News

Rebecca Hughson, holding plaque, has been named Georgia Deputy Coroner of the Year. She is shown with the rest of the Fannin County Coroner’s staff, from left, deputy coroners  Felicia Folds and Sheila Taylor and Coroner Becky Callihan. Hughson has been with coroner’s office for three years.

Rebecca Hughson, holding plaque, has been named Georgia Deputy Coroner of the Year. She is shown with the rest of the Fannin County Coroner’s staff, from left, deputy coroners Felicia Folds and Sheila Taylor and Coroner Becky Callihan. Hughson has been with coroner’s office for three years.

Hughson earns state honor

Rebecca Hughson speaks from the heart when she calls them her “families.” She is talking about the people she deals with who are often facing the toughest time in their lives.
Several volunteers from Freedom for Fido, Barking Buddies, Safe Pet Project, Animal Control, and community members came out to Archie’s new home to build him a fence and a dog house. Pictured, from left, are Scott Reid, Priscilla Reid, Jen Tindle, Paul Aigner, Meri Aigner, Dana Worm, Carol Shannon, Ken Williams, Jim Williams, Jackie Gilbert, Russ Peiffer, Betty Williams, Steve Turek, Phil Peet, Tim Pauley, Jim Tindle, Donna Turek, Debi Holcomb, Archie, and David Johns.

Several volunteers from Freedom for Fido, Barking Buddies, Safe Pet Project, Animal Control, and community members came out to Archie’s new home to build him a fence and a dog house. Pictured, from left, are Scott Reid, Priscilla Reid, Jen Tindle, Paul Aigner, Meri Aigner, Dana Worm, Carol Shannon, Ken Williams, Jim Williams, Jackie Gilbert, Russ Peiffer, Betty Williams, Steve Turek, Phil Peet, Tim Pauley, Jim Tindle, Donna Turek, Debi Holcomb, Archie, and David Johns.

Partnership rescues dog that has been at Animal Control more than a year

Freedom for Fido and Fannin County Barking Buddies are partnering together to rescue Archie, a dog who has been at the Fannin County Animal Control facility for over a year. Archie has been deemed to have “no adoption interest” due to his many setbacks.
Members of the North Georgia Honor Guard were presented the Blues & BBQ Hall of Fame Award during the annual festival in Blue Ridge. Shown following the presentation are, from left, Richard Crosley, Honor Guard Commander Bill Stodghill, Chris McKee, Bill Hall, Nick Winberley and Steve Strickland.

Members of the North Georgia Honor Guard were presented the Blues & BBQ Hall of Fame Award during the annual festival in Blue Ridge. Shown following the presentation are, from left, Richard Crosley, Honor Guard Commander Bill Stodghill, Chris McKee, Bill Hall, Nick Winberley and Steve Strickland.

North Georgia Honor Guard receives Hall of Fame Award from Blues & BBQ

The North Georgia Honor Guard was presented this year’s Blues & BBQ Hall of Fame award by Greg Spencer, who helped coordinate the annual festival. The honor was presented in recognition for the Honor Guard’s community service throughout the year and followed a special ceremony during Blues & BBQ.
David Ralston, District 7 representative and Speaker of the state House of Representatives, visited with constituents Saturday, among them Suzanne Ponton.

David Ralston, District 7 representative and Speaker of the state House of Representatives, visited with constituents Saturday, among them Suzanne Ponton.

Ralston, others talk of election importance

David Ralston, Steve Gooch, Frank Wood and Dane Kirby all brought similar messages as they addressed the crowd gathered in Epworth for the Republican Fall Festival Saturday.
Members of the Fannin County Marching Band along with band parents, and a hand ful of school officials and members of the community, released balloons to honor Josh Cheatham’s memory as the band prepared to travel to the Armuchee Band Invitational in Rome Saturday. The band dedicated its performance to Cheatham.

Members of the Fannin County Marching Band along with band parents, and a hand ful of school officials and members of the community, released balloons to honor Josh Cheatham’s memory as the band prepared to travel to the Armuchee Band Invitational in Rome Saturday. The band dedicated its performance to Cheatham.

Fannin band honors Josh Cheatham

Scott Barnstead told members of the Fannin County Marching Band “we are family” early Saturday afternoon as the band circled together on the practice field at the high school.
Stella Cotts, a Fannin County 4-H member, works to make her sheep behave during the Fannin County FFA Alumni Association Youth Fair Saturday, September 17, at the school system Agriculture Facility in Blue Ridge.

Stella Cotts, a Fannin County 4-H member, works to make her sheep behave during the Fannin County FFA Alumni Association Youth Fair Saturday, September 17, at the school system Agriculture Facility in Blue Ridge.

YOUNGSTERS SHINE AT FAIR

The Fannin County FFA Alumni Association Youth Fair filled the school system’s Agriculture Facility Saturday, September 17, with competitors, judges, school officials, volunteers and spectators. Young people competed with sheep, goats, hogs, poultry and rabbits.
Emma Mitchell told how UNG Blue Ridge has changed her life.

Emma Mitchell told how UNG Blue Ridge has changed her life.

Ground broken for $15 million UNG expansion

Several school and state officials spoke to the importance of the expansion of the University of North Georgia’s (UNG) Blue Ridge campus, but none matched the impact of Emma Mitchell.
Garrett Alex Warbington, left; Sarah Jane Loudermilk, right.

Garrett Alex Warbington, left; Sarah Jane Loudermilk, right.

Three dead in murder/suicide

Three people are dead as the result of a double murder/suicide at 243 Choctaw Lane in Mineral Bluff Thursday night, September 22.
News Observer photo/Hannah Jack Shown cutting the ribbon is Commander Richard Crosley. Attending the ribbon cutting with him were Shane Baugh, John Grizzell, Ron Wallace, Larry Dyer, James Callender and his servic dog Louie, Steve Strickland, Ronnie Rabun, Gerald “Chief Mac” McMillen, Chris McKee, Amy Curtis, Pam Fink, Deborah Calloway, Leslie Callendar, Dianne Mallernee and Glenda Reilly.

News Observer photo/Hannah Jack Shown cutting the ribbon is Commander Richard Crosley. Attending the ribbon cutting with him were Shane Baugh, John Grizzell, Ron Wallace, Larry Dyer, James Callender and his servic dog Louie, Steve Strickland, Ronnie Rabun, Gerald “Chief Mac” McMillen, Chris McKee, Amy Curtis, Pam Fink, Deborah Calloway, Leslie Callendar, Dianne Mallernee and Glenda Reilly.

Legion Post 248 joins Chamber as effort to serve grows

The American Legion, including Post 248 that recently partnered with the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce, is the nation’s largest, congressionally chartered, non-profit Veterans Service Organization. Post 248 was originally chartered in McCaysville in 2002, later moving to Blue Ridge.
Pictured is Amanda King who recently received the Dottie Adams Award at The Gathering Conference in Helen, Georgia.

Pictured is Amanda King who recently received the Dottie Adams Award at The Gathering Conference in Helen, Georgia.

Mineral Springs Center’s Amanda King honored

Amanda King, with the Mineral Springs Center, was awarded the Dottie Adams Ambassador of Light Award August 9. King attended The Gathering Conference hosted by the Georgia Learning Community in Helen, Georgia at the Unicoi State Lodge.