Local

An Amicalola EMC crew works to repair a transformer during the deep freeze of Christmas week.

An Amicalola EMC crew works to repair a transformer during the deep freeze of Christmas week.

Winter freeze brought challenges

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
There’s cold, and then there’s Christmas week 2022 cold.
Gilmer Warming Center volunteers Joey and Laura Lyles set up cots for anyone who spends the night at the place of refuge from the cold inside the Civic Center.

Gilmer Warming Center volunteers Joey and Laura Lyles set up cots for anyone who spends the night at the place of refuge from the cold inside the Civic Center.

Warming center a lifesaver for several during deep freeze

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
A volunteer-run warming center provided a place for several Gilmer County locals and visitors to wait out the recent deep freeze. Located at the Gilmer County Civic Center, the warming center normally opens at 5 p.m. when temperatures dip below 30 degrees.
Ronald and Tina Watkins with grandson, Holden

Ronald and Tina Watkins with grandson, Holden

Watkins retires from BoE

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Longtime Gilmer County Board of Education member and chairman Ronald Watkins is joined above by wife Tina and grandson Holden Mata. Watkins hit the gavel for the final time at the Dec. 15 meeting, and he was recognized for his 19 years of service to the county.
Gilmer County Post Commissioner Karleen Ferguson was honored at her last regular meeting on Dec. 8, by Chair Charlie Paris and Post Commissioner Hubert Parker, though she was still pressed into service for a special called budget meeting. Ferguson’s four-year term ended in December. The seat will be filled by John Marshall who was sworn in Dec. 21.

Gilmer County Post Commissioner Karleen Ferguson was honored at her last regular meeting on Dec. 8, by Chair Charlie Paris and Post Commissioner Hubert Parker, though she was still pressed into service for a special called budget meeting. Ferguson’s four-year term ended in December. The seat will be filled by John Marshall who was sworn in Dec. 21.

Board nails down final details on 2023 budget

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
Gilmer County commissioners used a special meeting to nail down the final loose board on the 2023 budget. A total of $146,000 was the final sticking point going into the meeting Dec. 28.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Less than 3,000 voted early in District 7 election

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, January 4, 2023
As voters went to the polls Tuesday, Jan. 3, to elect Georgia’s next 7th District House Representative, less than 3,000 early ballots had already been cast in the three District 7 counties of Gilmer, Fannin and Dawson (where only one precinct is in the district).
Traffic slowly crossed the BC Logan Memorial Bridge on River Street Tuesday morning after snow fell the night before. (Photo by Michael Andrews/Mountain Life Editor)

Traffic slowly crossed the BC Logan Memorial Bridge on River Street Tuesday morning after snow fell the night before. (Photo by Michael Andrews/Mountain Life Editor)

Snow, freezing temps cause havoc

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
As night fell on the day after Christmas in Gilmer County, snow moved into the area and created problems for motorists and travelers. Vehicles lined the sides of many roads with hills Tuesday morning.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Environmental health fee hike requested to increase staff

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Short staffing and an increasingly busy schedule have caused the Gilmer County Environmental Health Office to fall behind on local restaurant inspections. Andrea Mathis, the county’s environmental health manager, gave that news to the Gilmer County Board of Health during a Dec.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Board of Health hears flu, COVID case updates

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Both COVID and flu case rates were down or starting to decline in Gilmer County prior to the Chirstmas holidays, members of the Gilmer County Board of Health heard during a Dec. 13 teleconference meeting. Dr.
Zach and Hope Bobak (of Trinity Custom Homes), Patterson, Arlo and Sheriff Stacy Nicholson.

Zach and Hope Bobak (of Trinity Custom Homes), Patterson, Arlo and Sheriff Stacy Nicholson.

Arlo latest addition to GCSO K-9 team

News Staff
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Arlo, a black German shepherd, is the latest addition to the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) K-9 team. Arlo was only 5 weeks old when local homebuilder Trinity Custom Homes donated him to the sheriff’s office.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Ellijay council OKs alcohol license, contract renewals

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, December 28, 2022
The Ellijay City Council finished off the year with some typical year-end business, including renewing several alcohol licenses and a few city contracts, when meeting Monday, Dec. 19. Approved alcohol licenses included a microbrewery license renewal for Cartecay River Brewing Co.