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Ellijay Downtown Development Authority members Reece Sanford, standing, Ellen Grant, Keith Nunn and Josh Moyers heard feedback from local businessowners and residents during a town hall meeting at the First Baptist Church Fellowship hall last week.

Ellijay Downtown Development Authority members Reece Sanford, standing, Ellen Grant, Keith Nunn and Josh Moyers heard feedback from local businessowners and residents during a town hall meeting at the First Baptist Church Fellowship hall last week.

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Downtown parking town hall draws questions, suggestions

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Almost 40, including several downtown Ellijay business owners, attended a Tuesday town hall meeting  to hear details and give feedback about an upcoming trial period during which parking spaces in front of shops on the downtown roundabout will be inaccessible.
Grand champion drum majors, from left, Ashlee Lopez, Dakota Brown and Alba Monraga-Telles are shown with trophies they earned at the competition.

Grand champion drum majors, from left, Ashlee Lopez, Dakota Brown and Alba Monraga-Telles are shown with trophies they earned at the competition.

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GHS Marching Band crowned grand champions at Bowdon Invitational

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
The Gilmer High School Marching Band swept an invitational competition in Carroll County last weekend. David Wiebers, GHS band director, said the marching band finished with top honors, and then some, at the Bowdon Invitational held Saturday at Bowdon High School.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

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Labor shortage hits Gilmer Schools

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
The Gilmer County School System is looking to hire. Labor shortages around the country have been common during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Gilmer County is no exception. Gilmer Schools are in need of substitute teachers, custodians and bus drivers, according to superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Tennessee man killed in crash

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
A Tennessee man was killed in a crash in Gilmer County. Ronald W. Bettis, 43, of Apison, Tenn., suffered fatal injuries in a crash which occurred Sunday, Sept. 26, at 12:27 p.m., according to Georgia State Patrol.
Following his memorial service at Ellijay First Baptist Church, Ron Gravett is escorted by members of the Special Operations Association Riders to Georgia National Cemetery in Canton on his final ride.

Following his memorial service at Ellijay First Baptist Church, Ron Gravett is escorted by members of the Special Operations Association Riders to Georgia National Cemetery in Canton on his final ride.

Green Beret combat vet Gravett escorted on final ride

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
While serving in Vietnam, Ron Gravett was awarded a Bronze Star with Valor for potentially saving the lives of several of his fellow soldiers during a Special Operations mission.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

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Ellijay council approves public safety pay increase

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
The Ellijay City Council approved a pay increase for city police and fire department employees when meeting Monday, Sept. 20, at City Hall.
Krystal Sumner, Gilmer Health Department nurse manager, preps a patient during last year’s drive-thru flu shot clinic.

Krystal Sumner, Gilmer Health Department nurse manager, preps a patient during last year’s drive-thru flu shot clinic.

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Drive-thru flu shot clinic back at ETC Pavilion Oct. 7

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Local residents will again be able to protect themselves against the flu without leaving their cars at an upcoming drive-thru flu shot clinic presented by the Gilmer Health Department. The drive-thru clinic will take place Thursday, Oct. 7, from 8 a.m -1 p.m., at the ETC Pavilion on Legion Road.
Family of the late Cecil Mathews are joined by Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, center, Gilmer Post Two Commissioner Karleen Ferguson, left, and Gilmer Chamber president Jennifer Grimmer, second from left, for a dedication of the bridge over Turniptown Creek now named in memory of Mathews.

Family of the late Cecil Mathews are joined by Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, center, Gilmer Post Two Commissioner Karleen Ferguson, left, and Gilmer Chamber president Jennifer Grimmer, second from left, for a dedication of the bridge over Turniptown Creek now named in memory of Mathews.

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Turniptown Creek bridge named for late sawmill owner Cecil Mathews

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Members of a local family are happy to see their father’s name on new markers for the Highway 515 bridge across Turniptown Creek. Georgia House Speaker David Ralston recently joined several members of that family to unveil the new signs and dedicate the Cecil Mathews Memorial  Bridge.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

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Gilmer Board of Health hears COVID case, vaccine updates

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Gilmer County is still seeing a high rate of new COVID-19 cases, but that number has declined recently, the director of the North Georgia Health District (NGHD) reported as the Gilmer County Board of Health met via teleconference last Tuesday.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

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School bus mask mandate continues

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
Gilmer Schools have continued to see a decline in COVID quarantines and positive cases since both peaked Aug. 23. Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley said Monday afternoon there are currently 195 students in quarantine, down from 1,100 four weeks ago.