Local

The former building housing Eastanollee Elementary needs some $10.5 million in renovations, but may reopen in 2026.

The former building housing Eastanollee Elementary needs some $10.5 million in renovations, but may reopen in 2026.

School system considering elementary restructure

Elementary schools in Stephens County may return to the way things were almost 10 years ago. The school system appears poised to vote on Oct.
After a 30 year run, the National Boys & Girls Club votes to end its arm in Toccoa.

After a 30 year run, the National Boys & Girls Club votes to end its arm in Toccoa.

Boys & Girls Club ends in Toccoa

The Toccoa-Stephens County Boys and Girls Club has been shut down. After months of silence, the club on W. Whitman Street is locked and a lone Boys and Girls Club van stands in the driveway. On Oct.
Hurricane Helene ripped through Georgia and Toccoa at the end of September, leaving destruction such as downed trees in its wake. On Tugalo Street, a tree in the front yard of the house on the left fell over and took out a portion of the neighbor's house.

Hurricane Helene ripped through Georgia and Toccoa at the end of September, leaving destruction such as downed trees in its wake. On Tugalo Street, a tree in the front yard of the house on the left fell over and took out a portion of the neighbor's house.

Helene hits home

   Toccoa was hit by a double whammy last week with torrential rain followed by Hurricane Helene. The storms left in their wake fallen trees, power outages, and downed power lines scattered across Stephens County.    The rain moved in on Wednesday afternoon and continued into Thursday night.
Kaiden Harbin runs the ball towards the endzone in the recent Habersham game.

Kaiden Harbin runs the ball towards the endzone in the recent Habersham game.

Rebels Improve 4-0 with Devils Defeat

    The Stephens County Rebels pulled off a 16-14 win over the Elbert County Blue Devils to improve 4-0 for their season.
Pictured are a type of open gate security system such as the Stephens County will be using. The board of education approved the purchase of 16 sets.

Pictured are a type of open gate security system such as the Stephens County will be using. The board of education approved the purchase of 16 sets.

BOE approves additional security for schools

   Stephens County resident and parent Allen Collins was concerned about how well county schools were providing safety for its staff and students.    He attended the Tuesday, Sept. 17, meeting of the board of education to speak about his concerns.
The Rotz theater in Toccoa is slated for a new projector.

The Rotz theater in Toccoa is slated for a new projector.

City approves projects at meeting

The City of Toccoa approved several items at its recent meeting. Among these was a contract to update the lighting at the Toccoa-Stephens County Airport. The lights were last replaced in 1992. According to City Manager Fredda Wheeler, they are only supposed to have a 10- to 15-year shelf life.
Kathy Whitmire, left, executive director for the Hope for a Drug Free Stephens oganization, and guest speaker Julie Russell, right, led a drug overdose awareness event on Thursday, Aug. 29, in downtown Toccoa.

Kathy Whitmire, left, executive director for the Hope for a Drug Free Stephens oganization, and guest speaker Julie Russell, right, led a drug overdose awareness event on Thursday, Aug. 29, in downtown Toccoa.

Hope for a Drug Free Stephens County raises overdose awareness

Hope for a Drug Free Stephens held its third annual overdose awareness event on Thursday night, Aug. 29, in front of [ash-ling] Booksellers in downtown Toccoa. The event was attended by a small crowd that gathered on Doyle Street to remember those they have lost to drug overdoses.
Senior Running Back Javin Gordon looks for a hole to run through in Friday night's game against Cedar Shoals.

Senior Running Back Javin Gordon looks for a hole to run through in Friday night's game against Cedar Shoals.

Indians Dominate Cedar Shoals

The Stephens County Indians were on the road last week to Cedar Shoals in Athens, where they dominated the Jaguars 52-3. The triumph puts the Indians at 3-0 so far for the season as they prepare to travel to Jefferson County tomorrow (Sept. 6).
Butterflies, such as the one in the upper center right, and other pollinator were attracted to this mountain mint at The Learning Tree Academy.

Butterflies, such as the one in the upper center right, and other pollinator were attracted to this mountain mint at The Learning Tree Academy.

The Great Southeast Pollinator Census

  Butterflies, bees, and flies, oh my.   On Aug. 23 and 24, Stephens County schools and other entities participated in the 2024 Great Southeast Pollinator Census.
David McCord hopes to build a new Christian community in Toccoa-Stephens County.

David McCord hopes to build a new Christian community in Toccoa-Stephens County.

Paster seeks to build Christian community

Pastor David McCord said when he arrives at the pearly gates of Heaven, he doesn’t want to miss anything. And he’s hoping no one misses anything either, such as a fulfilling church experience. McCord, of Demorest, is undertaking a mission from God.