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Corinne Stoddard celebrates qualifying for the Olympics at the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in short-track speedskating on Dec. 19, 2021, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is the granddaughter of Don VanLandingham of Ellijay. (TeamUSA.com photo)

Corinne Stoddard celebrates qualifying for the Olympics at the 2022 U.S. Olympic Team Trials in short-track speedskating on Dec. 19, 2021, in Salt Lake City, Utah. She is the granddaughter of Don VanLandingham of Ellijay. (TeamUSA.com photo)

Olympic speed skater has Ellijay ties

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Don VanLandingham of Ellijay is on pins and needles during the current fortnight of the Winter Olympics. His granddaughter, Corinne ‘Corie’ Stoddard, is on skates as a world class short-track speedskater competing on the American team.
Tate Davis, right, and his father Austin Davis, left, enjoy a snowfall in Gilmer County. (Photos submitted by Austin Davis)

Tate Davis, right, and his father Austin Davis, left, enjoy a snowfall in Gilmer County. (Photos submitted by Austin Davis)

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Winter wonderland delights youngsters

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Adults often see only cold, inconvenience, delay and danger when snow falls in the mountains. Tate Davis, a17-month old boy, experiences snow for the first time. But kids can see a world of beauty.  “It’s an amazing experience when they’re that little,” local father Austin Davis said.
Habitat for Humanity volunteers and leaders work to build a house in front of the Georgia State Capitol. Shown from left are, front, Gilmer County Commissioner, Karleen Ferguson, Clint Carver, Johnathan Johnson, Alivia Richards, Jesse McElreath, Cole Bolinger, Kyle Gee and Habitat for Humanity Georgia President and CEO Donna Lusk; and, back, Audio, Video, Technology and Film teacher Robert Ferguson and Construction teacher BJ Chancey. (Contributed photos)

Habitat for Humanity volunteers and leaders work to build a house in front of the Georgia State Capitol. Shown from left are, front, Gilmer County Commissioner, Karleen Ferguson, Clint Carver, Johnathan Johnson, Alivia Richards, Jesse McElreath, Cole Bolinger, Kyle Gee and Habitat for Humanity Georgia President and CEO Donna Lusk; and, back, Audio, Video, Technology and Film teacher Robert Ferguson and Construction teacher BJ Chancey. (Contributed photos)

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Habitat for Humanity and students build house at Georgia Capitol

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Somewhere in DeKalb County, Georgia, a family will eventually move into a house built in front of the state capitol building. But it won’t be in the same location. This house owes its unusual journey to a special Habitat for Humanity event.
17-year-old Lucas Watson, left, receives a $1,000 check from Craddock Center Executive Director Kirk Cameron, right.

17-year-old Lucas Watson, left, receives a $1,000 check from Craddock Center Executive Director Kirk Cameron, right.

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Local teen wins children’s book writing contest

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Can a crab named Clarence learn to cooperate from a sponge named Saul? The only way to find out is reading “Clarence the Crab,” the winner of a children’s book writing competition hosted by The Craddock Center said.
Dianne Scoggins celebrates receiving the Gilmer Citizen of the Year Award.

Dianne Scoggins celebrates receiving the Gilmer Citizen of the Year Award.

Dianne Scoggins is Gilmer County Citizen of the Year

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
If there’s one thing Dianne Scoggins has learned from decades helping children in crisis, it’s to listen. “Most of the time, they just want somebody to listen rather than sit back and say, you need to do this, that and the other,” she said.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

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Proposed bill bans cell phones for Georgia high schools

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Technology changes, but students don’t. A new bill, House Bill 1009, would extend Georgia’s smartphone ban in school to include high school students. According to Gilmer County Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley, the bill is likely a good idea. But it will depend on the final product.
Morning snowflakes fall in Gilmer County Saturday, Jan. 31.

Morning snowflakes fall in Gilmer County Saturday, Jan. 31.

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Snow falls in Gilmer County

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Gilmer was bracing for snow two weeks ago, but the snowstorm arrived last weekend. In Talking Rock, it was a light dusting of snow, just enough to cover the ground. It was firm enough to form a tiny snowman. With snowfall and icy temperatures across the county, most people stayed off the roads.
Gilmer High School’s new Performing Arts Center will soon be complete, providing a great meeting place for the whole county.

Gilmer High School’s new Performing Arts Center will soon be complete, providing a great meeting place for the whole county.

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GHS Performing Arts Center will be complete by early July

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Soon, Gilmer County will have a new Performing Arts Center as a community hub. “We’re looking at it as a true community asset,” Gilmer County Schools (GCS) Superintendent Brian Ridley said. “It won’t just be for our use.” Builders are working on the center at Gilmer High School (GHS).