News

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) students at Fannin County High School learn to use a patient lift to move patients from a bed to a chair as part of their training. Demonstrating the equipment are, from left, Michael Treon, Devan Hogsed (seated), instructor Anne Gibbs and Riley Reeves.

Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) students at Fannin County High School learn to use a patient lift to move patients from a bed to a chair as part of their training. Demonstrating the equipment are, from left, Michael Treon, Devan Hogsed (seated), instructor Anne Gibbs and Riley Reeves.

CNA training prepares students for jobs, future

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
Clare Payne said “you can get a job anywhere,” talking about one of the many ways the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course at Fannin County High School (FCHS) has helped her.
Members of the Fannin County School System who took part in Threat Assessment Training received the U.S. Secret Service anaylsis on Averting Targeted School Violence (left) along with two other publications aimed at taking a pro-active approach to stopping any attacks before they occur. Below, School Superintendent Dr. Michael Gwatney talks to the morning session gathering who packed the Staff Development Center Tuesday, January 3.

Members of the Fannin County School System who took part in Threat Assessment Training received the U.S. Secret Service anaylsis on Averting Targeted School Violence (left) along with two other publications aimed at taking a pro-active approach to stopping any attacks before they occur. Below, School Superintendent Dr. Michael Gwatney talks to the morning session gathering who packed the Staff Development Center Tuesday, January 3.

Schools take pro-active look at stopping attacks

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 10, 2023
The Fannin County School System “takes on a lot of care taking roles...we look at every aspect of the student as a human being,” Shannon Miller said last week.
The Jewish Congregation of Blue Ridge gathered in the downtown Blue Ridge park for a Menorah Lighting December 18 to begin the Hanukkah season.

The Jewish Congregation of Blue Ridge gathered in the downtown Blue Ridge park for a Menorah Lighting December 18 to begin the Hanukkah season.

Jewish Congregation of Blue Ridge lights Menorah to celebrate Hanukkah

Hannah Jack
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
The Jewish Congregation of Blue Ridge gathered Sunday, December 18, to light their nine foot tall Menorah to start Hanukkah. A couple dozen members of the congregation joined together in prayer and song to celebrate the Hanukkah season at the downtown Blue Ridge park.
Members of the Polk County Commission are working to get Building A on the Copper Basin Medical Center campus converted to house the Ducktown Law court.

Members of the Polk County Commission are working to get Building A on the Copper Basin Medical Center campus converted to house the Ducktown Law court.

Law court work continues

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
Members of the Polk County commission’s Building and Grounds Committee continued their efforts last week to get the Ducktown Law Court operating in the Copper Basin area as soon as possible.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Fire dept. to get tankers

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
Fannin County commissioners have agreed to replace four of seven aging county fire department tankers within the next several months. They also plan to replace another in 2024.
Fannin County firefighters quickly extinguished this brush fire off Henson Way in the Sugar Creek area Thursday afternoon. Among the firefighters responding to the call were, from left, Channing Johnstone, Trent Lowery, and Clinton Hughes.

Fannin County firefighters quickly extinguished this brush fire off Henson Way in the Sugar Creek area Thursday afternoon. Among the firefighters responding to the call were, from left, Channing Johnstone, Trent Lowery, and Clinton Hughes.

Rash of brush fires keep Fannin firefighters busy

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
A sudden rash of brush fires combined with a series of calls for medical help kept Fannin County’s first responders covered up Thursday afternoon, December 29. The first report of a brush fire was received by Fannin’s 911 center at 12:51 p.m.
The Fannin County Senior Center on West First Street in Blue Ridge had to be closed after suffering extensive damage caused by burst water pipes. The problem was discovered by Blue Ridge City Councilman Jack Taylor Christmas Eve when he drove by the center and saw water running out of the building. Despite the closure, services anchored at the center will continue until repairs are made.

The Fannin County Senior Center on West First Street in Blue Ridge had to be closed after suffering extensive damage caused by burst water pipes. The problem was discovered by Blue Ridge City Councilman Jack Taylor Christmas Eve when he drove by the center and saw water running out of the building. Despite the closure, services anchored at the center will continue until repairs are made.

Center closed but services to continue

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, January 3, 2023
Burst pipes have closed the Fannin County Senior Center, but the services anchored there will continue. Fannin County Commission Chairman Jamie Hensley said Friday the center is closed until further notice while the full extent of the damage is determined and plans are made for repairs.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Voting location moved due to water damage

News Staff
Thursday, December 29, 2022
EMERGENCY MOVE OF TOCCOA VOTING LOCATION FOR THE JANUARY 03, 2023, SPECIAL ELECTION ONLY Due to water damage causing the shutdown of the Senior Center where voting for the Toccoa Precinct is held, and in the best interest of the voters we have moved the voting location temporarily to the Jury...
The Ferst Foundation, which provides books free of charge to some of Fannin’s youngest children, received a $3,500 donation thanks to the Blues & BBQ Festival. The free book effort is a project of the Kiwanis Club of Blue Ridge. Accepting the check from festival organizers were, from left, Steven Miracle and Troy Shirbroun of the Kiwanis Club and festival organizers Paul Gribble, Greg Spencer and Dena Martin.

The Ferst Foundation, which provides books free of charge to some of Fannin’s youngest children, received a $3,500 donation thanks to the Blues & BBQ Festival. The free book effort is a project of the Kiwanis Club of Blue Ridge. Accepting the check from festival organizers were, from left, Steven Miracle and Troy Shirbroun of the Kiwanis Club and festival organizers Paul Gribble, Greg Spencer and Dena Martin.

2022 Blues & BBQ raises more than $20,000

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, December 27, 2022
Donations of over $120,000 to local charities are the cornerstone of the success the annual Blues & BBQ Festival has brought to Blue Ridge and Fannin County since it began 11 years ago. Volunteers make this possible.