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Preparing to begin the official ceremony at the Marine Corps Ball and 250th Birthday Celebration Saturday night are, from left, Major General Robert Flanagan, Lieutenant Colonel Dale Greene, Colonel Mike Nunally and 1st Sergeant Thom Potito (all retired).

Preparing to begin the official ceremony at the Marine Corps Ball and 250th Birthday Celebration Saturday night are, from left, Major General Robert Flanagan, Lieutenant Colonel Dale Greene, Colonel Mike Nunally and 1st Sergeant Thom Potito (all retired).

Marine Corps celebration held

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
United States Marine Corps Major General Robert Flanagan (retired)  began Saturday night telling how he was thanked for his service by three people when he stopped for coffee at a McDonald’s in Georgia.
Residents will soon see signs of a storm water discharge permit application from TDEC for Hedrick Industries’ Copperhill Quarry. It’s necessary to make sure water can be kept out of the open pit, above.

Residents will soon see signs of a storm water discharge permit application from TDEC for Hedrick Industries’ Copperhill Quarry. It’s necessary to make sure water can be kept out of the open pit, above.

Storm water permit next for quarry

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
  Hedrick Industries’ Copperhill Quarry continues to grow, and with that growth its officials work to “be a community partner y’all can count on.” Those were the words Joe Lordi, president and chief operating officer of Hedrick, spoke in May 2025 soon after the quarry opened.
Bill Stodghill, commander of the North Georgia Honor Guard, was honored at the Veterans Day ceremony by the Fannin County commission for his work with the group and dedication to the community. Shown prior to presenting Stodghill a Certificate of Appreciation are, from left, Commission Chairman Jamie Hensley, Stodghill, and Post commissioners Johnny Scearce and Glenn Patterson.

Bill Stodghill, commander of the North Georgia Honor Guard, was honored at the Veterans Day ceremony by the Fannin County commission for his work with the group and dedication to the community. Shown prior to presenting Stodghill a Certificate of Appreciation are, from left, Commission Chairman Jamie Hensley, Stodghill, and Post commissioners Johnny Scearce and Glenn Patterson.

Honor guard’s Bill Stodghill honored

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 11, 2025
Bill Stodghill relentlessly goes about his duties as commander of the North Georgia Honor Guard. The volunteer position demands more than most people could imagine, but some have noticed and surprised Stodghill with their appreciation following the Veterans Day ceremony Saturday.
Jake Reuse serves up smiles and cold beer at Buck Bald Brewing in Copperhill. The award winning brews are favorites among the 250-plus regular customers who have joined the brewery’s Mug Club.

Jake Reuse serves up smiles and cold beer at Buck Bald Brewing in Copperhill. The award winning brews are favorites among the 250-plus regular customers who have joined the brewery’s Mug Club.

Good beer, family values found at Buck Bald

Local Business Sponsor
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Sponsored Content Fannin Co. Development Authority Brew together a mixture of family values and good beer and you have Buck Bald Brewing’s recipe for success. Patrick Keenan was a computer programmer and home brewer when his life started to change.
Despite how daunting it may seem, homeownership is possible, Habitat for Humanity of Fannin and Gilmer counties Director Anita Hardy says, and Habitat exists to make the process easier.

Despite how daunting it may seem, homeownership is possible, Habitat for Humanity of Fannin and Gilmer counties Director Anita Hardy says, and Habitat exists to make the process easier.

Habitat works to make ownership easier

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Despite how daunting it may seem, homeownership is possible, Habitat for Humanity of Fannin and Gilmer counties Director Anita Hardy says, and Habitat exists to make the process easier.
Samaritans Purse is having its annual shoebox drive for Operation Christmas Child November 17 through 24. Shoeboxes can be dropped off at The Ridge Community Church in Mineral Bluff during those dates. Riley Manders, Stephen Harris and Katie Jerauld are busy organizing shoeboxes.

Samaritans Purse is having its annual shoebox drive for Operation Christmas Child November 17 through 24. Shoeboxes can be dropped off at The Ridge Community Church in Mineral Bluff during those dates. Riley Manders, Stephen Harris and Katie Jerauld are busy organizing shoeboxes.

Operation Christmas Child continues to grow

Jason Queen
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
For 31 years, Samaritans Purse’s Operation Christmas Child has been providing hope for children around the world by providing shoe boxes full of gifts, personal care items, toys, school supplies, games and clothes.
Photo by All Star Photos Fannin County High School senior cheerleader Makya Watson was selected to cheer and dance with the Spirit of America squad at this years Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

Photo by All Star Photos Fannin County High School senior cheerleader Makya Watson was selected to cheer and dance with the Spirit of America squad at this years Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.

Watson headed to Macy’s parade

Jason Queen
Tuesday, November 4, 2025
Fannin County High School (FCHS) senior cheerleader Makya Watson has been selected to dance with Spirit of America at the 2025 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade. “I wasn’t expecting to make it because they usually only take big teams and I auditioned as an individual,” said Watson.
Christy Kay opened Blue Ridge Jerky in 2014, bringing her passion for the area back home.

Christy Kay opened Blue Ridge Jerky in 2014, bringing her passion for the area back home.

Specialty items key to Blue Ridge Jerky’s success

Local Business Sponsor
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Sponsored Content Fannin Co. Development Authority   This is not your father’s beef jerky. Actually, in many cases, it’s not beef at all. Until recently, the closest connection you might find between “artisan” and “beef jerky” would be in a dictionary.
Fannin County Family Connection was presented a $100,000 Impact100 Fannin grant during a special ceremony Tuesday, October 21, at The Art Center in Blue Ridge. Shown during the presentation are, from left, Carolyn Kibler, Impact100 president; Kala Ballew, Family Connection pantry manager; Jacqueline McKee, Family Connection director; Mandi Hyde, Family Connection administrator; Sherry Echelberger, Family Connection board chair; and, Kandy Key, Impact100 non-profit liaison.

Fannin County Family Connection was presented a $100,000 Impact100 Fannin grant during a special ceremony Tuesday, October 21, at The Art Center in Blue Ridge. Shown during the presentation are, from left, Carolyn Kibler, Impact100 president; Kala Ballew, Family Connection pantry manager; Jacqueline McKee, Family Connection director; Mandi Hyde, Family Connection administrator; Sherry Echelberger, Family Connection board chair; and, Kandy Key, Impact100 non-profit liaison.

Impact100 makes big impact

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
Impact100 Fannin lived up to its name Tuesday night, October 21, when it presented grants totaling $188,000 to a trio of non-profit organizations.
Colleagues and friends came together at Tooney’s Friday, October 24, to honor McCaysville City Clerk Nancy Godfrey who’s entering retirement. Shown are, from left, Davy Ensley, Councilman Larry Collis, Bill Newman, Earl Hughes, Godfrey, Police Chief Michael Early, Councilwoman Gilita Carter, Randall Payne, Councilman Billy Wayne Chastain and Mayor Terry Arp.

Colleagues and friends came together at Tooney’s Friday, October 24, to honor McCaysville City Clerk Nancy Godfrey who’s entering retirement. Shown are, from left, Davy Ensley, Councilman Larry Collis, Bill Newman, Earl Hughes, Godfrey, Police Chief Michael Early, Councilwoman Gilita Carter, Randall Payne, Councilman Billy Wayne Chastain and Mayor Terry Arp.

Godfrey honored for dedication to McCaysville

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
After dedicating 25 years to the City of McCaysville, Nancy Godfrey now holds the key to the city. And, with that key, the long-time city clerk is officially letting go of the reins and entering into retirement. A reception was held in her honor Friday, October 24, at Tooney’s.