News

Standing inside his vintage tennis museum, Mountain Tennis, Mel Locklear enjoys spending his retirement time not only educating the community about the history and game of tennis, but also volunteering his time giving free tennis lessons to local area kids in the Blue Ridge City Park Monday through Thursday afternoons, 50 weeks out of the year.

Standing inside his vintage tennis museum, Mountain Tennis, Mel Locklear enjoys spending his retirement time not only educating the community about the history and game of tennis, but also volunteering his time giving free tennis lessons to local area kids in the Blue Ridge City Park Monday through Thursday afternoons, 50 weeks out of the year.

Mel Locklear enjoys growing tennis in the mountains at Blue Ridge park

Krista Craig
Tuesday, November 23, 2021
Blue Ridge resident and owner of a vintage tennis museum, Mountain Tennis, Mel Locklear is spending his spare time giving free tennis lessons to local kids. For nearly four years now, four afternoons a week, from 3:30 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Nermal

Nermal

Cat of the Week

News Staff
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
The Humane Society of Blue Ridge cat of the week is Nermal. He is an adorable four-month-old dark tabby with very soft, silky fur that has unusual markings. Nermal is a bit shy at first with new people, but he warms up to them quickly.
The Copperhill Kiwanis Club celebrated 100 years of serving the Copper Basin with a dinner and silent auction Tuesday, November 9. Kiwanis Club members and officers shown are, from left, front, Treasurer Shirley Crane, President Howard Jabaley, Julie Colgate and Tamberlyn Tanner; back, Cecil Arp, Anthony Colgate and Secretary Don Wirtz.

The Copperhill Kiwanis Club celebrated 100 years of serving the Copper Basin with a dinner and silent auction Tuesday, November 9. Kiwanis Club members and officers shown are, from left, front, Treasurer Shirley Crane, President Howard Jabaley, Julie Colgate and Tamberlyn Tanner; back, Cecil Arp, Anthony Colgate and Secretary Don Wirtz.

Copperhill Kiwanis Club celebrates 100 years

Krista Craig
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
The Copperhill Kiwanis Club celebrated 100 years of serving the Copper Basin with a fundraising dinner and silent auction Tuesday, November 9, at Tooney’s Music Venue in McCaysville.
The News Observer

The News Observer

McCaysville giving up $432,600 grant

Lauren Jenkins
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Councilman Jason Woody’s motion to apply for sole source procurement for the OneGeorgia Grant to finish the Toccoa River Park expansion was met with silence by other  members of the McCaysville City Council.
Byron A. Stingily

Byron A. Stingily

Former NFL player charged in Fannin

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
A former NFL football player has been charged with Misdemeanor, Battery (Family Violence) as the result of an altercation October 28, 2021, at an Old Gravel Road address in Epworth. Byron A.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Open Table returns to FCHS Thanksgiving Day

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
The Good Samaritans of Fannin County are excited to announce that they will once again host their annual Community Thanksgiving Open Table in the cafeteria of Fannin County High School. All are welcome Thursday, November 25, from noon until 4 p.m.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Lack of volunteers stalls Habitat plans to rebuild home

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
After a fire wrecked havoc on Ashley Gibson’s home in the early morning hours of October 13, she and her two children have received numerous donations and are staying with relatives until the home can be rebuilt, but it may take longer than hoped.
Bait packages such as the ones shown, being dropped in Fannin and Polk counties, are not dangerous to humans or domestic animals.

Bait packages such as the ones shown, being dropped in Fannin and Polk counties, are not dangerous to humans or domestic animals.

Bait not dangerous to humans

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
Small, ketchup-sized packets found outdoors by several Fannin County residents caused enough concern that a representative of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) attended the Tuesday, November 9, board of commissioners meeting to relieve any fear.
Alicia Stewart

Alicia Stewart

City finance director resigns

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, November 16, 2021
City of Blue Ridge Finance Director Alicia Stewart has submitted her resignation, effective December 10. The news came during Mayor-elect Rhonda Haight’s meeting with the new council Wednesday, November 10.