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Local historian Kelly Vickers leans back and soaks in the beauty that is the Tugaloo River Sunset Paddle held the Saturday before Labor Day.

Local historian Kelly Vickers leans back and soaks in the beauty that is the Tugaloo River Sunset Paddle held the Saturday before Labor Day.

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More than 50 paddle at Tuagloo River Sunset event

News Staff
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
    This year’s annual Tugaloo River Sunset Paddle, which is held on the Saturday before Labor Day, drew paddlers from the north Atlanta area, South Carolina, North Carolina, and neighboring counties.     The group of 50-plus paddlers left the Stephens County Park at 4:30 p.m.
The Wizard of Oz featuring the Tin Man, Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion will be part of the friends of the Ritz’s 80 for 80 Celebration.

The Wizard of Oz featuring the Tin Man, Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow and the Cowardly Lion will be part of the friends of the Ritz’s 80 for 80 Celebration.

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Friends of the Ritz to hold board meeting

News Staff
Wednesday, September 11, 2019
    The Friends of the Ritz, Inc. will hold its quarterly public board meeting Saturday, Sept. 14 at 10 a.m. in the historic Ritz Theatre.     Anyone interested in supporting additional programming at the theatre, or learning more about the organization is encouraged to attend.
Cassidy Williams.

Cassidy Williams.

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Williams signs to play in Ireland

News Staff
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
    A Toccoa-Stephens County resident has signed a contract to play professional basketball in Kilkenny, Ireland.     Cassidy Williams, a 2019 graduate of Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., recently signed with the Marble City Hawks in Kilkenny, Ireland, a city of some 26,000 people.
State Sen. John Wilkinson.

State Sen. John Wilkinson.

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State Senate study committee dicusses reducing business costs

News Staff
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
    State Sen. John Wilkinson of Toccoa on Thursday, Aug. 29, hosted the first meeting of the state Senate study committee on reducing Georgia’s cost of doing business.     Wilkinson serves as chairman of the 15-person committee. The first meeting was held in Atlanta.
There were nine fatalities in Georgia over Labor Day weekend, but none of those was in Stephens County.

There were nine fatalities in Georgia over Labor Day weekend, but none of those was in Stephens County.

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Eight accidents in county over Labor Day weekend

J. Todd Truelove
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
    Georgia Department of Public Safety (DPS) reported there were nine traffic fatalities across the state during the recent Labor Day holiday weekend.     Eight of those traffic deaths are being investigated by the Georgia State Patrol (GSP).
This is the new boathouse and bridge at Lake Toccoa.

This is the new boathouse and bridge at Lake Toccoa.

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Lake Toccoa enchancements continue

Toccoa Editor
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
    The City of Toccoa is utilizing $180,000 in grant monies to enhance recreational opportunities at Lake Toccoa.     Under construction at this time are an outdoor events pavilion, a boathouse and a walking trail around the lake.
Rebel quarterback Javin Gordon loads up to fire a pass. The seventh grader is expected to operate the Rebel offense this season.

Rebel quarterback Javin Gordon loads up to fire a pass. The seventh grader is expected to operate the Rebel offense this season.

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Rebels focus on championship

Marcus Etienne
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
    The 2019 Stephens County Middle School football team wants to finish something that last year’s team was so close to accomplishing.     The 2018 Rebels came up four points shy of winning the conference championship and this year’s team wants to get that job done this season.
Dr. Tony Evans, pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship.

Dr. Tony Evans, pastor of Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship.

Kingdom Men sponsor video study

News Staff
Wednesday, September 4, 2019
    Kingdom Men of Toccoa Inc. will sponsor a community video study by the Rev. Tony Evans.     The study will start on Sunday, Sept. 15, at 4 p.m. and will be held in the Mitchell Allen meeting room of the Currahee Military Museum.     The study will continue each Sunday afternoon for eight weeks.
A Habersham County teenager died last week from injuries sustained in an Aug. 17 traffic accident near Toccoa.

A Habersham County teenager died last week from injuries sustained in an Aug. 17 traffic accident near Toccoa.

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Fatal wreck on Scenic Drive

J. Todd Truelove
Wednesday, August 28, 2019
    A Habersham County teenager died last week from injuries sustained in an Aug. 17 traffic accident near Toccoa.     Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley said Monday that at around 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug.