Local

Debbie Decubellis will assume the position of interim principal at Fannin County High School following Erik Cioffi’s departure.

Debbie Decubellis will assume the position of interim principal at Fannin County High School following Erik Cioffi’s departure.

Decubellis named for FCHS

Sydney Criteser
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
West Fannin Elementary School (WFES) Assistant Principal Debbie Decubellis will now serve as interim principal at Fannin County High School (FCHS) while the search for the school’s next principal continues in order to get more interested applicants. “Mrs.
The News Observer

The News Observer

CBMC purchase possible

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
“Everybody remember that in your prayers because this would be a huge help, not only to the east side of our county, but to everybody in our county,” Polk County Executive Robbie Hatcher said of the potential of Copper Basin Medical Center’s being bought during a meeting Thursday, August 20.
The News Observer

The News Observer

SGT at odds with superintendent

Sydney Criteser
Tuesday, August 25, 2020
Members of Fannin County High School’s School Governance Team (SGT) feel left out of the principal selection process and expressed that sentiment during a meeting Wednesday, August 19.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Time running out to buy tickets for weekend rodeo

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Online ticket sales for the annual Kiwanis Club/Mountain Valley Motors Championship Rodeo have been better than sponsors anticipated. Rodeo Chairman Kevin Panter said Monday the Kiwanis club has sold “more advance tickets online than ever before.
This Leopard Cur, Great Dane mix was found on Windy Valley Lane in Blue Ridge August 8. He has a salt and pepper coat with black and white patches. He has stunning golden eyes as well. View this guy using intake number 224-20. He is shown with Animal Control Manager John Drullinger.

This Leopard Cur, Great Dane mix was found on Windy Valley Lane in Blue Ridge August 8. He has a salt and pepper coat with black and white patches. He has stunning golden eyes as well. View this guy using intake number 224-20. He is shown with Animal Control Manager John Drullinger.

Adopt A Pet

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
The large, salt and pepper pooch shown with Fannin County Animal Control Manager John Drullinger, is this week’s featured dog of the week! This possible Leopard Cur, Great Dane mix is no lap dog as he can easily tower above five foot on his hind legs. This guy is confident but also very sweet.
Copper Basin Elementary School’s Garden Club produces food for not only the young gardeners to take home, but also provides the community fresh produce. Gardeners are shown between some heirloom tomatoes and corn. Shown are, from left, front, Kendall Hughes, Madison Hester and Jalyn Hunt; middle, Raegan Farner, Gabby Lewis, Camryn Dockery and Emma Hester; back, advisor Gerome Smith and Silas Adams.

Copper Basin Elementary School’s Garden Club produces food for not only the young gardeners to take home, but also provides the community fresh produce. Gardeners are shown between some heirloom tomatoes and corn. Shown are, from left, front, Kendall Hughes, Madison Hester and Jalyn Hunt; middle, Raegan Farner, Gabby Lewis, Camryn Dockery and Emma Hester; back, advisor Gerome Smith and Silas Adams.

Young Basin gardeners see results of their efforts

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Copper Basin Elementary School (CBES) has a club that provides students the knowledge to sustain themselves while keep ing themselves nourished as well. CBES’ Garden Club was introduced about four years ago, told club advisor and fifth grade teacher Gerome Smith.
Fannin County Deputy Sheriff Lieutenant Darvin Couch warns a driver who was speeding through the school zone in front of Fannin County High School last week. Drivers will soon be issued citations for traveling faster than the 20 miles per hour lim

Fannin County Deputy Sheriff Lieutenant Darvin Couch warns a driver who was speeding through the school zone in front of Fannin County High School last week. Drivers will soon be issued citations for traveling faster than the 20 miles per hour lim

School zone speeders getting last warnings

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Can you count a split second? Most folks can’t. Do you know how long it lasts? Most folks don’t. A split second is all the time needed to take or save the life of a child in a school zone.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Fannin schools rollback millage

Sydney Criteser
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
The Fannin County School System opted to go with a rollback millage rate of 10.391 for 2020 during a Board of Education meeting Thursday, August 13. This rate is down from 2019’s rate of 10.593.
“The Sisters of Perpetual Sewing”, or the Blue Ridge Community Theater’s costume department, made over 2,000 face masks to combat the shortage that arose in late March. “Sisters” shown with their craft are, from left, Wanda Jefferson, Janet Locke, Olivia DeLoy, Nancy Staley, Kim Wescott, Deb Chavez, Renee Roberts, Pam Wilson and Sue Hoagland.

“The Sisters of Perpetual Sewing”, or the Blue Ridge Community Theater’s costume department, made over 2,000 face masks to combat the shortage that arose in late March. “Sisters” shown with their craft are, from left, Wanda Jefferson, Janet Locke, Olivia DeLoy, Nancy Staley, Kim Wescott, Deb Chavez, Renee Roberts, Pam Wilson and Sue Hoagland.

Theater thankful, donations still being accepted

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Blue Ridge Community Theater (BRCT) thanks the community for raising over $34,000 to relieve deficits caused by COVID-19 closures. The GoFundMe campaign, where folks made their donations, has been stopped, but anyone who wishes to donate may still do so by sending checks to 2591 E. First St.