News

An overhead view of the Tri-State Model Railroaders “Old Line” shows how truly expansive the layout is. The layout is an “around the room” loop to loop. The model is an exact miniature replica of the Old Line Railroad that was a part of a project to link Knoxville, Tennessee, to Marietta, Georgia, by rail.

An overhead view of the Tri-State Model Railroaders “Old Line” shows how truly expansive the layout is. The layout is an “around the room” loop to loop. The model is an exact miniature replica of the Old Line Railroad that was a part of a project to link Knoxville, Tennessee, to Marietta, Georgia, by rail.

Railroaders host annual ride, plan Christmas Open House Dec. 16

Lauralee Callegari
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Ride the Rails came chugging down the tracks when the Tri-State Model Railroaders hosted their annual Ride the Rails November 24 and 25 at the Historic Mineral Bluff Depot. Next on the railroaders agenda is the Christmas Open House planned for Saturday, December 16, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.
Charles Brent Gray

Charles Brent Gray

Gray faces multiple molestation charges

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Charles Brent Gray, 20, of 1930 Star Creek Road, Morganton, remains held without bond in the Fannin County Jail following his arrest on six felony charges. All six charges involve sexual assaults on two children, both under the age of 10.
Steering wheels, a rear view mirror and full seat are among the requirements for MPOHV on county roads.

Steering wheels, a rear view mirror and full seat are among the requirements for MPOHV on county roads.

Side-by-sides must have insurance, obey law to operate on county roads

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, December 5, 2023
Multipurpose, off-highway vehicles (MPOHV), or side-by-sides as they are commonly known, are required to be insured when they travel on county roads, a new privilege extended by the last session of the Georgia General Assembly.
Elissa Lonsdale-Nester served for eighteen and a half years as an Army combat medic, as well as drill sergeant and senior medic for the PACOM Aviation Brigade. She was medically retired in 2015.

Elissa Lonsdale-Nester served for eighteen and a half years as an Army combat medic, as well as drill sergeant and senior medic for the PACOM Aviation Brigade. She was medically retired in 2015.

Elissa Nester: Words were loud, clear

Lauralee Callegari
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
“Doc, go do your thing.” These were the words that then 25-year-old Elissa Lonsdale-Nester probably thought she would never hear, but heard them loud and clear during her time in Iraq in 2003.
Six businesses located at Fieldstone Village off East Main Street in Blue Ridge were destroyed by a fire that swept through the structure November 18.

Six businesses located at Fieldstone Village off East Main Street in Blue Ridge were destroyed by a fire that swept through the structure November 18.

Fire started outside Danielle’s Café

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 28, 2023
Investigators know the fire that raced through a multi-unit business complex in downtown Blue Ridge Saturday, November 18, started outside the building, but its cause is still undetermined.
*

*

FIRE DESTROYS BLUE RIDGE BUSINESSES

Sarah Burk
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
The investigation was continuing Monday to determine the cause of a Saturday fire that destroyed six downtown Blue Ridge businesses, partially damaged two others, left two more with light smoke damage, and melted the siding on a nearby house, Fannin County Fire Chief Larry Thomas said Monday...
The News Observer

The News Observer

Time to “Light Up” for the holiday season

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
Light Up Blue Ridge returns will a full lineup of activities planned Saturday, November 25. Billed as “A day of Christmas cheer” by organizers, it will include live entertainment, food vendors, Santa, a parade and the lighting of the Great Tree.
Chief Rob Stuart of Blue Ridge Police Department, together with Tony Cavallaro of The Vine in downtown Blue Ridge, presented each member of Brown’s family with their own challenge coin. Shown during the presentation are, from left, Brandon Quintrell, Chelsey Quintrell, Jaxson Quintrell, Mason Ramey, Brady Ramey, Kayla Fortenberry, and Brown’s son, Dan Brown.

Chief Rob Stuart of Blue Ridge Police Department, together with Tony Cavallaro of The Vine in downtown Blue Ridge, presented each member of Brown’s family with their own challenge coin. Shown during the presentation are, from left, Brandon Quintrell, Chelsey Quintrell, Jaxson Quintrell, Mason Ramey, Brady Ramey, Kayla Fortenberry, and Brown’s son, Dan Brown.

Challenge coin honors Brown

Lauralee Callegari
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
The Blue Ridge City Council and the Blue Ridge Police Department has honored the family of officer Hobert Brown, who was shot and killed in December of 1959 while on duty. This special presentation took place at the Blue Ridge City Council’s regularly scheduled meeting last Tuesday.
Matthew Alexander Rich as he appeared in a Fannin County Sheriff’s Office booking photo.

Matthew Alexander Rich as he appeared in a Fannin County Sheriff’s Office booking photo.

Fugitive shot dead in Polk

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 21, 2023
A wanted fugitive is dead and his alleged drug-dealing accomplice arrested following an incident in Polk County Wednesday, November 15. Matthew Alexander Rich, 40, was shot and killed by law enforcement officers after firing upon them as they attempted to serve him with an arrest warrant.
Shown are guests riding motor cars down some of Fannin County’s historic, restored railroad from the Mineral Bluff Depot during a previous Ride the Rails event.

Shown are guests riding motor cars down some of Fannin County’s historic, restored railroad from the Mineral Bluff Depot during a previous Ride the Rails event.

Ride the Rails returns to Mineral Bluff depot

News Staff
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
The Thanksgiving Ride the Rails Event, featuring a scarce opportunity for the public to ride on or behind historic restored railroad maintenance motor cars on a five mile round trip from the Mineral Bluff Depot, will be offered on the two days after Thanksgiving, Friday and Saturday November 24 and...