News

This male lab mix was picked up on Doublehead Road, April 11. This cutie has a short, brown coat with a white patch on his chest. View this sweet dog using intake number 107-22. He is shown with Animal Control Officer JR Cornett.

This male lab mix was picked up on Doublehead Road, April 11. This cutie has a short, brown coat with a white patch on his chest. View this sweet dog using intake number 107-22. He is shown with Animal Control Officer JR Cornett.

Adopt-A-Pet

Hannah Jack
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
Fannin County Animal Control had 18 dogs in their care as of Friday morning, April 15. This past week, eight dogs were taken in while four were adopted. Four dogs were also reclaimed by owners. Volunteers are welcome to visit, walk and play with dogs at the facility during business hours.
Georgian’s no longer are required to obtain a permit to carry a handgun. The new law is not expected to have much effect locally.

Georgian’s no longer are required to obtain a permit to carry a handgun. The new law is not expected to have much effect locally.

New gun law in effect, little change foreseen here

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
A lot of noise has been made in the state capitol and around Georgia over the new Constitutional Carry law, but Fannin County Sheriff Dane Kirby says it won’t change many things locally.
Dewey Esquinance

Dewey Esquinance

Polk teacher suspended

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
A veteran Polk County High School (PCHS) teacher is under investigation and has been suspended from his job. Dewey Esquinance was suspended without pay, Dr. James Jones, director of Polk County schools, confirmed Friday, April 15.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Collis, Ducktown battle continues

Hannah Jack
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
At the last Ducktown city council meeting, April 7, Owner of Ducktown School Jason Collis had requested for the proposal of de-annexation of the school and its property to be put on the agenda.
Remains found on Springer Mountain in Fannin County have been identified as Stephen Lucas Ryan. At right is a photo of him provided to the investigation by his family. At bottom left is the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s forensic artist’s rendering that was provided in hopes of discovering his identify.

Remains found on Springer Mountain in Fannin County have been identified as Stephen Lucas Ryan. At right is a photo of him provided to the investigation by his family. At bottom left is the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s forensic artist’s rendering that was provided in hopes of discovering his identify.

Body identified

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, April 19, 2022
A body found earlier this year on Springer Mountain in Fannin County has been identified as that of Stephen Lucas Ryan, 40, of Pennsylvania. Fannin County Coroner Becky Callihan said the identification was made by two specialists in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Missing Persons unit.
This male hound-lab mix was picked up on Old Dial Road in Morganton, March 26. This cutie has a brown coat with a red tint to it and is solid in color. View this sweet pupper using intake number 088-22. He is shown with animal control Officer JR Cornett.

This male hound-lab mix was picked up on Old Dial Road in Morganton, March 26. This cutie has a brown coat with a red tint to it and is solid in color. View this sweet pupper using intake number 088-22. He is shown with animal control Officer JR Cornett.

Adopt-A-Pet

Hannah Jack
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Fannin County Animal Control had 22 dogs in their care as of Friday Morning, April 8. This past week, five dogs were taken in while one was adopted. Coon Hound Rescue took in one dog. Volunteers are welcome to visit, walk and play with dogs at the facility during business hours.
Left: Natalie Lynn Scogins | Right: Jamie Willis Whitener

Left: Natalie Lynn Scogins | Right: Jamie Willis Whitener

Two charged with heroin trafficking using Fannin route

News Staff
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Law enforcement authorities have arrested two individuals accused of trafficking heroin through Fannin County. Jamie Willis Whitener, 44, of 575 Cook Ridge Road, Murphy, North Carolina, and Natalie Lynn Scogins, 47, of 675 Cook Ridge Road, Murphy, were arrested Wednesday, March 30.
The News Observer

The News Observer

Potzauf blames city for delaying signs

Hannah Jack
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
Downtown Development Authority (DDA) board member Nichole Potzauf said that there is a “slight delay based on questions from city management and council” regarding signage coming to downtown Blue Ridge. She made rthe comment in Monday night’s DDA meeting, April 4.
Rhonda Richmond

Rhonda Richmond

Woman charged with murder

Glenn Harbison
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
A Polk County woman remained in jail Monday on a second degree murder charge following a shooting Saturday night, April 9, in Turtletown. Rhonda Richmond, 57, was being held Monday morning in the Polk County jail in Benton, according to Polk County Sheriff Steve Ross.