Local

Micah is safely back home after a 30-mile round trip, the first half quite perilous. (Photo by Marti Burgess)

Micah is safely back home after a 30-mile round trip, the first half quite perilous. (Photo by Marti Burgess)

The incredible hitchhiking kitten

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
Around six months ago, Marti and Bob Burgess noticed a feral cat hanging around their property in southwestern Gilmer County, not far from Carters Lake. They knew it was hungry because it was getting into their garbage and stalking birds. Soon they learned more about their visitor.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

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New location, same focus for 2024 Night to Shine

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, January 3, 2024
A prom for people with disabilities and special needs will soon shift to a new location, while remaining under the same direction of Cartecay Baptist Church.  The Night to Shine event will take place for the first time at Victory Christian Center (VCC) Friday, Feb 9, from 6-9 p.m.
Representatives of Gilmer Fire and Rescue, Ellijay Fire Department, Ellijay Elementary School and Gilmer County Schools are shown with a delivery of toys that was part of this year’s Ellijay-Gilmer Firefighters Kids Christmas effort. Pictured, from left, back: Rylan Cochran, Alton Guidry, Dwayne McPherson, Andrew Mabry, Dr. Melinda Fonteboa, Tommy Vandiver, Katherine Evans, Sam West and Dustin Lovell; front: Mike Dempsey, Emerald Goble and Haley Gaddy.

Representatives of Gilmer Fire and Rescue, Ellijay Fire Department, Ellijay Elementary School and Gilmer County Schools are shown with a delivery of toys that was part of this year’s Ellijay-Gilmer Firefighters Kids Christmas effort. Pictured, from left, back: Rylan Cochran, Alton Guidry, Dwayne McPherson, Andrew Mabry, Dr. Melinda Fonteboa, Tommy Vandiver, Katherine Evans, Sam West and Dustin Lovell; front: Mike Dempsey, Emerald Goble and Haley Gaddy.

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Firefighters, others team up for Kids Christmas

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Teamwork makes the dream work. At a young age, schoolchildren learn this handy little phrase to help them cooperate and succeed in their tasks. Teamwork is also what makes a Christmas toy drive led by local firefighters come together each year just before the holiday school break.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

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Gilmer’s CCA does not get grant

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
For the second year in a row, Gilmer’s college and career academy narrowly missed out on an educational grant that has become increasingly scarce. The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) heard presentations from four school districts in November who were vying for one $3.1 million grant.
Curtis Edward McConnell, 42, of 32 Ridge Road, Ellijay, and Breanna Micaela Rodriguez, 28, of 353 Collette Street, Andrews, are both charged with multiple felonies involving drug sales.

Curtis Edward McConnell, 42, of 32 Ridge Road, Ellijay, and Breanna Micaela Rodriguez, 28, of 353 Collette Street, Andrews, are both charged with multiple felonies involving drug sales.

Ellijay man arrested in Fannin drug bust

News Staff
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
By Glenn Harbison, News-Observer Multiple drug charges have left a pair of suspects being held without bond in the Fannin County Jail following their arrests Monday, Dec. 11.
Outgoing Ellijay City Councilmembers Sandy Ott, left, and Katie Lancey, right, are pictured with Mayor Al Hoyle following their last council meeting.

Outgoing Ellijay City Councilmembers Sandy Ott, left, and Katie Lancey, right, are pictured with Mayor Al Hoyle following their last council meeting.

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Last meeting for two Ellijay councilmembers

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
The Ellijay City Council met for the last time in 2023 with a brief agenda and goodbyes to councilmembers Katie Lancey and Sandy Ott, both of whom will be coming off the council at the end of the year.  Lancey has served on the council since 1998 and Ott since 2020.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

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Water authority board hears year-end project updates

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority board members heard updates on continuing projects headed into 2024 during a brief end-of-year meeting Dec. 18.
From front left, Gilmer Arts board president Terry Ellis, Gilmer Arts director Pam Burns and Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley accept donation checks from Ellijay Songwriters Festival promoter Ray Green, right. The donated funds, which came from the May 2023 live music event, will be put toward programs offered by the two recipients.

From front left, Gilmer Arts board president Terry Ellis, Gilmer Arts director Pam Burns and Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley accept donation checks from Ellijay Songwriters Festival promoter Ray Green, right. The donated funds, which came from the May 2023 live music event, will be put toward programs offered by the two recipients.

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Local programs benefit from songwriter fest

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Some local music and arts programs will benefit from a live music event held around the county in May.  Last week, Ray Green, promoter of the Ellijay Songwriters Festival, presented two checks totaling almost $6,000 to Gilmer Arts and Gilmer County Schools.  Dr.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

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Piedmont plans new ER, medical facility

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
A big transformation is in store for local Piedmont health offices and a partially undeveloped piece of land off Highway 515.
Above left, David Jones, a state trooper from Gilmer County, left, was among the many local and area police and fire department representatives who participated in the fifth annual Shop With a Hero program. At right, East Ellijay Police officers Sgt. Noel Loera, back left, and patrolman Logan Bristol, back right, get ready to lead shopping trips at the East Ellijay Walmart during the fifth annual Shop With a Hero day.

Above left, David Jones, a state trooper from Gilmer County, left, was among the many local and area police and fire department representatives who participated in the fifth annual Shop With a Hero program. At right, East Ellijay Police officers Sgt. Noel Loera, back left, and patrolman Logan Bristol, back right, get ready to lead shopping trips at the East Ellijay Walmart during the fifth annual Shop With a Hero day.

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Shop With a Hero helps 77 Gilmer kids

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
The caravan of emergency vehicles that passed through Ellijay and East Ellijay early Saturday, Dec. 9, was a cause for celebration, not concern.  Thankfully, there was not a serious emergency situation at hand.