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A screenshot posted to Facebook by Blue Ridge Councilman Bill Bivins is shown. Bivins says the numbers that were originally shown are not account numbers but internal numbers used by the state.

A screenshot posted to Facebook by Blue Ridge Councilman Bill Bivins is shown. Bivins says the numbers that were originally shown are not account numbers but internal numbers used by the state.

Bivins says numbers are internal codes

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
After Blue Ridge City Councilman Bill Bivins posted a screenshot of the city’s bank account information on Facebook, Mayor Rhonda Haight made the decision to close each account and open new ones “under heightened security measures.
Quality bourbon barrels come from making sure every cut, from the first to the last, is precisely measured.

Quality bourbon barrels come from making sure every cut, from the first to the last, is precisely measured.

Fannin holds the key to Kentucky bourbon

Local Business Sponsor
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Sponsored Content Fannin Co. Development Authority It is no secret that most of the world’s bourbon is distilled in Kentucky. Few people know, however, how much premium bourbon depends on a key contribution from Fannin County.
Greg Spencer, Debby Beck and Carl Pruett, from left, are shown with the autographed Fender six-string Stratocaster.

Greg Spencer, Debby Beck and Carl Pruett, from left, are shown with the autographed Fender six-string Stratocaster.

Guitar raffle feeds children

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
An autographed Fender guitar and a Taylor guitar could be yours with the purchase of a raffle ticket. Snack in a Backpack is thrilled to announce this raffle with winners to be announced at their Champions for Children fundraiser in March.
Some of the ladies behind Fostering Fannin are shown in their element, from left, Sally Masters, Swan McKnight, Stacie Hamlin, McKenzi Farris and Jan Wheeler.

Some of the ladies behind Fostering Fannin are shown in their element, from left, Sally Masters, Swan McKnight, Stacie Hamlin, McKenzi Farris and Jan Wheeler.

Fostering Fannin strives to provide ‘normal’ home life

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Twinkling lights on a tree and presents beneath are sometimes absent for children in less than typical homes during Christmas time. While these children may really wish for a more “normal” home life, Fostering Fannin exists to make that wish more of a possibility.
PruittHealth Blue Ridge regularly reaches out to the community through a variety of efforts. Recently, new winter coats were donated to the Fannin County Senior Center. Shown when the coats were delivered are, from left, PruittHealth Admissions Director Samantha Trantham, Hazel Martin, Tammy Mashburn, Frank Constable, Pam Godfrey, and PruittHealth Activities Director Melbay Wilder.

PruittHealth Blue Ridge regularly reaches out to the community through a variety of efforts. Recently, new winter coats were donated to the Fannin County Senior Center. Shown when the coats were delivered are, from left, PruittHealth Admissions Director Samantha Trantham, Hazel Martin, Tammy Mashburn, Frank Constable, Pam Godfrey, and PruittHealth Activities Director Melbay Wilder.

PruittHealth wants everyone to feel like family

Local Business Sponsor
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Sponsored Content Fannin Co. Development Authority They are not the typical sights and sounds someone might expect to find at a nursing facility. But PruittHealth Blue Ridge makes a special effort not to be a typical nursing facility.
William Joseph Woods

William Joseph Woods

Woods charged with murder

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Douglas Harper, 41, is dead and William Joseph Woods, 58, of 1321 Old Epworth Road, Epworth, is charged with his murder. Harper was also of Epworth. Fannin County deputies were dispatched to a shots fired call in the 1300 block of Old Epworth Road Thursday, October 9, at about 7:15 p.m.
Georgia State Representative Johnny Chastain visited Southern Drug Company in Blue Ridge last week to learn more about a House of Representatives bill that local pharmacies say is needed to level their playing field with larger, affiliated pharmacies. Shown during the visit are Amanda Moore, pharmacy owners John and Suzanne Davenport, Chastain, and Cheryl Stepp.

Georgia State Representative Johnny Chastain visited Southern Drug Company in Blue Ridge last week to learn more about a House of Representatives bill that local pharmacies say is needed to level their playing field with larger, affiliated pharmacies. Shown during the visit are Amanda Moore, pharmacy owners John and Suzanne Davenport, Chastain, and Cheryl Stepp.

Local pharmacies asking state to level playing field

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
A bill in the Georgia House of Representatives aims to level the financial playing field between independent pharmacies and larger, affiliated pharmacies.
CUCINELLA’S PIZZERIA

CUCINELLA’S PIZZERIA

CUCINELLA’S PIZZERIA

Local Business Sponsor
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Building on over 93 years of tradition and family values, the Cucinella family is thrilled to bring you our fourth generation pizzeria. Our family began making pizza and bread in Rochester, N.Y., back in 1932.   Located in the new Trackside complex in downtown Blue Ridge, Ga.
Suzanne and John Davenport’s concept for the Blue Ridge Creamery came from Suzanne’s grandmother, Christine Stovall, who owned the Tastee Freeze.

Suzanne and John Davenport’s concept for the Blue Ridge Creamery came from Suzanne’s grandmother, Christine Stovall, who owned the Tastee Freeze.

Community spirit at heart of family businesses

Local Business Sponsor
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Sponsored Content Fannin Co. Development Authority   When you enter Southern Drug Company on East First Street in Blue Ridge, you are greeted with a smile and treated like family.
The Fannin County Chamber of Commerce was presented an award for Blue Ridge/Fannin County being named the Rural Community of the Year by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. At the Rural Awards Luncheon in Tifton, Georgia, Wednesday, October 1, are, from left, Mike Rutan, The Open Arms Home for Children, Nicole Rohner, Fannin chamber, Tara Cantrell, Fannin Children’s Fund, Brittney Pittman, Fannin Children’s Fund, Sheena Rymer, Fannin Children’s Fund, Christie Gribble, Fannin chamber president, Sherry Echelburg

The Fannin County Chamber of Commerce was presented an award for Blue Ridge/Fannin County being named the Rural Community of the Year by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. At the Rural Awards Luncheon in Tifton, Georgia, Wednesday, October 1, are, from left, Mike Rutan, The Open Arms Home for Children, Nicole Rohner, Fannin chamber, Tara Cantrell, Fannin Children’s Fund, Brittney Pittman, Fannin Children’s Fund, Sheena Rymer, Fannin Children’s Fund, Christie Gribble, Fannin chamber president, Sherry Echelburg

Fannin earns rural community award

News Staff
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Fannin County has been named the Rural Community of the Year by the Georgia Chamber of Commerce in recognition of the community’s commitment to quality growth and economic development.