Martin Provides SCDA Update

Stephens County Development Authority Executive Director Tim Martin provided an update this week to the city and county commissioners on the recent activities of the Development Authority.  He discussed business recruitment and work at Hayestone-Brady Business Park. Martin said the bottom line is to try to increase the number of jobs and investment in Stephens County.  “In this past 12 months, we were able to work and secure for our community, with great existing industry announcements, 112 jobs, which resulted in about $22.3 million worth of investments,” said Martin.”

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Broadband Project Still Moving Forward

A broadband project involving Stephens County continues to move forward.  On Tuesday, Stephens County Commissioners unanimously approved an intergovernmental agreement regarding the broadband project that will build a 150-mile fiber loop through Stephens, Franklin, Hart, Banks, Habersham, and Rabun counties.  Stephens County Development Authority Executive Director Tim Martin said that the North Georgia Network is making preparations to begin building out the broadband loop.  "We are very, very excited about this project. Things still take time, but we are expecting to see fiber being hung on poles and electronics buried in the ground at the end of this year and the first of next year.”  Martin went on to say that the first phase of work will take place in Stephens County.

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Hospital Shows Off New Equipment

Stephens County Hospital recently announced the installation of a powerful and compact Computed Tomography (CT) system offering improvements from its predecessors in diagnostic capabilities at low dose radiation levels-levels as much as 50 percent less depending upon the scan performed.  Stephens County Hospital is only the second hospital in North America to install the GE Optima CT660 scanner.

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Work Continues On Schaefer Center, Grant Received

The City of Toccoa receives another grant to help with restoration efforts at the Schaefer Center.  The Fox Theatre Institute recently selected the Schaefer Center as one of three recent grant recipients from around the state. Officials with Main Street Toccoa said the goal is to have work done by December for the arrival of the “New Harmonies” traveling Smithsonian exhibit on American music.

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Scarecrow Contest Voting Continues

Voting continues for the 3rd annual Main Street Toccoa scarecrow contest.  More than 20 businesses, schools, churches and other organizations have displayed scarecrows to participate in the contest this year.  The public can vote at one of three locations:  Toccoa City Hall, the Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce and WNEG Radio.  Winners will be announced November 5th. 

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Rivers Alive at Yonah Dam Park

Area residents will take part this week in Rivers Alive, a joint program of the Environmental Protection Division Outreach Programs and the Keep Georgia Beautiful Foundation.  Volunteers in Stephens County will stage their cleanup at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 20th at Yonah Dam Park.  Toccoa-Stephens County Beautiful Executive Director Linda Scofield said a lot will be going on during Saturday’s event.  “We will have tents with information, free breakfast, free lunch, activities, and I think everyone is going to have a great time,” said Scofield.

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Myers Inaugurated At TFC

Dr. Robert Myers was inaugurated as the seventh President of Toccoa Falls College in a formal ceremony Thursday night on campus at the Grace Chapel and Performing Arts Center.  The ceremony included a processional in full regalia with presidents from local and regional colleges in attendance. Dr. Myers said he and his family are proud to help lead the college into the future.  “We look forward to serving this college,” he said, adding they will hold to the school’s motto, “where character is developed with intellect.”

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Roberts Appointed to SCDA

The Stephens County Commissioners unanimously appointed Barry Roberts to the Stephens County Development Authority to fill the rest of the term of Cam Parker. Roberts is the plant manager at Global Partitions.  Stephens County Commission Chairman Dean Scarborough said that Roberts will do an excellent job. “Barry will be a great addition to the Development Authority. He has been very active in the Chamber of Commerce and also with the industrial group, ” said Scarborough. Stephens County Development Authority Executive Director Tim Martin said the Authority is glad to have Roberts back on its board. “We thoroughly enjoy working with Barry Roberts and we are absolutely thrilled that he is coming back on board,” said Martin. “He is smart, focused, dedicated, committed to this community, and he has a tremendous amount of skill and enthusiasm.”
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Main Street Toccoa Unveils Historic Plaque

Main Street Toccoa unveiled the latest historic plaque last Thursday as officials gathered at Threads Sports on Sage Street.  Kembra Landry with Main Street Toccoa said the building has been used for many things since the early part of the 20th century.  A new historic downtown building is scheduled to be featured each month and eventually Main Street officials want to create a walking tour and podcast to highlight the historic buildings.

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Currahee Military Weekend Getting Underway

Final preparations are underway for the 12th annual Currahee Military Weekend. The event takes place Friday through Sunday and honors the men who trained at Camp Toccoa at the foot of Currahee Mountain to become paratroopers during World War II. Stephens County Historical Society Executive Director Brenda Carlan said that veterans will begin arriving today.  “The veterans visit the schools and the schools are excited about that,” said Carlan. “They enjoy them coming each year.”

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NGTC Starting Quality Enhancement Plan

Three years of dreaming big dreams have come to a reality as North Georgia Technical College formally kicked off a five-year quality enhancement plan.  As part of the requirements for reaffirmation of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges accreditation, NGTC has chosen to embark on a college-wide focus on math achievement.

 

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Toccoa "residents" are winners in the Picture-Perfect Pets contest in the October issue of GEORGIA Magazine, a publication of the Georgia Electric Membership Corporation.  More than 1000 photographs were received of readers' furry, finned and feathered companions.  Candy, the sheltie who captured the hearts of the judges and won in the Perfect Pets category, belongs to Julie Civitts of Toccoa.  Also, best friends Delaney and her Nigerian Dwarf dairy goat, Patsy, won in the Kids and Pets category submitted by her mother, Maggie Johnson of Toccoa.  Regarding Delaney and Patsy's photo, contest judge Parker Smith notes, "This photograph is like a beautiful mystery.  The eyes are absolutely stunning."
  
                     

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