BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Constitution Day will be observed on September 17 with Constitution Week lasting until September 23, 2021. “On this day in 1787, the U.S. Constitutional Convention signed the Constitution of the United States of America. With this proclamation, we’re giving official recognition to this document and the anniversary of its signing,” read Sole […]
Read More »Mask requirement extended at Clay County Schools
HAYESVILLE, NC: At the called meeting on September 7, the Clay County Board of Education decided to continue the mask mandate until the COVID-19 numbers decrease. The decision was unanimous. The board will review the policy every month. NC General Assembly issued two policy options for school systems regarding masks, but one must be approved every […]
Read More »Community celebrates life of Sydnie Grace Jones at intersection dedication
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – The Sydnie Grace Jones Memorial Intersection dedication was a heartfelt event for everyone in attendance as family and friends celebrated the young woman’s life. Sydnie, a Fannin County High School graduate, tragically died in January 2021. She was 19 years old. Two other Fannin students and Sydnie were involved in a horrific […]
Read More »Tiny home subdivision moratorium extended until January 2022
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – After continued discussion on the matter, Fannin County Commissioners opted to extend the tiny home subdivision moratorium until 2022. Tiny homes can be on wheels or on a foundation and have risen in popularity recently. The “tiny life” movement is focused on living with less and creating a more efficient space. […]
Read More »Union County accepting rollback for 2021 millage rate
BLAIRSVILLE, GA – The 2021 millage rate will be dropping to 6.024 mills from last year’s 7.187 mills in Union County. “The State Computation form indicates this is a 0.00% tax increase. The rollback rate is set by the State of Georgia using the county’s net digest number,” the county notice stated. Union County recently […]
Read More »Masks again required in Towns and Union Courthouses
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Enotah Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Raymond George issued a mask requirement for all visiting the courthouses in Union, Towns, White, and Lumpkin Counties. The mandate will be in place at least until the Delta Variant wave of COVID-19 abates in the area. The order begins on Monday, August 23, 2021. All who […]
Read More »Union County Primary must close due to Covid-19 outbreak
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County Primary School will close its building for a week beginning August 23 due to a substantial increase in COVID-19 cases. A letter from Principal Shane Womack outlined the current situation among staff and students. “We currently have 20.18 percent (22) staff absent, 3.18 percent (24) student positives, and 11.85 percent […]
Read More »Towns Elementary School is closed to in-person due to outbreak
HIAWASSEE, Ga: Towns County Elementary is experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak with ten positive staff members and six positive students. The building is closed for the week with students moving online. In an online statement, Superintendent Dr. Darren Berrong explained that the virus is rapidly moving through the elementary school staff. “This is not passing currently […]
Read More »Former Georgia Representative Carlton Colwell passes away
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Former Representative and immensely influential citizen Carlton Colwell passed away on August 9, 2021. The 95-year-old was born in Blairsville, Ga and served in the Georgia House of Representatives for District 4 from 1964 to 1991. He served as the chairman of the State Institution and Property Committee, which oversaw the prison […]
Read More »Fannin experiencing “significant increase” in COVID-19 cases
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Georgia’s currently ninth in the nation for rising COVID-19 cases and Fannin’s verified 89 new cases as of August 10 over two weeks. In the previous 14-day report the Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) recorded 59 cases in Fannin County. On July 26, only 48 cases were documented over 14 […]
Read More »Search for affordable housing locations continues in Blue Ridge
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – The quest for affordable housing in Blue Ridge appears to be continuing with Beverly J. Searles Foundation. President of the Foundation Phillip Searles confirmed that he’s committed to finding the best location for an affordable housing complex in Blue Ridge. Earlier this year, Blue Ridge City Council rejected a rezoning request […]
Read More »City council will continue to learn more about land use options
HIAWASSEE, Ga – Hiawassee City Council agreed to move forward with learning more about land use and potentially zoning options for the city. After attending a planning and land use class to learn more about the options on the table for cities, the council wanted more information before making any lasting decisions. “It was a […]
Read More »Blairsville City Council opens American Rescue Plan bank account
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – City Council opened a bank account with United Community Bank for Blairsville’s portion of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARP) funds. Blairsville will receive two separate ARP payments for a total of $240,000. The first payment has already been distributed to the city, but the second pay won’t be disbursed until 2022. […]
Read More »Fannin County Courthouse paid off
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Fannin County government paid off the remaining debt on the courthouse slightly ahead of schedule. “I think myself and Commissioner Scearce are just happy to be hard on the tail end of that, the payoff. Due to the hard work of every administration before us, we were able to pay that […]
Read More »2020 audit reveals revenue up, expenses down in Union
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County received a clean/unmodified opinion concerning its 2020 audit from Rushton and Company, a CPA firm. Clay Pilgrim, CPA, CPE, CCF, delivered the information during the July County Commission meeting. “I do have great news, this is real riveting information this audit, so I’m glad you joined us,” Pilgrim told the […]
Read More »Packed room voices opinion on Union’s property reevaluation
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – A raucous crowd turned out in force to discuss taxes and property reevaluation after notices hit residents’ mailboxes at the start of the month. The meeting was moved to the jury assembly room and some still had to stand for the 2-plus hour-long meeting focused on property values and taxes. Assistant Police […]
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