News

Linda Hardman was all smiles last week now that the Fannin County Senior Center has been reopened. The center had to be closed after it was flooded by broken water pipes Christmas Eve last year. The inside of the building has received a complete overhaul and Fannin County crews continue to work to improve the exterior.

Linda Hardman was all smiles last week now that the Fannin County Senior Center has been reopened. The center had to be closed after it was flooded by broken water pipes Christmas Eve last year. The inside of the building has received a complete overhaul and Fannin County crews continue to work to improve the exterior.

Senior Center reopens to delight of members

Lauralee Callegari
Tuesday, August 15, 2023
The Fannin County Senior Center has officially reopened its doors to the excitement of seniors and staff alike.
Jill Dyer introduced incoming freshmen at Fannin County High School to some of the rules they are expected to follow when an open house was held for the new students Tuesday, August 1.

Jill Dyer introduced incoming freshmen at Fannin County High School to some of the rules they are expected to follow when an open house was held for the new students Tuesday, August 1.

Freshmen introduced to FCHS

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Incoming freshmen were welcomed to Fannin County High School (FCHS) Tuesday, August 1, with encouragement to “get involved.
The News Observer

The News Observer

$1 million to be spent on Blue Ridge streets, sidewalks

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Blue Ridge City Council members have agreed to invest over $1 million in street and sidewalk repairs, but the agreement came with the need for an amendment to the city’s budget. Johnson Paving submitted the low bid of $1,101,558.12 for the work.
Buddy Haynes, from left, Ricky Brooks and David Darden, members of the Polk County Industrial and Economic Development Board, listen as Polk County Commission Chairman John Pippenger asks for Haynes to be removed from the board.

Buddy Haynes, from left, Ricky Brooks and David Darden, members of the Polk County Industrial and Economic Development Board, listen as Polk County Commission Chairman John Pippenger asks for Haynes to be removed from the board.

Board doesn’t act on request to remove Haynes

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Members of Polk County’s Industrial and Economic Development Board (IEDB) failed to remove Buddy Haynes from their board, instead defending him. Commission Chairman John Pippenger requested Haynes be removed when IEDB members met in Benton Thursday, August 3.
The Volunteer Group that served the Summer Meals Program included from left, back row, Sylvia Goodyear, Margaret Warner, Mack Campbell, Gary Treater, Bob Barnette, and Nick Rebbe; middle row, Gail Dufresne, Marty Kyanka, Lori Barris, Joanne Campbell, Jayne Treater, Lorah Hubbard, Debby Beck, and Thomas Gray; and, front row, Evelyn Murray, Emily Smith, Laura Hughes, Katherine Bailey.

The Volunteer Group that served the Summer Meals Program included from left, back row, Sylvia Goodyear, Margaret Warner, Mack Campbell, Gary Treater, Bob Barnette, and Nick Rebbe; middle row, Gail Dufresne, Marty Kyanka, Lori Barris, Joanne Campbell, Jayne Treater, Lorah Hubbard, Debby Beck, and Thomas Gray; and, front row, Evelyn Murray, Emily Smith, Laura Hughes, Katherine Bailey.

Summer program serves over 47,500 meals

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, August 8, 2023
Over 47,500 meals were served by volunteers and fully funded by the community during this year’s Summer Meals Program. Representatives of Faith Presbyterian Church, Fannin County Family Connection, Feed Fannin, Snack in a Backpack, and St.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Biosolids fight headed to court

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Polk County commissioners have agreed that no one, including the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) or State Representative Dan Howell, is going to help them, so they are taking the battle against biosolids to court.
Steve Strickland, left, was one of the many veterans on hand as a large crowd gathered for the membership drive and open house at the Veterans Conference Center.

Steve Strickland, left, was one of the many veterans on hand as a large crowd gathered for the membership drive and open house at the Veterans Conference Center.

Veterans work to continue tradition of service

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Representatives of the various veterans organizations in Fannin County gathered for a membership drive and open house at the Veterans Conference Center  in Blue Ridge Saturday, July 29.
The pool and accompanying facilities will be paid for with a combination of Tourism Product Development money generated through the county’s Hotel/Motel Tax and recreation funds designated through the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.

The pool and accompanying facilities will be paid for with a combination of Tourism Product Development money generated through the county’s Hotel/Motel Tax and recreation funds designated through the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.

Bids reviewed for new Fannin pool

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Fannin County commissioners are expected to approve a plan for a new swimming pool and splashpad when they convene August 8 for their next regular meeting. The bid opening for new facilities at the Fannin County Recreation Complex in Blue Ridge was held at the commission’s meeting Tuesday, July 25.
This photo of a fire at a Blue Ridge Lake home was believed to have been taken only minutes after firefighters were called to the scene shortly before 3 p.m. last Wednesday, July 26. The resident who was at home reported discovering the blaze when the entire front of the structure, facing the lake, was already fully involved in flames. Neighbors removed the boat shown in the foreground to a different dock.

This photo of a fire at a Blue Ridge Lake home was believed to have been taken only minutes after firefighters were called to the scene shortly before 3 p.m. last Wednesday, July 26. The resident who was at home reported discovering the blaze when the entire front of the structure, facing the lake, was already fully involved in flames. Neighbors removed the boat shown in the foreground to a different dock.

Resident escapes, two firefighters sent to hospital

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
The resident of a home on Blue Ridge Lake escaped just moments before a fire that erupted on the exterior consumed the entire house, but two firefighters battling the blaze were transported to the hospital.
This van used by Mineral Springs Center was one of two damaged beyond repair when a large White Oak destroyed it during a June 25 storm.

This van used by Mineral Springs Center was one of two damaged beyond repair when a large White Oak destroyed it during a June 25 storm.

Mineral Springs Center needs help to replace two vans

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Mineral Springs Center suffered a huge blow to the staff’s daily efforts to offer clients access to community activities through group and individual services when both its wheelchair accessible vehicles were totally destroyed Sunday, June 25.