Oconee|News|
And Your Favorite Staycation Destination in Oconee is...
We tallied the votes and there's a three-way tie.

Email: Stephanie.Gross@patch.com
Phone: 706-206-1946
Hometown: Watkinsville, Georgia
Birthday: January 24
Bio: Stephanie comes to Patch with experience as news director at WRBN and WGHC radio stations in Clayton, Georgia. While working for GA-CA Radiocasting, she further developed a passion for local news and made lasting professional connections to many members of the community.
Stephanie received bachelor's degrees at the University of Georgia in Telecommunications Arts and Spanish. While at UGA, she danced as a Georgette with the Redcoat Marching Band (Go Dawgs!). She grew up near Cleveland, Ohio, but has lived in northeast Georgia for over 17 years.
Stephanie enjoys volunteering as an interpreter at local school systems. In her free time--which is few and far between thanks to a vibrant three-year-old daughter -- she enjoys Latin ballroom dancing with her husband and playing with her black lab and two cats (all rescues!).
Beliefs:
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable.
This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know. Politics:
How would you describe your political beliefs?
I am not affiliated with any particular political party, and I describe myself as a moderate. I prefer to look at candidates as individuals and not vote based on party lines. Religion:
How religious would you consider yourself? Casual, observant, devout, non-religious?
Observant. I joined the Catholic Church on the 2011 Easter vigil and am a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Athens.
I grew up in the Lutheran Church, and have a strong faith in God. I respect other faiths and am always interested in learning about them.
We tallied the votes and there's a three-way tie.

Here is our pick of activities going on in or around Oconee County this weekend.
Seven hundred fifty dinners were prepared for the Oconee Rotary Club's 28th annual BBQ chicken fundraiser held at Harris Shoals Park in Watkinsville on May 5.
Submit an application for the full-time position today.
A look at top Patch stories from around Georgia.
Congratulations to this Georgia College and State University graduate from the Class of 2012! One of your photos could be the next featured on our Patch sites. Find out how.
Local students hold a benefit concert to raise money and awareness for vital clean water projects in Africa. See what else there is to know about in and around Oconee today.
A look at top Patch stories from around Georgia.
Take a look at Oconee Patch's picks for great local Mother's Day gifts for the special women in your life.
Dickens responded to more than 900 calls last year and is considered the most active medical first responder in the county.
A proud mother shared this photo of her three sons taken at her youngest son's wedding and we're happy to feature it for everyone to see! Keep sending us your photos and we'll select one to highlight each day.
The shopping mall, which will include a 16-screen movie theater, is being built along the Oconee Connector Extension.
Oconee County Sheriff's deputies searched a trailer in Pinewood Estates South mobile home park Friday and seized methamphetamine, marijuana, digital scales, nearly $1,500 and a shotgun.
Have you thanked a teacher lately? It's Teacher Appreciation Week.
The new institution's mission statement has also been approved.
A look at top Patch stories from around Georgia.
It's cap and gown season! Here's a great shot of a 2012 GSU grad with her family. Share your graduation and other pics taken around the community now and yours could be the next one featured!
More fifth graders are meeting or exceeding state standards for writing than ever before, superintendent says.
Wonder where the trucks were headed last week? Check out the Oconee County Fire Rescue responded to during the week of April 30- May 6, 2012.
A job fair, baseball and soccer state tournaments, and a Watkinsville City Council meeting are a few of the things to know about in and around Oconee today.