Local

Dr. Jim Wade.

Dr. Jim Wade.

Local doctor encourages vaccination

I have been distressed to see the plethora of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation and myths on the internet and now in letters to the editor, which have contributed to an unacceptably low vaccination rate locally and across the country.     As of July 26, only 34.
Students and parents are invited to come to the school they will be attending this year to gain familiarity.

Students and parents are invited to come to the school they will be attending this year to gain familiarity.

Schools schedule open house

    The Stephens County School System is gearing up for the 2021-2022 school year.     Students return to classes on Tuesday, Aug. 3 with new teacher orientation scheduled next week on Monday, July 26, and pre-planing July 27 through Aug. 2.     Pre-kindergarten classes will begin on Monday, Aug.
Singer, instrumentalist and storyteller Bobby Horton will perform at the Ritz Theatre in the spring of 2022.

Singer, instrumentalist and storyteller Bobby Horton will perform at the Ritz Theatre in the spring of 2022.

Famed musician Bobby Horton coming to the Ritz

    Main Street Toccoa has been awarded a Presentation Grant to bring award-winning storyteller, singer, and multi-instrumentalist Bobby Horton to the historic Ritz Theatre on May 6, 2022.
Pictured with safety awards are (from left) Kevin Watson, CEO of Bowen & Watson; Dustin Duncan, vice president of construction; Stacy Allen, safety coordinator; and Keith Watson, chairman.

Pictured with safety awards are (from left) Kevin Watson, CEO of Bowen & Watson; Dustin Duncan, vice president of construction; Stacy Allen, safety coordinator; and Keith Watson, chairman.

Local contracting firm among most prestigious category of Zero Incidence Rate

    Toccoa-based construction firm Bowen & Watson, Inc., has been recognized as one of 18 contractor firms in the most prestigious category of Zero Incidence Rate by Associated General Contractors of Georgia (AGC Georgia) and Associated General Contractors of America (AGC).
Toccoa Main Street will hold a Back to School Bash on Friday, Aug. 6 from 5-9 p.m.

Toccoa Main Street will hold a Back to School Bash on Friday, Aug. 6 from 5-9 p.m.

Main Street Toccoa to hold Back to School Bash

    Toccoa Main Street will hold a Back to School Bash on Friday, Aug. 6 from 5-9 p.m. at the historic Ritz Theatre on Doyle Street.     The evening will include a fun-filled night of inflatable activities, ice-cream, and a movie, all free of charge.
 Toccoa-Stephens Chamber president Julie Paysen (third from left) was one of six chamber professionals in Georgia to become Georgia Certified Chamber Executives.

Toccoa-Stephens Chamber president Julie Paysen (third from left) was one of six chamber professionals in Georgia to become Georgia Certified Chamber Executives.

Paysen achieves certified Chamber executive mark

    The Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (GACCE) announced their newest Georgia Certified Chamber Executives at the 2021 Executive Leadership Conference held at the Jekyll Island Club Resort in Jekyll Island.
Alan NeSmith

Alan NeSmith

Changes coming to CNI

    After 32 years of guiding Community Newspapers Inc. (CNI), co-owners Tom Wood and Dink NeSmith are turning over the corporate leadership to new co-chief executive officers.
TFC classes return to normal classroom settings.

TFC classes return to normal classroom settings.

TFC to return to normal schedule

    Toccoa Falls College will return to a normal academic schedule fall semester.     Classes will move back to their usual, more intimate classroom settings allowing once again for learning to take place in a smaller environment, conducive to more individualized study.
Former Stephens County High School FFA chapter president Kane Pruitt has received a Georgia Ag Foundation scholarship to attend North Georgia Technical School.

Former Stephens County High School FFA chapter president Kane Pruitt has received a Georgia Ag Foundation scholarship to attend North Georgia Technical School.

SCHS graduate receives agriculture scholarship.

    Kane Pruitt, a recent graduate of Stephens County High School (SCHS), is among four graduating seniors statewide selected to receive a $1,500 Georgia Foundation for Agriculture Technical College Scholarship.
Linda Rumsey (left) was named a Lions Melvin Jones Fellowship honoree in April. That’s District Gov. Judy Scott making the presentation.

Linda Rumsey (left) was named a Lions Melvin Jones Fellowship honoree in April. That’s District Gov. Judy Scott making the presentation.

Rumsey serves as Lions district vice governor

    Linda Sheriff Rumsey of Greer, S.C., formerly of Stephens County, will serve as Lions Club vice district governor  of South Carolina District 32S.     Rumsey is the outgoing president of the Greer (S.C.) Lions Club. She has served in that position since 2019.