News

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

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
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

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, October 4, 2022
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

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
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

News Staff
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
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

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
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

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, September 27, 2022
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

Hannah Jack
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
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

Hannah Jack
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
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.
Paul Berryhill was one of many residents expressing opposition to biosolids.

Paul Berryhill was one of many residents expressing opposition to biosolids.

Residents oppose biosolids

Hannah Jack
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
esidents of the Copper Basin and surrounding communities came together Tuesday evening, September 13, at the Polk County Commission  meeting to question Copperhill Industries, LLC, (CHI) and the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) about future plans for the use of biosolids...
Mandy Housley, left, was named the Fannin County School System’s Teacher of the Year during a banquet Tuesday, September 13, at the system’s Agriculture Facility. She is shown with Alex Whitener who was chosen as the system’s runner up. Housley will now represent Fannin County in statewide Teacher of the Year competition.

Mandy Housley, left, was named the Fannin County School System’s Teacher of the Year during a banquet Tuesday, September 13, at the system’s Agriculture Facility. She is shown with Alex Whitener who was chosen as the system’s runner up. Housley will now represent Fannin County in statewide Teacher of the Year competition.

Housley chosen Teacher of the Year

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, September 20, 2022
She strives to inspire her  current students to see the value of being lifelong learners.” Sarah Rigdon used those words to describe Mandy Housley when she introduced the Teachers of the Year representing Fannin County’s five schools.