Local

Happy Veterans Day

Happy Veterans Day

Veterans Day celebration

Attention all veterans: Ellijay and Gilmer County will celebrate Veteran’s Day Monday, Nov. 11, from 8:30-10 a.m. at First United Methodist Church on Mccutchen Street.  Coffee and breakfast will be served by volunteers.
Madison Alina Grace Perez, Elizabeth “Rylie” Sue Henson, and Aspen Leigh Cagle

Madison Alina Grace Perez, Elizabeth “Rylie” Sue Henson, and Aspen Leigh Cagle

Three more face charges in death

Three more people, including a 15 year-old, have been charged in connection with the death of a Pickens County woman.  Madison Alina Grace Perez, 19, of Ellijay, was charged with felony murder. Elizabeth “Rylie” Sue Henson, 17, of Ball Ground, was charged with felony robbery.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Voting hours extended, turnout is high

As voting in the 2024 election enters the final week, extended hours have been announced for Gilmer County early voting. Gilmer County Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins said voting will run from 7:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. through Friday, Nov. 1.
The photographer almost walked face first into this huge Joro spider in the Frosty Mountain development in eastern Gilmer County (left, photo by Mark Millican). At right, this Joro spider in the Burnt Mountain area spanning Gilmer and Pickens counties shows off its intricate web that has captured a falling leaf (photo by René Wilder).

The photographer almost walked face first into this huge Joro spider in the Frosty Mountain development in eastern Gilmer County (left, photo by Mark Millican). At right, this Joro spider in the Burnt Mountain area spanning Gilmer and Pickens counties shows off its intricate web that has captured a falling leaf (photo by René Wilder).

Just in time for Halloween – Joro spiders invade Gilmer County

René Wilder sees a lot of wildlife in the Burnt Mountain area, but some newcomers — Joro spiders — are really putting on a display. “We’ve never seen this many before up here,” said Wilder, an ad rep for the Times-Courier. “Their webs are pretty amazing.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

GHS graduation rate ranks 10th in state

As graduation rates rise across the state, Gilmer High School ranks among the best. The Georgia Department of Education released graduation rates for all districts Oct. 8. Gilmer High’s four-year graduation rose from 92.9 percent last year to 98.4 percent in 2024.
Smoke rises from a small plane crash at the Gilmer County airport.

Smoke rises from a small plane crash at the Gilmer County airport.

Plane crash

Smoke rises from a small plane crash at the Gilmer County airport. Fire trucks can be seen responding to the incident which occurred Wednesday, Oct. 16, at noon. Four adults survived the crash with minor injuries, according to Gilmer County Assistant Fire Chief Jason Bryant.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Board tweaks short-term rental ordinance, sets fee

Gilmer County commissioners set the fee for short-term rentals in the county and added some safety tweaks to the short-term rental ordinance. A couple of short-term rental owners pushed back against changes in the work session and public hearing before the ordinance changes were made.
An overhead view shows the 2024 Georgia Apple Festival unfolding. (Gilmer Chamber photo)

An overhead view shows the 2024 Georgia Apple Festival unfolding. (Gilmer Chamber photo)

Apple Festival draws 55,000 attending

Clear skies and crisp fall weather helped bring a little over 55,000 people to the 53rd annual Georgia Apple Festival over the last two weekends. “It takes a community to put this thing on,” said Natalie Knight, festival manager.