Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is releasing a new video explaining the state’s COVID-19 contact tracing efforts, asking residents to ‘answer the call’ if DPH reaches out. YouTube Video Link: How Contact Tracing Works in Georgia: https://youtu.be/8LANQADjaEY This video is part of a larger campaign rolling out across the state promoting […]
Read More »See who’s in the August 11 runoff elections
NORTH GEORGIA – Now that the General Primary is over, several candidates are facing runoff elections across North Georgia. The runoff is scheduled for Tuesday, August 11 and only those who voted in the General Primary may vote in it. Early in-person voting will begin on July 20, 2019. For a breakdown of the runoff […]
Read More »FYN sends our condolences to the family of Bill Kokaly
FYN’s saddened to report the passing of dear friend and longtime Field Representative for Congressman Doug Collins, Bill Kokaly. He moved on to a better world on Friday morning of June 12 after a lengthy battle with cancer. Kokaly loyally served Collins since the congressman’s first campaign and was instrumental in managing the military academy […]
Read More »Fannin County 2020 General Primary Election Returns
FANNIN COUNTY, Ga – The polls have closed for the June 9 General Primary. To review the unofficial election returns for your local races, see below. Please remember all the results are unofficial until certified by the Secretary of State. COUNTY Commission Chairman Incumbent Stan Helton and Challenger Jamie Hensley will move to a runoff. […]
Read More »New insurance plan for county employees
FANNIN COUNTY, Ga – Commissioners decided to move Fannin County to a fully-insured health insurance plan and off the partially self-funded policy. In previous years, the county chose to go to the self-funded insurance route. United Healthcare will now serve as the county insurance provider with English and Alford acting as the insurance agent. English […]
Read More »Operation changes to COVID-19 specimen collection sites
GAINESVILLE, GA – Nine specimen collection sites operated jointly by the Georgia National Guard and Augusta University ended operations effective May 30. As of June 1, several sites changed their operating hours. Those interested in receiving a COVID-19 test are strongly encouraged to call and make an appointment. The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) […]
Read More »Commissioners reaffirm position on city annexation
FANNIN COUNTY, Ga – In March 2020, Fannin County Commissioners issued a letter of opposition regarding the city of Blue Ridge’s proposed annexation. Three months later, little has changed. At the end of the June 1 called meeting, Post Two Commissioner Glenn Patterson took a moment to discuss the highly contested topic. He asked people […]
Read More »Kemp opens bars and renews state of emergency
ATLANTA, Ga – Gov. Brian Kemp decided to continue the state of emergency and stay at home order for the elderly and at-risk individuals through July 12. However, the governor also announced the reopening of bars, amusement parks, night clubs, professional sports, and overnight summer camps. Music venues must remain closed. Kemp issued timelines for […]
Read More »Former Commission Chairman Bruce arrested again
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Former Fannin County Commission Chairman Howell “Howie” Porter Bruce was arrested once again on drug-related charges on Tuesday, May 26. Fannin County Sheriff’s Office Sergeant Jacob Pless took a warrant out for Bruce’s arrest on the following charges: felony possession of Heroin, felony possession of methamphetamine, two counts of felony possession […]
Read More »Annexation tabled amid accusations of “secret meetings”
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Councilmembers accused Mayor Donna Whitener of hiding information and expressed the need for county and citizen involvement before annexing more property into the city. Rick Skelton and other local business owners urged the council to continue on the path of annexation. Skelton is developing the 9265 Blue Ridge Drive/Inola property. He […]
Read More »$10,000 hike in costs to hire detainee road crews
FANNIN COUNTY, Ga – The cost of hiring detainees to keep Fannin roads clean increased unexpectedly and exponentially from the previous year. A one-year contract for six to ten detainees from Colwell Detention Center and one detention officer rose by $10,000 from 2019 to 2020. Chairman Stan Helton discovered the increase when it became time […]
Read More »Early morning fire on May 12 ruled an arson
ATLANTA – Fire Investigators with the Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner’s Office have determined a fire that occurred around 5:00 A.M. on Tuesday, May 12, at a Fannin County unoccupied residence, was intentionally set. “The fire appears to have been set to the rear portion of the home located at 586 Galloway Road in Blue […]
Read More »Georgia DPH distributes Remdesivir to hospitals for treatment of COVID-19
Atlanta – The Georgia Department of Public Health (DPH) is distributing an initial allotment of the drug Remdesivir received from the federal government. Georgia received 30 cases, with 40 vials of the drug per case, enough to treat about 110 patients, depending on the duration of an individual’s treatment. Remdesivir is an antiviral medicine being […]
Read More »Chamber delivers tourism report to commissioners
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Since short-term rentals reopened on May 1, Chamber of Commerce President Jan Hackett affirmed that people are returning to the mountains, but numbers are down from previous years. Hackett delivered an update on the economic status of tourism in Fannin since the shutdown. It included shops, restaurants, lodging, and attractions. “According […]
Read More »Kemp changes restaurant and childcare restrictions
ATLANTA, Ga – On May 12, Gov. Brian Kemp continued to ease restrictions on certain industries – restaurants and childcare – to assist Ga businesses as the state returns to normal. Childcare facilities now can operate with up to 20 children in a classroom instead of 10 as long as the instructor-to-child ratio is maintained. […]
Read More »Ralston announces funding for Highway 515 to improve UNG campus access
BLUE RIDGE, Ga. – Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge) today announced $150,000 in Local Maintenance and Improvement Grant (LMIG) funding from the Georgia Department of Transportation to improve access to the new University of North Georgia at Blue Ridge campus from Georgia Highway 515. “This $150,000 in state funds will make it easier and safer […]
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