News

Members of the Fannin County High School Marching Band joined with others in the community to honor veterans Saturday by marching in the annual Veterans Day Parade. Valerie Cash, Lily Bice and Neveah Hill, from left, are shown as the band made its way down East Main Street in Blue Ridge. The band also performed at the Veterans Day ceremony.

Members of the Fannin County High School Marching Band joined with others in the community to honor veterans Saturday by marching in the annual Veterans Day Parade. Valerie Cash, Lily Bice and Neveah Hill, from left, are shown as the band made its way down East Main Street in Blue Ridge. The band also performed at the Veterans Day ceremony.

Parade, ceremony highlight Veterans Day

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
U.S. Air Force retired Colonel Kathy L. Merritt told the crowd gathered for Veterans Day Saturday of the uphill battle women have faced ever since the Revolutionary War to serve their country alongside their male counterparts.
Citizens protesting the spread of biosolids and their smell are shown near the entrance to Copperhill Industries Saturday morning. They were forced to move twice, despite permission from race officials to hold their event.

Citizens protesting the spread of biosolids and their smell are shown near the entrance to Copperhill Industries Saturday morning. They were forced to move twice, despite permission from race officials to hold their event.

Protesters rally against biosolids despite effort to quiet their voices

Lauralee Callegari
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Despite attempts to stop them by making them move, protesters at Copperhill Industries on Saturday were able to finish their previously agreed upon protest.
Jack Taylor was re-elected to the Blue Ridge City Council.

Jack Taylor was re-elected to the Blue Ridge City Council.

Taylor re-elected to Blue Ridge post

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
Incumbent Blue Ridge City Councilman Jack Taylor won his reelection bid in last Tuesday’s election, defeating challenger Michael Peters 132 to 122. Taylor was one of three council members on the ballot. Council members Kritsy Kay and Bill Bivins both ran unopposed and were re-elected.
Pictured on left is Raymond Vandiver Akins. Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies seized almost 35 pounds of methamphetamine, 45 firearms, two pounds of marijuana, cash, and drug paraphernalia from a Fannin County residence last Wednesday. One suspect has been arrested and another charged in the case.

Pictured on left is Raymond Vandiver Akins. Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies seized almost 35 pounds of methamphetamine, 45 firearms, two pounds of marijuana, cash, and drug paraphernalia from a Fannin County residence last Wednesday. One suspect has been arrested and another charged in the case.

$5 million of meth seized

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
The drug trade across North Georgia suffered a crippling blow last Wednesday, November 8, when law enforcement officers from five agencies seized nearly 35 pounds of methamphetamine and two pounds of marijuana from a Fannin County residence.
Thaddeus King was among the East Fannin first graders who took part in Apple Day at the Fannin County School System Agriculture Facility. The day included learning the different tastes of different varieties.

Thaddeus King was among the East Fannin first graders who took part in Apple Day at the Fannin County School System Agriculture Facility. The day included learning the different tastes of different varieties.

East Fannin first graders get apple lesson during special day at Ag Center

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Do you know how to determine which variety of apples is your favorite if there isn’t a sign posted above them at Mercier Orchards or the grocery store? Maybe you don’t, but East Fannin first graders do after Apple Day at the Fannin County School System Agriculture Center October 26.
Polk County Commission Chairwoman Christy Hardin took this picture of a Fallow Deer when she visited Copperhill Industries last week. Georgia officials are worried they could infect the local whitetail population.

Polk County Commission Chairwoman Christy Hardin took this picture of a Fallow Deer when she visited Copperhill Industries last week. Georgia officials are worried they could infect the local whitetail population.

Shoot on sight?

Lauralee Callegari
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
“Shoot on site.” Georgia’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has called for the eradication of exotic deer that escaped from Copperhill Industries property in East Polk County. The situation is drawing a different reaction from the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA.
County working with developer to help ease problem

County working with developer to help ease problem

Fannin working with developer to address workforce housing

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
The Fannin County Sheriff’s Office has two new deputies ready to start work, but they can’t because they can’t find a place to live. The school system couldn’t hire a speech pathologist because the applicants couldn’t find housing in Fannin County.
An example of an out of control fire.

An example of an out of control fire.

DON’T BURN

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 7, 2023
Controlled burns are getting out of control in Fannin County and are putting properties in danger. Within the last week, a 40-foot by 40-foot pavilion in the Rock Creek area and a barn off Mineral Bluff Highway have been destroyed by fire, Fannin County Fire Chief Larry Thomas said.
Fannin County High School’s drama department is presenting the classic production of Steel Magnolias Friday night, October 27. Show up and see (from left to right,) Kylee Linderman as Clairee, Gracie Oliver as M’Lynn, Abigail Ridings as Shelby (seated), Elle Hodgson as Annelle, Brinna Knight as Ouiser, and Emily Ableman as Truvy.

Fannin County High School’s drama department is presenting the classic production of Steel Magnolias Friday night, October 27. Show up and see (from left to right,) Kylee Linderman as Clairee, Gracie Oliver as M’Lynn, Abigail Ridings as Shelby (seated), Elle Hodgson as Annelle, Brinna Knight as Ouiser, and Emily Ableman as Truvy.

Steel Magnolias coming to FCHS stage Friday

Lauralee Callegari
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Steel Magnolias is coming to the theater stage at Fannin County High School. Boasting an all-female cast, and a mostly female crew, this production has been in the works for months. The play is set to run one night, October 27, starting at 6 p.m.
Georgia State Patrol troopers from Post 27 in Blue Ridge accepted a Governor’s Highway Safety Office (GOHS) award as Agency of the Year. Shown during the presentation are, from left, Trooper Greer Huss, McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley who represented the GOHS, Sergeant First Class Jason Bradburn, Trooper First Class (TFC) Ethan Hajnal, TFC Mike Fowler, TFC Aaron Deyton and Corporal Barrett Smith.

Georgia State Patrol troopers from Post 27 in Blue Ridge accepted a Governor’s Highway Safety Office (GOHS) award as Agency of the Year. Shown during the presentation are, from left, Trooper Greer Huss, McCaysville Police Chief Michael Earley who represented the GOHS, Sergeant First Class Jason Bradburn, Trooper First Class (TFC) Ethan Hajnal, TFC Mike Fowler, TFC Aaron Deyton and Corporal Barrett Smith.

Post 27, Hajnal earn top honors

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, October 24, 2023
Georgia State Patrol Post 27 in Blue Ridge and Trooper First Class Ethan Hajnal have received top honors from the Appalachian Trail Traffic Enforcement Network of the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.