News

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.
A screenshot posted to Facebook by Blue Ridge Councilman Bill Bivins is shown. Bivins says the numbers that were originally shown are not account numbers but internal numbers used by the state.

A screenshot posted to Facebook by Blue Ridge Councilman Bill Bivins is shown. Bivins says the numbers that were originally shown are not account numbers but internal numbers used by the state.

Bivins says numbers are internal codes

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
After Blue Ridge City Councilman Bill Bivins posted a screenshot of the city’s bank account information on Facebook, Mayor Rhonda Haight made the decision to close each account and open new ones “under heightened security measures.
Quality bourbon barrels come from making sure every cut, from the first to the last, is precisely measured.

Quality bourbon barrels come from making sure every cut, from the first to the last, is precisely measured.

Fannin holds the key to Kentucky bourbon

Local Business Sponsor
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
Sponsored Content Fannin Co. Development Authority It is no secret that most of the world’s bourbon is distilled in Kentucky. Few people know, however, how much premium bourbon depends on a key contribution from Fannin County.
Greg Spencer, Debby Beck and Carl Pruett, from left, are shown with the autographed Fender six-string Stratocaster.

Greg Spencer, Debby Beck and Carl Pruett, from left, are shown with the autographed Fender six-string Stratocaster.

Guitar raffle feeds children

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, October 21, 2025
An autographed Fender guitar and a Taylor guitar could be yours with the purchase of a raffle ticket. Snack in a Backpack is thrilled to announce this raffle with winners to be announced at their Champions for Children fundraiser in March.
PruittHealth Blue Ridge regularly reaches out to the community through a variety of efforts. Recently, new winter coats were donated to the Fannin County Senior Center. Shown when the coats were delivered are, from left, PruittHealth Admissions Director Samantha Trantham, Hazel Martin, Tammy Mashburn, Frank Constable, Pam Godfrey, and PruittHealth Activities Director Melbay Wilder.

PruittHealth Blue Ridge regularly reaches out to the community through a variety of efforts. Recently, new winter coats were donated to the Fannin County Senior Center. Shown when the coats were delivered are, from left, PruittHealth Admissions Director Samantha Trantham, Hazel Martin, Tammy Mashburn, Frank Constable, Pam Godfrey, and PruittHealth Activities Director Melbay Wilder.

PruittHealth wants everyone to feel like family

Local Business Sponsor
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Sponsored Content Fannin Co. Development Authority They are not the typical sights and sounds someone might expect to find at a nursing facility. But PruittHealth Blue Ridge makes a special effort not to be a typical nursing facility.
William Joseph Woods

William Joseph Woods

Woods charged with murder

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, October 14, 2025
Douglas Harper, 41, is dead and William Joseph Woods, 58, of 1321 Old Epworth Road, Epworth, is charged with his murder. Harper was also of Epworth. Fannin County deputies were dispatched to a shots fired call in the 1300 block of Old Epworth Road Thursday, October 9, at about 7:15 p.m.