Local

Election Results

Election Results

Johnny Chastain wins Georgia House seat

News Staff
Tuesday, January 31, 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 4,556 votes while Sheree Ralston received 4,080.
Janet Davis, Gilmer Mountain Education Dual Enrollment and Work-Based Learning Specialist, meets with student Hunter Holt.

Janet Davis, Gilmer Mountain Education Dual Enrollment and Work-Based Learning Specialist, meets with student Hunter Holt.

Mountain Ed. hoping to avoid closures

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Representatives of Mountain Education Charter High School (MECHS) are asking state legislators to change requirements of a Georgia Senate bill, which could cause a discontinuation of services at all 18 MECHS locations including the one in Gilmer County.
As of last week, the Gilmer Community Food Pantry’s pet food pantry was down to less than two weeks worth of pet food to distribute to clients.

As of last week, the Gilmer Community Food Pantry’s pet food pantry was down to less than two weeks worth of pet food to distribute to clients.

Pet food pantry feeling effects of shortage

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
A program at the Gilmer Community Food Pantry that’s given pet food to clients with dogs and cats the past two years is seeing a sudden decrease in the amount of bagged pet food received from the Humane Society. The Atlanta Humane Society is the pet food pantry’s largest contributor.
Kerry Sweat, left, receives his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu from Master Carlos Gracie Jr. during a graduation ceremony at the Gracie Barra headquarters in Florianópolis, Brazil.

Kerry Sweat, left, receives his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu from Master Carlos Gracie Jr. during a graduation ceremony at the Gracie Barra headquarters in Florianópolis, Brazil.

Ellijay jiu-jitsu grapplers reach black belt milestone in Brazil

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Two coaches at a local Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym recently returned from Brazil with black belts in the competitive martial art. That feat is impressive enough on its own.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

County budget approved for 2023

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, January 25, 2023
Gilmer County has an official operating budget for 2023. Commissioners passed the 2023 budget at a special meeting Jan. 20, by unanimous vote. Gilmer County’s maintenance and operations budget for 2023 will be $39,921,978. This is $8 million more than the $31,783,762 for 2022.
Boiled water advisory in effect

Boiled water advisory in effect

BOILED WATER ADVISORY LIFTED

News Staff
Tuesday, January 24, 2023
As of 8:00 a.m. today, Thursday January 26, 2023, the Ellijay-Gilmer County Water & Sewerage Authority (Authority) is lifting the Boiled Water Advisory issued on Tuesday January 24, 2023.
Amber Davenport, Ellijay United Community Bank vice president, left, and teller Rachel Bailey, right, are shown inside a mobile banking unit the local UCB branch is using while cleanup and repairs from recent water damage continue.

Amber Davenport, Ellijay United Community Bank vice president, left, and teller Rachel Bailey, right, are shown inside a mobile banking unit the local UCB branch is using while cleanup and repairs from recent water damage continue.

Bank on wheels being used

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
It’s not a construction trailer. It’s a bank on wheels. That’s a brief description of a mobile banking unit that Ellijay United Community Bank (UCB) has been using to serve customers after the bank received extensive water damage during the Christmas weekend deep freeze.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Residents of Rock Creek Road voice concerns

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
Residents of Rock Creek Road showed up to voice their opinions on bridges and short-term rentals to Gilmer County commissioners. Three residents of the area spoke about two bridges on their road which have been on the county’s list to repair or replace.
Ashley Jane Turner

Ashley Jane Turner

Two month investigation nets $24,000 worth of meth

News Staff
Wednesday, January 18, 2023
An Ellijay woman was arrested and four kilograms of methamphetamine were seized. “My deputies and drug agents made a dent in the methamphetamine availability in Gilmer County with this investigation,” said Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson.