Local

A luncheon was held to honor local first responders at Grace Baptist Church on Sept. 11. Members of the Stephens County Sheriff's Office attended the event. Laura Shaw/The Toccoa Record

A luncheon was held to honor local first responders at Grace Baptist Church on Sept. 11. Members of the Stephens County Sheriff's Office attended the event. Laura Shaw/The Toccoa Record

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First responders recognized on 9/11

News Staff
Thursday, September 18, 2025
BY LAURA SHAWTHE TOCCOA RECORD    To recognize the 24th anniversary of Sept. 11, Grace Baptist Church held a luncheon for the first responders in Stephens County.     The church partnered with almost 100 community members and seven other churches to feed the first responders.
Dr. Connie Yearwood will be principal of Eastanollee Elementary when it opens next year. Carla Smith will move over to Liberty Elementary as principal. Photos courtesy of Stephens County School System

Dr. Connie Yearwood will be principal of Eastanollee Elementary when it opens next year. Carla Smith will move over to Liberty Elementary as principal. Photos courtesy of Stephens County School System

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Eastanollee, Liberty to get new principals

News Staff
Thursday, September 18, 2025
BY J. TODD TRUELOVETHE TOCCOA RECORD   Eastanollee Elementary School has a principal.   When schools reopen next year, current Liberty Elementary School Principal Connie Yearwood will take the helm.
Clinton Patrick Miller, of Toccoa, was arrested by the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office following a chase on Saturday, Sept. 13, in Franklin County. Photo courtesy of Stephens County Sheriff's Office

Clinton Patrick Miller, of Toccoa, was arrested by the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office following a chase on Saturday, Sept. 13, in Franklin County. Photo courtesy of Stephens County Sheriff's Office

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Fugitive captured

News Staff
Thursday, September 18, 2025
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD A fugitive who led Franklin County sheriff’s deputies on a chase Saturday morning was later apprehended by the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office on Monday.
U.S. Marines veteran Bill King, left, and U.S. Navy veteran Dave Warth, right, were honored with Quilts of Valor during Bingo at the VFW headquarters in Toccoa on Monday night as part of a celebration of VFW Post 4346’s 80th anniversary. Karen Trombley, state coordinator for the Quilts of Valor Foundation, presented the quilts. Michael O'Hearn/The Toccoa Record

U.S. Marines veteran Bill King, left, and U.S. Navy veteran Dave Warth, right, were honored with Quilts of Valor during Bingo at the VFW headquarters in Toccoa on Monday night as part of a celebration of VFW Post 4346’s 80th anniversary. Karen Trombley, state coordinator for the Quilts of Valor Foundation, presented the quilts. Michael O'Hearn/The Toccoa Record

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VFW Post 4346 celebrates 80 years

News Staff
Thursday, September 18, 2025
The local Veterans of Foreign Wars [VFW] post in Toccoa is celebrating its 80th anniversary this week.On Monday night, the VFW hall was packed with people playing Bingo throughout the night, and two veterans, Bill King and Jeff Warth, were honored with Quilts of Valor.
Steve Paysen announced last month he would resign as director of the Hope Center of Toccoa effective Aug. 31. His successor is Cherri Shaw. Submitted

Steve Paysen announced last month he would resign as director of the Hope Center of Toccoa effective Aug. 31. His successor is Cherri Shaw. Submitted

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Paysen resigns as Hope Center director

News Staff
Friday, September 12, 2025
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD Former Hope Center executive director Steve Paysen is turning his attention to focusing more on evangelism after seven years.On Aug. 26, he announced his intent to resign as director as of Aug.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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City elections canceled in Toccoa, Avalon

News Staff
Friday, September 12, 2025
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD The elections in the Cities of Toccoa and Avalon have been canceled, Stephens County elections supervisor Isaac Overstreet said.Candidates with no opposition will effectively be re-elected and begin a new term starting Jan. 1, 2026.
A group of concerned residents packed the Stephens County Senior Center on Sept. 9 to listen to information about a potential rock quarry off Hwy. 123 in Stephens County. Michael O'Hearn/The Toccoa Record

A group of concerned residents packed the Stephens County Senior Center on Sept. 9 to listen to information about a potential rock quarry off Hwy. 123 in Stephens County. Michael O'Hearn/The Toccoa Record

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"No quarry"

News Staff
Friday, September 12, 2025
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD A community meeting held to present information related to a potential quarry off Hwy. 123 drew in a roomful of people at the Stephens County Senior Center on Tuesday night.
The 2025 Ida Cox summer concert series concluded on Saturday, Aug. 30, with a performance by Lara Smith and Local Honey, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band. This year’s Ida Cox series had an eclectic mix of bands perform downtown, ranging from ‘90s cover band Better than Better than Ezra to local favorites Milkshake Mayfield and Scoot Teasley. Smith and the band can be seen next at the Fall Festival in Carnesville on Saturday, Sept. 13, for a free concert from 7-9 p.m.

The 2025 Ida Cox summer concert series concluded on Saturday, Aug. 30, with a performance by Lara Smith and Local Honey, a Fleetwood Mac tribute band. This year’s Ida Cox series had an eclectic mix of bands perform downtown, ranging from ‘90s cover band Better than Better than Ezra to local favorites Milkshake Mayfield and Scoot Teasley. Smith and the band can be seen next at the Fall Festival in Carnesville on Saturday, Sept. 13, for a free concert from 7-9 p.m.

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Ida Cox wraps up

News Staff
Thursday, September 4, 2025
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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Safe driving summit returns to Stephens

News Staff
Thursday, September 4, 2025
BY J. TODD TRUELOVETHE TOCCOA RECORD    Stephens County High School students received lessons last week about how, when driving or riding in a vehicle, to arrive at their destinations alive.   The school held its Safe Driving Summit on Thursday, Aug. 28, which was led by the Lutzie 43 Foundation.