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Toys for Tots coordinator, U.S. Marine Sgt. AJ LeCompte, noted there is room for 32 volunteers to wrap Christmas toys on the second floor of Truist Bank in East Ellijay, although at one time they accommodated 38 wrappers. He said Gilmer County was the only site in the country out of 836 Toys for Tots locations where the toys are wrapped. LeCompte said more than 10,000 Gilmer County children have been assisted in the past 15 years, with 3,465 kids total in the last two years.

Toys for Tots coordinator, U.S. Marine Sgt. AJ LeCompte, noted there is room for 32 volunteers to wrap Christmas toys on the second floor of Truist Bank in East Ellijay, although at one time they accommodated 38 wrappers. He said Gilmer County was the only site in the country out of 836 Toys for Tots locations where the toys are wrapped. LeCompte said more than 10,000 Gilmer County children have been assisted in the past 15 years, with 3,465 kids total in the last two years.

Gilmer Toys for Tots donates almost 6,000 toys

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Monday, December 30, 2024
A local effort to supply toys for underprivileged children at Christmas reached its 15th year in 2024, and utilized dozens of volunteer gift wrappers and a heavy-metal rock concert to raise funds. Gilmer County Toys for Tots coordinator, U.S. Marine Sgt.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

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Deputies awaiting autopsy results

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Monday, December 30, 2024
Gilmer County sheriff investigators are awaiting autopsy reports to determine the cause of death for a man found dead in early December. The body of  a 68-year-old male was found Dec. 1, half in a creek close to the Veteran’s Memorial Bridge at River Park in Ellijay on the soccer field side.
Kenzli and her grandmother take part in Shop with a Hero beside Santa Claus himself and Melissa Waddell of the sheriff’s office. (Contributed photos)

Kenzli and her grandmother take part in Shop with a Hero beside Santa Claus himself and Melissa Waddell of the sheriff’s office. (Contributed photos)

‘Shop with a Hero’ a tour de force of collaboration

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Upon viewing the recent parade of dozens of law enforcement vehicles — with a couple of school buses packed with kids staged in the middle — a downtown merchant posted online, “Gilmer County Shop with a Hero came by the bakery this morning. We love this town!
Firefighters taking part in the Ellijay/Gilmer County Firefighters for Kids Christmas shopping effort at Walmart are, from left, Capt. Chris Harrell, Sgt. Jon Henderson, Glenn Ballard, Sgt. Katherine Evans, Battalion Chief Terence Evans and Sgt. Tim Allison. (Contributed photos)

Firefighters taking part in the Ellijay/Gilmer County Firefighters for Kids Christmas shopping effort at Walmart are, from left, Capt. Chris Harrell, Sgt. Jon Henderson, Glenn Ballard, Sgt. Katherine Evans, Battalion Chief Terence Evans and Sgt. Tim Allison. (Contributed photos)

Firefighters for Kids Christmas carries on

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Because of a “soft spot in our hearts,” first responders of a non-law enforcement stripe have kept the Ellijay/Gilmer County Firefighters for Kids Christmas program going for 16 years. Battalion Chief Mike Dempsey of Gilmer Fire and Rescue began the effort in 2008.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

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Commissioners look to carve expenses from 2025 budget

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Gilmer County commissioners are going to have to do more than check under the sofa cushions for loose  change to balance the 2025 budget. Over the last two weeks, the board has met in an attempt to shave down next year’s maintenance and operating budget and the capital budget.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Gilmer Sheriff’s Office warns about ‘smishing’

News Staff
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Keep up with what packages you have on the way, the Grinch is out with a new scam this winter. The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning on its app last week to beware of holiday scams, most prominently ‘smishing.’ “You get an email or text, and it says you missed the delivery.
A deed book at the Gilmer County Courthouse shows the record of Martin Scalf’s donation of 10 acres for the creation of downtown Ellijay in 1833. The town was named the county seat the following year.

A deed book at the Gilmer County Courthouse shows the record of Martin Scalf’s donation of 10 acres for the creation of downtown Ellijay in 1833. The town was named the county seat the following year.

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Ellijay reaches 190 years as county seat

News Staff
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
By Whitney Sherrill, Contributing writer — On June 15, 1833, a blind man named Martin Scalf drew an “X” on a deed indicating his desire to donate 10 acres to “the Justices of the Inferior Court of Gilmer County Town of Elijay (sic)” for the construction of government buildings and development of...
Gilmer County Post Commissioner Hubert Parker (center) was honored with a plaque at his final regularly scheduled meeting by Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris and Post Commissioner John Marshall.

Gilmer County Post Commissioner Hubert Parker (center) was honored with a plaque at his final regularly scheduled meeting by Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris and Post Commissioner John Marshall.

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Commissioners to schedule public hearings

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Though no determination has been made about pulling Gilmer County out of HB581, commissioners have agreed to schedule the three public hearings outlined in the process. “We need to have those and get people’s input,” said Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris.