News

Crews from Tri-State EMC were on the scene for ten hours Friday working to restore power to the Morganton area of Fannin County after a crash at the intersection of State Route 60 and Old Highway 76.

Crews from Tri-State EMC were on the scene for ten hours Friday working to restore power to the Morganton area of Fannin County after a crash at the intersection of State Route 60 and Old Highway 76.

Crash knocks out power

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Fannin County schools were closed and over 1,000 residents on the East side of Fannin County found themselves without power early Friday morning after a crash at the intersection of State Route 60 and Old Highway 76.
Chalk could not advise Robertson if the dogs were up to date on their rabies vaccines, so they were picked up by Fannin County Animal Control and immediately placed under a 10-day hold.

Chalk could not advise Robertson if the dogs were up to date on their rabies vaccines, so they were picked up by Fannin County Animal Control and immediately placed under a 10-day hold.

Dog bite case set for hearing

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
An emergency hearing that will likely determine the fate of two dogs accused of attacking an eight-year-old girl will be held today, Wednesday, April 16, at 1 p.m.
Country music star Mark Wills, right, is shown with his parents Jerry and Shirley Williams, of Blue Ridge.

Country music star Mark Wills, right, is shown with his parents Jerry and Shirley Williams, of Blue Ridge.

Mark Wills continues to make music history

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Fannin County native Mark Wills is making history as a North America Country Music Association International (NACMAI) Hall of Famer. Wills was officially inducted to the Hall of Fame during the NACMAI Awards Show in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, March 15.
Outgoing Chamber of Commerce board members were recognized by board Chairwoman Manda Hughes and President Christie Gribble. Retiring from the board are Suzanne Davenport, Rene Bidez and George Robinson.

Outgoing Chamber of Commerce board members were recognized by board Chairwoman Manda Hughes and President Christie Gribble. Retiring from the board are Suzanne Davenport, Rene Bidez and George Robinson.

Chamber honors members

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, April 15, 2025
Numerous awards were handed out this past Saturday night when the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce held its 40th Annual Awards Banquet.
Juvenile court decided to remove the suspect’s ankle monitor, but a protective order has been added.

Juvenile court decided to remove the suspect’s ankle monitor, but a protective order has been added.

Ankle monitor removed, order added in kill list case

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
The Fannin County High School (FCHS) student found with a kill/hate list on his computer remains free, but terms of that freedom have recently been changed. Juvenile court decided to remove the suspect’s ankle monitor, but a protective order has been added.
Carrie Couch assists students during lunch at Blue Ridge Elementary School. While television and radio reports have warned of cuts affecting many programs, the National School Lunch Program is not affected by those cuts.

Carrie Couch assists students during lunch at Blue Ridge Elementary School. While television and radio reports have warned of cuts affecting many programs, the National School Lunch Program is not affected by those cuts.

Meals safe at Fannin schools amid budget cut warnings

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Reports airing over radio and television have shouted dangers to various federally subsidized programs that work to feed the hungry, but two local groups are continuing with business as usual.
The restored interior of Donna Neal and Dennis Neal’s 1949 Plymouth.

The restored interior of Donna Neal and Dennis Neal’s 1949 Plymouth.

Mother’s introduction to freedom had to be restored

Jackson Elliott
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
The old 1949 Plymouth was a rust-covered squirrel nest. But Donna Neal and her husband Dennis Neal knew they had to restore it. Sixty-five years ago, it had been her mom’s introduction to freedom. “It was just unheard of,” Donna said. “Girls at that time, at that age, just didn’t buy cars.
The same safety concerns for the spillway at Chatuge Dam exist for the spillway at Blue Ridge Dam, above. However, TVA’s safety study at Blue Ridge is not complete as it continues to evaluate the dam itself, which TVA says its construction “makes it vulnerable to a strong earthquake.”

The same safety concerns for the spillway at Chatuge Dam exist for the spillway at Blue Ridge Dam, above. However, TVA’s safety study at Blue Ridge is not complete as it continues to evaluate the dam itself, which TVA says its construction “makes it vulnerable to a strong earthquake.”

Chatuge level to drop, Blue Ridge studied

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, April 8, 2025
The likelihood of a deep draw down of Lake Chatuge to accompany extensive repairs to its spillway has raised local concerns over a similar possibility at Blue Ridge Lake.
Watching what happens when someone suffers life-threatening injuries held the attention of Annaleigh Cheatham.

Watching what happens when someone suffers life-threatening injuries held the attention of Annaleigh Cheatham.

Students hear real life warning

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
There was only a phone number on the post-it note stuck on the front door that warm Sunday morning in June 2014. That phone number led to another number and the news no family wants to hear. Son and brother, Philip Lutzenkirchen, 28 days short of his 23rd birthday, was dead.
An 85-year-old man was taken to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga after being struck by a pickup truck in downtown Mineral Bluff.

An 85-year-old man was taken to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga after being struck by a pickup truck in downtown Mineral Bluff.

Pedestrian struck in Mineral Bluff

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
An 85-year-old man was taken to Erlanger Medical Center in Chattanooga after being struck by a pickup truck in downtown Mineral Bluff. Benjamin Cole, of Lakewood Highway, was struck at approximately 8:40 a.m. Friday, March 28, on State Route 60 near Clement Street.