Local

Jason Eugene Bryson

Jason Eugene Bryson

Grand Jury indicts builder

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
A local builder was jailed Friday, March 10, after a Fannin County Grand Jury returned a 13-count indictment alleging he took nearly half a million dollars and never preformed work he promised.
$56 million hinges on SPLOST vote

$56 million hinges on SPLOST vote

$56 million hinges on SPLOST vote

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, March 14, 2023
Advance voting ends Friday and polls open next Tuesday, March 21,  as Fannin County voters are asked to decide the fate of the county’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST). The one cent tax has been in effect since 1995.
Sandy Cuppia, Sylvia Goodyear and Greg Duncan make sure bags are ready for delivery as part of the food ministry at Faith Presbyterian Church.

Sandy Cuppia, Sylvia Goodyear and Greg Duncan make sure bags are ready for delivery as part of the food ministry at Faith Presbyterian Church.

Donations needed as church works to distribute food

Hannah Jack
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Faith Presbyterian Church is currently on the look out for donations and/or grants to help them continue distributing food to Fannin County senior citizens. The church previously had two grants, one for $15,000 and one for $10,000, which have supported them in the past with food distributions.
Fire Chief Larry Thomas unveiled the plans for the new Fire Station 5 when the Fannin County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, February 28. The station, to be located at the intersection of Madola and Queen roads, will be paid for with Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) dollars.

Fire Chief Larry Thomas unveiled the plans for the new Fire Station 5 when the Fannin County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday, February 28. The station, to be located at the intersection of Madola and Queen roads, will be paid for with Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) dollars.

Plans unveiled, bidding to begin for Epworth fire station

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
Benefits from the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST) were evident when Fannin County  commissioners approved two requests from Fire Chief Larry Thomas.
Polk County Sheriff Steve Ross, right, presented Keith Barker a plaque recognizing his 31 years of service to the sheriff’s office and the citizens of Polk County.

Polk County Sheriff Steve Ross, right, presented Keith Barker a plaque recognizing his 31 years of service to the sheriff’s office and the citizens of Polk County.

Barker retires with 31 years of service to Polk’s citizens

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, March 7, 2023
The door closed behind 31 years of  service to the community where he was born and raised when Captain Keith Barker retired from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office last month.
Sponsors joined together at Snack in a Backpack’s Champions for Children Thursday, February 23. Pictured at the event are, from left, Melissa Lillard, Debby Beck, and David Lillard. The Lillards represented Mercier Orchards, the recipient of this year’s Business Champion Award presented by Snack in a Backpack.

Sponsors joined together at Snack in a Backpack’s Champions for Children Thursday, February 23. Pictured at the event are, from left, Melissa Lillard, Debby Beck, and David Lillard. The Lillards represented Mercier Orchards, the recipient of this year’s Business Champion Award presented by Snack in a Backpack.

SNACK IN A BACKPACK RECOGNIZED CHAMPIONS

Hannah Jack
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
This crowd is pictured enjoying the Ice Sculptor display at the 12th Annual Fire & Ice Chili Cook-off and Beer Festival in downtown Blue Ridge.

This crowd is pictured enjoying the Ice Sculptor display at the 12th Annual Fire & Ice Chili Cook-off and Beer Festival in downtown Blue Ridge.

Fire & Ice draws large crowd to Blue Ridge

Hannah Jack
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
The Blue Ridge Business Association spent their weekend enjoying their 12th annual Fire & Ice Chili Cook-off and Craft Beer Festival in downtown Blue Ridge. Businesses from all over Fannin County came to participate in the competition, with several leaving as winners.
Kyle Andrew Fabiano

Kyle Andrew Fabiano

Fannin deputies nab federal fugitive

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, February 28, 2023
A federal fugitive is in custody following a standoff with Fannin County deputies that lasted just over seven hours Tuesday, February 21. Kyle Andrew Fabiano, 36, remained in the Gilmer County Jail Friday awaiting pickup by U.S. Marshalls.