News

Running a school bus stop sign will cost $1,000.

Running a school bus stop sign will cost $1,000.

$1,000, jail for stop sign crime

Glenn Harbison
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Run the stop sign on a school bus and be prepared to pay $1,000 and spend 12 months in jail. That’s the punishment to be handed out under a new law in Georgia that went into effect July 1, 2024.
Fannin County commissioners have approved Albion as the Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) for the new county library that will be located off Old Highway 76 in Blue Ridge.

Fannin County commissioners have approved Albion as the Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) for the new county library that will be located off Old Highway 76 in Blue Ridge.

CMR approved for Fannin library, $442,450 will be paid to Albion

Glenn Harbison
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
Albion out of Sandy Springs, Georgia, received unanimous approval from the Fannin County Board of Commissioners to be the Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) for the new Fannin County Public Library.
James McKinley Bell

James McKinley Bell

Bell sentenced in Polk

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, July 30, 2024
James McKinley “Jimmy” Bell, 53, has been sentenced to serve 11 years in prison on charges of Attempted Second Degree Murder and Aggravated Burglary. But with credit for time served and release eligibility after serving 30% of his sentence, he could be out of prison in less than a year and a half.
The day after Thanksgiving is the largest, single toy collection and fundraising day for Toys for Tots. That effort includes Stuff the Truck at Walmart in Blue Ridge, manned last year by Dick Evelyn and Ian Guttridge.

The day after Thanksgiving is the largest, single toy collection and fundraising day for Toys for Tots. That effort includes Stuff the Truck at Walmart in Blue Ridge, manned last year by Dick Evelyn and Ian Guttridge.

U.S. Marines – Still Serving

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
L isten to Jim Brumbelow and Dale Greene and there is no doubt Marine Corps League Detachment #1438 Blue Ridge is determined that Christmas will come to every local child.
Investigations Sergeant J.K. Davenport talked about scams and how to avoid them at the Fannin County Retired Educators meeting last week.

Investigations Sergeant J.K. Davenport talked about scams and how to avoid them at the Fannin County Retired Educators meeting last week.

$9,000 scam loss speaks of threat to residents

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
A story about a very elderly Fannin County man being scammed out of $9,000 of his life savings was bound to get everyone’s attention. It did when Fannin County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Sergeant J.K. Davenport told the story to a group of retired educators.
Mountain Street in Blue Ridge, between East and West Main streets, will be closed for over a month while the drainage project downtown is being completed. The area is shown with a black box. Public Works Director Joe Patterson urges everyone to be careful and use patience while traveling in the area. Numerous detour signs will be placed by the contractor in an effort to steer vehicles away from and around the street closure.

Mountain Street in Blue Ridge, between East and West Main streets, will be closed for over a month while the drainage project downtown is being completed. The area is shown with a black box. Public Works Director Joe Patterson urges everyone to be careful and use patience while traveling in the area. Numerous detour signs will be placed by the contractor in an effort to steer vehicles away from and around the street closure.

Blue Ridge street set to close

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
The next big step in solving the drainage problem in downtown Blue Ridge will be in full swing August 5 when part of Mountain Street will be closed.
The Better Man program is now ministering to inmates in the Fannin County Jail. Bill Rush, who is leading the program, says it will make anyone a better husband, father, son and Christian.

The Better Man program is now ministering to inmates in the Fannin County Jail. Bill Rush, who is leading the program, says it will make anyone a better husband, father, son and Christian.

Better Man reaches out to inmates

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
It’s said there is a hunger in a man’s spirit that comes from a sense of hopelessness. And it’s hunger Bill Rush says he has seen in the eyes of so many who began the Better Man program. But the program will make the man “a better husband, father, son and Christian...
Paul Wright talks about the Ocoee Whitewater Center as Polk County IED Board member Buddy Haynes listens.

Paul Wright talks about the Ocoee Whitewater Center as Polk County IED Board member Buddy Haynes listens.

Whitewater Center, CPA discussed at IED Board meet

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Encouragement for the future of the Ocoee Whitewater Center (OWC), discussion over hiring a CPA, and the fact that non-voting members no longer exist on its board were all topics at the July meeting of the Polk County Industrial and Economic Development (IED) Board.