News

Fannin’s chapter of Mountain Education, commonly known as the night school or Mountain Education Charter High School, is set to close in December.

Fannin’s chapter of Mountain Education, commonly known as the night school or Mountain Education Charter High School, is set to close in December.

Mtn. Ed school to close

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
Fannin’s chapter of Mountain Education, commonly known as the night school or Mountain Education Charter High School, is set to close in December. Fannin County School Superintendent Shannon Dillard said Friday she had been told by Mountain Education officials they had made an “economic decision.
This map shows the detour route that will be put in place while the Fightingtown Creek bridge on Madola Road is replaced.

This map shows the detour route that will be put in place while the Fightingtown Creek bridge on Madola Road is replaced.

Route approved for Madola detour

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, August 26, 2025
While the exact dates are not known, the detour has been approved around work to replace the bridge over Fightingtown Creek on Madola Road. The total length of the detour is about 10.
The Twin Cities Farmers Market is anchored on the steel bridge that joins McCaysville and Copperhill, providing the catalyst for the market’s success.

The Twin Cities Farmers Market is anchored on the steel bridge that joins McCaysville and Copperhill, providing the catalyst for the market’s success.

Pulling the rope the same way builds success

Local Business Sponsor
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Sponsored Content Fannin Co. Development Authority Things get done when “everybody is pulling the rope the same way.” That’s how McCaysville Mayor Terry Arp sums up the success of the Twin Cities Farmers Market.
Tennessee State Senator Tom Hatcher introduced Marsha Blackburn, supporting her candidacy for governor.

Tennessee State Senator Tom Hatcher introduced Marsha Blackburn, supporting her candidacy for governor.

Blackburn brings campaign to Polk County

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
Marsha Blackburn believes Tennessee is prime for a “reset” that will make the state “America’s conservative leader.” She says she is the person to lead that effort as the state’s next governor. Tennessee’s senior U.S.
Fannin County Deputy Sheriff Captain Darvin Couch checks the drivers license of a driver stopped for speeding in the Blue Ridge Elementary School Zone on Highway 515. Until now, Couch said deputies had been working to educate drivers as to the speed limits. Now, deputies will be issuing citations.

Fannin County Deputy Sheriff Captain Darvin Couch checks the drivers license of a driver stopped for speeding in the Blue Ridge Elementary School Zone on Highway 515. Until now, Couch said deputies had been working to educate drivers as to the speed limits. Now, deputies will be issuing citations.

Safety demands tickets for speed

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, August 19, 2025
“We’re going to do what we have to do to keep our kids safe,” Fannin County Sheriff’s Department Captain Darvin Couch said last Friday. With that goal in mind, deputies will begin writing speeding tickets and other traffic citations in school zones.
The Panel Built management team represents over 100 years of Panel Built experience. Shown are, from left, Trey Thomas, vice president Welded Steel Division; Lee Beanninger, executive vice president Panel Built; Josh Wallace, vice president Engineering; Dave Arnold, president; and Mike Kiernan, chief executive officer.

The Panel Built management team represents over 100 years of Panel Built experience. Shown are, from left, Trey Thomas, vice president Welded Steel Division; Lee Beanninger, executive vice president Panel Built; Josh Wallace, vice president Engineering; Dave Arnold, president; and Mike Kiernan, chief executive officer.

Panel Built thrives on dedicated employees, value

Local Business Sponsor
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Sponsored Content Fannin Co. Development Authority If the free movie nights or company-wide bowling outings aren’t enough, Mike Kiernan believes there are other incentives for employees to remain with Panel Built, Inc. “They sometimes laugh when I say it,” says the company CEO.
A water quality award to Copperhill Industries from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has local leaders asking the recognition be rescinded.

A water quality award to Copperhill Industries from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has local leaders asking the recognition be rescinded.

Officials outraged by water quality award

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
A water quality award to Copperhill Industries from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) has local leaders asking the recognition be rescinded.
Dawn Heaton, back to camera, alerts school officials to a problem detected by the new weapons detection system at Fannin County High School. No weapons were found when students were checked for the first time last Wednesday morning. In the case above, as was true in many instances, the system alerted on binders that had been left in backpacks. Because backpacks are clear, they did not have to be emptied for school officials to determine the problem.

Dawn Heaton, back to camera, alerts school officials to a problem detected by the new weapons detection system at Fannin County High School. No weapons were found when students were checked for the first time last Wednesday morning. In the case above, as was true in many instances, the system alerted on binders that had been left in backpacks. Because backpacks are clear, they did not have to be emptied for school officials to determine the problem.

Detection system another layer of student safety

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
Weapons detection systems are up and running at Fannin County High School. They were also scheduled to make their debut at the middle school yesterday, August 12, and go into operation at the elementary schools August 14.
Adeline Beavers, Lyla Webb, Fannin County High School paraprofessional Maddie Mitchum, and Eleanor Hodgson, from left, served a meal at the Ronald McDonald House in Atlanta as part of a Family Career and Community Leaders of America project. The meal included cookies donated by the Sweet Shoppe of the South.

Adeline Beavers, Lyla Webb, Fannin County High School paraprofessional Maddie Mitchum, and Eleanor Hodgson, from left, served a meal at the Ronald McDonald House in Atlanta as part of a Family Career and Community Leaders of America project. The meal included cookies donated by the Sweet Shoppe of the South.

FCCLA project gives hope, love to families in need

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, August 12, 2025
A family experience years ago inspired a member of the Fannin County High School chapter of Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) to prepare and serve a meal for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Atlanta.