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Gilmer County Fire and Rescue Probationary Firefighter Deejay Meadows practices rope rescue during Special Operations training.

Gilmer County Fire and Rescue Probationary Firefighter Deejay Meadows practices rope rescue during Special Operations training.

How Gilmer County Fire Rescue handles Special Operations calls

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Getting lost is easy. Finding someone is difficult.That’s why Gilmer County Fire and Rescue conducts extensive Special Operations training for its personnel.“It’s a volunteer thing to decide to go into Special Operations,” Special Operations Division Chief Jeff Statham said.
Danny Hall, left, and Colonel Gary Engel, right, debate for Gilmer County’s Post Commissioner Two post.

Danny Hall, left, and Colonel Gary Engel, right, debate for Gilmer County’s Post Commissioner Two post.

Runoff election Post Commissioner candidates hold debate

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Gilmer residents watched the last in-person debate in the runoff election for Post Commissioner Two on Monday, June 8.For many, this debate hosted by the Gilmer Chamber of Commerce was the last chance to see candidates present their visions before the election on June 16.
Special Operations Division Chief Jeff Statham reveals Gilmer County Fire and Rescue’s new electric bikes.

Special Operations Division Chief Jeff Statham reveals Gilmer County Fire and Rescue’s new electric bikes.

Rides to the rescue

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Thursday, June 11, 2026
New electric bikes will give Gilmer County Fire and Rescue (GCFR) an effective tool for many situations.“There’s a lot of uses for them in the future,” said Special Operations Division Chief Jeff Statham.GCFR bought the two new bikes from RECON Power Bikes with a grant of about $10,000.
Sheriff Stacy Nicholson, left, celebrates the retirement of Deputy Lloyd “Kenny” Wiggins, right.

Sheriff Stacy Nicholson, left, celebrates the retirement of Deputy Lloyd “Kenny” Wiggins, right.

Deputy Kenny Wiggins retires from Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Thursday, June 11, 2026
After 31 years of service, Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO), Deputy Lloyd “Kenny” Wiggins has seen both wonderful and terrible things.“It’s been just a little over a week, and I miss it already,” he said.Wiggins is Gilmer’s fourth-longest serving GCSO officer.