Top Stories

Lawsuit charges police misconduct
A civil lawsuit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court by attorneys representing Jonathan Ayers’ widow, Abigail, claims “police officers who unreasonably and unconstitutionally create a physically threatening situation in the midst of a Forth Amendment seizure cannot be immunized for the use of deadly force.”
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Suit seeks in excess of $5 million
A civil lawsuit, filed Monday in U.S. District Court by Jonathan Ayers’ widow, Abigail, seeks in excess of $5 million in connection with the September officer-involved shooting death of the church pastor.
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Hospital appeal outlined
A decision on state approval of a new 56-bed hospital in Lavonia is expected next month.
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Alleged copper burglar shocked
A 41-year-old man suspected of stealing property from Milliken-Humphrey Plant suffered severe burns to his face, arms and chest after he was electrocuted while allegedly attempting to steal copper wire from the shuttered industrial facility.
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Truck exhaust ignites roadside fire in Stephens
A fire that broke out on the side of Highway 365 Tuesday afternoon torched 23 acres in Stephens County.
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Court efficiency discussed here
Mountain Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Jim Cornwell wants to improve what he says is consistently one of the top five judicial circuits in Georgia.
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State, Farm Bureau observe Ag Week
Georgia farmers not only grow our food and clothes but they also make a significant contribution to the state’s economy.
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Five suspects arrested on drug charges
Five suspects were recently arrested on drug charges in Stephens County as the result of investigations by area law enforcement agencies.
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Theft arrests reported
The Stephens County Sheriff's Office recently arrested two suspects on charges related to burglaries in the area of Hurricane Grove Road in Martin.
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Drug courts endorsed by Cornwell
During the March 10 court efficiency meeting in Toccoa, Mountain Judicial Circuit Superior Court Chief Judge Jim Cornwell proposed drug courts in Rabun and Stephens counties.
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Corridor cleanup planned in April
Collecting trash and cleaning up gateway properties could get your team $1,000 this April.
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Fireworks to celebrate Stepakoff's new book
A fireworks show will be held Tuesday, March 30 to celebrate the release of the book, “Fireworks Over Toccoa.
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Perdue 'vendetta' to hurt hospital, Gambrell says
State healthcare funding cuts recently proposed by Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue could lead to reduced services at Stephens County Hospital, or even bring about its closure, according to hospital administrator Ed Gambrell.
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Harden introduces legislation
State Rep. Michael Harden of Toccoa announced Tuesday the filing of House Bill 1389 – legislation requiring random drug testing for recipients of unemployment compensation benefits and other state assistance or state administered federal assistance.
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County approves Census 2010 proclamation
Stephens County on March 9 signed a proclamation partnering with the Georgia Complete Count Committee to achieve a complete and accurate count of the Georgia population in 2010.
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Special Olympics needs volunteers
Stephens County Special Olympics Coordinator Connie Keeling is looking for more than a few good men and women.
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