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Work on a $3 million expansion project at the Ritz Theatre in downtown Toccoa has begun, as indicated by a portion of Doyle Street being fenced off to be used as a staging area for construction materials.

Work on a $3 million expansion project at the Ritz Theatre in downtown Toccoa has begun, as indicated by a portion of Doyle Street being fenced off to be used as a staging area for construction materials.

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Ritz Theatre expansion begins

News Staff
Friday, February 13, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORDConstruction on the Ritz Theatre expansion began last week, as indicated by a portion of Doyle Street being closed in front of the venue.
The Toccoa Elks Lodge was transformed into a 1920s-era casino on Saturday night, Feb. 7, for an event to benefit the Open Arms free healthcare clinic. The funds raised can keep the clinic going for three months. Enjoying themselves at a game table are Tim Hawks, Whitney Ledford, Jordan Krippner, and Kimberly Krippner.

The Toccoa Elks Lodge was transformed into a 1920s-era casino on Saturday night, Feb. 7, for an event to benefit the Open Arms free healthcare clinic. The funds raised can keep the clinic going for three months. Enjoying themselves at a game table are Tim Hawks, Whitney Ledford, Jordan Krippner, and Kimberly Krippner.

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Open Arms hosts annual fundraiser

News Staff
Friday, February 13, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD    Open Arms clinic transported residents back to a 1920s casino at the Toccoa Elks Lodge on Saturday night as part of its annual fundraiser.    The theme for the evening was the Roaring Twenties.
The speed limit on Historic Hwy. 17 was reduced from 55 miles per hour to 50 miles per hour in an effort to curtail speeders and drag racers.

The speed limit on Historic Hwy. 17 was reduced from 55 miles per hour to 50 miles per hour in an effort to curtail speeders and drag racers.

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Speed limit reduced on Historic Hwy. 17

News Staff
Friday, February 13, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD    Motorists must slow down an extra five miles per hour when traveling on a portion of Historic Hwy. 17 thanks to new speed limit signs on the road.    On Wednesday, Feb. 4, the signs were installed along portions of Historic Hwy.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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School system responds to firearm incident

News Staff
Friday, February 13, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD  Two individuals have been arrested by the Stephens County Sheriff's Office following a firearm incident at Stephens County High School earlier this week.   The SCSO said the names of those individuals will not be released.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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Toccoa discusses long-term projects

News Staff
Thursday, February 12, 2026
BY TOM LAWTHE TOCCOA RECORD City of Toccoa commissioners on Monday discussed wide ranging, multi-year, long term projects that could cost more than $200 million and take more than two decades to complete.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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Qualifying fees for election season set

News Staff
Thursday, February 5, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARNTHE TOCCOA RECORD Qualifying fees for the May 19 primary have been set, and there are seven seats up for grabs on the Stephens County Board of Education and county commission.There are three Board of Commissioners seats and four Board of Education seats on the ballot this year.
Kelly and Gordon Thigpen, of Toccoa, enjoyed being out in the snow on Saturday, Jan. 31. Winter Storm Gianna brought five to eight inches of snow to Stephens County.

Kelly and Gordon Thigpen, of Toccoa, enjoyed being out in the snow on Saturday, Jan. 31. Winter Storm Gianna brought five to eight inches of snow to Stephens County.

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Winter Storm Gianna brings snow to Toccoa

News Staff
Thursday, February 5, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARN AND TOM LAWTHE TOCCOA RECORDA week after Ice Storm Fern encased Toccoa in glistening ice, Winter Storm Gianna dropped by to dump several inches on Stephens County over the weekend.Downtown Toccoa received about five to six inches of snow throughout the day on Saturday, Jan.
The Toccoa Record

The Toccoa Record

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Casino Night coming Saturday

News Staff
Thursday, February 5, 2026
BY MICHAEL O’HEARN AND J. TODD TRUELOVETHE TOCCOA RECORD     Brush up on your card game skills and wear your Sunday best because Casino Night is happening at Toccoa Elks Lodge Saturday night.