Local

Tim Andrews, left, with the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, wants the Polk County Commission Board to create a railroad authority. Commissioners are skeptical, concerned about what might be hauled into Copperhill. Listening to Andrews’ proposal are, seated, starting second from left, commissioners Kelley Morgan, Samantha Trantham and Greg Brooks.

Tim Andrews, left, with the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum, wants the Polk County Commission Board to create a railroad authority. Commissioners are skeptical, concerned about what might be hauled into Copperhill. Listening to Andrews’ proposal are, seated, starting second from left, commissioners Kelley Morgan, Samantha Trantham and Greg Brooks.

Biosolids worry seen in Polk rail authority request

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Polk County commissioners want to be sure if they agree to create a railroad authority they are not opening the door for biosolids or other hazardous material to be shipped into Copperhill.
This is the scene drivers turning onto Bridge Street from Ocoee Street in Copperhill will see for the next several weeks as the steel bridge spanning the Toccoa River gets a new deck and sidewalks.

This is the scene drivers turning onto Bridge Street from Ocoee Street in Copperhill will see for the next several weeks as the steel bridge spanning the Toccoa River gets a new deck and sidewalks.

Steel bridge deck being replaced 20 feet at a time

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
The steel bridge spanning the Toccoa River in  McCaysville was closed last week as work started to replace its decking and sidewalks. Neither vehicles nor pedestrians will be allowed to cross the bridge until work is finished.
Colby Jay White

Colby Jay White

White charged with deaths of 19 dogs

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Concern for the welfare of his own dogs led a North Carolina man to seek help from the Fannin County Sheriff’s Office, help that resulted in the bodies of 19 dogs being discovered and the arrest of Colby Jay White.
Joshua Glen White

Joshua Glen White

Rape suspect caught soon after 911 call

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 30, 2024
Joshua Glen White was taken into custody by Fannin County deputies barely more than an hour after he was accused of raping a woman in Fannin County Friday afternoon, January 26. The report of the attack was received by the E911 Center shortly after 5 p.m.
Helping host the accountability courts Christmas party were, from left, Christina Mosley, Nichole Panter, Kenzie Williams, Jodi Graves, Julie Panter, Chris Holt, Lindsey Ray, Michelle Green, Brandy Hamby, Courtney Pettit, Stephanie Bradford, Jennifer Dawson,Alyssa Dorman, John Arp, Noah Gibson, and Assistant District Attorney Jefferson Adams as the Grinch.

Helping host the accountability courts Christmas party were, from left, Christina Mosley, Nichole Panter, Kenzie Williams, Jodi Graves, Julie Panter, Chris Holt, Lindsey Ray, Michelle Green, Brandy Hamby, Courtney Pettit, Stephanie Bradford, Jennifer Dawson,Alyssa Dorman, John Arp, Noah Gibson, and Assistant District Attorney Jefferson Adams as the Grinch.

Accountability courts host party for children

News Staff
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
The Appalachian Judicial Circuit’s Accountability Courts (Drug Court, Veterans Court, HELP Court, Family Treatment Court) recently hosted a Christmas party for the children of their participants.  The party was held at the First Baptist Church in Ellijay Georgia.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Chamber board hears from local leaders

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Hensley tells of progress ‘getting caught up’ Jamie Hensley talked about progress in public safety, other areas. Updates on the past, present and future were all presented by local officials when the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce board met for its annual orientation last week.
The author of this week’s personality profile, Grace Henderson, left, is shown with Colleen Futts.

The author of this week’s personality profile, Grace Henderson, left, is shown with Colleen Futts.

New friendship grew to business ownership

News Staff
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Editor’s note: This is another in a series of personality profiles written by students in Jodi Williams’ English 1101 class at the University of North Georgia Blue Ridge campus. Each story is a first hand account of a local person who has made an impact on the author.
Software will track down rentals, streamline office

Software will track down rentals, streamline office

Software will track down rental taxes

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Debbie Jackson promised Fannin County commissioners new software will help find the owners of short term rentals who are not paying taxes and streamline the operations in her office. Jackson, the county’s Lodging Tax administrator, presented a proposal to commissioners at their January 9 meeting.
It’s all about family at the Fannin County School System Transportation Department. Retiring director Robert Ensley is shown with the garage staff portion of that family as he worked through the last days of his 45 in Fannin schools last week. Shown enjoying a laugh are, from left, Tom Cook, Rodney Ensley, Chris Drury, Robert Ensley, Denver Foster, and Tommy Jourdan.

It’s all about family at the Fannin County School System Transportation Department. Retiring director Robert Ensley is shown with the garage staff portion of that family as he worked through the last days of his 45 in Fannin schools last week. Shown enjoying a laugh are, from left, Tom Cook, Rodney Ensley, Chris Drury, Robert Ensley, Denver Foster, and Tommy Jourdan.

Ensley’s family will never be far away

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Robert Ensley entered kindergarten at Epworth Elementary School in 1979 at the age of 5. Fannin schools have been his family ever since.
The Fannin County Public Library, as pictured in 2019.

The Fannin County Public Library, as pictured in 2019.

$3.6 million max set for library build

News Staff
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Fannin County commissioners have given their unanimous go ahead to enter into a contract with TSW as the architectural firm for the new Fannin County library. Contract acceptance came during the Tuesday, January 9, commission meeting.