Author: Ethan Jordan

Below are the responses from the candidates vying for posts on the Stephens County Board of Commissioners. The public was recently invited to submit questions for the candidates. Each candidate was asked the same seven questions. For Post 1: Republican candidate Dennis Black’s responses can be found here. Republican candidate Tara D. Simmons’ responses can be found here. For Post […]

The Advance Voting Period ends today in Stephens County for the runoff election. According to Stephens County Election Supervisor Krista Terry, residents can cast advance ballots at the Historic Stephens County Courthouse from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. today. All registered voters are eligible to vote in the runoff election, even if you did not vote in the General Primary […]

The Stephens County Board of Commissioners have voted to reject the bids it received to outsource the county’s building inspection and permitting process. Originally, the commission voted to postpone making a decision on the topic during its May 10th meeting; but, on Tuesday, the commission voted to reject all the bids. At the May 10th meeting County Administrator Phyllis Ayers […]

Local law enforcement discovered the body of a female woman Thursday afternoon on Currahee Street near the train tracks. No other details have been released at this time. WNEG News will continue to follow this story and bring you updates when they become available.

The Georgia State Patrol is investigating a head-on collision that injured four. The Georgia State Patrol responded to an accident near the Habersham County/Stephens County line on Talmadge Drive. According to a release issued by the Georgia State Patrol, the accident occurred on June 15, around 12:25 p.m. after a 2006 Ford Mustang, driven by 43-year-old Joseph Lee Austin, of […]

The Stephens County Board of Commissioners held the first reading and public hearing for the proposed Fiscal Year 2023 Budget during its regular scheduled meeting on Tuesday. County Administrator Phyllis Ayers provided a brief summary of the proposed budget. Ayers says the millage rate will remain the same at 14.76. “In the general fund the millage rate remains the same […]

The Advance Voting Period for the upcoming runoff election continues today in Stephens County. According to Stephens County Election Supervisor Krista Terry, residents will cast advance ballots at the Historic Stephens County Courthouse from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily through Friday, June 17. All registered voters are eligible to vote in the runoff election; regardless if you did not […]

The Toccoa City Commission approved a lease agreement for Ping’s Grill. The decision was made during the Commission’s regular scheduled meeting on Monday. According to City Manager Billy Morse, the lease agreement will allow Michael and Chris Mckissack to run Ping’s Grill for 2 years and plan to open the restaurant on July 7. “We have been in discussions with […]

Several fire departments respond to residential fire in Stephens County. According to Chief Jamey Gettys, on Friday, just after 1 p.m., New Hope, Carnes Creek, Tates Creek, and Eastanollee Fire Departments responded to a structure fire located at 105 Maxwell Road. Toccoa Fire Department was also requested to send a truck to assist. EMS and Stephens County Sheriff’s Department were […]

The Toccoa City Commission adopted the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget during its meeting on Monday. According to City Manager Billy Morse this budget totals $41,070,743 and does not include a property tax increase. Including the general fund, water/wastewater fund, natural gas fund, solid waste fund and the Lake Toccoa Facilities fund the budget totals $37,841,341. The budget also includes a […]