News

Neighbors 4 Neighbors plans to have a Mobile Food Pantry on Nov. 3.

Neighbors 4 Neighbors plans to have a Mobile Food Pantry on Nov. 3.

Mobile Food Pantry scheduled

Neighbors 4 Neighbors plans to return its Mobile Food Pantry. The organization announced its food giveaway will be held on Thursday, Nov. 3 at 10 a.m. in the back parking lot of 1st United Methodist Church in Toccoa on Tugalo Street.
As in years past, large crowds are expected for this weekend’s Toccoa Harvest Festival. More than 150 vendors will have items on display.

As in years past, large crowds are expected for this weekend’s Toccoa Harvest Festival. More than 150 vendors will have items on display.

Harvest Festival is this weekend

    The 45th annual Toccoa Harvest Festivall will be held Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 29-30 in downtown Toccoa.     Times for the festivities are Saturday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 30.
Pictured are (from left) WBL coordinator LaDonna Bartmas, Hollow Springs Farms owner Peter Traudt, Michael Pless, Cooper Pless, Kelly Pless, Garrett Pless, CTAE director Pam Hill, Bradley Westmoreland, WBL coordinator Rod Pipkin, SCHS welding instructor Chris Holland, John Hughes, Jacob Traudt, Trent Brooks, Samuel Traudt.

Pictured are (from left) WBL coordinator LaDonna Bartmas, Hollow Springs Farms owner Peter Traudt, Michael Pless, Cooper Pless, Kelly Pless, Garrett Pless, CTAE director Pam Hill, Bradley Westmoreland, WBL coordinator Rod Pipkin, SCHS welding instructor Chris Holland, John Hughes, Jacob Traudt, Trent Brooks, Samuel Traudt.

Student work-based learning kicks off

     The Stephens County Development Authority (SCDA) and Stephens County High School kicked of their monthly recognition of the Work-Based Learning Student of the month for the 2022-2023 school year.
Stephens Sowerby will be one of the guest speakers at the Currahee Military Weekend Banquet.

Stephens Sowerby will be one of the guest speakers at the Currahee Military Weekend Banquet.

Transporters of a WWII stable barracks speaking in Toccoa

      A pair of Englishmen who played pivotal roles in transporting a stable used by American airborne troops in World War II to Toccoa will be the guest speakers at a Currahee Military Weekend banquet on Saturday, Oct. 1, beginning at 6 p.m. at Camp Toccoa at Currahee.
Kathy Whitmire

Kathy Whitmire

Candlelight Memorial Service Aug. 31

     The community will light candles to honor victims of drug overdose on Wednesday, Aug. 31 at the 1st Annual Candlelight Memorial Service.      This service will commemorate International Overdose Awareness Day and will be held in downtown Toccoa between Sage Street and Pond Street from 7-8:30 p.
Abby Burkhart of Stephens County (right) won two competitions staged  during an Explorers Academy held in Royston. Burkhart won for the written exam and the driving course.

Abby Burkhart of Stephens County (right) won two competitions staged during an Explorers Academy held in Royston. Burkhart won for the written exam and the driving course.

Burkhart wins two awards from Royston Explorers Post Academy

     ROYSTON – The Royston Explorers Post Academy taught and tested the next generation of area law officers last week in a 40-hour course.        The academy, hosted by Royston Explorer Post 103, also included posts sponsored by the Stephens County and Elbert County sheriff’s offices.
The logo for the Stephens County school system received a slight update.

The logo for the Stephens County school system received a slight update.

School system prepared for new year

     Stephens County schools are ramping up for the start of the 2022-2023 academic year next week.      Pre-kindergarten will get the new year  started on Monday, Aug. 1 and then have Tuesday, Aug. 2 off.     Kindergarten through 12th grade students will start the new year on Tuesday, Aug. 2.
Judge Brian Rickman.

Judge Brian Rickman.

Rickman receives honoary degree

     Sixty-three students will graduate from Piedmont University on Friday, July 22, during a ceremony that will include the conferring of an honorary degree on Chief Judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals and Piedmont trustee Brian Rickman.
Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter staff member Sonya Loudermilk seems to be covered up in cats. In reality, these felines are just a few of the cats now residing at the humane shelter. Shelter director Jeff Roberts said this week there are more than 200 animals currently housed at the shelter – a building and program designed to care for only 150 animals.

Toccoa-Stephens County Humane Shelter staff member Sonya Loudermilk seems to be covered up in cats. In reality, these felines are just a few of the cats now residing at the humane shelter. Shelter director Jeff Roberts said this week there are more than 200 animals currently housed at the shelter – a building and program designed to care for only 150 animals.

Shelter waives adoption fees for adult dogs

     For the first time in its more than 12-year history, the Toccoa-Stephens County Animal Shelter has waived the $100 adoption fee for adult dogs.      The reason for the waiver is the result of too many dogs.
The Geogia Stones in Elbert County were demolished after a July 6 explosion at the site caused significant damage.

The Geogia Stones in Elbert County were demolished after a July 6 explosion at the site caused significant damage.

The Georgis Guidestones Special Edition

Despite the granite plaque at the Georgia Guidestones advertising a time capsule was allegedly buried at the site, there was no evidence of any buried history when digging occurred Friday morning.