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Cristin “Scarlet” Combs works on sewing a hand-stitched stuffed animal for a friend who’s expecting a baby. A former foster child whose name was changed after adoption, Combs has been trying for several years, but is still unable to obtain a copy of her birth certificate and a Social Security card.

Cristin “Scarlet” Combs works on sewing a hand-stitched stuffed animal for a friend who’s expecting a baby. A former foster child whose name was changed after adoption, Combs has been trying for several years, but is still unable to obtain a copy of her birth certificate and a Social Security card.

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Screaming underwater, waiting on an answer

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Everybody calls her “Scarlet,” but a young Ellijay woman isn’t giving up a seemingly endless quest to obtain proof of identity under another name. Scarlet Combs, 23, was born Cristin Albritton, but her last name was changed when she was a teenager, long before she took her current married name.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

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Water board OKs wastewater plant repairs

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, February 15, 2023
Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority board members approved expenses for emergency repairs already done to a ruptured sludge line at the wastewater treatment plant and future repairs at the wastewater plant when meeting last Monday.
Gilmer Chamber Citizen of the Year Trent Sanford is shown with the 2023 COTY award after receiving it at the chamber’s recent gala and awards reception.

Gilmer Chamber Citizen of the Year Trent Sanford is shown with the 2023 COTY award after receiving it at the chamber’s recent gala and awards reception.

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Sanford proud to be chamber’s COTY

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
The Gilmer Chamber named a longtime member of numerous local civic groups its Citizen of the Year (COTY), while also recognizing its Member and Business of the Year, at the chamber’s annual meeting and award reception Saturday, Jan. 28.
University of Georgia senior Sara Mosley has been named preseason All-SEC and one of the top 50 players in the country by Softball America. (Photo Courtesy of Tony Walsh)

University of Georgia senior Sara Mosley has been named preseason All-SEC and one of the top 50 players in the country by Softball America. (Photo Courtesy of Tony Walsh)

Mosley named preseason All-SEC

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
University of Georgia senior Sara Mosley has been voted to the preseason All-Southeastern Conference softball team. Mosley, a Gilmer High alum, has had a stellar career for the Bulldogs.
Rep. Johnny Chastain

Rep. Johnny Chastain

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Chastain wins runoff to represent 7th district

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
Johnny Chastain will represent Gilmer County, along with Fannin and a portion of Dawson, as the representative of the Georgia House 7th District. Chastain won the total vote in a runoff election garnering 4,565 votes while Sheree Ralston received 4,085.
The proposed route for Georgia Transmission’s Whitepath Electric Reliability Project, which will run mostly along Highway 515, begins at Industrial Boulevard and ends near Cherry Log Street.

The proposed route for Georgia Transmission’s Whitepath Electric Reliability Project, which will run mostly along Highway 515, begins at Industrial Boulevard and ends near Cherry Log Street.

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Hwy. 515 power line construction may start in fall

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
A 46-kV subtransmission power line that will run alongside Highway 515 is still in the planning stages, but construction on the project could begin as early as this fall.
Sally Daniels

Sally Daniels

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State resolution honors Ellijay’s Daniels

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
A late Gilmer County business owner who was an avid volunteer for several different local civic organizations was honored as part of fairly recent state legislation, but that news is just now being heard by her family.
Newly elected Rep. Johnny Chastain

Newly elected Rep. Johnny Chastain

Chastain speaks following victory

(not verified)
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
(By Glenn Harbison, Publisher, News-Observer) “It’s very important that we represent everyone in this district,” Johnny Chastain told the crowd gathered for the annual Fannin County Republican Party Valentine’s Day Dinner Saturday night.
Ellijay Mayor Al Hoyle, left, and metalworker Tommy Cofield, right, look on as a cupola that Cofield built is placed atop the restroom building at Harrison Park last week.

Ellijay Mayor Al Hoyle, left, and metalworker Tommy Cofield, right, look on as a cupola that Cofield built is placed atop the restroom building at Harrison Park last week.

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Relief is in sight

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, February 8, 2023
It’s been a long, bumpy road toward having public rest room facilities at downtown Ellijay’s walking park. Now, it looks like relief is finally in sight.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

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County growth shown in new addresses, building permits

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, February 1, 2023
It will be seven years before the next U.S. Census compares Gilmer County’s population to what was measured in 2020, but recent high numbers for new 911 addresses and residential building permits offer some insight into the county’s growth.