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The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office welcomed K-9, Taz, following the death of the previous K-9 there, Champ, on Sunday, Oct. 19. Pictured from left to right are K9 Justice Dog Training owner Wesley Ballenger, Maj. Bill Zigan, Sgt. David Kiser, Sheriff Rusty Fulbright, and Maj. Jimmy Mize.

The Stephens County Sheriff’s Office welcomed K-9, Taz, following the death of the previous K-9 there, Champ, on Sunday, Oct. 19. Pictured from left to right are K9 Justice Dog Training owner Wesley Ballenger, Maj. Bill Zigan, Sgt. David Kiser, Sheriff Rusty Fulbright, and Maj. Jimmy Mize.

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Sheriff’s Office welcomes K-9 Taz

News Staff
Thursday, October 30, 2025
FROM STAFF REPORTSOn Tuesday, Oct. 28, Wesley Ballenger of K9 Justice Dog Training presented Stephens County Sheriff’s Office’s Sgt. David Kiser with a certificate of graduation from K9 Justice’s K9 Drug Odor Detection program.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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Commissioner provides update on potential quarry

News Staff
Thursday, October 30, 2025
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD     A Stephens County commissioner said on Tuesday night that a mining company could not find sufficient rock for a potential quarry on a nearly 500-acre property in the county.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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Audience packs City Hall room to pray for Dickerson

News Staff
Thursday, October 30, 2025
BY TOM LAWTHE TOCCOA RECORD     It was standing room only for John Dickerson Prayer Day Monday afternoon in the commission meeting room of Toccoa City Hall.     The day had been set aside as a prayer day for the long-time city attorney who is battling illness.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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County commission approves Memorial Drive development

News Staff
Thursday, October 30, 2025
BY J. TODD TRUELOVETHE TOCCOA RECORD Property at the intersection of Memorial Drive and Highway 17 was rezoned Tuesday for a planned unit development (PUD).Commissioners approved the rezoning 4-0 with commissioner Craig Oglesby absent.The approval paves the way to construct the development of some...
On Monday, the Toccoa City Commission approved a hotel development and parking easement agreement with Optum Development to build a hotel at the site of the former Tabor Motor Co. dealership at the intersection of Currahee and North Pond Streets.

On Monday, the Toccoa City Commission approved a hotel development and parking easement agreement with Optum Development to build a hotel at the site of the former Tabor Motor Co. dealership at the intersection of Currahee and North Pond Streets.

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City of Toccoa green lights hotel building agreement

News Staff
Thursday, October 30, 2025
BY TOM LAWTHE TOCCOA RECORD     A new hotel may be in downtown Toccoa’s future.  City commissioners at their meeting Monday approved a development agreement and a parking easement agreement with Optum Development, LLC, of Gainesville, and the Stephens County Development Authority.
Corey Lydell Bryant was convicted of murder in the 2024 stabbing death of Angela Baker, 42, on East Franklin Street in Toccoa. He will be sentenced next month.

Corey Lydell Bryant was convicted of murder in the 2024 stabbing death of Angela Baker, 42, on East Franklin Street in Toccoa. He will be sentenced next month.

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Bryant convicted of murder

News Staff
Thursday, October 30, 2025
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORDA Stephens County man is facing at least 30 years in state prison after murdering his ex-girlfriend in November 2024.Corey Lydell Bryant, 37, was convicted on Friday, Oct. 24, of murdering Angela Baker, 42, on the night of Nov. 21, 2024.He was convicted by jurors...
Camden Gibbs joined other Stephens County High School agricultural education students in preparing a monarch butterfly garden spot at the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce.

Camden Gibbs joined other Stephens County High School agricultural education students in preparing a monarch butterfly garden spot at the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce.

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Students plant for butterflies at Chamber of Commerce

News Staff
Friday, October 24, 2025
BY TOM LAWTHE TOCCOA RECORD    Students from agricultural education classes at Stephens County High School swarmed the grounds of the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce office at the train depot throughout the day Wednesday.
On Saturday morning, Oct. 18, the Tugalo Greenspace in downtown Toccoa was the site of a 5K race organized by Deidra Scott, of the CUREageoUS Crew, and Open Arms Clinic to raise awareness about breast cancer. Other local organizations, such as Currahee Movement Collective, participated in the event. Approaching the finish line here with a big smile and a thumbs up is Savannah Rothstein.

On Saturday morning, Oct. 18, the Tugalo Greenspace in downtown Toccoa was the site of a 5K race organized by Deidra Scott, of the CUREageoUS Crew, and Open Arms Clinic to raise awareness about breast cancer. Other local organizations, such as Currahee Movement Collective, participated in the event. Approaching the finish line here with a big smile and a thumbs up is Savannah Rothstein.

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Breast cancer awareness 5K held downtown

News Staff
Friday, October 24, 2025
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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Open Arms clinic may have to cease operations

News Staff
Friday, October 24, 2025
BY J. TODD TRUELOVETHE TOCCOA RECORD     Open Arms health clinic may have to close its arms next year if the clinic doesn’t acquire funding before December.   Open Arms is Stephens County’s health clinic designed to provide free care for the uninsured.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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County BOC releases info on potential quarry

News Staff
Friday, October 24, 2025
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD Residents concerned about a potential rock quarry coming to Stephens County may be able to rest easy knowing a rezoning request for any properties in Stephens County will not be presented this year.In September, a group of residents packed the Stephens County...