News

Bob and Lydia Kilpatrick celebrated 70 years of marriage Wednesday, July 1.

Bob and Lydia Kilpatrick celebrated 70 years of marriage Wednesday, July 1.

Bob, Lydia Kilpatrick look back on 70 years of marriage

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Life-long residents of the Copper Basin, Bob and Lydia Kilpatrick, recently celebrated their platinum wedding anniversary. On Wednesday, July 1, the couple celebrated this milestone, which represents the 70 years the two have dedicated to one another.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Copperhill approves balanced budget

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Copperhill officials approved a balanced budget for the 2021 fiscal year during their regular meeting Monday, July 20. Mayor Kathy Stewart was pleased saying it is a “very successful budget.” The budget includes an expense reduction for employee uniforms and an increase in employee insurance.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Fannin assessors budget asks for $765,449

Sydney Criteser
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
The Fannin County Board of Assessors approved a projected 2021 budget request with expenditures listed at $765,449.60 Tuesday, July 21, before sending it to county Finance Director Robin Gazaway. The 2021 projected budget is an increase from last year’s budget of $702,443.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Polk schools offer alternatives for students

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
With Copper Basin schools set to resume Monday, August 10, it is important for parents and guardians to know they have options. The Polk County School System has given parents the option to send their children to “regular school,” “remote school” or home school.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Holly Smith named at CBHS

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
Holly Smith has been chosen to replace former Copper Basin High School (CBHS) Principal Tim Kidd. Kidd is the new principal at South Polk Elementary. “I am honored and humbled to be given the opportunity to serve as principal at Copper Basin High School,” Smith said in a statement.
Architecural renderings for a new Fannin County School System transportation facility and staff development center were presented to the Fannin County Board of Education Thursday, July 23. Shown is a rendering of how the two facilities would lay on the 35.75 acre property off of Highway 76 near the Blue Ridge Dam.

Architecural renderings for a new Fannin County School System transportation facility and staff development center were presented to the Fannin County Board of Education Thursday, July 23. Shown is a rendering of how the two facilities would lay on the 35.75 acre property off of Highway 76 near the Blue Ridge Dam.

School board receives plans for new facilities

Sydney Criteser
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
The Fannin County Board of Education received architectural renderings of the newly proposed Transportation Facility and Staff Development Center during a called meeting Thursday, July 23. If approved, the facilities will be built on the 35.
The News Observer

The News Observer

McCaysville losing over half of water produced

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
The City of McCaysville experienced a 55.7% loss of water supply for 2019, according to the Environmental Protection Division’s 2019 Water Audit. This amounts to a cost of $99,804, which customers are likely paying for. The city provided customers with 121.171 million gallons of water of the 263.
Eiron Taylor Welch

Eiron Taylor Welch

Motorcycle crash claims two lives

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, July 28, 2020
A crash at the top of Harpertown Hill in McCaysville in the early morning hours of Wednesday, July 22, resulted in the deaths of two people. The victims were identified as Christopher Lee Churchill, 32, of Blairsville, and Eiron Taylor Welch, 19, of Blue Ridge.