The Forsyth County News – Your “Hometown Paper since 1908" – was founded by Joe Patterson in downtown Cumming.

With a distinguished history of serving the Forsyth County area, the Forsyth County News today is one of the fastest growing newspapers in the state. The Forsyth County News is the only paid circulation newspaper serving the Forsyth County market.

“Watch Cumming Grow and Forsyth County Improve” was on the banner of the newspaper in its early years. Today, the Forsyth County News remains committed to informing readers with news about the community, government, schools, churches, clubs and organizations.

In 1927, Roy P. Otwell purchased the Forsyth County News and the North Georgian, combining them as The Forsyth County News. Otwell remained chief editor and owner of the newspaper for 27 years. 

Charles Smithgall Sr. of Gainesville purchased the paper in 1954, and soon relocated the newspaper office to Dahlonega Street. It subsequently was operated from two different Dahlonega Street locations, then in December of 1998 was relocated to its current site, the renovated building of the former Cumming Hardware at 302 Old Buford Road.

The News Company, headquartered in Gwinnett County, owned the Forsyth County News from the early 1970s until 1987, when The New York Times purchased the Forsyth County News, The Winder News and the Gwinnett Daily News from The News Company

Swartz-Morris Media Inc., headquartered in Cumming, purchased the Forsyth County News, along with The Winder News and the Dawson Community News, from The New York Times in January 1994. Dennis Stockton was named group publisher and remains in that position in 2004.

Joining Stockton on the 2004 management team of the Forsyth County News are Norman Baggs, general manager; John Hall, publisher; Lisa Ferrell, advertising director; Garry Tinsley, circulation director; and Carlene Pass, office manager.

Kevin Atwill was named Editor in August 2007.

For most of its history the FCN was a weekly newspaper, but in the early 1980s it became twice-weekly, with the addition of a Sunday edition to the Wednesday publication. A Friday edition subsequently was added, and with the debut of the first Thursday edition on Nov. 5, 1998, the paper expanded to four days per week publication.

From a staff of 18 in 1994, the paper now has more than 40 employees.

Throughout its recent history, the Forsyth County News has repeatedly been recognized for excellence within the journalism community. It has won dozens of advertising and editorial awards in annual competitions sponsored by the Georgia Press Association.

The Forsyth County News also has been heavily involved in many community events and charities.