Local

Dave Jalovick has nothing but open water ahead of him as he participates in the Tugaloo River History Paddle last Saturday.

Dave Jalovick has nothing but open water ahead of him as he participates in the Tugaloo River History Paddle last Saturday.

Paddlers come from all over for Tugaloo River History Paddle

News Staff
Friday, June 18, 2021
    The annual Tugaloo River History Paddle was held Saturday, June 12.         Forty paddlers left Walker Creek around 8:30 a.m.  and paddled down the river stopping at varous historical spots.     Local historian, Kelly Vickers, led the group, which is sponsored by the Tugaloo River Water Trail.
Tribute, an Atlanta-based band that plays tunes made famous by the Allman Brothers Band, will perform Saturday, June 19, as part of the Ida Cox Music Series held every summer Saturday in downtown.

Tribute, an Atlanta-based band that plays tunes made famous by the Allman Brothers Band, will perform Saturday, June 19, as part of the Ida Cox Music Series held every summer Saturday in downtown.

Allman Bros. tribute band to take stage

News Staff
Thursday, June 17, 2021
    The popular band, Tribute, a celebration of The Allman Brothers Band, will be the featured performers at the Ida Cox Music Series on Saturday, June 19, in downtown Toccoa.     The evening’s concert is being sponsored by Dee Dee Dodd Arrowood at Keller Williams Lanier Partners.
Dr. Fred Gingrich.

Dr. Fred Gingrich.

Gingrich joins TFC

News Staff
Tuesday, June 15, 2021
    Dr. Fred Gingrich has joined the staff of Toccoa Falls College as the director of the college’s new master of arts in marriage and family therapy program which launches this fall.     Gingrich has served educational institutions in Canada, the Philippines and the United States.
Sheriff Randy Shirley said the case started when investigators received multiple tips of possibe drug activity at a residence on Highway 123.

Sheriff Randy Shirley said the case started when investigators received multiple tips of possibe drug activity at a residence on Highway 123.

Sheriff's Office arrests one on drug distribution charge

J. Todd Truelove
Monday, June 14, 2021
    Stephens County sheriff Randy Shirley this week reported the arrest of a 61-year-old man on charges related to the distribution of illegal drugs.     Shirley said the case started when investigators received multiple tips of possible drug activity at a residence on Highway 123.
The Toccoa Symphony Orchestra is back and will perform its annual outdoor Patriotic Pops Concert on Sunday, June 27.

The Toccoa Symphony Orchestra is back and will perform its annual outdoor Patriotic Pops Concert on Sunday, June 27.

TSO schedules Patriotic Pops

News Staff
Wednesday, June 9, 2021
    The Toccoa Symphony Orchestra is back and will perform its annual outdoor Patriotic Pops Concert on Sunday,  June 27.       The gate opens at 6 p.m. and the concert starts at 7:30 p.m.
Shepherd’s Hill Academy staff gathered in April for the groundbreaking ceremony for the academy’s new multi-purpose dining hall. Pictured in the center are academy founders Trace and Beth Embry.

Shepherd’s Hill Academy staff gathered in April for the groundbreaking ceremony for the academy’s new multi-purpose dining hall. Pictured in the center are academy founders Trace and Beth Embry.

Shepherd's Hill starts construction on dining hall

News Staff
Tuesday, June 8, 2021
    Shepherd’s Hill Academy in Martin recently broke ground on a multi-purpose dining hall.     It’s the first in a series of new buildings envisioned by the academy to reconfigure the facility after the four-lane Highway 17 project cut through the campus .
Michelle Sheriff (left) donated three laptop computers to Dr. Cynthia Shephed (right) and the cancer treatment center on Falls Road.

Michelle Sheriff (left) donated three laptop computers to Dr. Cynthia Shephed (right) and the cancer treatment center on Falls Road.

Cancer center receives donation

J. Todd Truelove
Monday, June 7, 2021
    Michelle Sheriff of Toccoa recently donated three laptop computers to the office of Dr. Cynthia Shepherd and the Longstreet Cancer Center of Toccoa.     Sheriff said the donation came as part of her "give back project" in drug court.
Toccoa Jazz will kick off the 2021 Ida Cox Music Series in downtown Toccoa.

Toccoa Jazz will kick off the 2021 Ida Cox Music Series in downtown Toccoa.

Annual Ida Cox series begins June 5

News Staff
Friday, June 4, 2021
    The 2021 Ida Cox Music Series begins Saturday, June 5.     The headlining act for the first week of the music series will be Toccoa Jazz, a local favorite.
Shelter halts cat intake.

Shelter halts cat intake.

No cats for now says Humane Shelter

News Staff
Thursday, June 3, 2021
The Toccoa Stephens County Humane Shelter has been closed to cat intakes and cat adoptions due to the outbreak of the highly contagious and deadly, Feline Panleukopenia virus.  To date, 10 cats/kittens have died or tested positive for the virus and were euthanized.
Toccoa's finalized budget does not include a property tax increase or any utility rate hikes.

Toccoa's finalized budget does not include a property tax increase or any utility rate hikes.

Toccoa approves 2021-2022 budget.

Marcus Etienne
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
    The City of Toccoa on Monday approved a fiscal 2021-2022 budget that calls for $38.65 million in spending.     The finalized budget does not include a property tax increase or any utility rate hikes.     The budget does include some $8.