Author: Charlie Bauder

Authorities have identified the woman killed when she was hit by a train on Friday night in Stephens County. Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley has identified the victim as 36-year-old Olympia Fleming of East Whitman Street in Toccoa. The accident occurred at about 6 p.m. Friday. Shirley said Stephens County 911 contacted the Sheriff’s Office to report that a Norfolk […]

Stephens County marks Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Monday, activities honoring Dr. King concluded with the annual Interfaith Service at Trinity C.M.E. Church, followed by the march from the church to Toccoa City Hall. At Toccoa City Hall, the winner of this year’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Essay Contest read their winning speech. This year’s winner was Sheerica […]

Tax filing season officially starts today. The Internal Revenue Service said it will begin accepting returns filed electronically or otherwise today. In addition, the IRS said “Free File” is now available for taxpayers on the agency’s website, www.irs.gov. IRS Spokesman Mark Green said “Free File” is an available electronic filing option for those who made less than $60,000 last year. […]

The Stephens County Board of Education will hold its regular monthly business meeting later today. Today’s school board meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Stephens County School System Administrative Offices on Mize Road, in the Tugaloo Building. During today’s scheduled meeting, the Stephens County Board of Education is scheduled to select its board chair and vice-chair for 2015. […]

A local bank starts its week with a new name. Over the weekend, Stephens Federal Bank officially changed its name to Oconee Federal Savings and Loan and the system integration between the two banks took place over the weekend. This completes the merger of the two banks that was announced last year and finalized in early December. Last February, Oconee […]

50th District State Senator John Wilkinson will once again serve as chair of the State Senate’s Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee for the 2015-2016 legislative term. The State Senate’s Committee on Assignments recently announced that Wilkinson would continue in the role of chair for that committee. He has served as the Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Committee Chair since 2013. The […]

The Georgia Department of Transportation has work planned in a number of area counties this week. DOT crews will be working along some roadways this week in Banks, Franklin, and Habersham counties. In Franklin County, a crew will inspect the drainage system for Interstate 85, closing the shoulder as work occurs. Elsewhere in Franklin County, a section of damaged guardrail […]

Local leaders are reacting to Caterpillar’s announcement that it will be closing its Stephens County facility over the next two years, resulting in the loss of about 120 jobs at that plant. Stephens County Development Authority Executive Director Tim Martin said it is devastating news. “Did not see this coming,” said Martin. “It is just a sad day for the […]

The Georgia Department of Transportation is announcing an upcoming temporary road closure along the State Route 17 construction project in Stephens County. Davis Road will be closed at its intersection with State Highway 17 for about 60 days beginning next Monday, January 26, if weather permits. Georgia DOT Spokesperson Teri Pope said the closure will affect the approximately 500 feet […]

Activities for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day conclude today in Toccoa. At noon, Trinity C.M.E. Church will host the annual interfaith service honoring and remembering Dr. King. Following that service, at about 2 p.m., the annual march from the church to Toccoa City Hall will take place. Today’s activities wrap up a series of events over the last couple […]