Local

Katherine Wilcher (holding certificate)  was named Teacher of the Year by the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice.

Katherine Wilcher (holding certificate) was named Teacher of the Year by the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice.

Wilcher named Teacher of the Year

   A Toccoa native and former teacher in the Stephens County School System was named Teacher of the Year by the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice.    Katherine Wilcher was recognized for her commitment to students at the Gainesville Regional Youth Detention Center.
A hospitality report indiacted there are fewer than 200 overnight stay facilities in Stephens County and that more are needed. One in existence is the Country Hearth Inn off of N. Broad Street.

A hospitality report indiacted there are fewer than 200 overnight stay facilities in Stephens County and that more are needed. One in existence is the Country Hearth Inn off of N. Broad Street.

Hospitality study confirms need for nationally recognized hotel

   A nationally branded hotel could be coming to Toccoa in 2027. That’s the projection in a hospitality report provided to the Stephens County Development Authority in March.
Montavious Winkfield

Montavious Winkfield

Winkfield captured.

Law enforcement caught suspect Montavious Cantrell Winkfield Tuesday afternoon in Lavonia.   The search is over.
The Habitat for Humanity of Stephens County is currently working on its 27th home on South Broad Street for Gail Jones and her son, Markie.

The Habitat for Humanity of Stephens County is currently working on its 27th home on South Broad Street for Gail Jones and her son, Markie.

Habitat for Humanity building dreams

   In the 1989 film “Field of Dreams,” Ray Kinsella looks out on a field and hears a voice tell him, “If you build it, they will come.
Findley WardWard

Findley WardWard

Ward named to 2024 Top 100

   Stephens County Indian Findley Ward was named to the 2024 Georgia Underclassman Top 100 by the Georgia Dugout Club (GADC). On June 20 and 21, Ward and the other 99 athletes chosen for this honor participated in a showcase at Marietta High School.
High school football athletes are preparing for the 2024 season.

High school football athletes are preparing for the 2024 season.

Stephens County High School football practice continues

As the summer season begins to heat up, so too does football practice at Stephens County High School. The football team started another week of training on Monday. Pictured are Carson Kent and Logan Henson. Photo by Laura Shaw.
Bill and Bella Youngquist are the owners of Simmons-Bond Bed & Breakfast on Tugalo Street.

Bill and Bella Youngquist are the owners of Simmons-Bond Bed & Breakfast on Tugalo Street.

Closed for Renovations

Renovations are coming to a bed and breakfast in downtown Toccoa, meaning the lodge will be closed until a future date that is to be determined.    The Simmons-Bond Inn Bed and Breakfast across from the Stephens County Courthouse closed on Sunday, June 9, to do renovations to the kitchen.
The Sandlot Softball team left Doyle Street Field with a police escort today at noon to travel to the state tournament held at Warner Robins American Complex. They will play game two in the tournament tonight at 8:00 p.m. against the Warner Robins team.

The Sandlot Softball team left Doyle Street Field with a police escort today at noon to travel to the state tournament held at Warner Robins American Complex. They will play game two in the tournament tonight at 8:00 p.m. against the Warner Robins team.

Toccoa Little League teams battle in sectional competitions

   The Toccoa Little League Sandlot Softball team battled their way into the state competition last week during the sectionals tournament and the Sandlot Baseball team fell in their bid for state.
Early voting ongoing through Friday, June 14, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the historic courthouse in Toccoa.

Early voting ongoing through Friday, June 14, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the historic courthouse in Toccoa.

Runoff election ongoing through the week

   Early voting for the June 18 runoff begins on Monday and features one race for county commission Post 3. The candidates are Craig Oglesby and former Commissioner James Addison, and the winner will move on to face Democratic candidate Justin Richie in November.
Hundreds of runners raced up and down Currahee Mountain on Saturday, June 1, as part of the annual D-Day commemoration.

Hundreds of runners raced up and down Currahee Mountain on Saturday, June 1, as part of the annual D-Day commemoration.

Running up (and down) that hill for D-Day commemoration.

More than 300 runners descended on Camp Toccoa at Currahee on Saturday morning to take part in the annual Currahee Mountain 10K run. The event is held to commemorate the anniversary of the D-Day operation.