BLUE RIDGE, GA – Around 8:30 this morning, four vehicles collided at the Hwy. 515, Morningview Pl., and Orvin Lance Dr. intersection. Two of the individuals involved were transported to Union General Hospital after the wreck. Out of the four vehicles, one was a large SUV, a small SUV, a pickup truck, and a car. […]
Read More »Big Budget Changes Proposed by Fire Department and Sheriff
BLUE RIDGE, GA – Commissioners began the 2020 budget approval process with hearings held on Wednesday, Oct. 9 with some departments requesting major changes. Overall the proposed general fund budget for 2020 is $20,433,581, which is a 7.5 percent increase from the 2019 general fund of $19,010,743. These hearings served as the opening discussion between […]
Read More »Johnson calls for accurate numbers, refuses to vote on 2020 Budget
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – In heated 2020 budget hearing and regular commissioners’ meetings, Post One Earl Johnson refused to vote on 2020 budget prepared by Chief Financial Officer Robin Gazaway and declared, “I don’t trust a single number on [the proposed budget].” The proposed 2020 budget featured several increases: Department – Increase Risk Management – […]
Read More »October Proclaimed Domestic Violence Awareness Month
BLUE RIDGE, GA – The Board of Commissioners urged citizens of Fannin County to educate themselves about domestic violence by recognizing the epidemic in the month of Oct. “Domestic violence affects people of all races, ages, income levels, genders, and religious backgrounds. It is an intolerable violent crime that affects the public health for victims, […]
Read More »Risk Management 87 Percent into Budget as of Aug. 2019
BLUE RIDGE, GA – As of August 2019, Fannin County’s operating three percent under budget with Risk Management already 87 percent into its expenditure for the year. The majority of departments reported approximately 60% into yearly budgets, but Risk Management far exceeded the others due to health insurance claims. Post Two Glenn Patterson commented, “Risk […]
Read More »Friends of Public Library Hosting Used Book Sale at Old Fire Station
Blairsville, Ga: Fannin’s chapter of Friends of the Public Library’s (FOPL) holding a used book sale from Oct. 11 to 13 at the old fire station next to the county courthouse. The organization hosts the fundraiser biannually in conjunction with Arts in the Park and raise around $2,200 from each used book sale. The prices […]
Read More »Fire Chief Thomas Delivers First ISO Update
BLUE RIDGE, GA – Fire Chief Larry Thomas delivered his first ISO update to the board of commissioners on Sept. 24 and reported that he has hired a temporary person for hydro-maintenance as well as added new training classes. After last month’s report of Fannin County’s ISO rating increasing to a six, Thomas has implemented […]
Read More »Commissioners Approve Raising Hotel/Motel Tax Resolution
BLUE RIDGE, GA – The process to move the hotel/motel tax from five percent to six percent has begun after commissioners unanimously approved the resolution. Now, the resolution must go before the Georgia legislature for approval. Once the tax goes above five percent, the state must approve it. Due to this process, the increase won’t […]
Read More »Captain Planet Foundation Visits and Cooks with BRES
BLUE RIDGE, GA – Blue Ridge Elementary School (BRES) students participated in a mid-morning gathering and cooking activity hosted by Ingles Supermarkets, Dole Packaged Foods, and Captain Planet Foundation to celebrate their Project Learning Garden and Sustainable Initiative. BRES received a “learning garden” grant from Ingles and Dole in 2019 for their on-campus garden to […]
Read More »Fall clean-up October 5 with Fannin Litterbusters
BLUE RIDGE, GA – Fannin Litterbusters holding their fall roadside clean up on Saturday, October 5 from 9 to 11 a.m. on Hwy. 515. Litterbusters is asking for volunteers to help keep Fannin clean as the busy fall season begins. On Saturday, Oct. 5, along Hwy. 515, volunteers will gather to pick up any miscellaneous […]
Read More »UPDATE: Commissioners Move 2020 Budget Hearings to Oct. 9
BLUE RIDGE, GA – The Board of Commissioners unanimously decided to move the 2020 budget hearings to approve Wednesday, October 9. Traditionally, commissioners listen to budget proposals in the Grand Jury Assembly Room throughout a single day. The hearings will take place from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on October 9, and each department head […]
Read More »Missing Hiker Found in Cohuttas After Two Day Search
FANNIN Co, Ga – Missing hiker, Alan Holt walked out of the Cohuttas Wilderness after disappearing earlier in the week. Holt disappeared from his group on Wednesday, September 18. Fannin Fire and Rescue conducted a full scale search for Holt, over the course of two days, including helicopters and individuals on horseback to try and […]
Read More »Illegal Sewage Dumping in Blue Ridge and Morganton
BLUE RIDGE, GA – City of Blue Ridge advises citizens to be on the look on for a septic truck performing illegal dumping of sewage in ponds and manholes across Fannin County. The truck has dumped raw sewage straight from septic tanks in Morganton and in Blue Ridge. In one reported instance, a flatbed truck […]
Read More »New RV Park Coming to Fannin, Next to the New North Georgia Campus
BLUE RIDGE, GA – John Kieffer presented his plan for a proposed RV park in Fannin County that will have over 96 sites and accommodate the larger campers. The park will be located next to the new North Georgia College Campus and be part of the KOA franchise. Kieffer intends to open the campsite one […]
Read More »Update: Details about early morning lumberyard fire
Blue Ridge, Ga. – The Fannin County Fire Department (FCFD) responded to a blaze on Tuesday, Sept. 10 that had early morning commuters concerned and commenting via social media on the size of the fire. Dispatch came out at 5:23 a.m. that there was a commercial fire in the vicinity of 27 Patterson Lane, just […]
Read More »Thomas Addresses ISO Rate Change and Presents Action Plan
Blue Ridge, Ga – Fire Chief Larry Thomas presented his plan to lower Fannin County’s ISO rate by 2020. Fannin County recently moved up to a six from a five on the ISO fire insurance rating, which caused many in the county to worry about their insurance increasing. The last ISO evaluation occurred in 2012, […]
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