Local

Times-Courier

Times-Courier

County starts process to raise hotel/motel tax

Gilmer County will ask its state delegation to begin the process of raising the hotel/motel/lodging tax for the county. A unanimous vote at a special called meeting Dec. 21, asked for local legislation to raise the hotel/motel/lodging tax from 5 percent to 8 percent.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Second DDA town hall for downtown parking set

Following a test period where several parallel parking spaces on River Street were blocked to gauge the impact on public safety, the Ellijay Downtown Development Authority will hold another town hall meeting to receive feedback and comments from the local community.
Clear Creek Elementary staff receive toys for students from Gilmer, Fire and Rescue and the Ellijay Fire Department last week.

Clear Creek Elementary staff receive toys for students from Gilmer, Fire and Rescue and the Ellijay Fire Department last week.

‘Record year’ for firefighter toy drive

Local firefighters and EMS workers faced a different sort of challenge last week as they steered buggies and Christmas shopped for hundreds of local elementary school-age children.
Melody Parkhurst plans to fill and donate stockings for local single mothers this Christmas.

Melody Parkhurst plans to fill and donate stockings for local single mothers this Christmas.

Christmas stockings for single moms goal of local woman

What was once a source of holiday sadness now inspires an Ellijay woman to fill stockings for single mothers at Christmastime. Melody Parkhurst, who recently moved here, began that selfless task last year in her hometown of Fort Walton Beach, Fla. This year, she’s busy filling stockings again.
Claude Mathis, of the Morganton-Mountaintown Baptist Association, left, and Dr. Richard Tanner, right, are shown assisting patients during a free medical clinic at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

Claude Mathis, of the Morganton-Mountaintown Baptist Association, left, and Dr. Richard Tanner, right, are shown assisting patients during a free medical clinic at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church.

Free medical clinics ongoing at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church

Free medical clinics that have long been held at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church weren’t curtailed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and sponsor, the Morganton-Mountaintown Baptist Association, wants Gilmer County residents to know the free clinics are still being held at the Ellijay church.
Dwight Sanford

Dwight Sanford

Sanford checks Christmas album off list

An Ellijay singer and guitarist has fulfilled a longtime aspiration, and it’s something also done by several of his musical heroes including Merle Haggard and The Beatles. Dwight Sanford recently wrapped up his first Christmas album, Merry Christmas Ellijay!
Sylvia Harris, of Friends of the Gilmer Animal Shelter, presents a check used for the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit to attend a recent training conference in Perry. Pictured, from left: David Ridings with K-9 Milo, Harris, Blue Patterson with K-9 Arlo and Frank Parks with K-9 Novak.

Sylvia Harris, of Friends of the Gilmer Animal Shelter, presents a check used for the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit to attend a recent training conference in Perry. Pictured, from left: David Ridings with K-9 Milo, Harris, Blue Patterson with K-9 Arlo and Frank Parks with K-9 Novak.

K-9 unit attends South Georgia training seminar

Three members of the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) K-9 Unit were able to take their four-legged partners on a recent trip to Perry, where all attended the 12th annual South Georgia K-9 Seminar. Held Nov.15-18 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Ag.
Santa (Joseph Sevcech), of Ellijay.

Santa (Joseph Sevcech), of Ellijay.

Santa on River Street

Santa (Joseph Sevcech), of Ellijay, sits on his motorcycle and brings a little Christmas cheer to River Street Thursday, Dec. 2.