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Cyndi Russell was the winner of the Toccoa Elks Lodge's chili cookoff on Saturday, Feb. 21.

Cyndi Russell was the winner of the Toccoa Elks Lodge's chili cookoff on Saturday, Feb. 21.

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Russell wins Elks Lodge chili cookoff

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
BY TOM LAWTHE TOCCOA RECORD   Cyndi Russell of Westminster, S.C., said she wasn’t disappointed only five people entered the Toccoa Elks Lodge’s annual Chili Cook-Off competition on Saturday.   “We usually have more people than this, but you know, there are a lot of things going on this time of year.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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Section of Doyle Street to be closed for rest of year

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORDThe City of Toccoa announced this week that a portion of Doyle Street will be closed starting next week for the remainder of the Ritz Theatre expansion project.The portion of Doyle Street in front of the Ritz Theatre will close March 2.
Firefighters from multiple agencies responded to two fires on Sunday, Feb. 22. There were no injuries involved with either incident.

Firefighters from multiple agencies responded to two fires on Sunday, Feb. 22. There were no injuries involved with either incident.

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Firefighters respond to two blazes Sunday

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORDFirefighters responded to a brush fire and a fully involved structure fire on Sunday, Feb. 21.Both instances involved no injuries.
Stephens County Sheriff Rusty Fulbright visited the Capitol last week to support House Bill 973, which would provide for the state’s mental health hospital. He is standing about seven rows back near the center on the staircase.

Stephens County Sheriff Rusty Fulbright visited the Capitol last week to support House Bill 973, which would provide for the state’s mental health hospital. He is standing about seven rows back near the center on the staircase.

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Fulbright supports mental health hospital

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
BY J. TODD TRUELOVETHE TOCCOA RECORD Stephens County Jail has for some time had an overabundance of inmates with mental health issues.It’s not alone in that regard. Jails across Georgia face the same problem, tasked with treating mentally ill inmates.Last week, on Feb.
A body found on Nov. 26, 2025, near the Alban Court neighborhood in Toccoa was positively identified this week as 27-year-old Christgene Staten.

A body found on Nov. 26, 2025, near the Alban Court neighborhood in Toccoa was positively identified this week as 27-year-old Christgene Staten.

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Body identified

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
BY J. TODD TRUELOVETHE TOCCOA RECORD    A body that was found in a tent last November has been identified as  that of Christgene Staten of Dayton, Ohio.   Staten’s body was found on Nov. 26, 2025, in a tent in a wooded area near the Alban Court neighborhood.
Adam Hazell is the planning director for the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, and he is assisting Stephens County's local governments in updating their comprehensive plans this year.

Adam Hazell is the planning director for the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission, and he is assisting Stephens County's local governments in updating their comprehensive plans this year.

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Planning ahead

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORDBy 2040, Toccoa-Stephens County could potentially gain between 5,000 and 8,000 residents.Those new residents will come from people moving here from elsewhere in the country, either for jobs here or as retirees.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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Qualifying period starts next week

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORDQualifying for the May 19 primary begins Monday for seven seats on two boards in Stephens County.Qualifying will take place Monday, March 2, through Thursday, March 5, from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. and Friday, March 6, from 9 a.m. until noon.
Russell Williams, of RG Williams Construction in Toccoa, shows off a piece of history he found in the old Harper's Five and 10 Cent Store.

Russell Williams, of RG Williams Construction in Toccoa, shows off a piece of history he found in the old Harper's Five and 10 Cent Store.

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Restoring history

News Staff
Thursday, February 26, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD A construction company new to town is breathing new life into one of downtown Toccoa’s most iconic buildings.