Local

Crowds sample the food, handmade goods, art and activities of the Georgia Apple Festival Saturday, Oct. 11. The event’s first weekend experienced beautiful weather.

Crowds sample the food, handmade goods, art and activities of the Georgia Apple Festival Saturday, Oct. 11. The event’s first weekend experienced beautiful weather.

Georgia Apple Festival draws huge crowds

Nothing brings out the excitement of apple harvest like thousands of people celebrating together. At this year’s Georgia Apple Festival, 30,000 people attended in the first weekend alone, Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce President Kyle Ray said.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Ellijay council to lower millage rate

Ellijay residents will see a slight reduction in their city taxes next year if the presented budget passes. City Council members, minus Kevin Pritchett, and Mayor Al Hoyle presented the 2026 budget to an empty room at a special called meeting Oct. 13.
Rebecca Anderson shows off the Gilmer County Optimist Club’s scarecrows.

Rebecca Anderson shows off the Gilmer County Optimist Club’s scarecrows.

“Scarecrow Invasion” hits Harrison Park

A few rags and a bit of straw can hold a lot of personality. Jaunty poses, colorful clothing and dramatic backdrops help give each scarecrow in the Friends of Harrison Park (FHP) “Scarecrow Invasion” event something to set it apart.
Longtime trout fisherman David Cantrell shows off a net full of stocked trout.

Longtime trout fisherman David Cantrell shows off a net full of stocked trout.

Longtime fisherman says trout issues are connected to dams

There’s a clear difference between Gilmer trout fishing in the past compared to trout fishing today, one longtime resident said. Trout fisherman David Cantrell has been fishing here since he was a boy. Today, he is 72 years old. He is a fisherman and runs a business stocking brook trout.
Evie Lacey takes a walk with Shania, a dog at the Gilmer County Animal Shelter.

Evie Lacey takes a walk with Shania, a dog at the Gilmer County Animal Shelter.

Evie Lacey helps local pets with art, treats

She’s an artist, businesswoman and charity event organizer—and all at just 9 years old. “I try to raise at least $100 a month for the shelter,” Evie Lacey said. “I love dogs so much.” Over the last year, Evie has raised more than $1,000 for the Gilmer County Animal Shelter (GCAS).
This gun and baggie of methamphetamine were seized by the East Ellijay Police Department. (Submitted photo from Larry Callahan)

This gun and baggie of methamphetamine were seized by the East Ellijay Police Department. (Submitted photo from Larry Callahan)

East Ellijay Police Department finds gun and meth after arrest

A woman’s plea for help resulted in an arrest, the confiscation of a stolen gun and a seizure of methamphetamine. “It was a good call,” East Ellijay Police Department (EEPD) Assistant Chief of Police Shane Bowman said of the Oct. 1 incident. “Nobody was injured, nobody was hurt.
Current Isaiah House residents are working to recover from addiction as a community. Shown from left are, Adam, Chris, Dustin, Isaiah House Executive Director Sally Jeffery, Jeff and Jesse. The men in the program chose not to share their last names.

Current Isaiah House residents are working to recover from addiction as a community. Shown from left are, Adam, Chris, Dustin, Isaiah House Executive Director Sally Jeffery, Jeff and Jesse. The men in the program chose not to share their last names.

Isaiah House offers freedom from addiction

Sally Jeffery knows about addiction because her husband Ed was a cocaine addict. “Addiction doesn’t care who you are,” she said. While she was living in Florida, she started attending his Cocaine Anonymous 12-Step Program support group to find out how addiction affects people.
Friends of Gladys Dotson Spivey gathered Friday morning to dedicate a Stellar Pink Dogwood Tree in her memory at the Tabor House Museum. Spivey, active in the Gilmer County Genealogical Society, was 87 when she passed away in June.

Friends of Gladys Dotson Spivey gathered Friday morning to dedicate a Stellar Pink Dogwood Tree in her memory at the Tabor House Museum. Spivey, active in the Gilmer County Genealogical Society, was 87 when she passed away in June.

Gladys Spivey memorialized at Tabor House

Pam Johnson recalls meeting the late Gladys Spivey at the Tabor House Museum. “When I first started here years ago I was coming in to take care of the plants, that was my main goal,” she said.