Local

As temperatures climbed into the 90s late last week, city residents went to the pool on Doyle Street to cool down. Among them was Chris Lalumia, seen here tossing his son, Ryatt, into the pool.

As temperatures climbed into the 90s late last week, city residents went to the pool on Doyle Street to cool down. Among them was Chris Lalumia, seen here tossing his son, Ryatt, into the pool.

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Beating the heat

News Staff
Thursday, June 18, 2026
Sherry Beavers, executive director of the Open Arms Clinic in Toccoa, was the winner of the Georgia Charitable Care Network's Champion Award.

Sherry Beavers, executive director of the Open Arms Clinic in Toccoa, was the winner of the Georgia Charitable Care Network's Champion Award.

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Beavers wins statewide award

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
BY J. TODD TRUELOVETHE TOCCOA RECORD    Open Arms Executive Director Sherry Beavers was recently recognized for her effort supporting the clinic that serves the underrepresented and uninsured in Stephens County.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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Early voting in runoff races concludes tomorrow

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD Early voting for the June 16 runoff races concludes tomorrow, with one local election on the ballot.Incumbent county commissioner Tara Simmons came short of getting enough votes to avoid a runoff race with former county commissioner Dennis Bell last month.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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City discusses LHOST sales tax

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
BY TOM LAWTHE TOCCOA RECORD The City of Toccoa will seek special legislation from the Georgia General Assembly to stage a November referendum for implementing an extra penny of sales tax that could be used to fund property tax relief for residents who qualify for homestead exemptions.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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BOE budget increasing $1.2 million

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
BY J. TODD TRUELOVETHE TOCCOA RECORD    The proposed budget for the Stephens County school system fiscal 2017 year is 2.2 percent more than it was for the 2025-2026 year.   That’s an increase totaling some $1.2 million  — rising from $54,966,611 in 2025-2026, to $56,185,100 in 2026-2027.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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Budget season underway

News Staff
Thursday, June 11, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD  The Stephens County Board of Commissioners is proposing a full rollback of the millage rate in the 2027 fiscal year budget.It is proposed to be $55.
Dennis Strickland, left, and Lamar Davis, right, have made a local Sons of the American Revolution chapter official in Toccoa. On Monday, they announced the chapter has become official and is named after John H. Stonecypher, Jr. Strickland is the president of the chapter, and Davis is a charter member.

Dennis Strickland, left, and Lamar Davis, right, have made a local Sons of the American Revolution chapter official in Toccoa. On Monday, they announced the chapter has become official and is named after John H. Stonecypher, Jr. Strickland is the president of the chapter, and Davis is a charter member.

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Sons of the American Revolution chapter made official

News Staff
Thursday, June 4, 2026
BY TOM LAWTHE TOCCOA RECORDThe local chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) has received its official designation by the national organization. The chapter is officially known as the John H. Stonecypher Jr. Chapter.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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POST investigating former officers

News Staff
Thursday, June 4, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD Two former police officers and a former narcotics agent with the Toccoa Police Department are currently under investigation by the Georgia Peace Officers Standards and Training Council [POST].
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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Runoff early voting

News Staff
Thursday, June 4, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD Early voting for the June 16 runoff begins Monday, June 8, at 8 a.m. at the Stephens County Historic Courthouse.There are multiple races on the runoff election ballots, including one local race that went to a runoff after the May 19 primary.