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Sgt. Lessie Sippel, of the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, left, shows Citizens’ Law Enforcement Academy class members some of the items, like evidence placards, that are used by the local criminal investigations team.

Sgt. Lessie Sippel, of the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, left, shows Citizens’ Law Enforcement Academy class members some of the items, like evidence placards, that are used by the local criminal investigations team.

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CLEA class goes in depth with county’s criminal investigation team

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Participants in the Gilmer Sheriff’s Office Citizens’ Law Enforcement Academy learned how real-life criminal investigations don’t usually mirror TV shows like “CSI” when hearing in-depth presentations from members of the county’s CID (Criminal Investigations Division) team at the past two weekly...
Georgia Family Connection Regional Manager Gabrielle Stewart, back, collaborates with Family Connection directors of Gilmer, Pickens and Fannin County during the first Journey to Action event at the Craddock Center. In front, from left: Sherry Morris (Fannin), Jacque Elwarner (Pickens) and Tiffany Watson (Gilmer).

Georgia Family Connection Regional Manager Gabrielle Stewart, back, collaborates with Family Connection directors of Gilmer, Pickens and Fannin County during the first Journey to Action event at the Craddock Center. In front, from left: Sherry Morris (Fannin), Jacque Elwarner (Pickens) and Tiffany Watson (Gilmer).

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Family Connection in three counties convene for Journey to Action event

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
Representatives of Family Connection chapters in Gilmer, Pickens and Fannin County convened at a recent first-time conference to discuss future priorities for the three community outreach nonprofits.
Gilmer Animal Shelter Director Daniel Laukka, left, is pictured with Friends of the Gilmer Animal Shelter (FOGAS) members Bill Schmid, Sylvia Harris, Jack Peaden and Bob Dolloff in front of the animal shelter’s new training and adoption building, also seen below.

Gilmer Animal Shelter Director Daniel Laukka, left, is pictured with Friends of the Gilmer Animal Shelter (FOGAS) members Bill Schmid, Sylvia Harris, Jack Peaden and Bob Dolloff in front of the animal shelter’s new training and adoption building, also seen below.

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New animal shelter training, adoption building donated

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
A standalone building recently donated to the Gilmer County Animal Shelter by its “friends of” support group will help to better facilitate pet adoptions and training for adoptable dogs.
Crosses commemorating deceased Gilmer County veterans line South Main Street.

Crosses commemorating deceased Gilmer County veterans line South Main Street.

Memorial Day tradition

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Members of Ellijay American Legion Post 82 put up more than 1,100 white crosses along the roadside in advance of Memorial Day. Each cross bears the name of a deceased veteran who was either originally from Gilmer County or lived here when they passed.
As construction of the new Gilmer County Swimming Pool continues, crews work to complete wiring and pipe installation on the site’s deep well, at left. At right, is the lap pool, which will be the site’s biggest swimming area.

As construction of the new Gilmer County Swimming Pool continues, crews work to complete wiring and pipe installation on the site’s deep well, at left. At right, is the lap pool, which will be the site’s biggest swimming area.

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Pool builders shooting for July finish

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
As it begins to look like summer outside, the crater of earth behind the Gilmer County Civic Center is beginning to look like a swimming pool (again). That will be even more true after the first pouring of concrete at the site, which is expected to be done this week if weather allows.
Some of Gilmer County native Thurlo McClure’s squad members in Vietnam were, from left, Roger Vonholdt (had both legs blown off in an artillery barrage), John Beck (recently passed away from Agent Orange-related cancer, according to Cpl. John Verton), John Prostio (shot in the hip and med-evacked, never to return) and McClure (holding helmet, killed in action not long after the photo was taken).

Some of Gilmer County native Thurlo McClure’s squad members in Vietnam were, from left, Roger Vonholdt (had both legs blown off in an artillery barrage), John Beck (recently passed away from Agent Orange-related cancer, according to Cpl. John Verton), John Prostio (shot in the hip and med-evacked, never to return) and McClure (holding helmet, killed in action not long after the photo was taken).

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Gilmer native’s actions in Vietnam War called ‘heroic’

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Maria McClure tried to walk in her father’s shoes as a toddler, and remembers him sweeping her off her feet and tossing her into the air. It would be her only memory of him. U.S. Marine Corporal Thurlo Merida McClure was killed in action in Vietnam on August 16, 1967.
Gilmer High celebrated students and seniors (above) in its life skills transition program with a graduation ceremony and lunch (below) last Wednesday. This year’s super seniors included Jacob Powell, Sidney Clemmons, Shelby Clemmons, Veronica Bautista and Mary Bowman.

Gilmer High celebrated students and seniors (above) in its life skills transition program with a graduation ceremony and lunch (below) last Wednesday. This year’s super seniors included Jacob Powell, Sidney Clemmons, Shelby Clemmons, Veronica Bautista and Mary Bowman.

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GHS holds graduation, celebration for life skills transition students

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
It was an afternoon of celebration and appreciation for Gilmer High. The school recognized graduating students in its life skills transition program last Wednesday at the ETC Pavilion.
The interior of a historic building at 127 Dalton Street awaits extensive renovation, which will turn it into the new home of the Gilmer Arts Gallery.

The interior of a historic building at 127 Dalton Street awaits extensive renovation, which will turn it into the new home of the Gilmer Arts Gallery.

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Renovation of future Gilmer Arts Gallery space underway

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Work has begun to transform an old Dalton Street building into the new Gilmer Arts Gallery.