Author: Connie Gaines

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 […]

Stephens County students return to school tomorrow (Friday) and the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office wants to remind motorists to slow down and remember basic safety tips when heading to and from school. Stephens County Sheriff Randy Shirley reminds drivers to drive defensively and be focused and aware. “Be on alert and expect the unexpected.” Says Shirley; “We want you to […]

It’s hard to believe that only ten years ago North Georgia Technical College opened the doors to a brand new, state-of-the-art branch campus in Stephens County.  Known as the Currahee Campus, the facility is located on a 50-acre site in the Hayestone-Brady Industrial Park on Highway 17 between Toccoa and Lavonia. In honor of this special milestone, North Georgia Technical […]

Toccoa’s City Commission keeps the millage rate the same for 2015. At Monday night’s Toccoa City Commission meeting commissioners approved the proposal to keep the millage rate the same as the last three years at a rate of 6 mills. Toccoa City Manager Billy Morse explains; “Taylor Business Systems, the software provider for property taxes, has scheduled our taxes to […]