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Times-Courier

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Fire risk high due to dry weather

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Even if it’s cold, fire risk can still be high. The National Weather Service warned last week that low humidity and high winds have made “extremely dangerous fire weather conditions” possible. Gilmer County Emergency Management (GCEM) gives these conditions a Red Flag warning Tuesday, Dec.
Cars navigate the intersection between Hwy. 282 and South Main Street near the Ellijay Dairy Queen.

Cars navigate the intersection between Hwy. 282 and South Main Street near the Ellijay Dairy Queen.

Dairy Queen light breaks down, a story in verse

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
‘Twas one night after Christmas in Ellijay town, and the Dairy Queen traffic light somehow went down. On Dec. 27, about 2 a.m., the Dairy Queen traffic light broke once again. In typical spirit of full insurrection, it flashed a red signal in every direction. Hwy. 282 and the South Main St.
Wyatt Hammond reads a book to Yoshi at the Gilmer County Animal Shelter Monday, Dec. 22.

Wyatt Hammond reads a book to Yoshi at the Gilmer County Animal Shelter Monday, Dec. 22.

Kids read to animals at Gilmer County Animal Shelter

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Dogs aren’t known for their ability to read, but they’re almost unrivalled at listening. As a Christmas treat, local children got to read to the dogs and other animals at the Gilmer County Animal Shelter.
Joshua Joya, left, and Eddie Martinez, right, put the finishing touches on the GA 515 and Old Hwy. 5 Restricted Crossing U-Turn.

Joshua Joya, left, and Eddie Martinez, right, put the finishing touches on the GA 515 and Old Hwy. 5 Restricted Crossing U-Turn.

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Georgia DOT changes Hwy. 515 and Old Hwy. 5 intersection

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
A small change to a dangerous local intersection has just made Gilmer County a little bit safer, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). The connection between Hwy. 515 and Old Hwy. 5 has been replaced with a Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT). The new GA 515 and Old Hwy.
Resident Shirley McKin, left, won second place at the Parkside Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation’s ugly Christmas sweater contest. Her daughter, Cheryl Adams, right, celebrates her victory.

Resident Shirley McKin, left, won second place at the Parkside Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation’s ugly Christmas sweater contest. Her daughter, Cheryl Adams, right, celebrates her victory.

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Ugly Christmas Sweater contest brings smiles to retirement home

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Ugly Christmas sweaters can still bring the beauty of laughter. Resident Trish Segers won first place at the Parkside Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation’s ugly Christmas sweater contest.
Two rescue pigs, Bob, left, and Steve, right, spend time together on Deb Logan’s Southeast Llama Rescue foster farm.

Two rescue pigs, Bob, left, and Steve, right, spend time together on Deb Logan’s Southeast Llama Rescue foster farm.

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Shelter seeks home for pigs

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Hogs and dogs may be just one letter apart, but they have very different needs. That’s why it was a crisis when the Gilmer County Animal Shelter (GCAS) received eight pigs after a welfare check on Monday, Aug. 4.
Emily Beck’s Giving Tree is decorated with family requests for presents and needs.

Emily Beck’s Giving Tree is decorated with family requests for presents and needs.

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Christmas giving tree fundraiser brings in $5,000

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
When Emily Beck set up a charity tree to provide for kids in need, she thought she’d be lucky to help 25 kids. She ended up giving gifts to 114. “The first 25 orders were filled so quickly, within the first week and a half of having it they were all completely taken,” she said.
Katherine Evans of Gilmer Fire and EMS, left, and Clear Creek Elementary School student Eowyn Stevenson, right, take their Shop with a Hero trip Saturday, Dec. 13, together to celebrate Christmas.

Katherine Evans of Gilmer Fire and EMS, left, and Clear Creek Elementary School student Eowyn Stevenson, right, take their Shop with a Hero trip Saturday, Dec. 13, together to celebrate Christmas.

Shop with a Hero brings joy

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
A gathering of first responders and students has been a key feature of Christmas in Gilmer County for the last seven years. “We want to give back to the community. It reminds me of why I do this, and why I’ve been doing this for 30 years,” said Ellijay Police Department (EPD) Captain Ray Grace.