Local

Don Callihan, left, is sworn in as East Ellijay Mayor by Gilmer County Probate Judge Scott Chastain, right. East Ellijay City Councilmembers Ed Forrester and Linda Smith are pictured in background.

Don Callihan, left, is sworn in as East Ellijay Mayor by Gilmer County Probate Judge Scott Chastain, right. East Ellijay City Councilmembers Ed Forrester and Linda Smith are pictured in background.

Callihan sworn in as East Ellijay Mayor

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Last week’s East Ellijay City Council meeting was a historic event with the first time a new city mayor had been sworn in since 1972. Any other time East Ellijay’s mayor had been sworn in during the past 50 years, it was longtime incumbent mayor Mack West taking the oath of office.
Ellijay police officers Kaleb Hensley, left, and Brian Stafford, right, received lifesaving awards from Chief Edward Lacey, center, at a recent Ellijay City Council meeting. Mayor Al Hoyle is pictured in background.

Ellijay police officers Kaleb Hensley, left, and Brian Stafford, right, received lifesaving awards from Chief Edward Lacey, center, at a recent Ellijay City Council meeting. Mayor Al Hoyle is pictured in background.

Two Ellijay police officers receive lifesaving awards

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Two Ellijay police officers were recognized for their lifesaving efforts in the line of duty as the Ellijay City Council met Monday, Feb. 20.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Commissioners talk about $9 million plan

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Gilmer County’s post commissioners used a special meeting to clarify some thoughts on a $9 million plan addressing several issues in Gilmer County. The plan was originally proposed by Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris at a board meeting Feb. 8.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Ellijay council OKs Legion Road rezoning, Old Northcutt annexation

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Ellijay City Councilmembers approved rezoning 7 acres on Legion Road for future subdivision use, as well as annexing property on the north end of the county into the city limits, when meeting Monday, Feb. 20.
During the 2019 Rise Against Hunger effort in Gilmer County, Boy Scouts of America Adventure Crew members, from left, Skyler Smith, Cadence Smith, Grant Cromwell (hidden), Zack Kepley and Olivia Miller package meals at the Civic Center. The 2023 event is this Saturday morning at the same venue.

During the 2019 Rise Against Hunger effort in Gilmer County, Boy Scouts of America Adventure Crew members, from left, Skyler Smith, Cadence Smith, Grant Cromwell (hidden), Zack Kepley and Olivia Miller package meals at the Civic Center. The 2023 event is this Saturday morning at the same venue.

Rise Against Hunger effort on Saturday seeking volunteers

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
A local endeavor to package meals for those in need that has been curtailed due to pandemic concerns in recent years will be back in full swing this Saturday morning.
A crew with the city street department collects cut limbs in front of shops on the roundabout.

A crew with the city street department collects cut limbs in front of shops on the roundabout.

Downtown tree trimming

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
Downtown Ellijay’s trees are being trimmed shortly before they begin to bloom for spring. Above, a crew with the city street department collects cut limbs in front of shops on the roundabout, while, at right, Tony Teague takes care of cutting limbs around the same part of downtown.
Sun shines through the rafters of the recently de-roofed Kay building, where an extensive renovation of the almost century-old former garage and car dealership continues.

Sun shines through the rafters of the recently de-roofed Kay building, where an extensive renovation of the almost century-old former garage and car dealership continues.

Kay building renovation restarted

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, March 1, 2023
The renovation of a historic  downtown Ellijay building at the corner of College and North Main Street has been on and off for a few years now, but a recent restart of the project is bringing new activity to the Kay building.
Gilmer County Schools

Gilmer County Schools

GHS STEM efforts recognized by state

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
For the second year in a row, Gilmer High has been recognized by the Georgia Department of Education. GHS was one of 273 schools from across the state to receive the distinction of an “Advanced Placement (AP) Honor School” by state school superintendent Richard Woods.
Huff’s Drug Store pharmacists Danny Postell, Justin Hildreth and Steve Purvis are shown with some of the Deterra pouches the local pharmacy is offering. Funded by an opioid abuse reduction grant from Mercer University, the pouches can be used to safely de-activate and dispose of certain prescription medications.

Huff’s Drug Store pharmacists Danny Postell, Justin Hildreth and Steve Purvis are shown with some of the Deterra pouches the local pharmacy is offering. Funded by an opioid abuse reduction grant from Mercer University, the pouches can be used to safely de-activate and dispose of certain prescription medications.

Gilmer in grant-funded program aimed at reducing opioid abuse

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Local representatives of a grant-funded program aimed at reducing opioid abuse are asking folks to take a good, hard look in their medicine cabinets and safely dispose of unneeded high-strength prescription meds.
Ashley Hoppers, Gilmer County Extension Agent, right, joins Georgia Forestry Commission employees including, from left, forester Ben Cobb, North Georgia Community Forester Lea Clark and Gilmer forester Richie Mullen to spread mulch around a newly planted serviceberry tree. The community tree planting was held in recognition of Georgia Arbor Day.

Ashley Hoppers, Gilmer County Extension Agent, right, joins Georgia Forestry Commission employees including, from left, forester Ben Cobb, North Georgia Community Forester Lea Clark and Gilmer forester Richie Mullen to spread mulch around a newly planted serviceberry tree. The community tree planting was held in recognition of Georgia Arbor Day.

Tree-minded groups team up for Arbor Day planting

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, February 22, 2023
Representatives from several local and regional groups happily got their hands and shovels dirty at a community tree planting held last week at Ellijay’s River Park.