News

The 2027 Fannin County Teachers of the Year for each school are shown, from left, Terry Flowers, Kayleigh O’Neal, Caitlin Snider, Sydney Newton and Megan Orton.

The 2027 Fannin County Teachers of the Year for each school are shown, from left, Terry Flowers, Kayleigh O’Neal, Caitlin Snider, Sydney Newton and Megan Orton.

Terry Flowers chosen Fannin Teacher of the Year

Enola Patterson
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
Terry Flowers of Fannin County High School (FCHS) was named District Teacher of the Year at the Teacher of the Year banquet May 13. He is now elligble for State Teacher of the Year and will be considered for the role. Flowers is the welding instructor at FCHS.
HB 92 was signed into law April 1, 2025, and has created more obstacles for local governments to navigate following House Bill 581, which went into effect at the beginning of the year.

HB 92 was signed into law April 1, 2025, and has created more obstacles for local governments to navigate following House Bill 581, which went into effect at the beginning of the year.

State mess still affecting Fannin

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
“The problem is they’re messed up down there, and they want to drag us into it,” Fannin County Post One Commissioner Johnny Scearce said regarding House Bill (HB) 92.
West Tennessee Avenue in Copperhill, long nothing more than a large pothole, is now paved thanks to Fannin County. Commission Chairman Jamie Hensley said, “This will make a huge difference for the many Fannin residents who use the road every day.”

West Tennessee Avenue in Copperhill, long nothing more than a large pothole, is now paved thanks to Fannin County. Commission Chairman Jamie Hensley said, “This will make a huge difference for the many Fannin residents who use the road every day.”

West Tennessee paving benefits residents in both states

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
A gesture of goodwill and cooperation toward a new administration has resulted in a much needed improvement on West Tennessee Avenue.
Copper Basin High School graduate Donovan Rose is all smiles after receiving his diploma during graduation exercises Thursday evening, May 15, at the school.

Copper Basin High School graduate Donovan Rose is all smiles after receiving his diploma during graduation exercises Thursday evening, May 15, at the school.

Class of 2025 graduates from Copper Basin

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, May 20, 2025
“Being from a small place doesn’t make your dreams small,” Holly Smith said as she encouraged Copper Basin High School (CBHS) graduates. Smith, principal at CBHS, talked of the school family when she spoke at the graduation ceremony Thursday, May 15, on the school’s football field.
Elissa Robertson gets help decorating her memory stone from Lisa Garrison.

Elissa Robertson gets help decorating her memory stone from Lisa Garrison.

Camp Cocoon helps children cope with a loss

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Camp Cocoon has returned to its status as an annual event, this year hosting  20 children, most of whom were from  Fannin County. The camp is geared to help children ages 5 to 14 cope with separation due to the loss of a loved one.
Jon Neumann, vice president of Material Sales Company, talks about the potential of the Copperhill Quarry with State Representative Dan Howell, center, and Polk County District Three Commissioner Samantha Trantham.

Jon Neumann, vice president of Material Sales Company, talks about the potential of the Copperhill Quarry with State Representative Dan Howell, center, and Polk County District Three Commissioner Samantha Trantham.

Copperhill Quarry unveiled

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
When Joe Lordi promises, “We want to be a community partner y’all can count on,” Gerald “Sambo” Hughes is quick to back up his words, saying, “They don’t just talk the talk, they walk the walk. These are good folks.
Two months of investigative work by four area law enforcement agencies resulted in the arrests of four individuals on multiple charges earlier this month.

Two months of investigative work by four area law enforcement agencies resulted in the arrests of four individuals on multiple charges earlier this month.

Two month probe leads to four arrests

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
Two months of investigative work by four area law enforcement agencies resulted in the arrests of four individuals on multiple charges earlier this month.
TVA spokesman Adam May said Saturday afternoon that ground sensors at Blue Ridge Dam “did not indicate ground motions requiring any inspections.” Blue Ridge Dam lies approximately 80 miles from the earthquake’s epicenter, May said.

TVA spokesman Adam May said Saturday afternoon that ground sensors at Blue Ridge Dam “did not indicate ground motions requiring any inspections.” Blue Ridge Dam lies approximately 80 miles from the earthquake’s epicenter, May said.

Earthquake rocks Fannin, Basin

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
An earthquake measuring a magnitude of 4.1 shook the ground from Farner and all the way through the Copper Basin and Fannin County as it was being felt throughout a large area of the southeast. Area residents reported the loud roar and shaking ground that started just after 9 a.m.
Fannin County High School TSA members, from left, front, CTAE teacher Parry Ruder, Chevy Phillips, Kevin Tzun, James Burrell, Kyle Conner, Aiden Carder, Castle Barnett, Fox Sharp, CTAE Supervisor David Henson and Principal Dr. Scott Ramsey; back, board members, Chairman Mike Cole, Bobby Bearden, Adam Born, Robert Patterson, Ashley Herendon-Weeks and Superintendent Shannon Dillard.

Fannin County High School TSA members, from left, front, CTAE teacher Parry Ruder, Chevy Phillips, Kevin Tzun, James Burrell, Kyle Conner, Aiden Carder, Castle Barnett, Fox Sharp, CTAE Supervisor David Henson and Principal Dr. Scott Ramsey; back, board members, Chairman Mike Cole, Bobby Bearden, Adam Born, Robert Patterson, Ashley Herendon-Weeks and Superintendent Shannon Dillard.

School board recognizes accomplishments

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
The accomplishments of the students involved in several Fannin County High School clubs were recognized during the Board of Education’s meeting Thursday, April 10.
Tri-State EMC held their annual Honors Night Thursday, May 1, at Tooney’s Music Venue in McCaysville. Scholars are shown with Tri-State’s board members, from left, Jim Quintrell, Anna Ballew, Jerry Pack, Carder Lance, Bill Joe Postell, Olivia McNabb, Scott Barker, Chloe Grizzle, Daniel McNabb, Julie Farmer, Jesse Miller and Jaclyn Cracknell.

Tri-State EMC held their annual Honors Night Thursday, May 1, at Tooney’s Music Venue in McCaysville. Scholars are shown with Tri-State’s board members, from left, Jim Quintrell, Anna Ballew, Jerry Pack, Carder Lance, Bill Joe Postell, Olivia McNabb, Scott Barker, Chloe Grizzle, Daniel McNabb, Julie Farmer, Jesse Miller and Jaclyn Cracknell.

Tri-State honors area’s top scholars

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Hitting the books paid off for six high school seniors Thursday night, May 1, as Tri-State EMC awarded $1,000 scholarships to area valedictorians and salutatorians.