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The News Observer

The News Observer

Affordable housing plan defeated

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, May 18, 2021
Strong emotions resulted in an abrupt ending to a regular Blue Ridge City Council meeting Tuesday, May 11, following a rezoning, annexation and variance vote for an affordable housing development, which ultimately did not pass.
This female mix was surrendered by her owner May 5. She has a short, black and white coat. This little girl is very shy. View her using intake number 141-21. She is shown with Animal Control Interim Manager J.R. Cornett.

This female mix was surrendered by her owner May 5. She has a short, black and white coat. This little girl is very shy. View her using intake number 141-21. She is shown with Animal Control Interim Manager J.R. Cornett.

Adopt A Pet

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
The featured pooch this week is a female mix shown with Fannin County Animal Control Interim Manager J.R. Cornett. This little gal is very timid. She has a short, black and white coat. This sweetie was surrendered by her owner May 5. Ready to add her to your family?
Laurel

Laurel

Cat of the week

News Staff
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
The Humane Society of Blue Ridge cat of the week is Laurel. This one-year-old gentle, sweet girl loves to be held like a baby. With the unusual white markings on her tummy, it looks like Laurel is wearing a bikini! She loves people and gets along very well with other cats.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Library supporters push county for stand alone facility

Sydney Criteser
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Several supporters and patrons of the Fannin County Public Library spoke to the importance of the library and implored the Fannin County Board of Commissioners to move forward with the state library grant when the board met for a town hall meeting Tuesday, May 4.
Members of Mountain Area Christian Academy and student Austin Pankey, front, helped thank Georgia State Senator Steve Gooch, left, and District 9 Representative Will Wade for their part in the passing of SB 47, which expands eligibility under the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act.

Members of Mountain Area Christian Academy and student Austin Pankey, front, helped thank Georgia State Senator Steve Gooch, left, and District 9 Representative Will Wade for their part in the passing of SB 47, which expands eligibility under the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship Act.

Gooch honored for work to help special needs access

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
The same day as Mountain Area Christian Academy’s field day for students with special needs, the school honored Georgia State Senator Steve Gooch, who represents Fannin County, and District 9 Representative Will Wade Friday, May 7.
Sydney Criteser, who has been with The News Observer for almost three years, was surprised Friday by a group of local veterans who came by to say thank you on her last day with the local newspaper. They presented her with a plaque and spoke many words of appreciation. Criteser is surrounded by, from left, Gerald "Chief" McMillen, Bill Stodghill, Richard Crosley, Paul Hunter, Charles Spivey, Ron Wallace, and Sonny Payne.

Sydney Criteser, who has been with The News Observer for almost three years, was surprised Friday by a group of local veterans who came by to say thank you on her last day with the local newspaper. They presented her with a plaque and spoke many words of appreciation. Criteser is surrounded by, from left, Gerald "Chief" McMillen, Bill Stodghill, Richard Crosley, Paul Hunter, Charles Spivey, Ron Wallace, and Sonny Payne.

Veterans say thanks to Criteser

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
She will always cherish the plaque, but the memories will always be in her heart. Sydney Criteser, who has been with The News Observer since July 2018, was surprised Friday morning, May 7, by a group of area veterans who stopped by the newspaper office to say goodbye on her last day.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Summer meals to start June 1

Sydney Criteser
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Faith Presbyterian Church, Fannin County Family Connection, Snack in a Backpack, Temple Baptist Church and St. Luke’s Anglican Episcopal Church have joined together once again in order to provide a free Summer Meal Program for Fannin County children, ages 17 and under, who are in need.
Fannin County High School senior John Moler is shown with his acceptance letter from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a robot he and Luke Pelfrey engineered.

Fannin County High School senior John Moler is shown with his acceptance letter from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and a robot he and Luke Pelfrey engineered.

John Moler accepted at MIT

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
Fannin County High School (FCHS) senior John Moler continues to add to his long list of accomplishments with his acceptance into the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Moler plans to pursue a degree in an engineering related field.
Hunter Ethan Elliott

Hunter Ethan Elliott

Elliott sentenced for child's death

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
“Cohen had a little cousin who was born a month prior to Cohen’s death. He loved to sit next to him and touch his little feet and hands or give him sugar. We just knew he was practicing for when his little brother would arrive. Little did we know he would never get to meet him.