BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Fannin County Schools are making counselors available to middle school students after the sudden passing of one of their own. In a letter released by Superintendent Michael Gwatney and Middle School Principal Keith Nuckolls, they stated, “While our hearts are grieving, we are working as a school family to support everyone […]
Read More »Commissioners haven’t given support for Blue Ridge’s aquatic center
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – All three Fannin County Commissioners affirmed that they haven’t committed to Blue Ridge City Council’s proposed aquatic center. Chairman Jamie Hensley explained that the city made an initial presentation in a private meeting but hasn’t seen any follow-up plans or cost analysis. “There’s so many unanswered questions. The questions haven’t been […]
Read More »Sydnie Grace Jones Memorial Intersection adopted by General Assembly
ATLANTA – Senate passed and adopted Sydnie Grace Jones Memorial Intersection Resolution, HR 282, on March 25, 2021. The piece of legislation commemorates the life of Sydnie Jones who tragically lost her life following a car accident at the State Routes Hwy. 515 and Hwy. 325 intersection. Sydnie was born on May 3, 2001, in […]
Read More »Paris addresses COVID-19 vaccine and county updates
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris ran an efficient meeting and covered several topics during the March 2021 meeting. He reported that over 500 vaccine doses were administered at the last mass vaccine event but wasn’t sure if another mass vaccine day would occur. Also, Union County’s supply went from the Moderna to Pfizer […]
Read More »Blue Ridge declares state of emergency after severe storms hit the area
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – City of Blue Ridge declared a state of emergency because of the severe storm damage to the city’s infrastructure and water service. The mayor and members of the city council issued the declaration on March 26 and will remain in effect until April 26, 202 unless extended or repealed. Mayor and […]
Read More »Blue Ridge declares state of emergency after severe storms hit the area
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – City of Blue Ridge declared a state of emergency because of the severe storm damage to the city’s infrastructure and water service. The mayor and members of the city council issued the declaration on March 26 and will remain in effect until April 26, 202 unless extended or repealed. Mayor and […]
Read More »Blue Ridge declares state of emergency after severe storms hit the area
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – City of Blue Ridge declared a state of emergency because of the severe storm damage to the city’s infrastructure and water service. The mayor and members of the city council issued the declaration on March 26 and will remain in effect until April 26, 202 unless extended or repealed. Mayor and […]
Read More »Towns Boys Basketball Team honored for their championship season
HIAWASSEE, Ga – Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw honored the Towns County Boys Basketball team for their state championship and teamwork skills. Towns Boys brought home the county’s first state championship in Single A Basketball on Saturday, March 13, 2021. Bradshaw presented certificates to the entire team and coaching staff for their hard work. “The team […]
Read More »Clearing up misconceptions about the library’s state granted funds
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Mountain Regional Library Director Heath Lee spoke about misunderstandings concerning Fannin County Library’s future. Representing himself and not the library, Lee remarked the state hadn’t released the $1.3 million in funds. Capital outlay projects such as the library operate on a reimbursement basis, paid out after project completion. Additionally, all rules […]
Read More »DDA and City Council discuss Blue Ridge’s parking situation
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Blue Ridge City Council and the Downtown Development Authority (DDA) held a joint called meeting on Monday to discuss the DDA’s plans and parking predominately. DDA Chairman Cesar Martinez addressed the working relationship between the two groups. He stressed that they both need to be together on issues like parking, economic […]
Read More »Sons of the American Revolution honor Blairsville Police Department
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Sons of the American Revolution, Blue Ridge Mountain Chapter, paid tribute to the Blairsville Police Department during the March 2 City Council meeting. Chapter leadership presented the award of appreciation to Police Chief Michael “Bear” Baxter. “The Blue Ridge Mountain Chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution presents this award to […]
Read More »Fannin poised to receive a class 5 ISO rating
BLUE RIDGE, Ga: Fire Chief Larry Thomas promised Fannin’s Insurance Service Office (ISO) rating would be dropping to a five in the near future. He presented emails from ISO Community Hazard Mitigation Manager Michael Morash, who confirmed the “department has improved in class.” However, Morash did not have a date when the new rating would […]
Read More »Fannin discusses how to enforce litter ordinance
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – The predicament of loose trash on Fannin roads and fixing the litter issue took center stage during the commissioner meeting. Originally, Chief Land Development Officer Marie Woody approached the commissioners about changing some language on the Adopt a Road application. She had a list of 67 individuals and families in her […]
Read More »Mask or no mask debate erupts during Union board of education meeting
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County Schools (UCS) instituted a mask mandate at the beginning of the year to slow the spread of COVID-19. Now some are wondering if it’s time to remove the measure. After Christmas, UCS experienced a dangerous spike in cases that almost resulted in the school closing, and after starting the mask […]
Read More »Doug Collins still evaluating his 2022 options
ELLIJAY, Ga – Former Congressman Doug Collins didn’t rule out a potential governor or U.S. Senate run in 2022. He confirmed he’s weighing his options and would make a decision in the future. “I’m concerned about conservatism right now,” Collins expressed. “If that means I need to be on the ballot, I’ll be on the […]
Read More »Departments’ 2020 budgets didn’t reflect CARES Act reimbursements
BLUE RIDGE, Ga: Several county departments never received their CARES Act reimbursement funds in 2020 despite the county having the money. Chairman Jamie Hensley addressed the matter during the February 9, 2021 meeting, stating that at least one department was showing over by 175 percent. “Unbeknownst to the commissioners, I can honestly say that they […]
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