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The Stephens County Future Farmers of America compete in Indianpolis in October. Teeghan Jameson, center, was a National Proficiency Award finalist and won the nation title in Environmental Natural Resource Management. On the left is Gran Norfleet, National FFA Secretary.

The Stephens County Future Farmers of America compete in Indianpolis in October. Teeghan Jameson, center, was a National Proficiency Award finalist and won the nation title in Environmental Natural Resource Management. On the left is Gran Norfleet, National FFA Secretary.

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SCH students compete at FFA convetion

News Staff
Friday, December 6, 2024
By April JAmes Stephens County School System Student members of the Stephens County High School Future Farmers of America (FFA) chapter recently competed in the 97th Annual National FFA Convention in Indianapolis, Oct. 23-25.
Bruce Carlisle

Bruce Carlisle

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Toccoa names Carlisle as police chief

News Staff
Friday, November 22, 2024
   Stephens County’s elections director Bruce Carlisle is moving over to Toccoa City Hall and putting on a law enforcement uniform again.    Carlisle was chosen to be the city’s next chief of police two months after the resignation of former Toccoa police chief Jimmy Mize in September.
The former building housing Eastanollee Elementary needs some $10.5 million in renovations, but may reopen in 2026.

The former building housing Eastanollee Elementary needs some $10.5 million in renovations, but may reopen in 2026.

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School system considering elementary restructure

J. Todd Truelove
Thursday, October 17, 2024
Elementary schools in Stephens County may return to the way things were almost 10 years ago. The school system appears poised to vote on Oct.
After a 30 year run, the National Boys & Girls Club votes to end its arm in Toccoa.

After a 30 year run, the National Boys & Girls Club votes to end its arm in Toccoa.

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Boys & Girls Club ends in Toccoa

Michael O'Hearn
Thursday, October 10, 2024
The Toccoa-Stephens County Boys and Girls Club has been shut down. After months of silence, the club on W. Whitman Street is locked and a lone Boys and Girls Club van stands in the driveway. On Oct.
Hurricane Helene ripped through Georgia and Toccoa at the end of September, leaving destruction such as downed trees in its wake. On Tugalo Street, a tree in the front yard of the house on the left fell over and took out a portion of the neighbor's house.

Hurricane Helene ripped through Georgia and Toccoa at the end of September, leaving destruction such as downed trees in its wake. On Tugalo Street, a tree in the front yard of the house on the left fell over and took out a portion of the neighbor's house.

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Helene hits home

News Staff
Friday, October 4, 2024
   Toccoa was hit by a double whammy last week with torrential rain followed by Hurricane Helene. The storms left in their wake fallen trees, power outages, and downed power lines scattered across Stephens County.    The rain moved in on Wednesday afternoon and continued into Thursday night.
Pictured are a type of open gate security system such as the Stephens County will be using. The board of education approved the purchase of 16 sets.

Pictured are a type of open gate security system such as the Stephens County will be using. The board of education approved the purchase of 16 sets.

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BOE approves additional security for schools

J. Todd Truelove
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
   Stephens County resident and parent Allen Collins was concerned about how well county schools were providing safety for its staff and students.    He attended the Tuesday, Sept. 17, meeting of the board of education to speak about his concerns.
Law enforcement has an increased presence monitoring potential school threats after a Sept. 4 shooting incident at Apalachee High School. Four arrests were made in Stephens County.

Law enforcement has an increased presence monitoring potential school threats after a Sept. 4 shooting incident at Apalachee High School. Four arrests were made in Stephens County.

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Mountain Judicial Circuit sees increase in school threat arrests

News Staff
Friday, September 13, 2024
By Megan Horn The Clayton Tribune      A number of arrests have been made within northeast Georgia school systems after last week's shooting at Apalachee High School near Winder, Ga., on Wednesday, Sept.
The Rotz theater in Toccoa is slated for a new projector.

The Rotz theater in Toccoa is slated for a new projector.

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City approves projects at meeting

Laura Hewell
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
The City of Toccoa approved several items at its recent meeting. Among these was a contract to update the lighting at the Toccoa-Stephens County Airport. The lights were last replaced in 1992. According to City Manager Fredda Wheeler, they are only supposed to have a 10- to 15-year shelf life.
Kathy Whitmire, left, executive director for the Hope for a Drug Free Stephens oganization, and guest speaker Julie Russell, right, led a drug overdose awareness event on Thursday, Aug. 29, in downtown Toccoa.

Kathy Whitmire, left, executive director for the Hope for a Drug Free Stephens oganization, and guest speaker Julie Russell, right, led a drug overdose awareness event on Thursday, Aug. 29, in downtown Toccoa.

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Hope for a Drug Free Stephens County raises overdose awareness

Michael O'Hearn
Thursday, September 5, 2024
Hope for a Drug Free Stephens held its third annual overdose awareness event on Thursday night, Aug. 29, in front of [ash-ling] Booksellers in downtown Toccoa. The event was attended by a small crowd that gathered on Doyle Street to remember those they have lost to drug overdoses.
Butterflies, such as the one in the upper center right, and other pollinator were attracted to this mountain mint at The Learning Tree Academy.

Butterflies, such as the one in the upper center right, and other pollinator were attracted to this mountain mint at The Learning Tree Academy.

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The Great Southeast Pollinator Census

J. Todd Truelove
Thursday, August 29, 2024
  Butterflies, bees, and flies, oh my.   On Aug. 23 and 24, Stephens County schools and other entities participated in the 2024 Great Southeast Pollinator Census.