Local

The Hotel/Motel Excise Tax is taken from lodging providers, like this future hotel along West First Street in Blue Ridge.

The Hotel/Motel Excise Tax is taken from lodging providers, like this future hotel along West First Street in Blue Ridge.

Proceeds from Fannin's hotel/motel tax used to promote tourism, fund local needs

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Fannin County and the City of Blue Ridge’s Hotel/Motel Excise Tax is designed to fund public amenities and promote tourism. Currently, the county charges 5% tax, and the city charges an 8% tax that is collected from lodging providers who charge the tax on each guests’ bill.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Commissioners, school board go with rollback millage rates

Sydney Criteser
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Both the Fannin County Board of Commissioners and the Fannin County Board of Education voted to roll back their respective millage rates last week. The school system will roll back their millage rate from 10.593 to 10.391, and the county’s millage rate will go from 3.938 to 3.862.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Fannin moving forward to increase hotel/motel tax

Sydney Criteser
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
The Fannin County Board of Commissioners will soon move forward with the process to raise the county’s lodging tax from 5% to 6%. The board met with members of the lodging community and Chamber of Commerce President Jan Hackett in a workshop meeting last year to discuss a raise in the tax.
Marine Corps League Commandant Jim Brumbelow, left, presents a $2,000 check for The Shepherd’s Men’s SHARE Military Initative to The Sherpherd’s Men’s Executive Director, Travis Ellis. Standing to Ellis’ left are veterans Walter Marques, Glen Wells and Gary Herber, all of whom are successful graduates of the SHARE initiative.

Marine Corps League Commandant Jim Brumbelow, left, presents a $2,000 check for The Shepherd’s Men’s SHARE Military Initative to The Sherpherd’s Men’s Executive Director, Travis Ellis. Standing to Ellis’ left are veterans Walter Marques, Glen Wells and Gary Herber, all of whom are successful graduates of the SHARE initiative.

Marine Corps League raises $2,000 for The Shepherd’s Men

Sydney Criteser
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
The Lake Blue Ridge Detachment of the Marine Corps League raised $2,000 for The Shepherd’s Men’s SHARE Military Initiative during a fundraiser at Buckbald Brewing in Copperhill Saturday, August 22.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Police chief says parade situation is handled

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
“We’re going to make sure our citizens are safe. The situation has been taken care of,” Blue Ridge Police Chief Johnny Scearce said last Wednesday.  Scearce was referring to the safety of residents and visitors alike and concerns over a “parade of trucks” and other vehicles in downtown Blue Ridge.
William E. LeCroy Jr., in a 2002 booking photo.

William E. LeCroy Jr., in a 2002 booking photo.

Execution date set for Cherry Log murderer

Sydney Criteser
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
The Federal Bureau of Prisons has scheduled the execution of William Emmett LeCroy Jr. for September 22 following his 2004 death sentence for the murder of Joann Tiesler. Tiesler, a 30-year-old Cherry Log resident, was a nurse practitioner at Mountain Medical with Dr.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Early deadlines told

News Staff
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
The Labor Day holiday is fast approaching and with it comes early deadlines for next week’s issue of The News Observer. All display ads and classified reader ads must be received by noon this Friday. Community news and legal ads are due by noon on Thursday.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Missing 3-year-old found safe

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
A huge sigh of relief would barely begin to describe the reaction of searchers when a missing child was found safe Friday afternoon, August 28. A call came into the Fannin County 911 Center at 3:18 p.m.
This male Bull mix was picked up July 28 in McCaysville and is staying at Fannin County Animal Control until reclaimed or adopted. His coat is a beautiful, light brown color with a white tummy, nose and socks. View this sweet boy under Animal Control number 212-20.

This male Bull mix was picked up July 28 in McCaysville and is staying at Fannin County Animal Control until reclaimed or adopted. His coat is a beautiful, light brown color with a white tummy, nose and socks. View this sweet boy under Animal Control number 212-20.

Adopt A Pet

Sydney Criteser
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
This past week, Fannin County Animal Control officers brought six dogs into the facility. Seven dogs from the facility were reclaimed, three were sent to the Humane Society, one went to Katz n Dogs Rescue, one went to Doggone Rescue and one was adopted.