News

Blue Ridge Cotton Company and Gather raised $5,005.44 for Snack in a Backpack through their 1% charity program in honor of their son, Michael. Shown are, from left, Snack in a Backpack board members Jeff O’Neill and Toots Greene, Owners Gary Steverson and Joshua Durst, Executive Director Debby Beck and board member Jeanie May.

Blue Ridge Cotton Company and Gather raised $5,005.44 for Snack in a Backpack through their 1% charity program in honor of their son, Michael. Shown are, from left, Snack in a Backpack board members Jeff O’Neill and Toots Greene, Owners Gary Steverson and Joshua Durst, Executive Director Debby Beck and board member Jeanie May.

Snack in a Backpack tells of charity donation

Sydney Criteser
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Blue Ridge Cotton Company and Gather raised $5,005.44 for Snack in a Backpack during the the months of June, July and August thanks to their 1% charity program.
Polk County General Sessions Judge Brooklyn Townsend takes her oath of office from Circuit Court Judge Mike Sharp as her husband, Chris, looks on. Townsend was elected to serve the last two years of the unexpired term of Bill Baliles.

Polk County General Sessions Judge Brooklyn Townsend takes her oath of office from Circuit Court Judge Mike Sharp as her husband, Chris, looks on. Townsend was elected to serve the last two years of the unexpired term of Bill Baliles.

New Polk County officials take oaths of office

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Newly elected Polk County officials who took their oaths of office last week heard words of common sense and scriptural encouragement.
David Scott Smallwood

David Scott Smallwood

Five-year-old threatened with gun, suspect arrested

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
A McCaysville resident faces numerous charges after he allegedly pointed a gun at a five-year-old child last week. David Scott Smallwood, 27, of Barry Street Apartments, was taken into custody by McCaysville police officers shortly before 9 a.m. Thursday, September 3.
McCaysville native Chris Stallings to serve as the McCaysville native Chris Stallings is the new director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency

McCaysville native Chris Stallings to serve as the McCaysville native Chris Stallings is the new director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency

McCaysville native heads state agency

Sydney Criteser
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has tapped McCaysville native Chris Stallings to serve as the new director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency (GEMA/HS). “I am honored to assume the role of Director of GEMA/HS,” Stallings said.
Blue Ridge police officers, from left, Patrolman Thomas Davis, Captain Robbie Stuart and Chief Johnny Scearce, are shown directing one of the approximate 50 to 75 vehicles flying a variety of flags through Blue Ridge Saturday evening. They are at the intersection of West Main and Depot streets.

Blue Ridge police officers, from left, Patrolman Thomas Davis, Captain Robbie Stuart and Chief Johnny Scearce, are shown directing one of the approximate 50 to 75 vehicles flying a variety of flags through Blue Ridge Saturday evening. They are at the intersection of West Main and Depot streets.

Public safety priority with streets crowded

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
“The police department did a great job,” Rhonda Haight said just after a string of between 50 and 75 vehicles made its way through downtown Blue Ridge. The Blue Ridge councilwoman was referring to a group of flag wavers that passed through  late Saturday evening, September 5.
The News Observer

The News Observer

No decision on OneGeorgia grant

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
The tension that built up during the McCaysville City Council’s public hearing to discuss the 2020-’21 budget spilled over into a special called meeting of the mayor and council to discuss a OneGeorgia grant available for the city park.
COVID-19 Update

COVID-19 Update

One student, one staff have COVID-19

Sydney Criteser
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Fannin County has seen an increase of 80 cases of COVID-19 over the last two weeks as of Friday, September 4. This brings the county’s total up to 484. Eight of those people who had contracted the virus have died, and 38 have been hospitalized.