Local

Mandy Housley, left, was named the Fannin County School System’s Teacher of the Year during a banquet Tuesday, September 13, at the system’s Agriculture Facility. She is shown with Alex Whitener who was chosen as the system’s runner up. Housley will now represent Fannin County in statewide Teacher of the Year competition.

Mandy Housley, left, was named the Fannin County School System’s Teacher of the Year during a banquet Tuesday, September 13, at the system’s Agriculture Facility. She is shown with Alex Whitener who was chosen as the system’s runner up. Housley will now represent Fannin County in statewide Teacher of the Year competition.

Housley chosen Teacher of the Year

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
She strives to inspire her  current students to see the value of being lifelong learners.” Sarah Rigdon used those words to describe Mandy Housley when she introduced the Teachers of the Year representing Fannin County’s five schools.
Lieutenant Darvin Couch, Blue Ridge Street Department Supervisor Tony Byrd, and Blue Ridge Mayor Rhonda Haight are shown with the new school zone warning lights in front of Fannin County Middle School. The city paid for the safety improvement.

Lieutenant Darvin Couch, Blue Ridge Street Department Supervisor Tony Byrd, and Blue Ridge Mayor Rhonda Haight are shown with the new school zone warning lights in front of Fannin County Middle School. The city paid for the safety improvement.

Flashing lights warn drivers of school zone speed limit

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
New, flashing warning lights have been added at the entrance/exit to Fannin County Middle School on Old Highway 76 in Blue Ridge. The lights warn drivers of the reduced speed limit during certain school hours.
Mayor Rhonda Haight, center, is shown holding the proclamation she signed that deems September 17 through September 23 as Constitution Week and September 17 as Constitution Day. Pictured with her are Unicoi Trail Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution member Pam Matthews and Blue Ridge Town Crier Jere McConnell.

Mayor Rhonda Haight, center, is shown holding the proclamation she signed that deems September 17 through September 23 as Constitution Week and September 17 as Constitution Day. Pictured with her are Unicoi Trail Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution member Pam Matthews and Blue Ridge Town Crier Jere McConnell.

Constitutional observances proclaimed in Blue Ridge

Hannah Jack
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Blue Ridge Mayor Rhonda Haight signed a proclamation Tuesday, September 6, declaring that September 17 through September 23 as Constitution Week. The proclamation also sets aside this Saturday Saturday, September 17 as Constitution Day.
Matt Queen, left, North Central Georgia director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, explains the act of baptism before baptizing a smiling Vince Foster Tuesday, September 6.

Matt Queen, left, North Central Georgia director for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, explains the act of baptism before baptizing a smiling Vince Foster Tuesday, September 6.

Nine young people baptized through FCA

Jenna Young
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Five young men were saved, accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, and were baptized last week along with three other young men and one young lady Tuesday, September 6, with guidance and help from the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA).
Members of the Fannin County Board of Education voted unanimously for Shannon Miller to become the next superintendent of Fannin County schools. Miller, front left, is shown with Superintendent Dr. Michael Gwatney. School board members showing their support for Miller were, from left, back, Mike Cole, Terry Bramlett, Chad Galloway, Lewis DeWeese and Bobby Bearden.

Members of the Fannin County Board of Education voted unanimously for Shannon Miller to become the next superintendent of Fannin County schools. Miller, front left, is shown with Superintendent Dr. Michael Gwatney. School board members showing their support for Miller were, from left, back, Mike Cole, Terry Bramlett, Chad Galloway, Lewis DeWeese and Bobby Bearden.

Miller picked to lead Fannin schools

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, September 13, 2022
Shannon Miller is looking forward to a smooth,  pro-active transition as she moves into her new role as superintendent of Fannin County schools. Miller received the unanimous support of school board members during a special called meeting Wednesday, September  7.
Shown at the training are, from left, front, Deputy Chief Rob Ross, Marus Hanie, Lieutenant Will Reed, Bobby Watkins, Courtney Craine, Mary McGuire, Sharon Fox, Parker Schilling, Mike Miller; and, standing, Training Chief Michael Cornelius, South Battalion Chief Mathew Karry, Lieutenant Justin Turner, Instructor Jim Edlestein, Steven Kirby, Justin Patterson, Billy Presume, Joseph Hughes, Kaleb Couch, Jeffrey Jones, Matt Green, Fred Koestler, Gene McClure, Cody Gray, Jeffrey Sehl, and Harry Patel.

Shown at the training are, from left, front, Deputy Chief Rob Ross, Marus Hanie, Lieutenant Will Reed, Bobby Watkins, Courtney Craine, Mary McGuire, Sharon Fox, Parker Schilling, Mike Miller; and, standing, Training Chief Michael Cornelius, South Battalion Chief Mathew Karry, Lieutenant Justin Turner, Instructor Jim Edlestein, Steven Kirby, Justin Patterson, Billy Presume, Joseph Hughes, Kaleb Couch, Jeffrey Jones, Matt Green, Fred Koestler, Gene McClure, Cody Gray, Jeffrey Sehl, and Harry Patel.

Fannin County fire recruits get live burn training

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, September 6, 2022
Members of the Fannin County Fire Department’s (FCFD) current recruit class took part in live burn training Saturday, August 20.
Jim Cantrell, Chris McKee, Howard “Catfish” Adkins and Ronnie Rabun, from left, call fellow members of American Legion Post #248 as part of the Legion’s Buddy System. The team gathered at the Veterans Conference Center in Blue Ridge last week to complete the mission.

Jim Cantrell, Chris McKee, Howard “Catfish” Adkins and Ronnie Rabun, from left, call fellow members of American Legion Post #248 as part of the Legion’s Buddy System. The team gathered at the Veterans Conference Center in Blue Ridge last week to complete the mission.

Veterans check on buddies, work to grow groups

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, September 6, 2022
Members of area veterans groups have longed worked to help their fellow veterans, their families and the community. James C. “Jim” Callender, as the new senior vice commander of American Legion Post #248, is working to sustain and increase that mission. Callendar retired from the U.S.
Diane and Roger McMurrin talked about Music Mission Kiev and their work with the country at Old Toccoa Farm last week. The plight of those effected by Russia’s invasion is at the heart of their message, “Don’t forget the Ukraine.”

Diane and Roger McMurrin talked about Music Mission Kiev and their work with the country at Old Toccoa Farm last week. The plight of those effected by Russia’s invasion is at the heart of their message, “Don’t forget the Ukraine.”

McMurrins share message of “Don’t forget Ukraine”

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, September 6, 2022
Cathy Day told listeners they would hear “lots of God Dots” in the story about to be told by Roger and Diane McMurrin. She was right. The McMurrins brought a message of “don’t forget Ukraine” to a group gathered at Old Toccoa Farm last Tuesday.
Mountain Education Charter High School (MECHS) Principal Vicky Henry, standing, is shown helping Twyla Benefield (left) and Mattie Coffee during a class at the Blue Ridge campus.

Mountain Education Charter High School (MECHS) Principal Vicky Henry, standing, is shown helping Twyla Benefield (left) and Mattie Coffee during a class at the Blue Ridge campus.

SB 153 puts MECHS’ future in jeopardy

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, September 6, 2022
The Georgia legislature has passed a bill that could ultimately close the doors at Mountain Education Charter High School (MECHS)at the end of the fiscal year June 30, 2023.