News

The News Observer

The News Observer

Paxton Media Group acquires The News Observer

News Staff
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Paxton Media Group (PMG) has acquired nine community newspapers in the Murphy and Franklin regions of western North Carolina and north Georgia from Community Newspapers, Inc. (CNI), based in Athens, Georgia.
The News Observer

The News Observer

McCaysville readies alcohol changes

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
All five McCaysville City Council members agreed they would approve revisions to the city’s alcohol ordinance if voters approve liquor by the drink May 19. That revised ordinance, containing updates to 47 sections, was discussed in a council workshop Thursday, March 26.
Emma Benoit is shown with her husband, Evan, before telling students about the devastating effects of suicide.

Emma Benoit is shown with her husband, Evan, before telling students about the devastating effects of suicide.

Fannin students hear terrors of suicide, plea to get help

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, March 31, 2026
Her mother’s terror-filled 911 call introduced Emma Benoit’s life to the students at Fannin County High School. They heard the frantic voice of Chelsey Benoit who had discovered her 16-year-old daughter laying on the floor of the family’s Louisiana home bleeding, unresponsive and barely breathing.
News Observer Photo/Jason Queen A ribbon cutting ceremony took place at The Cal Ripken STEM Center at the Fannin County Recreation Department in Blue Ridge on March 12. Pictured at the event were, from left, front, Parker Martin, Elisabeth Nicholson, Bradford Carpenter, Aniston Graham, Karmen Rymer, Leah Hughes, Sam Kochish, Oliver Parks; back, center assistant Carrie Wooten, Recreation Facility Manager Lorraine Panter, TVA representative Edith Perez, Fannin County Recreation Department Director Eddie O’Nea

News Observer Photo/Jason Queen A ribbon cutting ceremony took place at The Cal Ripken STEM Center at the Fannin County Recreation Department in Blue Ridge on March 12. Pictured at the event were, from left, front, Parker Martin, Elisabeth Nicholson, Bradford Carpenter, Aniston Graham, Karmen Rymer, Leah Hughes, Sam Kochish, Oliver Parks; back, center assistant Carrie Wooten, Recreation Facility Manager Lorraine Panter, TVA representative Edith Perez, Fannin County Recreation Department Director Eddie O’Nea

TVA, foundation partnership opens STEM center at Fannin rec dept.

Jason Queen
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
The Fannin County Recreation Department officially opened its Cal Ripkin Sr. STEM Center March 12 in hopes to give children the chance to explore, create, and discover new interest in science, technology, engineering and math.
News Observer photo/Glenn Harbison Long awaited renovations have forced the temporary closing of the Ducktown Basin Museum. No date is yet known for when the popular attraction may re-open.

News Observer photo/Glenn Harbison Long awaited renovations have forced the temporary closing of the Ducktown Basin Museum. No date is yet known for when the popular attraction may re-open.

Ducktown Basin Museum closed for renovations

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
One of the Copper Basin area’s most popular attractions, the Ducktown Basin Museum, is closed. Museum Director Mitchell Hicks said last week that long awaited and much needed renovations of the museum and other buildings on the property are now taking place.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Fees adopted, tech review ordered

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
An update to the City of Blue Ridge’s Planning and Zoning fees was approved in a resolution during their regular meeting March 17. Demolition permits were added with commercial costing $200 and residential $100.
News Observer photo/Glenn Harbison Fannin County Recreation Director Eddie O’Neal was honored as the Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year for his work with Tourism Product Development monies and the county’s youth. He received the award Saturday night from Chamber President Christie Gribble.

News Observer photo/Glenn Harbison Fannin County Recreation Director Eddie O’Neal was honored as the Chamber of Commerce Member of the Year for his work with Tourism Product Development monies and the county’s youth. He received the award Saturday night from Chamber President Christie Gribble.

Chamber honors service to organization, community

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Christie Gribble introduced “Mountain Magic” as the theme for this years’ 41st annual Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB banquet by saying magic is not just found along the trails or riverbanks, but in the businesses, leaders and friends who make the area extraordinary every day.
photo/Glenn Harbison Will Cobb is shown at a taping for the development authority last week.

photo/Glenn Harbison Will Cobb is shown at a taping for the development authority last week.

Gateway project a step closer

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
The long awaited, major retail expansion in Blue Ridge to be anchored by a new grocery store gets closer to reality every day. “We feel like we’re getting very close to the finish line.
A home in the Kingtown section of McCaysville was totally destroyed by fire March 8. Though the official cause of the blaze has not been determined, investigators believe propane gas played a role in the blaze

A home in the Kingtown section of McCaysville was totally destroyed by fire March 8. Though the official cause of the blaze has not been determined, investigators believe propane gas played a role in the blaze

Blaze destroys home, sends owner to hospital

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, March 17, 2026
A homeowner was taken to a metro Atlanta hospital and a residence totally destroyed as the result of an explosion and fire in the Kingtown area of McCaysville. A call was received by the Fannin County 911 Center at 10:06 p.m.