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The first high school basketball teams of the combined Toccoa High and Stephens County High schools will hold a 50th reunion on Saturday, Jan. 9.

The first high school basketball teams of the combined Toccoa High and Stephens County High schools will hold a 50th reunion on Saturday, Jan. 9.

Basketball teams to hold reunions

     The first high school basketball teams of the combined Toccoa High and Stephens County High schools will hold a 50th reunion on Saturday, Jan. 9.      The 1971-72 SCHS Lady Indian basketball team will be recognized during halftime of the SCHS-Madison County game at Currahee Arena.
Heavy machinery was used to remove ramshackle temporary housing in areas off Stephens Circle and Stephens Extension.

Heavy machinery was used to remove ramshackle temporary housing in areas off Stephens Circle and Stephens Extension.

Police spearhead cleanup

     Toccoa police chief Jimmy Mize said police officers and city code enforcement personnel were busy in November and December with an effort to clean up areas of the city.
Stephens County’s newest K-9 unit officers are deputy Daniel Dixon and his partner, Reba.

Stephens County’s newest K-9 unit officers are deputy Daniel Dixon and his partner, Reba.

Sheriff's Office adds a K-9

    Stephens County has added a second K-9 unit to its division.     Deputy Daniel Dixon has been with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office since 2017 but recently was assigned the role of K-9 handler.
These are some of the drugs and drug paraphernalia seized by deputies in the Nov. 16 arrest.

These are some of the drugs and drug paraphernalia seized by deputies in the Nov. 16 arrest.

Two arrested in traffic stop

     Stephens County K-9 deputy Dexter assisted in the Nov. 16 arrest of two Toccoa men on drug charges.      Sheriff Randy Shirley said officers stopped a red Ford pickup truck in the area of Big A and Collins Road Tuesday, Nov. 16, at 11 p.m.
Kudzu has been designated as a noxious weed by the federal government.

Kudzu has been designated as a noxious weed by the federal government.

Kudzu and its reputation

BY HAROLD BROWN GEORGIA PUBLIC POLICY FOUNDATION Sometimes, popular solutions to public problems morph into public problems.       One enduring example is the exotic, iconic plant known to the South as kudzu. The federal government first promoted it – even subsidized it – then condemned it.
Country music singer Katie Deal.

Country music singer Katie Deal.

Dolly Parton-inspired Christmas coming to the Ritz

     Friends of the Ritz, Inc will host its first fundraiser of the 2021-2022 season by bringing award-winning entertainer Katie Deal to the historic Ritz Theatre for a Dolly Parton-inspired Christmas show on Saturday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.
The brightly decorated gingerbread house on Doyle Street has already drawn the attention of many local youngsters. It will be a focal point of activity during Christmas Fest on Friday.

The brightly decorated gingerbread house on Doyle Street has already drawn the attention of many local youngsters. It will be a focal point of activity during Christmas Fest on Friday.

2021's Christmas event schedule

     The buildup to Christmas begins today in Toccoa-Stephens County.        That’s because the Christmas in the Park event at Paul Anderson Memorial Park jump starts the holiday period celebration on Thursday, Dec. 2, with a return after a two-year hiatus.
Enthusiasm surges along Doyle Street as the 2020 Toccoa Christmas Parade is just minutes away from starting. This year’s parade will be held Saturday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m.

Enthusiasm surges along Doyle Street as the 2020 Toccoa Christmas Parade is just minutes away from starting. This year’s parade will be held Saturday, Dec. 4, at 10 a.m.

Stephens County's holiday traditions have begun

BY TOM LAW THE TOCCOA RECORD      Get ready for a blitz of Thanksgiving through Christmas traditions observed by the Toccoa-Stephens County community.      The tradition-rich season actually kicked off Sunday, Nov.
Paul Anderson Memorial Park has already been docrated for the upcoming tree lighting event scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 2.

Paul Anderson Memorial Park has already been docrated for the upcoming tree lighting event scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 2.

Christmas tree lighting returns to Paul Anderson Park

     After a two-year hiatus, the Varsity returns to Toccoa, on Thursday, Dec. 2, for the 9th annual Lighting of the Park Christmas Tree event.
SCHS teacher of the year Tonya Hopper.

SCHS teacher of the year Tonya Hopper.

SCHS teacher of the year Tonya Hopper

     Top teachers at Stephens County schools have been announced with one of them set to become system-wide Teacher of the Year in the coming weeks.     The announcements come after the event was postponed nationally in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.