Local

County clerk Beth Rider with the new flag disposal box.

Flag retirement box at Historical Courthouse

News Staff

Wednesday, January 15, 2020

In partnership with the National Association of Counties, the National Flag Foundation, Stephens County has installed a flag retirement box, at no cost to the county, at the historic Stephens County Historical Courthouse. Flags should be folded respectfully before being placed in the box.

This was how Spa & Salon Anastasia was decorated for the Christmas season.

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Anastasia is Toccoa's Christmas winner

News Staff

Friday, January 10, 2020

Spa & Salon Anastasia was the first place winner in the 2019 Downtown Toccoa Christmas Storefront Competition. “It was a competitive, and at times, very close competition,” Main Street manager Christian Hamilton said.

Magician Mario the Maker will perform at the historic Ritz Theater in Toccoa.

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Making magic at The Ritz

News Staff

Monday, January 6, 2020

Hailed by David Blaine as “the best kids’ magician in the world,” Mario the Maker magician will perform at the historic Ritz Theatre on Friday, Jan. 31, at 7 p.m. More than just a performer, Mario is also an inventor who creates his own props.

Georgia Farm Bureau president Gerald Long (right) congratulates Stephens County Farm Bureau president Mark Wilkinson on the county Farm Bureau’s being named a finalist for the McKemie Award.

Stephens County Farm Bureau finalist for award

News Staff

Friday, January 3, 2020

Stephens County Farm Bureau (SCFB) was recognized as one of the top county Farm Bureau programs in the state during the organization’s 82nd annual convention held on Jekyll Island Dec. 8-10.

Pictured are (kneeling) Diana Prather and Jody Prather. Standing at rear are Anne Shurley, Jeremy Spradlin, Angie Ramage, Michelle Ivester (Stephens County Commissioner), Lloyd Fox, Jeannie Fox and Lindy Harrell. Not pictured are Kelly Vickers, Dave Jalovick, and Patricia McGarvey.

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Georgia Power donation improves water trail

News Staff

Friday, December 27, 2019

Christmas came early for the Tugaloo River Water Trail, which is a part of the Stephens County Foundation. The Georgia Power Company made a $1,000 donation that will be used for water trail maps and signage placed in kiosks at all three of the current river access points.

Benn Keith and Dustin Keeling of Savage Innovations.

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A season of giving

Toccoa Editor

Thursday, December 26, 2019

The crisp new $100 bill arrived in the mail a few days ago with the only instruction being that I “bless someone in the community” with the money. And, I knew the young men at Savage Innovations, Ben Keith and Dustin Keeling, were at work once again.

Stephens County government is applying for funds from the state for roads.

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County applying for road grant

J. Todd Truelove

Monday, December 23, 2019

Meadowbrook Drive and Davis Road may be getting some road work next year. The Stephens County government is requesting $660,000 in funds through the state Department of Transportation’s (DOT) Local Maintenance Improvement Grant (LMIG).

NGTC president Dr. Mark Ivester (left) and employee of the year Michael Boyd (right).

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Boyd NGTC Employee of the Year

News Staff

Friday, December 20, 2019

Michael Boyd of Toccoa, facilities director at North Georgia Technical College, was named the 2019 NGTC Employee of the Year recently. NGTC president Dr. Mark Ivester presented the 2019 Employee of the Year award during the school’s annual dinner and awards ceremony.

Pictured are (from left) Jon Heffer, PTL president and CEO; Jamie Whitfield, sheet metal technician and 2019 Employee of the Year; and John Buchanan, PTL production manager and the 2018 PTL Employee of the Year.

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Whitfield is PTL's Employee of the Year

News Staff

Thursday, December 19, 2019

Jamie Whitfield of Toccoa was named the 2019 PTL Equipment Employee of the Year at the Company’s Christmas party on Friday, Dec. 13. PTL president Jon Heffer and the 2018 Employee of the Year award recipient John Buchanan, presented the award to Whitfield.

Dean Scarborough (center) received the council member of the year award from the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission. Making the presentation were GMRC chairman Sam Norton (left) and GMRC executive director Heather Feldman (right).

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Scarborough named GMRC Member of the Year

News Staff

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Stephens County Commission chairman Dean Scarborough of Toccoa was recently named the 2019 Georgia Mountains Regional Commission’s (GMRC) 2019 Council Member of the Year. The awards presentation was held at GMRC’s annual meeting at the Dillard House in Rabun County.