Author: Connie Gaines

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 […]

A man charged with malice murder in Stephens County has entered a guilty plea, avoiding a possible death penalty trial. 29- year-old Larrist Elcondo Mack of Toccoa pleaded guilty Friday in Stephens County Superior Court to a host of charges. Those charges include malice murder, felony murder, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. For his […]

At Tuesday’s Stephens County Commission meeting commissioners were expecting to adopt a new tower ordinance, but after hearing from citizens Brian Dooley, and John Smith concerning the language used in the proposed ordinance, commissioners decided to revisit the language used in the ordinance and table a decision until their September meeting. Other actions taken during Tuesday’s meeting included: Approval of […]

A convicted sex offender from Stephens County has been arrested in North Carolina. Anthony Mike Lewallen was arrested last week in Fayetteville, North Carolina for failure to register as a sex offender. Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley tells WNEG news how the arrest was made. “July 30th my office received an anonymous tip through OFFENDER WATCH, a newly acquired program […]