Local

Kayla Sylvester, Emilie Bolling and Hallie Thomason, from left, show off some of the bracelets they have just finished making that will accompany members of The Ridge Community Church on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic.

Kayla Sylvester, Emilie Bolling and Hallie Thomason, from left, show off some of the bracelets they have just finished making that will accompany members of The Ridge Community Church on a mission trip to the Dominican Republic.

Jail doesn’t stop women from mission work

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
The women held in the Fannin County Jail can’t go on a mission trip to the Domincan Republic, so they are going in spirit by sending the fruits of their labor.
Each student collected a wreath to place during the Wreaths Across America service project that Copper Basin High School’s (CBHS) senior class attended. Pictured at the event, from left, are seniors Alyvia Harris, Malachi Kemper, Noah Thompson, CBHS Teacher Zulma Youngs who helped coordinate the project, seniors Anna Ballew and Nicole Kimsey.

Each student collected a wreath to place during the Wreaths Across America service project that Copper Basin High School’s (CBHS) senior class attended. Pictured at the event, from left, are seniors Alyvia Harris, Malachi Kemper, Noah Thompson, CBHS Teacher Zulma Youngs who helped coordinate the project, seniors Anna Ballew and Nicole Kimsey.

Wreaths Across America represents service, sacrifices for Basin students

Hannah Jack
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
The Copper Basin High School (CBHS) Class of 2025 traveled to the National Cemetery in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in December to participate in Wreaths Across America, a national initiative aimed at honoring the nation’s veterans.
Fannin County School System’s Spelling Bee contestants are shown following the contest held Wednesday, January 8. The contestants are, from left, Brynlee Holt, Cadence Cheney, Carson Postell and Lillian Powell.

Fannin County School System’s Spelling Bee contestants are shown following the contest held Wednesday, January 8. The contestants are, from left, Brynlee Holt, Cadence Cheney, Carson Postell and Lillian Powell.

Cheney takes spelling title

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
East Fannin Elementary Schools’ Cadence Cheney is the Fannin County School System’s Spelling Bee champion. Cheney will advance to the Georgia Association of Educator’s Region One Spelling Bee at Georgia Highlands College February 22.
Fannin County firefighters had to tear out part of a wall of this mobile home off Austin Street in Blue Ridge to stop an early morning fire from spreading throughout the structure.

Fannin County firefighters had to tear out part of a wall of this mobile home off Austin Street in Blue Ridge to stop an early morning fire from spreading throughout the structure.

Fire damages mobile home

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
Chief warns of dangers brought on by weather A mobile home off Austin Street in Blue Ridge was heavily damaged by fire Tuesday morning, January 7, but thankfully no one was hurt despite firefighters’ worst fears. Fannin County firefighters were dispatched to the scene at 8:44 a.m.
Stephen Andrew Leedy, 59, of 146 8th Avenue Northeast, St. Petersburg, was taken into custody December 19 by Holly Springs police officers as he traveled toward Fannin County on Highway 515 with his wife and mother-in-law.

Stephen Andrew Leedy, 59, of 146 8th Avenue Northeast, St. Petersburg, was taken into custody December 19 by Holly Springs police officers as he traveled toward Fannin County on Highway 515 with his wife and mother-in-law.

Doc charged with child porn was headed here

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 14, 2025
A 13-year-old girl found hanging from a shower head led to the December 2024 arrest of a Florida doctor on his way to a family house on Blue Ridge Lake. Stephen Andrew Leedy, 59, of 146 8th Avenue Northeast, St.
Humane Society of Blue Ridge volunteer David Hungerford is pictured during their pet food distribution day Friday, December 27.

Humane Society of Blue Ridge volunteer David Hungerford is pictured during their pet food distribution day Friday, December 27.

Pet food donations appreciated

Hannah Jack
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
The Humane Society of Blue Ridge provides free dog and cat food to community members in need through a monthly distribution held the last Friday of each month. The Humane Society funds most of the distributed pet food but also relies on donations from the community and encourages contributions.
New Fannin County school board members Adam Born, Ashley Herendon Weeks and Robert Patterson, from left, wait Friday, January 3, to take their oaths of office.

New Fannin County school board members Adam Born, Ashley Herendon Weeks and Robert Patterson, from left, wait Friday, January 3, to take their oaths of office.

Fannin County’s new school board members take oaths

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Fannin County’s three new Board of Education members were sworn into office during a special ceremony Friday, January 3, at the Fannin County Courthouse. Adam Born, Robert Patterson and Ashley Herendon Weeks all took their oaths of office that were administered by Probate Judge Scott Kiker.
PruittHealth of Blue Ridge resident, Roy Hooker helped make Christmas ornaments for the victims of Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina.

PruittHealth of Blue Ridge resident, Roy Hooker helped make Christmas ornaments for the victims of Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina.

Ornaments created to brighten Asheville Christmas

News Staff
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
Two local residents organized a Christmas project for victims of Hurricane Helene in Asheville, North Carolina. Hand-made tree ornaments were made by residents ranging in age from 5 to 91 years old. Kathy Thompson worked with local groups and individuals to produce the ornaments.
Fannin County Post 1 Commissioner Johnny Scearce, left, and Commission Chairman Jamie Hensley listen as Chief Tax Appraiser Dawn Cochran explains Georgia House Bill 581 during a workshop Tuesday, December 17.

Fannin County Post 1 Commissioner Johnny Scearce, left, and Commission Chairman Jamie Hensley listen as Chief Tax Appraiser Dawn Cochran explains Georgia House Bill 581 during a workshop Tuesday, December 17.

A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
The space between a rock and a hard place narrows as local elected officials struggle to decide whether to accept the terms of Georgia House Bill 581 (HB 581) or opt out of the measure.
State 2024 College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores for the Fannin County School System show increases from the previous year.

State 2024 College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores for the Fannin County School System show increases from the previous year.

Fannin schools see improved test scores

Mollie Morrow
Monday, December 30, 2024
State 2024 College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores for the Fannin County School System show increases from the previous year. Roof said, “Overall, our 2024 CCRPI data improved compared to our 2023 CCRPI data,” with increases in 15 categories district wide.