Getting ready for the annual Toys for Tots distribution is a full-time effort for many volunteers. Cathy Love Queen, Jody Guttridge, Toys for Tots Executive Director Cheryl Turner Jordan, Gale Mancuso, Sue Warner and Joel Warner, from left, are shown as they work toward gathering Christmas presents that will be handed out this weekend.

Five Fannin County High School seniors were surprised Friday morning, December 9, when they were presented acceptance letters to attend the Georgia Institute of Technology in the Fall of 2023. Shown during the presentation are students and Georgia Tech representatives, from left, McKenzie Chastain, Mary Tipton Woolley, Kaitlyn Nelson, Sam Jabaley, Katie Mattlie, James Kyle and Bryce Ware.

Shop With a Cop board member Dawn Cochran welcomed Santa Claus to Walmart Saturday to help children make their Christmas decisions.

The News Observer

Polk County commissioners, from left, Keith Barker, Mush Davis, Greg Brooks, Shane Bowman and Joe Akins, met at the old Polk County Courthouse in Ducktown Tuesday, November 29. They decided to close the building to the public immediately because of numerous unsafe conditions and to begin efforts to replace the aging structure.

Elizabeth Lynch, right, demonstrates the new technology at Kennestone Hospital that helped heal a Fannin County stroke patient. Fannin County Emergency Medical Service employees watching the demonstration are, from left, Michael Schuhle, Eric Sowers, Brian Herndon, Carolyn McLinden, Clinton Hughes, and Becky Callihan.

Retiring Blue Ridge Police Chief Johnny Scearce was greeting many of the people who participated in the Light Up Blue Ridge Christmas Parade Saturday night after leading the event through the downtown streets.

Eleanor and Theodore Parsons-Cohrs dropped off donations at Toys for Tots’ Stuff the Truck at the Blue Ridge Walmart parking lot Saturday morning. Accepting the donations is Marine Corps Sergeant Brent Ware. Toys for Tots is still taking requests for help at the Fannin County Family Connection building through December 14 and collecting toys through the same day. Distribution will be at Family Connection Friday and Saturday, December 16 and 17, from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. each day.

Steve Gooch is the new Senate Majority Leader.

Well-wishers lined the route through Fannin County Saturday as the motorcade accompanying the hearse carrying David Ralston passed through between Ellijay and Akins-Cobb Funeral Home on Highway 5 just north of Blue Ridge.