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Times-Courier

Times-Courier

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Controlled burns take place in Gilmer County

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Tom Govus found the landscape outside his house in Cartecay covered in thick smoke. “The last time it had been like this was when there was a big forest fire that burned thousands of acres,” he said. But the smoke wasn’t a forest fire, even if it felt stifling.
The future look of the Gilmer Veterans Memorial Wall rendered by architect Elena Maria Zas. The project is hoped to be completed by Memorial Day.

The future look of the Gilmer Veterans Memorial Wall rendered by architect Elena Maria Zas. The project is hoped to be completed by Memorial Day.

Groundbreaker held for Veterans Memorial Wall

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
A roll call of sorts was held at last week’s groundbreaking of what will soon become the Veterans Memorial Wall at River Park. Upon the wall will be inscribed: Don Murray, left, and Sandy Lyons were recognized for their contributions at Gilmer Veterans Memorial Park at a Memorial Day ceremony.
Bigfoot looks out over a lush wilderness landscape.

Bigfoot looks out over a lush wilderness landscape.

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Nearly a third of Gilmer residents believe in Bigfoot

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
His image decorates bumper stickers, coffee mugs and souvenirs across America. Some love him. Some hate him. Everyone argues about him. He’s not a politician. He’s Bigfoot. America’s most famous cryptid is a perennial conversation-starter in Gilmer County.
Eric Jason Watkins

Eric Jason Watkins

Man arrested on warrant

News Staff
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Gilmer County Sheriffs Office received credit for assisting in the arrest of a fugitive in Cherokee County, North Carolina. Eric Jason Watkins, 50, of Murphy, N.C., was arrested on a fugitive warrant from Virginia, according to a release from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
Left, Gilmer County author Nan Flickinger reads her children’s book, “Ellie J’s Apples.” Right, Gilmer County author Mary Encinias celebrates her birthday. (Contributed photos)

Left, Gilmer County author Nan Flickinger reads her children’s book, “Ellie J’s Apples.” Right, Gilmer County author Mary Encinias celebrates her birthday. (Contributed photos)

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Gilmer women write beautiful books

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Life experience and Gilmer County shape the work of local authors. Several of them will be featured in the upcoming Local Authors Forum event hosted by Friends of the Gilmer Library. The event will take place Saturday, April 25, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Gilmer County Library’s Community Room.
Evan Snyder stands next to his plane a day after misunderstanding a presidential restricted air space warning.

Evan Snyder stands next to his plane a day after misunderstanding a presidential restricted air space warning.

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Local pilot meets fighter jet in presidential airspace

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Gilmer pilot Evan Snyder got a shock when he saw an F-16 Fighting Falcon swoop past his cockpit. “You could see the missiles on the wingtips,” he said. “That was my sign to go home. Snyder is the co-owner of North Georgia Flight Training, a local aviation training and tour company.
Shown from left are Ben Arp, Ralph Cox, Curt Welch, George Winn, Jennifer Anderson, Fred McGill, Barbara Murray, Karleen Ferguson, Norma Lyons and Jan Wheeler.

Shown from left are Ben Arp, Ralph Cox, Curt Welch, George Winn, Jennifer Anderson, Fred McGill, Barbara Murray, Karleen Ferguson, Norma Lyons and Jan Wheeler.

A memorial groundbreaking

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Community leaders, veterans and veteran supporters start digging for a groundbreaking ceremony on a new memorial wall at Ellijay’s Veterans Memorial Park Tuesday, Feb. 24.
Cannery Supervisor Larry Young displays a set of canned foods produced at the Gilmer County Cannery.

Cannery Supervisor Larry Young displays a set of canned foods produced at the Gilmer County Cannery.

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Cannery produces 10,888 units of canned food

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Gilmer County Cannery has proven it can can. With a mix of heavy rains and dry weather in summer, it wasn’t the best year for agriculture. “We had an extremely wet May and June,” Gilmer County Schools agriculture teacher Michael Bushey said.