Fannin Schools’ new Agriculture and Environmental Sciences facility will be built at the school system’s Ada Street property. Originally, the facility was to be at the Blue Ridge Farmers’ Market on East First Street. While the East First Street property would be the best location in terms of proximity to schools, the property is one […]
Read More »Fall Arts in the Park May Be Held In the Middle of a Construction Site
In a continuing display of ineptitude and wavering promises, Blue Ridge City Council member Angie Arp’s takeover of Blue Ridge City Park renovation will cost Blue Ridge Mountain Arts Association (BRMAA) much needed space for the Arts in the Park Festival on October 8th and 9th. The festival will also lose a manicured background, an […]
Read More »Awake America and Remember 9/11
Fannin Volunteer Bradley Beaver was in elementary school on September 11, 2001. That morning, the teachers brought the students together and they watched as the United States and the world changed forever. Now, as a First Responder himself, Sept. 11 is more personal. Beaver said, “Sept. 11th makes you completely aware about things that could […]
Read More »Immorality and Fair Property Assessment in Fannin County
Fannin County Board of Assessors – Nathan Henson, Janie Bearden and Lane Bishop It is “immoral if I oppose him” stated the letter read by Fannin County Chief Tax Appraiser Dawn Cochran at the August 2nd Board of Assessors meeting. Cochran did not say if this was from the property owner off Lower Star Creek […]
Read More »FCHS Vows to Crush Carrollton High School in Political Competition
Student Ambassadors Amanda McDaniels, Isabel Wanner and Logan Fitts with the Fannin County School Board. In a bruising upset last year, first place Fannin County High School was trounced by Carrollton High School at the last minute. Up until the last day of competition, FCHS was ahead by 18,000 points. On that day, Carrollton […]
Read More »City of Blue Ridge Awarded $500,000 Grant for Water System Improvements
Press Release from Speaker David Ralston’s office ATLANTA — Speaker of the House David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) and the Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) announced that the City of Blue Ridge has been awarded a $500,000 grant to make improvements to its public water system. The grant award is made through the U.S. Department […]
Read More »Ahhhhh, Finally Time to Enjoy Retirement
The chimpanzees clocked out of their former work place in New Iberia, Louisiana on Tuesday, Sept. 9th. After a 700-mile journey including several hours in Atlanta morning rush hour traffic, Fannin’s newest retirees arrived at Project Chimps. Within two hours, one chimpanzee had already climbed into a hammock to soak in sweet mountain air and […]
Read More »Students Pick Up Prizes in Anti-Litter Campaign
First place winner Jessie Christine Hendrick’s submission “Clean up the roadside litter,” is a citizen demand that regularly makes its rounds through the Fannin County Courthouse. Three Fannin residents, Helen Childs, Michael Brunson and Susan Todd-Raque, have invested in a long-term strategy to change Fannin residents’ attitudes about littering. “Picking up litter should be an […]
Read More »Council’s Coup Affects East Main Street Improvements
A coup of sorts took place at the Special-Called Blue Ridge City Council meeting on August 26. Council Members Harold Herndon, Angie Arp, Bruce Pack and Rodney Kendall decided to take back the power of their posts. They want Mayor Whitener’s role to be implementing the decisions and advice the Council gives. They agreed […]
Read More »It Takes Communities to Build a House: Step 3
On August 27th, Habitat for Humanity of Fannin and Gilmer Counties celebrated completion of its fifth house in Morganton and the Anderson family and friends celebrated their new home. None of this happens without all of the community coming together to make affordable housing happen. – Chris Hall, Director of Habitat for Humanity of Fannin […]
Read More »Park to Open for Play in Late September
By the end of September, Blue Ridge’s children will be swinging and sliding at City Park according to Blue Ridge City Council members. At their special-called meeting on Friday, August 26 council members voted to allot $120,000 for finishing City Park. Playground installation is slated to begin mid-September. $97,000 will go toward new playground equipment […]
Read More »Denim and Diamonds Shines Light on Georgia Mountains Hospice
Georgia Mountains Hospice and Richard York, representing Woodmen Life, hosted the 4th Annual Denim and Diamonds at Willow Creek Falls on Saturday, August 27th. Last year, the two organizations raised around $10,000 with the event. [cincopa AsAALrNNVvzC] Georgia Mountains Hospice provides end-of-life care for people in their last six months of life. Hospice workers give […]
Read More »Fannin BOC: Property Taxes, “Flesh Eater” and Family Hires
Property Taxes The Board of Commissioners had a moment of well-earned pride at the August 23rd meeting when they discussed the 2016 millage rate, which is 16.984 mills, with 4.604 being the county tax and 12.380 being the school tax. With the new rate, a $150,000 house would cost $1,019 in property taxes. (Georgia assesses […]
Read More »Rocky Times for Road and Rec Departments
Both Road and Rec Departments received verbal reprimands from the Board of Commissioners at their meeting on Tuesday, August 23rd. Charles Collins, Fannin County Road Superintendent, did not show up to deliver his Department Head report to the Commissioners. Nor did any other representative show up to speak. The Road Department has not given a […]
Read More »Commissioners Give Green Light to Project Chimps
Photo courtesy of University of Lafayette, Louisiana Project Chimps cleared its last legal hurdle for bringing the chimpanzee retirees to Fannin County. The Fannin County Board of Commissioners agreed to Project Chimps exotic animal application at the Commissioners’ meeting last night. There was no dissenting discussion from any of the Commissioners. At the end of […]
Read More »Keep Georgia Schools Local Hosts Forum about Proposed Georgia Constitutional Amendment
At 6:30 pm on Tuesday, August 23, Keep Georgia Schools Local will host a forum about the upcoming Constitutional Amendment Georgians will be voting on on the November 8th ballot. The amendment states “Shall the Constitution of Georgia be amended to allow the state to intervene in chronically failing public schools in order to improve […]
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