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News Observer Photo/Jackson Elliott Fannin County Commission Chairman Jamie Hensley signs a National Crime Victims’ Rights Week proclamation. Those attending the event included various representatives of District Attorney Frank Wood’s office including those working in the Victim Services program. Shown during the proclamation signing are, from left, front row: commissioners Johnny Scearce, Hensley, and Glenn Patterson; and, back row, Joan Rutledge, Ferrell Yates, Carmen Yates, Marianne Gelakoska, Anna Poste

News Observer Photo/Jackson Elliott Fannin County Commission Chairman Jamie Hensley signs a National Crime Victims’ Rights Week proclamation. Those attending the event included various representatives of District Attorney Frank Wood’s office including those working in the Victim Services program. Shown during the proclamation signing are, from left, front row: commissioners Johnny Scearce, Hensley, and Glenn Patterson; and, back row, Joan Rutledge, Ferrell Yates, Carmen Yates, Marianne Gelakoska, Anna Poste

Fannin County joins in victims’ rights recognition

Jackson Elliott
Tuesday, April 1, 2025
Fannin residents Ferrell Yates and Carmen Yates lost their son Charles Yates 31 years ago in a murder. His killer was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. But for the parents of a murdered child, the pain never truly goes away.
Henry Bernard Miller, back left center, received a warm welcome during the weekly breakfast held by The Ridgemen of The Ridge Community Church. Miller is the head chaplain at Georgia’s Jackson Diagnostic and Classification Prison.

Henry Bernard Miller, back left center, received a warm welcome during the weekly breakfast held by The Ridgemen of The Ridge Community Church. Miller is the head chaplain at Georgia’s Jackson Diagnostic and Classification Prison.

Chaplain tells importance of presence

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
“I serve a convicted felon.” That simple statement, while he admits it may seem controversial to some, resulted in Henry Bernard Miller beginning his service at Georgia’s Jackson Diagnostic and Classification Prison almost ten years.
The rectangle in this map indicates the area to where Georgia would expand according to their allegation of the improper survey of the state line with Tennessee and North Carolina. The area includes all of Copperhill, part of Pleasant Hill, part of Grassy Creek, the Big Frog Wilderness and part of Wolf Creek.

The rectangle in this map indicates the area to where Georgia would expand according to their allegation of the improper survey of the state line with Tennessee and North Carolina. The area includes all of Copperhill, part of Pleasant Hill, part of Grassy Creek, the Big Frog Wilderness and part of Wolf Creek.

Georgia House trying again to move state line

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
A resolution introduced in the Georgia House of Representatives seeks to renew the often repeated debate over the state’s northern border. Rep. Martin Momtahan (R-Dist. 17)  took the lead as the first signer in introducing House Resolution 132 (HR 132), which includes Rep.
Those attending last week’s public meeting were invited to write their comments on post-it notes and put them with the various planning display boards.

Those attending last week’s public meeting were invited to write their comments on post-it notes and put them with the various planning display boards.

7,000 responses studied for framing Whitewater Center plan

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Philip Earhart introduced ideas for the Ocoee Whitewater Center saying, “This is not a final design, this is not a final plan.” Earhart, district ranger for the Ocoee/Hiwassee Ranger District, brought the plan along with a U.S.
In accordance with Georgia law, Blue Ridge is ineligible to receive any state grant fund transmittals until all audit reports for the preceding five years are provided to the Department of Audits and Accounts, the letter said.

In accordance with Georgia law, Blue Ridge is ineligible to receive any state grant fund transmittals until all audit reports for the preceding five years are provided to the Department of Audits and Accounts, the letter said.

State cuts off Blue Ridge grant funds

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, March 25, 2025
Bill Bivins has decided not to leave his Blue Ridge City Council post, the state has stopped all grant fund monies for the city, and Councilman Jack Taylor has decided to give Mayor Rhonda Haight back her duties. Details of all three actions were revealed in separate emails last week.
McCaysville Mayor Terry Arp echoed the opinion of other city officials and citizens when he said he is “very much opposed” to a temporary bridge four tenths of a mile upstream from the concrete bridge.

McCaysville Mayor Terry Arp echoed the opinion of other city officials and citizens when he said he is “very much opposed” to a temporary bridge four tenths of a mile upstream from the concrete bridge.

McCaysville opposes GDOT bridge plan

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
McCaysville Mayor Terry Arp echoed the opinion of other city officials and citizens when he said he is “very much opposed” to a temporary bridge four tenths of a mile upstream from the concrete bridge.
Brayden, a preschool student at Blue Ridge Elementary, is excited to see how many pins he knock down during Special Olympics bowling Friday, March 7, at Fannin Lanes in Blue Ridge.

Brayden, a preschool student at Blue Ridge Elementary, is excited to see how many pins he knock down during Special Olympics bowling Friday, March 7, at Fannin Lanes in Blue Ridge.

SMILES SHINE AT SPECIAL OLYMPICS BOWLING

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
Youngsters from Fannin County schools and Mineral Springs Center were treated to a special outing for the annual Special Olympics Bowling. The event was hosted by Fannin Lanes in Blue Ridge Friday, March 7.
Logan Wright, Alyssa Marshall, James Burrell and Austin Prieto are careful as they improve the landscaping around the Fannin County Courthouse in Blue Ridge.

Logan Wright, Alyssa Marshall, James Burrell and Austin Prieto are careful as they improve the landscaping around the Fannin County Courthouse in Blue Ridge.

Fannin ag students landscaping courthouse

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
The exterior of the Fannin County Courthouse is getting a new look thanks to students from the Fannin County School System. Agriculture teacher Seth Davis said all the students working on a landscaping project at the courthouse are FFA members and enrolled in agriculture classes.
Paisley McCue, left, and her mother Kailee McCue, right, have participated in The Craddock Center’s Smart Babies program.

Paisley McCue, left, and her mother Kailee McCue, right, have participated in The Craddock Center’s Smart Babies program.

Program helps teach infants are capable of learning

Jackson Elliott
Tuesday, March 18, 2025
New mom Kailee McCue would never have guessed that her daughter Paisley was able to learn about math at just six months old. “My first thought was, ‘That’s crazy. My daughter’s six months old. Why do I need to prepare her for kindergarten?’” said McCue.
Snack in a Backpack honored Feed Fannin as its Community Champion during Snack’s Champions for Children celebration last week. Deby Beck, Snack’s executive director, from left, is shown with Feed Fannin’s Ron Ciochon, Priscilla Cashman and Kathy Beck.

Snack in a Backpack honored Feed Fannin as its Community Champion during Snack’s Champions for Children celebration last week. Deby Beck, Snack’s executive director, from left, is shown with Feed Fannin’s Ron Ciochon, Priscilla Cashman and Kathy Beck.

Snack in a Backpack honors Champions for Children

News Staff
Tuesday, March 11, 2025
“We are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of children in Fannin County and the surrounding area,” Jeanie May wrote to introduce Champions for Children, this year’s night when Snack in a Backpack honored community members and raised funds.