News

Allen Morgan, deputy assistant commissioner for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, left, and Fannin County Sheriff Dane Kirby speak prior to the Mental Health Summit.

Allen Morgan, deputy assistant commissioner for the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities, left, and Fannin County Sheriff Dane Kirby speak prior to the Mental Health Summit.

Mental health needs discussed

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Residents alongside county and state officials were among those who gathered Friday, December 5, to discuss mental health needs in the area for the Tri-County Mental Health Summit at Fannin County Family Connection.
Chris and Connie White moved to a place where they could always feel like they were on vacation.

Chris and Connie White moved to a place where they could always feel like they were on vacation.

Whites found a special niche after relocating

Local Business Sponsor
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Sponsored by the Fannin Co. Development Authority When Chris White and his wife, Connie, moved to Fannin County 10 years ago, they had a simple plan. “We wanted to live in a quaint mountain town where we always felt like we were on vacation,” he said.
NGTC Blairsville Campus held a High School Equivalency Recognition Ceremony November 4 where students from Fannin and East Polk receive their GED certificates. Pictured are, from left, front, Moose Roberson, Kailee McCue, Colten Reed; back, Flag Director Teresa Ross, Dean of Adult Education Shelby Ward, Madison Roach, Tyler Johnson, Joan Mulcare, Joshua Runions, Lucas Jarrett, Brady Payne, Adult Education Instructor Patrick Smith and FLAG Board of Directors chairperson Jane Brackett.

NGTC Blairsville Campus held a High School Equivalency Recognition Ceremony November 4 where students from Fannin and East Polk receive their GED certificates. Pictured are, from left, front, Moose Roberson, Kailee McCue, Colten Reed; back, Flag Director Teresa Ross, Dean of Adult Education Shelby Ward, Madison Roach, Tyler Johnson, Joan Mulcare, Joshua Runions, Lucas Jarrett, Brady Payne, Adult Education Instructor Patrick Smith and FLAG Board of Directors chairperson Jane Brackett.

GED graduates honored at ceremony

Jason Queen
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Sixteen men and women were given GED certificates at a graduation ceremony held at North Georgia Techical College in Blairsville November 4. The ceremony celebrated the achievement of 15 students from Fannin County and one from East Polk County Tennessee.
Members of Marine Corps League Detachment #1438 in Blue Ridge were joined by volunteers and Santa Claus Friday morning in front ot Walmart in Blue Ridge as part of their single largest fundraising day of the year for Toys for Tots. Events took place the same day at the Blue Ridge Depot and Grumpy Old Men Brewing. Marines visited with donors while Santa heard from many of the children who passed by.

Members of Marine Corps League Detachment #1438 in Blue Ridge were joined by volunteers and Santa Claus Friday morning in front ot Walmart in Blue Ridge as part of their single largest fundraising day of the year for Toys for Tots. Events took place the same day at the Blue Ridge Depot and Grumpy Old Men Brewing. Marines visited with donors while Santa heard from many of the children who passed by.

Toys for Tots needs help

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, December 2, 2025
Christmas is rapidly approaching and with it comes the busiest time of year for the annual Toys for Tots drive.
Mark Keaton, far right, and his staff of, from left, Chris Beaver, Lee Reeves and Evan Chastain believe in making customers happy.

Mark Keaton, far right, and his staff of, from left, Chris Beaver, Lee Reeves and Evan Chastain believe in making customers happy.

Pride in caring for people drives Mr. Fixit

Local Business Sponsor
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Sponsored Content Fannin Co. Development Authority  When Mark Keaton, owner of Mr. Fixit auto repair in Blue Ridge, reflects on his move to Fannin County in 2003, he has only one regret. “I wish I had done it 10 years sooner,” he said.
The Rainbow Bridge is part of pet owner culture, a mythical place where pets cross over and wait for their owners to arrive in perfect health and happiness.

The Rainbow Bridge is part of pet owner culture, a mythical place where pets cross over and wait for their owners to arrive in perfect health and happiness.

Rainbow Bridge opened

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
A grand opening ceremony for the Rainbow Bridge at the Healing Farm Foundation on Cutcane Road in Mineral Bluff was held in early October. The bridge is a living tribute, dedicated to the cherished memories of beloved pets who passed away, an announcement of the ceremony said.
The 2025 REACH scholarship recipients and their mentors are shown, from left, Karma Marlow, Sherry Lang, Karissa Martin, Jeannie Garland, Lynette Agustin Morales, Cathy Cox-Brakefield, Emma Stanley, Nathan Dean, Kyle Bird and Philip Arnall.

The 2025 REACH scholarship recipients and their mentors are shown, from left, Karma Marlow, Sherry Lang, Karissa Martin, Jeannie Garland, Lynette Agustin Morales, Cathy Cox-Brakefield, Emma Stanley, Nathan Dean, Kyle Bird and Philip Arnall.

Fannin REACH scholars announced

Mollie Morrow
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Lynette Agustin Morales, Kyle Bird, Karma Marlow, Karrissa Martin and Emma Stanley are this year’s Fannin County REACH Scholarship recipients.
Fannin County Commission Chairman Jamie Hensley told Eggs & Issues attendees that with unity anything can be accomplished.

Fannin County Commission Chairman Jamie Hensley told Eggs & Issues attendees that with unity anything can be accomplished.

State income tax among ‘eggs’ topics

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Politics shared the spotlight with business Friday morning, November 21, when the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce & CVB hosted its annual Eggs  & Issues breakfast.
A runner gives a thumbs up as she makes her way along the Bigfoot Boogie course. 316 runners crossed the finish line this year.

A runner gives a thumbs up as she makes her way along the Bigfoot Boogie course. 316 runners crossed the finish line this year.

Area runners leave marks in annual Bigfoot Boogie

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, November 18, 2025
Runners from the local area made their marks in the finals standing of the Bigfoot Boogie, two taking top honors in their divisions and several others recording top 10 finishes.