Author: Charlie Bauder

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia A group known as the Blue Knights pays tribute to the memory of Franklin and Jackson County Sheriff’s Deputy Cruz Thomas. Thomas was killed last May on I-85 while in pursuit of a speeding vehicle. During the chase, Thomas’ cruiser was cut-off by a truck that changed lanes causing him to lose control and […]

Two Stephens County High School teachers are headed overseas this summer thanks to a grant. Teachers Derek Demmler and Amanda Rogowski have received a Rural Teacher Global Fellowship sponsored by the Rural School and Community Trust. The goal of the fellowship is to create unique personal and professional development experiences for rural teachers. According to the trust, fellows design their […]

The Stephens County Development Authority is continuing to work to try to help a local business get off the ground. At its monthly meeting, the Development Authority board voted unanimously to approve a lease agreement with Southeast Metals and Recycling regarding a proposed rail spur. Southeast Metals and Recycling is looking to locate and open in the old WABCO building […]

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hartwell Lake Office says it will open a number of area campgrounds for the 2015 recreation season on Friday. In this area, that includes Oconee Point Campground and Coneross Campground in Oconee County, South Carolina, along with Paynes Creek Campground and Georgia River Campground in Hart County. In addition to the above campgrounds, the […]

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Gary W. Black is alerting Georgians to the expanded recall of all Blue Bell Creameries products currently in the marketplace, due to possible health risk. The products were distributed in Georgia and include all Blue Bell ice cream, frozen yogurt, sherbet and frozen snack products. Black says that the Georgia Department of Agriculture is actively looking to ensure […]

The Toccoa City Commission will hold the first public hearing on its Fiscal Year 2016 operating budget at its meeting Monday. City commissioners will meet at 5 p.m. Toccoa City Manager Billy Morse is presenting a proposed operating budget that is just under $36.2 million. That would be an increase of about 8.55 percent from the current Fiscal Year 2015 […]

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia With the passing of Councilman Don Canady, the Lavonia City Council now has a vacant seat to fill. Canady passed away earlier this month, leaving two and a half years still left in his term. Recently, Lavonia City Manager Gary Fesperman announced a special election will take place June 16th at Lavonia City Hall […]

Local authorities are urging safety this prom weekend in Stephens County. Stephens County High School students have their annual prom on Saturday night and this past week, the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office and others went to the high school to send home the message of safety on the roadways. Sheriff Randy Shirley said it was part of the “Arrive Alive” […]

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR Radio, Lavonia Four puppies stolen from the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter are now safe. On Thursday, Royston Police, in conjunction with Lavonia Police Investigators and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office arrested two people in connection with the burglary at the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter. According to Shelter Director Sheri Lockhart, shelter workers discovered the puppies missing […]

Stephens County sees its unemployment rate drop in March. According to figures released this week by the Georgia Department of Labor, Stephens County had a preliminary unemployment rate for March of 6.9 percent. That is three-tenths of a percentage lower than the revised February rate of 7.2 percent and half a percentage point lower than the revised rate for March […]