Author: Ethan Jordan

The Toccoa City Commission will set the Tax Millage Rate for 2021 Tax Season on Monday during its regular scheduled meeting. The millage rate is the number of dollars of tax assessed for each $1,000 of property value. For example, a rate of 10 mills means that $10 in tax is levied on every $1,000 in assessed value. According to […]

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR A litter of puppies turned in to the Northeast Georgia Animal Shelter in Lavonia have tested positive for parvo, a deadly and contagious disease. The shelter will be closed for a two-week quarantine per the Georgia Department of Agriculture guidelines, during that time, the shelter will not take in any animal until the quarantine is lifted. […]

Open House for Stephens County Schools start next week. For Big A Elementary School, Open House is by appointment only; however, the student’s teacher will contact parents/guardians, to set up a time to meet. Appointments will be made for Thursday, July 29, between 3 and 5 p.m. and on Friday, July 30, between 12 and 2 p.m. For Liberty Elementary […]

Director Vic Reynolds and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) have been named the 2021 recipients of the Dr. Curtis E. McClung/Motorola Award of Excellence presented by the Georgia Association Chiefs of Police (GACP). The award, which is co-sponsored by the Motorola Corporation, is given annually to one agency in recognition of their use of an innovative program in the […]

The Stephens County Board of Commissioners are planning a retreat to discuss how the county will spend $5 million in COVID Relief Funds. During the recent Stephens County Board of Commissioners meeting, County Administrator Phyllis Ayers asked for feedback regarding when the Board would like to meet to discuss the funding. Ayers says the funds will come from the American […]

The Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce celebrated one of its members, Friends of the Ritz, on Wednesday with a Ribbon Tying Ceremony. Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce President Julie Paysen says a ribbon tying ceremony symbolizes a community surrounding a business or organization in support of the services it provides. The Ribbon Tying Ceremony took place at the Historic Ritz […]

Today is the final day to participate in Stephens County Schools Nutrition Department’s Summer Meals Program. During the summer months, the program provides a free sack lunch, Monday through Thursday, to children 18 and younger in Stephens County. There are nine locations throughout the county where children can pick up their free lunches. At 10:30 a.m. lunches are available for […]

After days of rainfall, Habersham County has announced the closure of the East Mize Road Bridge. According to officials with Habersham County, the bridge closure went into effect on Tuesday, July 20, due to the amount of rainfall Habersham County received this week. The bridge, on East Mize Road, in Demorest, will be closed for at least two weeks. The […]

A jury returned a not guilty verdict in Stephens County Superior Court last week. Valonta Jamal Cantrell was found not guilty after a 3-day jury trial for the shooting of Linda Ruthie Webb in Toccoa. The shooting occurred on August 10, 2017. Tim Jarrell was Toccoa’s Police Chief at the time of the shooting in 2017. He told WNEG News […]

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR A rainy Monday morning could not stop the family and fellow officers from the Franklin County Sheriff’s office from coming out to honor the life and memory of Deputy William “Bill” Garner. Members of the group, Beyond the Call of Duty – Ride to Remember arrived in Carnesville early Monday morning with a motorcycle escort and […]