Author: Ethan Jordan

State Labor Commissioner Mark Butler announced late last week that Georgia broke records again in August – posting all-time highs in jobs and employment. According to Butler, during the month, Georgia added to its labor force for the first time in six months and saw new unemployment claims fall. Nationally, the unemployment rate was unchanged in August at 3.7 percent. […]

Georgia’s high school graduation rate increased again in 2019, rising to 82 percent – an all-time high since the state began using the adjusted cohort calculation now required by federal law. Georgia’s graduation rate has increased by 12 percentage points since 2012, with steady increases each year. In 2019, 71 Georgia school districts recorded graduation rates at or above 90 […]

The Christmas season is fast approaching and all across Stephens County, children are gearing up to send letters to Santa in hopes of cashing in their good behavior for toys. Yet, for some children, Santa Claus won’t stop at their house. Not because they were particularly bad, but because there is no money to fulfill their Christmas list. To remedy […]

Northeast Georgia Health System has reached an agreement to acquire  Habersham Medical Center in Demorest. In a press release issued Wednesday by the Northeast Georgia Health System, Habersham Medical Center and Northeast Georgia Health System  have  agreed on a five-year plan intended to transform Habersham Medical Center’s campus – ultimately making the hospital part of Northeast Georgia Medical Center and […]

Governor Brian Kemp is encouraging qualified Georgians who want to serve in the U.S. Senate to submit their applications online. Kemp issued the open call for candidates to fill the unexpired term of U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson. Last month, Isakson announced his retirement from office at the end of the year due to health issues. Governor Kemp’s appointment will serve […]

The Hope Center is the recipient of a $12,000 donation. During the recent Stephens County Mental Health and Addiction Collaborative meeting, Co-Chair Kathy Whitmire presented a check to the center. She says the funds will pay for the construction of two new offices at The Hope Center to house the new Opioid and Substance Abuse Counselor, Kevin Kurtz. In addition, […]

By MJ Kneiser, WLHR It’s the time of year when we all hear about the importance of getting our flu and pneumonia vaccines, but there’s also some other important vaccines available to adults. The Centers for Disease Control in Atlanta has put out a questionnaire for adults to determine what vaccinations they should receive and when. It’s called the Adult […]

The Stephens County Historical Society has announced that two new exhibits will be featured at the Stephens County Historical Museum. The first, is an outside exhibit of an original horse watering trough and water pump used in downtown Toccoa during the 1800s and 1900s. The exhibit also features a replica of horse hitching post, similar to what would have been […]