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Helping host the accountability courts Christmas party were, from left, Christina Mosley, Nichole Panter, Kenzie Williams, Jodi Graves, Julie Panter, Chris Holt, Lindsey Ray, Michelle Green, Brandy Hamby, Courtney Pettit, Stephanie Bradford, Jennifer Dawson,Alyssa Dorman, John Arp, Noah Gibson, and Assistant District Attorney Jefferson Adams as the Grinch.

Helping host the accountability courts Christmas party were, from left, Christina Mosley, Nichole Panter, Kenzie Williams, Jodi Graves, Julie Panter, Chris Holt, Lindsey Ray, Michelle Green, Brandy Hamby, Courtney Pettit, Stephanie Bradford, Jennifer Dawson,Alyssa Dorman, John Arp, Noah Gibson, and Assistant District Attorney Jefferson Adams as the Grinch.

Accountability courts host party for children

News Staff
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
The Appalachian Judicial Circuit’s Accountability Courts (Drug Court, Veterans Court, HELP Court, Family Treatment Court) recently hosted a Christmas party for the children of their participants.  The party was held at the First Baptist Church in Ellijay Georgia.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Chamber board hears from local leaders

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Hensley tells of progress ‘getting caught up’ Jamie Hensley talked about progress in public safety, other areas. Updates on the past, present and future were all presented by local officials when the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce board met for its annual orientation last week.
The author of this week’s personality profile, Grace Henderson, left, is shown with Colleen Futts.

The author of this week’s personality profile, Grace Henderson, left, is shown with Colleen Futts.

New friendship grew to business ownership

News Staff
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Editor’s note: This is another in a series of personality profiles written by students in Jodi Williams’ English 1101 class at the University of North Georgia Blue Ridge campus. Each story is a first hand account of a local person who has made an impact on the author.
Software will track down rentals, streamline office

Software will track down rentals, streamline office

Software will track down rental taxes

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Debbie Jackson promised Fannin County commissioners new software will help find the owners of short term rentals who are not paying taxes and streamline the operations in her office. Jackson, the county’s Lodging Tax administrator, presented a proposal to commissioners at their January 9 meeting.
It’s all about family at the Fannin County School System Transportation Department. Retiring director Robert Ensley is shown with the garage staff portion of that family as he worked through the last days of his 45 in Fannin schools last week. Shown enjoying a laugh are, from left, Tom Cook, Rodney Ensley, Chris Drury, Robert Ensley, Denver Foster, and Tommy Jourdan.

It’s all about family at the Fannin County School System Transportation Department. Retiring director Robert Ensley is shown with the garage staff portion of that family as he worked through the last days of his 45 in Fannin schools last week. Shown enjoying a laugh are, from left, Tom Cook, Rodney Ensley, Chris Drury, Robert Ensley, Denver Foster, and Tommy Jourdan.

Ensley’s family will never be far away

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
Robert Ensley entered kindergarten at Epworth Elementary School in 1979 at the age of 5. Fannin schools have been his family ever since.
The Fannin County Public Library, as pictured in 2019.

The Fannin County Public Library, as pictured in 2019.

$3.6 million max set for library build

News Staff
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Fannin County commissioners have given their unanimous go ahead to enter into a contract with TSW as the architectural firm for the new Fannin County library. Contract acceptance came during the Tuesday, January 9, commission meeting.
B. Alison Sosebee, second from left, the Appalachian Judicial Circuit’s newest Superior Court judge, was congratulated Friday by, from left, Superior Court Judge Mary Beth Priest, Chief Judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals Amanda Mercier, and Chief Superior Court Judge Brenda Weaver. Before her appointment to the Court of Appeals, Mercier served the Appalachian circuit as a Superior Court judge.

B. Alison Sosebee, second from left, the Appalachian Judicial Circuit’s newest Superior Court judge, was congratulated Friday by, from left, Superior Court Judge Mary Beth Priest, Chief Judge of the Georgia Court of Appeals Amanda Mercier, and Chief Superior Court Judge Brenda Weaver. Before her appointment to the Court of Appeals, Mercier served the Appalachian circuit as a Superior Court judge.

Sosebee honored as she moves into Superior Court judgeship

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 16, 2024
Words of blessings and appreciation filled the jury assembly room of the Fannin County Courthouse Friday, January 12, during a reception to honor B. Alison Sosebee.
Anita Hardy

Anita Hardy

Habitat for Humanity announces new executive director

Lauralee Callegari
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Habitat for Humanity of Fannin and Gilmer Counties has announced that they have appointed a new Executive Director. The new executive director is Anita Hardy, a realtor who joined volunteer efforts earlier this year. “When the position became available, I followed my heart,” Hardy said.
Todd Olson will lead the Blue Ridge theater.

Todd Olson will lead the Blue Ridge theater.

Community theater welcomes executive director

Lauralee Callegari
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
The Blue Ridge Community Theater (BRCT) invites all who are interested to come and meet their new executive director, Todd Olson, at the theater’s Kick Off party. Patricia Webb, president and one of the BRCT founders said, “After an extensive national  search, Mr.
Davenport urged anyone receiving a call they believe to be a scam to hang up and report it to the sheriff’s office.

Davenport urged anyone receiving a call they believe to be a scam to hang up and report it to the sheriff’s office.

Scam artists working overtime

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 9, 2024
Scam artists have started working overtime with the beginning of the new year and law enforcement officials are warning area residents to be on guard. Fannin County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Sergeant J.K.