News

Fannin County Barking Buddies sponsored a free microchipping event at Toccoa River Park June 28. Members volunteered at the event and gave out free gift bags to guests. Volunteers who helped included, from left, Christina Nnaji, Emma Chambers, Debi Holcomb, Donna Turek, Marge Heald, Tina LaCombe, Meri Taylor, Donna McWilliams, and Sandy Taylor.

Fannin County Barking Buddies sponsored a free microchipping event at Toccoa River Park June 28. Members volunteered at the event and gave out free gift bags to guests. Volunteers who helped included, from left, Christina Nnaji, Emma Chambers, Debi Holcomb, Donna Turek, Marge Heald, Tina LaCombe, Meri Taylor, Donna McWilliams, and Sandy Taylor.

Free microchips put in 37 dogs during event

Enola Patterson
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
The City of McCaysville hosted a free microchipping event at Toccoa River Park June 28. The event was sponsored by Fannin County Barking Buddies and Homeward Bound Pet Rescue. Officer Luke McDonald from Fannin County Animal Control assisted with chipping 37 dogs.
Six new-to-the-area chimpanzees are headed to Project Chimps in Morganton.

Six new-to-the-area chimpanzees are headed to Project Chimps in Morganton.

Chimpanzees, SROs, Hwy. 2 work approved by commissioners

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, July 8, 2025
Six new-to-the-area chimpanzees are headed to Project Chimps in Morganton. Deanna Stratton with Project Chimps approached the Fannin County Board of Commissioners during their Tuesday, June 24, meeting to request approval for the chimps to be moved into the sanctuary.
A 13-year-old boy from Fulton County, Georgia, lost his life in what is being investigated as a drowning in Blue Ridge Lake Saturday, June 21.

A 13-year-old boy from Fulton County, Georgia, lost his life in what is being investigated as a drowning in Blue Ridge Lake Saturday, June 21.

Blue Ridge Lake death investigated

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
A 13-year-old boy from Fulton County, Georgia, lost his life in what is being investigated as a drowning in Blue Ridge Lake Saturday, June 21.
A milk snake coils around the arm of Wildlife Interpretative Specialist Kathy Church.

A milk snake coils around the arm of Wildlife Interpretative Specialist Kathy Church.

Youngsters get up close with snakes

Jackson Elliott
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
The Fannin County Public Library filled up with kids last Friday, eager to get up close with some snakes. At the 11 a.m. June 27 event, Wildlife Interpretive Specialist Kathy Church gave kids of all ages the chance to touch, see and learn about snakes. “Not all snakes are venomous,” she said.
Fannin County firefighters Brett Crane, Earl Maddox, Leigh Hollins, Josh Curtis and Mike Miller plan a lesson at the FDIC conference.

Fannin County firefighters Brett Crane, Earl Maddox, Leigh Hollins, Josh Curtis and Mike Miller plan a lesson at the FDIC conference.

Fannin Firefighters teach at national conference

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Five Fannin County firefighters made up a select group who helped train fellow firefighters at the Fire Department Instructors Conference (FDIC) in Indianapolis, Indiana, earlier this year.
The folks at Blue Ridge’s Food Lion, from left, Jacob Keppel, Charles McNash and Helen Ramey are excited to announce the Food Lion Feeds campaign.

The folks at Blue Ridge’s Food Lion, from left, Jacob Keppel, Charles McNash and Helen Ramey are excited to announce the Food Lion Feeds campaign.

Food Lion drive underway

News Staff
Tuesday, July 1, 2025
Food Lion has launched its sixth annual Food Lion Feeds campaign to address childhood food insecurity. Now through July 15, Food Lion customers will be able to support the cause with the purchase of specially-designed reusable shopping bags for $2.
Shannon Beverly Stallone

Shannon Beverly Stallone

Two arrested on multiple drug trafficking charges

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
A large scale investigation by several law enforcement agencies  has resulted in multiple drug trafficking charges against two individuals. An investigation began in mid-April when a concerned citizen reported two ladies selling drugs in Fannin, Union and Gilmer counties.
Hope for the Hungry Director Tom Neville meets Ocean Forte, center, and Sandy Payne. Neville says Hope for the Hungry is more than just getting food to those who need it.

Hope for the Hungry Director Tom Neville meets Ocean Forte, center, and Sandy Payne. Neville says Hope for the Hungry is more than just getting food to those who need it.

Hope for the Hungry about more than food

Jackson Elliott
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Visitors come to the Morganton Mountaintown Baptist Association’s  (MMBA) food bank for many reasons. Seven-year-old Ocean Forte wants to be a good mom to her Hello Kitty. Already, she is working on teaching her how to walk, speak English and speak Spanish.
Carson Parris is waiting, hoping for a Golden Ticket to Hollywood following his American Idol audition in Nashville, Tennessee.

Carson Parris is waiting, hoping for a Golden Ticket to Hollywood following his American Idol audition in Nashville, Tennessee.

Parris hoping Hollywood invite follows audition

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Turtletown teenager and Copper Basin High School basketball player Carson Parris is praying for the Golden Ticket to Hollywood after auditioning for American Idol in Nashville Friday, June 6. “I just want to give a special thanks to my mom, dad and brothers for being my biggest fans.