Author: Chad Dorsett

By Corporal Jimmy Watt, Public Information Officer for the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina In its continuing efforts to educate and inform citizens and to prevent them from becoming victims of scams, the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office is releasing its July 2026 Scams Update.    The Sheriff’s Office continues to receive information, as well as calls from citizens, in […]

By Corporal Jimmy Watt, Public Information Officer for the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office in South Carolina Oconee County Sheriff’s Office School Resource Officer Corporal Luke McCall was recently awarded with the South Carolina Instructor of the Year Award for his work with the L.E.A.D. (Law Enforcement against Drugs and Violence) program. The Award was presented to Corporal McCall last week […]

By the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) UPDATE – July 28, 2026: Levi Long was pronounced deceased at the hospital on Sunday, July 26, 2026. Long’s body will be taken to the GBI Medical Examiner’s Office, where an autopsy will be conducted. UPDATE – July 20, 2026: The man shot in this incident has been identified as Levi Long, age 22, of […]

By the Georgia Department of Natural Resources In recognition of Georgia’s rich outdoor heritage and the significant economic impact of the shooting sports industry, Governor Brian Kemp has proclaimed August as Shooting Sports Month in Georgia. The Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ Wildlife Resources Division (WRD) is encouraging Georgians of all experience levels to celebrate by visiting a public shooting […]

The Toccoa City Commission unanimously approved a data center ordinance moratorium at their meeting on Monday, July 27. City Attorney Greg Sowell gives details. “Data centers are springing up in many places, and because of their size, because of their lighting, the traffic, the noise, the water consumption, and various things involved, local governments are very concerned that these be […]

The Stephens County School System celebrated an exciting milestone with the grand reopening and a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Eastanollee Elementary School on Monday, July 27. Stephens County Schools Superintendent Dr. Connie Franklin said the reopening of Eastanollee Elementary marks the return of a beloved school to the community.  “Today is a very special day for Stephens County Schools as we […]

A group of JROTC Cadets at Stephen County High School (SCHS) recently ran up Currahee Mountain and spent the night in the barracks, explains Edward Luttrell, Senior Army JROTC Instructor at SCHS. “We had about 20 Cadets show up at Camp Toccoa at Currahee Mountain, where we were able to do some physical fitness activities the day before, spend the […]

The American Red Cross has declared only the second national blood supply crisis in its history, says Suzanne Lawler, American Red Cross Regional Communications Manager.  “For only the second time in history, the American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis, and patients may already be feeling the impact. Donors are asked to act immediately to save lives. Blood […]

By Rebekah Smith, Public Information Officer for the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office At approximately 4:55 p.m. Saturday, July 25, 2026, deputies with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) were dispatched to a 911 call regarding an active physical domestic dispute at a residence on North Currahee Lane in Toccoa. Deputies were informed by 911 dispatchers that a male aggressor, later […]