BLUE RIDGE, Ga – During the first public hearing concerning the proposed tax increase, Fannin County Commissioners explained the importance of providing quality of life for county employees. The proposed tax increase would be 2.30 percent by maintaining the current millage rate of 3.862 mills and not accepting the rollback recommended by the state. In […]
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 »Fannin sets property tax increase hearings
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – At the previous commission meeting in July, Chairman Jamie Hensley announced he anticipated the millage rate would remain the same as last year’s. Since the county isn’t accepting the state’s rollback rate, it’s viewed as a tax increase. “Fannin County, a political subdivision of the State of Georgia, has tentatively adopted […]
Read More »Broadband Ready Ordinance proceeds forward in Fannin
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – The first public hearings pertaining to the Broadband Ready Ordinance and adjustment to Fannin’s Comprehensive plan were held last Tuesday. Fannin County Economic Development Executive Director Christie Gribble explained the importance of implementing a Broadband Ready Ordinance in Fannin to those in attendance. She’s been in charge of finding resources and […]
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 »Ralston calls for GBI investigation into Fulton County elections
ATLANTA, Ga – Elected officials are taking aim and Fulton County and its elections director Richard Barron, following new details regarding the 2020 election. Today, Speaker of the House David Ralston (R – Blue Ridge) released the letter he sent to Fulton Elections Director Richard Barron. In the letter, Ralston requests Barron ask the GBI […]
Read More »Fannin Commissioners purchase property behind the jail
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Following an hour-long executive session, Fannin Commissioners made a motion to purchase two parcels of property behind the jail. The parcels are known as the Queen property and the Old Sarrell property and will be used for parking and administrative needs. It will be used for county employee parking. The county […]
Read More »Mayor Whitener offers response to zoning ordinance veto
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Blue Ridge Mayor Donna Whitener releases a response concerning her recommendation to veto of ordinance amendment BR2021-06. The ordinance would lower building height requirements in the central business district to 35 feet. Whitener’s letter stated that the zoning ordinance has been amended 10 times in 23 years. She added that during […]
Read More »Deputy Director Darrell Payne retires after 38 years
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Deputy Director Darrell Payne stated it’s been an honor to serve the people of Fannin as part of emergency services. Payne’s seen EMS goes through several changes over the years and commended EMS employees and volunteers for their efforts. He added that Fannin has one of the best EMS departments in […]
Read More »Special alcohol permit moratorium repealed, new requirements in place
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – The existing Fannin County alcohol ordinance doesn’t address special events, and the county’s in the process of rewriting it. In the meantime, the board of commissioners enacted special requirements for those seeking a special event alcohol beverage permit. At an earlier meeting, a special event alcohol permit moratorium was put into […]
Read More »Changes coming to Fannin dispatch department
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Commissioners approved moving dispatch to fall under the sheriff’s office at the June 8 meeting to go into effect July 1, 2021. Chairman Jamie Hensley detailed how other counties operate dispatch. At a public safety case, he learned that Fannin was one of the only counties in the state where dispatch […]
Read More »42 percent of Fannin doesn’t have access to broadband internet
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – According to Georgia’s Department of Community Affairs, approximately 42 percent of Fannin County doesn’t possess adequate internet service. Executive Director of the Development Authority Christie Gribble presented a path to hopefully providing Fannin residents with broadband services. She also remarked the Community Affairs map might not be entirely accurate, but it’s […]
Read More »30-day moratorium on special use permit for alcohol license
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Fannin County Commissioners opted for a 30-day moratorium on special use permits for alcohol licenses while they gather more information and the ordinance is rewritten. When Fannin County added the alcohol permit ordinance to its official code, commissioners did not include a special use provision, but the application for a special […]
Read More »Georgia Ag Commissioner Gary Black launches Senate campaign
JEKYLL ISLAND, GA – Gary Black, Georgia’s Agriculture Commissioner who received more votes than any candidate for U.S. Senate or Governor in 2018 and 2014, today launched his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Raphael Warnock. “Warnock and Biden promised to ‘fundamentally change America,’” Black said. “They’re five months into it and […]
Read More »Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan announces he won’t be running for reelection
ATLANTA – Earlier today, Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan released a statement on his decision to not run for reelection. He plans to focus on forging a new version of the Republican Party. Duncan’s political energy will go toward the organization GOP 2.0. The group seeks to reform the Republican Party through policy, empathy, and tone, […]
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