentially gain between 5,000 and 8,000 residents.Those new residents will come from people moving here from elsewhere in the country, either for jobs here or as retirees.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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Qualifying period starts next week

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORDQualifying for the May 19 primary begins Monday for seven seats on two boards in Stephens County.Qualifying will take place Monday, March 2, through Thursday, March 5, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Friday, March 6, from 9 a.m. until noon.
Russell Williams, of RG Williams Construction in Toccoa, shows off a piece of history he found in the old Harper's Five and 10 Cent Store.

Russell Williams, of RG Williams Construction in Toccoa, shows off a piece of history he found in the old Harper's Five and 10 Cent Store.

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Restoring history

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD A construction company new to town is breathing new life into one of downtown Toccoa’s most iconic buildings.
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.