Local

Donnie Saddler has been promoted to heading the Georgia State Patrol's Post 7 location in Toccoa.

Donnie Saddler has been promoted to heading the Georgia State Patrol's Post 7 location in Toccoa.

Saddler promoted by state patrol

News Staff
Monday, October 19, 2020
    The Georgia State Patrol has promoted Elbert County native Donnie O’Neal Saddler to Post Commander at Georgia State Patrol Post 7 in Toccoa.
VFW giving flags to students.

VFW giving flags to students.

VFW giving flags to students

News Staff
Thursday, October 8, 2020
    The VFW Post 4346 Auxiliary is offering local students the opportunity to receive a free American flag and Pledge of Allegiance card.     The program is open to all school age children.
Strollers can enjoy their favorite drink samples, deals, special promotions, and music.

Strollers can enjoy their favorite drink samples, deals, special promotions, and music.

Sip & Stroll in Toccoa Oct. 9

News Staff
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
    Main Street will host two events in downtown Toccoa on Friday, Oct. 9.     The first event is the inaugural Sip-n-Stroll, which will be held from 4-7 p.m. This event is in coordination with several of the businesses of downtown Toccoa.
The closures will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 2Friday night for the Highway 17/365 ramps.

The closures will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 2Friday night for the Highway 17/365 ramps.

Road ramps closed

J. Todd Truelove
Thursday, October 1, 2020
The ramps connecting Highway 365 and Highway 17 near the Stephens and Habersham county line will be closed this weekend. Starting Friday, Oct. 2, maintenance contractors with Georgia Department of Transportation (DOT) will begin a pavement project to improve the Tom Arrendale Interchange.
David Melber is COO of the state mission board.

David Melber is COO of the state mission board.

Changes ahead for Georgia Baptist

J. Todd Truelove
Tuesday, September 29, 2020
    A number of parties are interested in the purchase of the Georgia Baptist Conference Center.     David Melber, Georgia Baptist Mission Board chief operations officer, confirmed last week the center is up for sale.
This is the entrance to the Georgia Sheriff’s Boys Ranch facility in Hahira. Four other youth homes are located around the state.

This is the entrance to the Georgia Sheriff’s Boys Ranch facility in Hahira. Four other youth homes are located around the state.

Shirley bolsters Stephens link to youth homes

J. Todd Truelove
Monday, September 28, 2020
    Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley was looking through a box of memorabilia when he came across an old magazine.     That publication, he said, cleared up a misconception about the origin of the Georgia Sheriff's Youth Homes.
During a summer meeting of the city commission, Toccoa residents said that Currahee Street was in need of repairs.

During a summer meeting of the city commission, Toccoa residents said that Currahee Street was in need of repairs.

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Currahee Street undergoes repairs

J. Todd Truelove
Tuesday, September 22, 2020
    Complaints from Toccoa residents about the condition of Currahee Street have resulted in road work by the state Department of Transportation (DOT).     During a summer meeting of the city commission, Toccoa residents said that Currahee Street was in need of repairs.
The teen girl had been communicating with the man on Facebook messenger.

The teen girl had been communicating with the man on Facebook messenger.

Missing juvenile located within an hour

J. Todd Truelove
Monday, September 21, 2020
     A 16-year-old runaway from Stephens County last week was located with a man from Vidalia less than an hour after she went missing.     Sheriff Randy Shirley said that deputies responded at 9:43 a.m. on Thursday, Sept. 10 to a residence in the Kay Road area.
Families can vote on their favorites.

Families can vote on their favorites.

Scarecrow walk in downtown Toccoa

News Staff
Friday, September 18, 2020
    Family Connection will host a Scarecrow Walk downtown as a fall fundraiser.   Businesses, churches, organizations and individuals will enter scarecrows that will line the back and side around the historic courthouse walkways.      The walk will be held throughout the month of October.
The Tugaloo River Water Trail organization staged a ribbon-cutting ceremony during the annual Sunset Paddle held Saturday, Sept. 5. The ribbon-cutting event held near Broken Bridges recognized the official opening of the trail’s third put-in/take out points. The other two are located on Panther Creek where it merges with the Tugaloo River below Yonah Dam and the Walker Creek boat ramp. Cutting gthe ribbon are historian Kelly Vickers and water trail co-chairman Angie Ramage.

The Tugaloo River Water Trail organization staged a ribbon-cutting ceremony during the annual Sunset Paddle held Saturday, Sept. 5. The ribbon-cutting event held near Broken Bridges recognized the official opening of the trail’s third put-in/take out points. The other two are located on Panther Creek where it merges with the Tugaloo River below Yonah Dam and the Walker Creek boat ramp. Cutting gthe ribbon are historian Kelly Vickers and water trail co-chairman Angie Ramage.

Sunset Paddle highlights Tugaloo River history.

News Staff
Thursday, September 17, 2020
    The 2020 Tugaloo River Sunset Paddle went off without a hitch, according to Tugaloo River Water Trail co-chairman David Jalovick.     “We even cut a ribbon at our new launch and river access point at the Broken Bridges Park,” Jalovick said.     The Sunset Paddle was held on Saturday, Sept.