News

State 2024 College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores for the Fannin County School System show increases from the previous year.

State 2024 College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores for the Fannin County School System show increases from the previous year.

Fannin schools see improved test scores

Mollie Morrow
Monday, December 30, 2024
State 2024 College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI) scores for the Fannin County School System show increases from the previous year. Roof said, “Overall, our 2024 CCRPI data improved compared to our 2023 CCRPI data,” with increases in 15 categories district wide.
Fannin County Toys for Tots volunteers Wayne Murphy, Sandy Mote and Joel Warner, from left, bring out some orders to a local family Friday, December 20.

Fannin County Toys for Tots volunteers Wayne Murphy, Sandy Mote and Joel Warner, from left, bring out some orders to a local family Friday, December 20.

Nearly 1,000 blessed by Toys

Mollie Morrow
Monday, December 30, 2024
Fannin County Toys for Tots provided over $100,000 in gifts to nearly 1,000 children this Christmas. Out of those children, 324 families were provided assistance. Last year, 874 children were supported. The effort is spearheaded by the Marine Corps League Detachment #1438 yearly.
Pat Webb is shown after receiving the Governor’s Award.

Pat Webb is shown after receiving the Governor’s Award.

Pat Webb receives governor’s honor

News Staff
Monday, December 30, 2024
Patricia “Pat” Webb, a lifelong advocate for the arts and humanities, was recently awarded the prestigious Governor’s Award for Arts and Humanities, recognizing her nearly 30 years of leadership and innovation in the arts community of North Georgia.
Shown during the presentation of the keys are, from left, Dr. L.B. Bryson of the CBFD, CBFD Fire Chief Marty Senterfitt, Third District commissioners Mush Davis, Samantha Trantham and Keith Barker, and County Executive Robby Hatcher. The truck will be housed at the Grassy Creek station.

Shown during the presentation of the keys are, from left, Dr. L.B. Bryson of the CBFD, CBFD Fire Chief Marty Senterfitt, Third District commissioners Mush Davis, Samantha Trantham and Keith Barker, and County Executive Robby Hatcher. The truck will be housed at the Grassy Creek station.

Improvements made for Basin fire department

Glenn Harbison
Monday, December 30, 2024
Polk County Executive Robby Hatcher updated county commissioners on progress with Copper Basin Fire Department (CBFD) concerns at the commission’s December 19 meeting. His update was in response to the concerns voiced by CBFD representatives at the commission’s November meeting.
With funds raised from the 2024 Blues and BBQ event, committee members donated $4,000 to Snack in a Backpack Thursday, November 7. There for the check presentation is, from left, Paul Gribble, Dena Martin, Snack Executive Director Debby Beck, Heather Bradley and Greg Spencer.

With funds raised from the 2024 Blues and BBQ event, committee members donated $4,000 to Snack in a Backpack Thursday, November 7. There for the check presentation is, from left, Paul Gribble, Dena Martin, Snack Executive Director Debby Beck, Heather Bradley and Greg Spencer.

Lodging association raises $25,000 through Blues & BBQ

Hannah Jack
Friday, December 20, 2024
The 13th annual Blue Ridge Blues & BBQ Festival, hosted by the Blue Ridge Lodging Association September 21, 2024, raised $25,000 to support local charities in Fannin County.
Fannin Christian Learning Center (CLC) Office Manager Alyssa Hooper, left, and Executive Director Tina Lee stand before the CLC sign.

Fannin Christian Learning Center (CLC) Office Manager Alyssa Hooper, left, and Executive Director Tina Lee stand before the CLC sign.

Fannin Christian Learning Center celebrates 25 years

Mollie Morrow
Friday, December 20, 2024
The Fannin Christian Learning Center (CLC) is celebrating 25 years of bringing the Gospel to high school students in the county. Over 3,000 students have studied at the CLC, and many have gone on to be pastors, doctors and parents, which is the ultimate calling, Executive Director Tina Lee said.
McCaysville police officers gathered for their annual banquet and awards dinner Monday, December 16, at the First Baptist Church of McCaysville/Copperhill. Shown at the conclusion of the event are, from left, Brandon Patterson, Pete Kusek, Nathan Daugherty, Eric Fears, Chief Michael Earley, Brantley Worley, Deputy Chief Cory Collogan, Steve Bennett and Michael Green.

McCaysville police officers gathered for their annual banquet and awards dinner Monday, December 16, at the First Baptist Church of McCaysville/Copperhill. Shown at the conclusion of the event are, from left, Brandon Patterson, Pete Kusek, Nathan Daugherty, Eric Fears, Chief Michael Earley, Brantley Worley, Deputy Chief Cory Collogan, Steve Bennett and Michael Green.

Fears, Daugherty among McCaysville officers honored at annual ceremony

Glenn Harbison
Friday, December 20, 2024
Eric Fears received the Chief’s Star Award and Nathan Daugherty was named Officer of the Year at the McCaysville Police Department’s annual Christmas banquet and awards dinner. The event was held Monday, December 16, at the First Baptist Church of McCaysville/Copperhill.
Lisa Vineyard’s home is shown the night of the fire that could have had a tragic ending.

Lisa Vineyard’s home is shown the night of the fire that could have had a tragic ending.

Visitors credited with saving life

Mollie Morrow
Friday, December 20, 2024
What started as an ordinary night for Lisa Vineyard a couple weeks ago turned into one of tragedy and heroism. Had it not been for a group of visitors to the area the results could have been fatal. Vineyard had gone to bed in her Mineral Bluff home around 10 p.m.
These three “Knitwits” from Faith Presbyterian Church delivered 529 handmade, knitted hats to Snack in a Backpack last week to be given to Fannin County School children. Kim King, Frances Thompson and Betty Benedict, from left, are part of the group that call themselves the Knitwits and gather regularly to make the hats.

These three “Knitwits” from Faith Presbyterian Church delivered 529 handmade, knitted hats to Snack in a Backpack last week to be given to Fannin County School children. Kim King, Frances Thompson and Betty Benedict, from left, are part of the group that call themselves the Knitwits and gather regularly to make the hats.

Knitwits continue tradition as Snack short on fundraising goal

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
Snack in a Backpack volunteers wrapped up the first half of their school year packing season last Wednesday, December 11, with 529 hats included in food bags for Fannin County school children. The hats represented the annual donation from the Knitwits at Faith Presbyterian Church.
The budget included a $51,324,805 grand total for expenditures and revenue, which Finance Director Sherri Walker said is a 0.38% overall decrease from the previous year.

The budget included a $51,324,805 grand total for expenditures and revenue, which Finance Director Sherri Walker said is a 0.38% overall decrease from the previous year.

Fannin County budget exceeds $51 million

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, December 17, 2024
The Fannin County Board of Commissioner’s passed their balanced multi-million dollar budget Tuesday, December 10, during their regular meeting. The budget included a $51,324,805 grand total for expenditures and revenue, which Finance Director Sherri Walker said is a 0.