Author: Connie Gaines

Everything is back to normal at Big A Elementary School. According to Principal Phyllis Carson there was a gas like odor in a small area of the school this morning. Carson says the building was evacuated for the caution and safety of the students and staff, and the fire department was notified. According to Carson, the fire department gave an […]

Though first day traffic slowed things down, overall the first day of school under the new elementary and middle school restructuring of grades pre-k through 5 was a smooth transition. Stephens County School Superintendent Bryan Dorsey said everything went as planned.”We had what I would call a traditional first day of school. We had very heavy traffic early and had […]

At Thursday’s Stephens County Board of Education meeting a review of the general fund balance from July 1, 2014-June 30, 2015 showed an excess of revenue of $547,935.83 with 100 percent of the fiscal year complete. The general fund balance also showed that the Stephens County School System came in under budget in expenditures at 95%. Other action taken at […]

A couple from Atlanta is now in charge of operations and ministry at the Salvation Army in Toccoa. Lts. Shaning and Melody Moran arrived from the Salvation Army Training School in Atlanta a little over a month ago. The Moran’s feel they are called to do this service. “It is definitely a special calling that the lord gives you.” Says […]

The Royston City Council and Mayor have voted themselves a pay raise – the first one in ten years. At their meeting Tuesday evening, the Council went over a comparison of what their members are paid a month compared to other Franklin County municipalities and what they found was a surprise. According to the comparison, Royston City Council members and […]

Stephens County Schools are back in session today. Stephens County Schools Superintendent Bryan Dorsey says it is great to get the new school year started. “Certainly after the year we have had trying to deal with finance and feeling that we have made great progress on that, we certainly want to make sure our focus is where it needs to […]

Toccoa-Stephens County has been recognized by Southern Business and Development Magazine in the 2015 Georgia Best of Economic Development. Toccoa-Stephens County was recognized as one of Georgia’s Best Rural location for Manufacturers. Stephens County was listed with Gainesville, Meriwether County, and Toombs County. “This is a pretty big deal” says Stephens County Development Authority Executive Director Tim Martin; “The voters […]

A Stephens County business is moving its operation. Hanson Assets of Georgia has purchased the former Nampac building on Industrial Boulevard. Stephens County Development Authority Executive Director Tim Martin says they are preparing the facility now. “They will be restoring power and utilities. They have hired a mowing company to clean up the outside and are moving forward. That is […]

By M.J. Kneiser The first day of school for students in Franklin County was Thursday and in addition to a new school year, it’s also the start of a new school system. This week the Franklin County School Board signed the paper work for the school system to become a Strategic Waiver School system. School Superintendent Dr. Ruth O’Dell said […]

By M.J. Kneiser The NAACP’s America’s Journey for Justice March is now in Georgia and will soon be coming through Franklin and Hart counties. Thousands are expected to join the 860-mile march along the route which extends from Selma, Alabama to Washington, DC. The march entered Georgia at West Point on Saturday and is currently making its way on this […]