News

CJ Harbin jumps to put the ball through the hoop in a recent game at Currahee Arena.

CJ Harbin jumps to put the ball through the hoop in a recent game at Currahee Arena.

Indians get first win during Thanksgiving Week Tournament

The Indians picked up their first win of the season during a tournament in Winder-Barrow against the Lamar County Trojans. They also played against Winder-Barrow in the tournament where they fell to the Bulldogs.    The game against the Trojans was game two of the tournament.
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.

SCH students compete at FFA convetion

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

Toccoa names Carlisle as police chief

   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.

School system considering elementary restructure

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.

Boys & Girls Club ends in Toccoa

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.

Helene hits home

   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.

BOE approves additional security for schools

   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.

Mountain Judicial Circuit sees increase in school threat arrests

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.

City approves projects at meeting

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.

Hope for a Drug Free Stephens County raises overdose awareness

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.