Local

Vocalist Clay Young will perform with the Toccoa Symphony Orchestra during its winter concert March 6.

Vocalist Clay Young will perform with the Toccoa Symphony Orchestra during its winter concert March 6.

Orchestra concert March 6

News Staff
Thursday, February 17, 2022
     The Toccoa Symphony Orchestra will hold its winter concert  on Sunday, March 6, at the Grace Alford Performing Arts Center on the campus of Toccoa Falls College.
Brittany Walker (right), assistant administrator of public works, recently received the 2021 employee of the year award from the Stephens County Board of Commissioners. Pictured with her is public works director Jason Holland.

Brittany Walker (right), assistant administrator of public works, recently received the 2021 employee of the year award from the Stephens County Board of Commissioners. Pictured with her is public works director Jason Holland.

County honors Walker with award

News Staff
Friday, February 11, 2022
Brittany Walker (right), assistant administrator of public works, recently received the 2021 employee of the year award from the Stephens County Board of Commissioners. Pictured with her is public works director Jason Holland.
Cpl. Michael Vice (left) and jailer Jessica Tucker were recently honored by the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office.

Cpl. Michael Vice (left) and jailer Jessica Tucker were recently honored by the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff's Office employees of the year

J. Todd Truelove
Thursday, February 10, 2022
     The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office recently announced its 2021 deputy and jailer of the year.      Sheriff Randy Shirley said that Cpl. Michael Vice is the deputy of the year.      Vice is the handler for sheriff’s office K-9 officer Dexter.       Jailer of the year is Jessica Tucker.
The Miss Stephens County High School Pageant was sponsored by the Skills USA Graphics, led by Stacey Hemphill and the Health Occupations Students of America, led by Haley Rider. Photo by David Byargeon.

The Miss Stephens County High School Pageant was sponsored by the Skills USA Graphics, led by Stacey Hemphill and the Health Occupations Students of America, led by Haley Rider. Photo by David Byargeon.

Oldham crowned Miss Stephens County High School

News Staff
Friday, February 4, 2022
The Miss Stephens County High School Pageant was held Saturday, Jan. 15. The theme of the pageant was Winter Wonderland. Thirty-five contestants graced the stage with confidence, poise and beauty. Intermission entertainment was provided by SCHS students Zikerion Reese and the RADC Ensemble.
Milkshake Mayfield has played venues throughout the world, but will perform in concert on Feb. 10 at the Ritz Theatre in Toccoa.

Milkshake Mayfield has played venues throughout the world, but will perform in concert on Feb. 10 at the Ritz Theatre in Toccoa.

Milkshake returns to The Ritz

News Staff
Thursday, February 3, 2022
      Milkshake Mayfield has circled the world, gracing national and international stages, but on Thursday, Feb. 10, at 7 p.m., he will return to his hometown to take the stage at the historic Ritz Theatre for a Night at the Ritz performance.
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

News Staff
Friday, January 7, 2022
     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

J. Todd Truelove
Thursday, January 6, 2022
     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

News Staff
Thursday, December 23, 2021
    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

J. Todd Truelove
Tuesday, December 7, 2021
     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

News Staff
Monday, December 6, 2021
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.