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Rain fell as Richard Crosley, right, played taps at the conclusion of the Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremony. Shown honoring those who gave their lives that day are, from left, Bill Stodghill, Kevin O’Quinn, Larry Dyer, Gerald “Chief Mac” McMillan, Ronnie Rabun, Ron Wallace and Steve Strickland.

Rain fell as Richard Crosley, right, played taps at the conclusion of the Pearl Harbor Memorial Ceremony. Shown honoring those who gave their lives that day are, from left, Bill Stodghill, Kevin O’Quinn, Larry Dyer, Gerald “Chief Mac” McMillan, Ronnie Rabun, Ron Wallace and Steve Strickland.

Rain doesn’t dampen Pearl Harbor service

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
The rain kept the normal crowd away but did not dampen the respect for those whose lives were changed or the memory of  the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941.
Getting ready for the annual Toys for Tots distribution is a full-time effort for many volunteers. Cathy Love Queen, Jody Guttridge, Toys for Tots Executive Director Cheryl Turner Jordan, Gale Mancuso, Sue Warner and Joel Warner, from left, are shown as they work toward gathering Christmas presents that will be handed out this weekend.

Getting ready for the annual Toys for Tots distribution is a full-time effort for many volunteers. Cathy Love Queen, Jody Guttridge, Toys for Tots Executive Director Cheryl Turner Jordan, Gale Mancuso, Sue Warner and Joel Warner, from left, are shown as they work toward gathering Christmas presents that will be handed out this weekend.

Toys for Tots distribution slated

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Countless hours of volunteer work and generous donations from individuals, organizations and businesses will reach children this weekend when the annual Toys for Tots distribution takes place. Toys will be distributed Friday and Saturday, December 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Five Fannin County High School seniors were surprised Friday morning, December 9, when they were presented acceptance letters to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology in the Fall of 2023. Shown during the presentation are students and Georgia Tech representatives, from left, McKenzie Chastain, Mary Tipton Woolley, Kaitlyn Nelson, Sam Jabaley, Katie Mattlie, James Kyle and Bryce Ware.

Five Fannin County High School seniors were surprised Friday morning, December 9, when they were presented acceptance letters to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology in the Fall of 2023. Shown during the presentation are students and Georgia Tech representatives, from left, McKenzie Chastain, Mary Tipton Woolley, Kaitlyn Nelson, Sam Jabaley, Katie Mattlie, James Kyle and Bryce Ware.

Georgia Tech accepts five Fannin students

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, December 13, 2022
Five Fannin County High School seniors were surprised Friday morning, December 9, when they were presented acceptance letters to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology in Atlanta.
Shop With a Cop board member Dawn Cochran welcomed Santa Claus to Walmart Saturday to help children make their Christmas decisions.

Shop With a Cop board member Dawn Cochran welcomed Santa Claus to Walmart Saturday to help children make their Christmas decisions.

Shop With a Cop provides Christmas cheer for children

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Shop With a Cop volunteers and children packed Walmart in Blue Ridge Saturday, December 3, for the annual event that makes sure less fortunate children have a Merry Christmas. Children were treated to a shopping trip for toys and clothes, a lunch, and families were sent home with food boxes.
The News Observer

The News Observer

One dead, one hurt in Polk Co. shooting

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Polk County authorities are continuing to investigate a shooting last week that left one man dead and another hospitalized. Captain Keith Barker of the Polk County Sheriff’s Office identified the deceased victim as Dennis Sanders, 65.
Polk County commissioners, from left, Keith Barker, Mush Davis, Greg Brooks, Shane Bowman and Joe Akins, met at the old Polk County Courthouse in Ducktown Tuesday, November 29. They decided to close the building to the public immediately because of numerous unsafe conditions and to begin efforts to replace the aging structure.

Polk County commissioners, from left, Keith Barker, Mush Davis, Greg Brooks, Shane Bowman and Joe Akins, met at the old Polk County Courthouse in Ducktown Tuesday, November 29. They decided to close the building to the public immediately because of numerous unsafe conditions and to begin efforts to replace the aging structure.

Ducktown courthouse closed

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
The Polk County Courthouse in Ducktown was permanently closed Wednesday, November 30, after the county commission’s Building and Grounds Committee concluded that the building is not safe. Committee members also agreed the courthouse must be replaced quickly.
Elizabeth Lynch, right, demonstrates the new technology at Kennestone Hospital that helped heal a Fannin County stroke patient. Fannin County Emergency Medical Service employees watching the demonstration are, from left, Michael Schuhle, Eric Sowers, Brian Herndon, Carolyn McLinden, Clinton Hughes, and Becky Callihan.

Elizabeth Lynch, right, demonstrates the new technology at Kennestone Hospital that helped heal a Fannin County stroke patient. Fannin County Emergency Medical Service employees watching the demonstration are, from left, Michael Schuhle, Eric Sowers, Brian Herndon, Carolyn McLinden, Clinton Hughes, and Becky Callihan.

Partnership sets prime example for stroke patient’s recovery

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, December 6, 2022
Medical professionals agree that time is a critical factor in the successful treatment of someone who has suffered a stroke.
Retiring Blue Ridge Police Chief Johnny Scearce was greeting many of the people who participated in the Light Up Blue Ridge Christmas Parade Saturday night after leading the event through the downtown streets.

Retiring Blue Ridge Police Chief Johnny Scearce was greeting many of the people who participated in the Light Up Blue Ridge Christmas Parade Saturday night after leading the event through the downtown streets.

Scearce thankful for blessings, honor of serving

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
“It’s been an honor, a joy and a pleasure. I just can’t tell you how much I’ve been blessed,” Johnny Scearce said as he looked back over some 38 years he has spent in law enforcement.
Eleanor and Theodore Parsons-Cohrs dropped off donations at Toys for Tots’ Stuff the Truck at the Blue Ridge Walmart parking lot Saturday morning. Accepting the donations is Marine Corps Sergeant Brent Ware. Toys for Tots is still taking requests for help at the Fannin County Family Connection building through December 14 and collecting toys through the same day. Distribution will be at Family Connection Friday and Saturday, December 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day.

Eleanor and Theodore Parsons-Cohrs dropped off donations at Toys for Tots’ Stuff the Truck at the Blue Ridge Walmart parking lot Saturday morning. Accepting the donations is Marine Corps Sergeant Brent Ware. Toys for Tots is still taking requests for help at the Fannin County Family Connection building through December 14 and collecting toys through the same day. Distribution will be at Family Connection Friday and Saturday, December 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day.

TOYS FOR TOTS STILL COLLECTING

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
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Steve Gooch is the new Senate Majority Leader.

Steve Gooch is the new Senate Majority Leader.

Steve Gooch chosen Senate Majority Leader

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 29, 2022
Steve Gooch, who has represented Fannin County and the rest of the 51st District in the Georgia Senate since 2010, has been elected Senate Majority Leader. The Senate  Republican Caucus elected its new leadership Friday, November 11. Gooch was elected Majority Whip by the caucus in 2014.