Category: News

Funeral services have been set for Thursday at 11 A.M. for Paul Ballenger, Jr. of Royston. Ballenger was killed Saturday evening from injuries suffered at Hartwell Speedway when a car lost control and went over a concrete barrier through a fence and into the pit area. According to the Associated Press, two other people, including a 9-year old was also […]

The identity of the victim who drowned in Lake Hartwell on July 4 has been released. According to DNR officials, the victim was 22-year-old Armando Estaban Sanchez Martinez, of Greer, South Carolina, who drowned while swimming at the Big Oaks Recreation Area. DNR Law Enforcement Officer Craig Fulghum says the incident occurred around 6 p.m. Sunday. “At approximately 5:50p, our […]

The Georgia Department of Public Safety has announced that at least 10 people died over the Independence Day weekend on Georgia roads. One of those deaths happened in Hart County. The Georgia Department of Public Safety recorded deaths in Albany, Atlanta, Brunswick, Cobb, Dekalb, Douglas, Forsyth, Fulton and Washington counties. Last year, during the Independence Day travel period, 13 people […]

Toccoa’s Vice Mayor Jeanette Jamieson is requesting the Toccoa City Commission meet in a work session. During the recent Toccoa City Commission meeting, Jamieson used the public comment section to make the request. She says there are several topics that she feels need to be addressed and discussed in a work session that a regular scheduled meeting just wouldn’t allow. […]

A Toccoa man has been arrested for possession of drugs and drug related objects. According to Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, on June 26, at 7:00 p.m. his office received a tip that a man riding a bicycle, in the area of Fernside Drive, may have active warrants. Shirley says once deputies arrived, they recognized the person to be Christopher […]

Two Toccoa men were arrested following a traffic infraction. According to Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley, on June 26, at 11:51 p.m., Stephens County Sheriff’s Office Uniform Patrol Division reports the arrest of two individuals after a traffic stop led to the discovery of illegal drugs. Shirley says K-9 Dexter was summoned to the scene due to the suspicion of […]

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR A man has drowned in Lake Hartwell. According to DNR Law Enforcement officer, Craig Fulghum tells WNEG News a Hispanic male drowned while swimming at the Big Oaks Recreation area Sunday afternoon. He said it happened about 6 p.m. His body has been turned over to the Hart County Coroner. The victim’s name has not been […]

The Toccoa City Commission extended its Internet Sweepstakes Cafes Moratorium during its meeting last week. According to City Manager Billy Morse, the City of Toccoa is considering regulatory efforts of internet sweepstakes cafes and will extend its moratorium on the issue until July 1, 2022. Under the moratorium, the City of Toccoa will not license internet sweepstakes cafes, while the […]

Main Street Toccoa will continue its Ida Cox Music Series this weekend with a performance by Joe Hott and Jacob Hicks. Joe Hott is the headlining act and will take the stage following a performance by opening act Jacob Hicks at 7 p.m. The series is named for Ida Cox, who was born Ida Prather in Toccoa before going off […]

The City of Toccoa has announced its schedule for the Independence Day Holiday. Because July 4th fell on a Sunday this year, Toccoa City Hall will be closed today, July 5th in observance of Independence Day. Routes for garbage and recycling scheduled to be picked up today will be picked up on Tuesday, July 6. Commercial garbage will be picked up […]