Blue Ridge, Ga. – The North Georgia Mountain Crisis Network (NGMCN) is not often highlighted among the nonprofit charities in our community. With the sensitive nature of the services they provide, it is a fine line that the charity must walk in order to financially continue operations and still protect the anonymity of the victims […]
Read More »Fannin County Governmental Departments recap 2018
Blue Ridge, Ga. – At the most recent Board of Commissioners (BOC) meeting, the public got to hear first hand the accomplishments of several departments within the Fannin County government. Among the departments represented was the Blue Ridge Mountains Arts Association, Land Development, Animal Control, Emergency Management Agency, Fire Department, Recreation Department, and Public Works. […]
Read More »Fannin County School System aces SPLOST audit
Blue Ridge, Ga. – An audit of the Fannin County School System’s SPLOST (Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax) collection and spending has shown that the district is being good stewards of these funds. Fannin County School Superintendent Dr. Michael Gwatney explained the purposes of the independent audit were a requirement by the state when […]
Read More »Feed Fannin celebrates 10 years of service
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Feed Fannin is celebrating 10 years of serving Fannin County and throughout the years the all volunteer organization has grown and become a template for other projects across the state of Georgia. Feed Fannin was founded in 2009 by Barbara Ferer who had a vision of bringing individuals together to “educate […]
Read More »Bond denied for accused McKinney killer
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Only one of the four accused in the McKinney murder case sought bond after the preliminary hearing took place in a Fannin County Courtroom. Appalachian Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Brenda Weaver presided over the case and as the preliminary hearing came to a close stated, “The Court does find that […]
Read More »“Pop and Rob”: McKinney murder motive revealed by prosecution
Blue Ridge, Ga. – The prosecution painted a picture of what took place in the early morning hours of Dec. 4, 2018 that left one Fannin County resident, Justin McKinney, dead and another, Anna Franklin, seriously injured. According to the state’s findings, the McKinney murder was not a case of revenge but rather a cold […]
Read More »Previous standoff foreshadows double murder in Morganton
Blue Ridge, Ga. – A community was shocked to hear the news of a double murder in the small town of Morganton, Ga. The victims Amber Jackson, a young mother, and her child, 3 year old Ethan Jackson were found deceased from gunshot wounds on the front steps of an apartment residence located off of […]
Read More »Two adults have now been arrested in McKinney Murder Case
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Two more have been arrested in the McKinney murder case. Twenty year old Michael Chase Havard and twenty year old Kevin Jack Chamaty. Both individuals are being charged with murder. Attention was first drawn to Havard and Chamaty when Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) Special Agent Jamie Abercrombie testified at an […]
Read More »Where will the new Iron Bridge be? Citizens voice their opinion over placement.
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Citizens united to express concerns over the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) initial plans to replace the Shallowford Bridge or “Iron Bridge” located off of Aska Road, and now they unite once again to present solutions rather than complaints to GDOT about the future of the Aska Adventure Area. Originally the […]
Read More »Double murder in Morganton. Suspect in custody.
Blue Ridge, Ga. – The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) is now releasing the names of the victims of a double murder that took place on Monday, March 4 in Morganton, Ga. The Fannin County Sheriff’s Office requested assistance from the GBI upon responding to a 911 call of shots fired on Underwood Road. According […]
Read More »Grand Jury indicts those accused in McKinney murder
Blue Ridge, Ga. – A Grand Jury made up of 20 members convened on Feb. 20 and officially indicted those accused in the conspiracy to murder Justin McKinney. Testimony regarding the findings of the investigation was presented to the Grand Jury. Among those to testify were special agents with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI), […]
Read More »Aska Road clean up scheduled for Spring – Press Release
Fannin Spring Clean-up / Aska Road Saturday, April 6, 9am Let’s stem the tide of litter in this beautiful mountain county! To help Fannin County become a safer, healthier and even better place to live, work and play, a series of community events to clean up litter in Fannin County is in the works. The […]
Read More »Advanced Disposal contract up for discussion
Blue Ridge, Ga. – Tony Sidebotham, Advanced Disposal Operations Manager for the North Georgia Area, met with the Board of Commissioners (BOC) recently to discuss the terms of the upcoming waste disposal contract renewal. The current contract was signed and agreed upon 2016, and is up for renewal on Sept. 1 of this year. According […]
Read More »40 years to serve 15: Cloer accepts plea deal in McKinney murder case
Blue Ridge, Ga. – There was a noticeable absence at the preliminary hearing that was held regarding the death of Justin McKinney and the deadly assault of Anna Franklin. In the courtroom were Blake Dickey (also known as Blake Dye), Hunter Hill, and attorney Bruce Harvey who spoke on behalf of his client Levi Manuel. […]
Read More »City of Blue Ridge creates Downtown Development Authority
Blue Ridge, Ga. – A Downtown Development Authority (DDA) could be in the near future for the City of Blue Ridge. Opposition from some to creating this organization became overshadowed by the need for the city to obtain more funding, and certain funding and grants can only be obtained by a DDA. Beyond gathering extra […]
Read More »Fannin County opens door for competition in waste removal pricing
Blue Ridge, Ga. – The Fannin County Board of Commissioners (BOC) began the process of opening up the way for competition when it comes to waste removal in the county. Recent commission meetings showed much discussion about the current contract with Advanced Disposal. The contract set to expire on Sept. 1 of this year, requires […]
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