Local

Sarah Lanning, a veteran member of the Fannin Regional Hospital Auxiliary, was not stopped in her determination to attend the annual Love Light Tree ceremony. Lanning, front, is shown with, from left, Lanning’s daughter, Becky Guthrie, Chief Financial Officer Geoff Blomeley and Chief Executive Officer Jason Jones.

Sarah Lanning, a veteran member of the Fannin Regional Hospital Auxiliary, was not stopped in her determination to attend the annual Love Light Tree ceremony. Lanning, front, is shown with, from left, Lanning’s daughter, Becky Guthrie, Chief Financial Officer Geoff Blomeley and Chief Executive Officer Jason Jones.

Auxiliary members hear appreciation at lighting event

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
The annual Love Light ceremony at Fannin Regional was again a celebration of the work done by the hospital auxiliary, but was also a sad reminder of the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.
The staffs of Probate Court and Magistrate Court are honoring the county’s first responders and United States Armed Forces with a group of five special trees decorated on the second floor of the Fannin County Courthouse. Shown with the trees are, from left, seated, Victoria Weeks, EMA Deputy Director Patrick Cooke, Fire Chief Larry Thomas, Detention Center Captain Jill Huffman, Probate Judge Scott Kiker and Chief Magistrate Judge Brian Jones; and, standing, firefighters Bradley Beaver and Brad Beaver, U.S.

The staffs of Probate Court and Magistrate Court are honoring the county’s first responders and United States Armed Forces with a group of five special trees decorated on the second floor of the Fannin County Courthouse. Shown with the trees are, from left, seated, Victoria Weeks, EMA Deputy Director Patrick Cooke, Fire Chief Larry Thomas, Detention Center Captain Jill Huffman, Probate Judge Scott Kiker and Chief Magistrate Judge Brian Jones; and, standing, firefighters Bradley Beaver and Brad Beaver, U.S.

Special trees express thanks to Fannin’s first responders

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
The staffs of Probate Court and Magistrate Court are honoring Fannin County’s first responders and members of the Armed Forces with five specially decorated trees. Victoria Weeks of the Probate Court staff is credited with the idea.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Blue Ridge parking rules raise concerns

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Fannin County residents, who are not also City of Blue Ridge residents, will not be able to park for free in the city’s pay-to-park spots regardless of downtown employment. Linda Rice spoke during pubic commentary at the City Council’s regular meeting Tuesday, December 8, regarding the issue.
James McKinley “Jimmy” Bell

James McKinley “Jimmy” Bell

Bell charged with attempted murder in Polk

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
Legal troubles for James McKinley “Jimmy” Bell Jr., 49, of Tipton Springs Road in Morganton, did not end when he pled guilty December 3 to a pair of charges in Fannin County and was sentenced to probation.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Townhome rezoning must go back to planners

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
The rezoning request of Johnnie Hastings, on behalf of Integrity Development Group LLC., to develop 14.15 acres along Appalachian Highway into a townhome community must go before the Blue Ridge Planning Commission yet again.
Georgia's senior U.S. Senator David Perdue brought his Win Georgia, Save America campaign to Fannin County last Tuesday, December 8. Perdue, who is seeking re-election in the January 5 runoff, quoted Ronald Reagan when he told supporters, "Freedom is just one generation away from extinction." Here, he greets a member of the next generation, Khloe Robinson, as her father, Jeremiah, looks on.

Georgia's senior U.S. Senator David Perdue brought his Win Georgia, Save America campaign to Fannin County last Tuesday, December 8. Perdue, who is seeking re-election in the January 5 runoff, quoted Ronald Reagan when he told supporters, "Freedom is just one generation away from extinction." Here, he greets a member of the next generation, Khloe Robinson, as her father, Jeremiah, looks on.

Perdue's Save America campaign comes to Fannin

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
David Perdue warned a crowd of supporters, “Freedom is just one generation away from extinction,” when he brought his “Win Georgia, Save America” tour to Fannin County Wednesday, December 9.
Fannin County Sheriff Dane Kirby asked, Tuesday, December 8, to have $87,675 put back into his budget for 2021 after it had been removed in the proposed budget advertised by the Board of Commissioners.

Fannin County Sheriff Dane Kirby asked, Tuesday, December 8, to have $87,675 put back into his budget for 2021 after it had been removed in the proposed budget advertised by the Board of Commissioners.

$29+ million budget approved for Fannin

Sydney Criteser
Tuesday, December 15, 2020
The  Fannin County Board of Commissioners approved their proposed 2021 budget with the addition of $87,675 for the Sheriff’s Department Tuesday, December 8. The budget includes $29,443,533 for Grand Total All Expenditures and Grand Total Revenues Amended.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Austism foundation needs help

Sydney Criteser
Tuesday, December 8, 2020
Those looking to support the North Georgia Autism Foundation (NGAF) can do so by purchasing a ticket to NGAF and Fannin County Special Olympics (FCSO)’s Christmas Gala. The event will take place Friday, December 11, at 6 p.m. at Tooney’s in the Riverwalk Shops, and each ticket costs $50.