Category: News

By the Lavonia Police Department  On Friday, October 2, 2026, the Lavonia Police Department K-9 Unit was requested by the Georgia State Patrol to assist with a traffic stop on Interstate 85 southbound near mile marker 167. While officers were conducting the traffic stop, an unrelated Chevrolet Silverado, driven by Hector Uriel Aviles Ferrer, 24, of Robbins, North Carolina, began […]

By the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office On Thursday, October 1, 2026, a Franklin County Sheriff’s Office deputy attempted to conduct a traffic stop on a gold Chevrolet Tahoe traveling on Interstate 85. The driver refused to stop, initiating a pursuit. The pursuit came to an end on Baty Road after a successful Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) maneuver. Both the driver […]

By Cheri Pritchard, Media Relations Chief for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Savannah District The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Savannah District will host their second public meeting to discuss the drought and what the new full lake level target will be once the Savannah River Basin and Hartwell Lake receive enough rain, ending the drought conditions. The meeting will take […]

By Tamara Blount, Regional Communications Manager for the American Red Cross of Georgia During Fire Prevention Week, Oct. 4-10, the American Red Cross of Georgia offers steps residents can take to help prevent fires in their homes and keep loved ones safe. “Across the country, the Red Cross responds to more than 60,000 disasters a year and most of these are home […]

BY the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) State School Superintendent Richard Woods has selected 85 Georgia students from 1,427 applicants to serve on his 2026-2027 Student Advisory Council. Throughout the school year, council members will meet with Superintendent Woods to share their experiences, discuss education-related issues, and provide feedback on how state policies affect students. “Students can tell us firsthand […]

By the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE) Georgia public-school students are once again invited to use their creativity to promote safe and responsible online behavior as the Georgia Department of Education (GaDOE), in partnership with Georgia Leaders of Educational Technology (GLET), opens submissions for the fourth annual Cybersecurity Poster Contest. Open to Georgia public-school students in kindergarten through grade 12, this year’s […]

Only 15% of all law enforcement agencies are state-certified by the Georgia Association Chiefs of Police, and the Toccoa Police Department hopes to join that small group. On Thursday, October 1, Lavonia Police Chief Shane Edmisten, the assessment team leader, conducted the initial inspection on the Toccoa Police Department to ensure that the implementation of policies and procedures is conceptually […]

Every Tuesday at 11 a.m., the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library hosts storytime for ages birth through 5, says Adult Programming Director Carol Glaze. “We have storytime with Ms. Shantelle every Tuesday, and it’s just a wonderful event. We have books. We have crafts. It’s a great way for preschoolers to get to know other preschoolers, and the moms to get […]

The Toccoa Lions Club and Martin Lions Club are sponsoring the local Lions International Peace Poster Contest, and this year’s theme is “Harmony in Humanity.” Students are invited to create a poster showing their vision of how people can come together and live “Together As One.”  While supplies last, participants can come to the Toccoa-Stephens County Public Library and work […]

Get the October edition of The Dirt, says Sidney Gay, Stephens County Extension Coordinator and Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent. “The October edition of The Dirt is out now. The monthly article is “Kudzu: The Vine That Ate The South”. We have two extension articles, one is “Ground Cover for Shaded Landscapes in North Georgia”, and the other is “Preparing […]