Blue Ridge, Ga. – While the continued concern surrounding Covid-19 has changed some of the traditions of Fannin County’s Annual Independence Day celebration, the show must go on. Parades that usually flow through the streets of downtown Blue Ridge will be cancelled this July 4th, but the fireworks extravaganza in both Blue Ridge and McCaysville […]
Read More »Rumors of Rebel name change untrue
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Rumors of a Rebels name change have taken social media by storm and those involved in the school system say that right now, it is nothing more than rumors. With the current political climate, the Fannin County Rebels have once again been thrust into the community spotlight due to the school’s […]
Read More »BOE looks to reopen schools in August
Blue Ridge, Ga. – The Fannin County School System (FCSS) is moving forward with plans to reopen the district in August. “Our goal remains to have school in August,” FCSS Superintendent Dr. Michael Gwatney spoke at the recent Board of Education meeting, adding, “Now, it’s impossible to say right now exactly how school will look […]
Read More »Annexation halted for City of Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Annexation of portions of Hwy. 5 and Hwy. 515 have been halted for the remainder of the 2020 year. City of Blue Ridge officials met opposition to the annexation plan when council members Nathan Fitts and Rhonda Haight questioned the information they had been given by Blue Ridge City Mayor Donna […]
Read More »Silencing the Citizens for Public Safety
Opinion – Is it possible to get accurate citizen input at a town hall meeting and ban the citizens from attending? Unlikely. Regardless, the City of Blue Ridge is forging ahead with their “town hall” meeting to get resident input on the annexation of portions of Hwy. 5 and Hwy. 515. I guess we are […]
Read More »Town Hall Meeting : Annexation
PUBLIC NOTICE The City of Blue Ridge will hold a town hall meeting on Monday, June 1, 2020 at 5:00 p.m. The meeting will be located at City Hall, 480 West First Street. The purpose of the meeting is to discuss and receive public input regarding annexing sections of Hwy 5 & Hwy 515 […]
Read More »Update : $700 reward offered in fire station burglary case
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Two anonymous donors have stepped forward to up the reward being offered for information leading to the conviction of the person(s) involved in the burglary of Fannin County Fire Station No. 6. According to Fannin County Fire Chief Larry Thomas these donors stepped up to help shortly after news was released […]
Read More »$873,000 projected loss in revenue for City of Blue Ridge
Blue Ridge, Ga. – The City of Blue Ridge is facing a substantial projected loss of revenue amid the Covid-19 pandemic. Department Heads gave updates during the April 2020 Blue Ridge City Council meeting and a theme among these updates was loss of revenue due to many businesses having to close for the month of […]
Read More »Fannin Schools prepare for State Budget cuts
Blue Ridge, Ga. – The Fannin County School System (FCSS) is prepared to “weather the storm” as expectations of State Budget cuts loom over next year’s financials. “We get a great deal of insight into how we can budget from the legislature and so we’re waiting on that information,” FCSS Superintendent Dr. Michael Gwatney addressed […]
Read More »Project Chimps mourns the loss of Tibi
Blue Ridge, Ga. – One of the most difficult times in a rescuer’s journey is having to say goodbye to a beloved companion in their care. The staff and caregivers at Project Chimps are mourning the loss of one of their own, a 34 year old great ape named Tibi. Project Chimps released the following […]
Read More »Graduation plans finalized for Fannin County Seniors
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Uncertainty best describes the school year so far, and among this uncertainty has been how to handle graduation for the Senior Class of 2020. “It is my hope that the following communication helps alleviate the stress of our 2020 Graduates and their families,” Fannin County High School (FCHS) Principal Erik Cioffi […]
Read More »Fannin County Chamber of Commerce : A message for visitors and part-time residents
Blue Ridge, Ga. – With Blue Ridge and the rest of the State of Georgia slowly reopening, the Fannin County Chamber of Commerce released advice for visitors and part-time residents. The Chamber states that vacation rentals in the area were closed for 5 weeks during Georgia’s statewide Shelter in Place Order. Governor Brian Kemp’s order […]
Read More »Update: Two Staff members and One resident test positive for Covid-19 at Blue Ridge long-term care facilities
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Update April 30, 2020 – The Georgia Department of Community Health (DCH) has rescinded one of the positive cases of a resident at PruittHealth – Blue Ridge. This this update brings the number of positive Covid-19 residents at PruittHealth – Blue Ridge back down to one. The DCH also updated the number of […]
Read More »A Message from Blue Ridge Mayor Donna Whitener
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Blue Ridge Mayor Donna Whitener released a statement via Facebook following Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s press conference announcing a staggered reopening of Georgia commerce. Whitener outlined the Governor’s plan and how it relates to residents and businesses in the City of Blue Ridge. Mayor Donna Whitener’s Statement: April 20, 2020 Dear […]
Read More »New Guidelines and Resources for High Risk Citizens
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Raymond Tidman, MD and Dillon Miller, MD of Blue Ridge Medical Group are releasing new guidelines to help protect those at greatest risk in our community from contracting Covid-19. Members of the community that are in the high risk category are those that are 65 years or older, or those with […]
Read More »Project Chimps : Concerns Raised Over Animal Welfare
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Project Chimps, a sanctuary for retired medical research chimpanzees, is coming under fire as former employees and volunteers are speaking out about the lack of care given to the great apes housed at the reserve. Project Chimps is refuting these claims, stating that this misinformation is being fueled by a “former […]
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