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Board votes to keep same millage rate

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
In a two to one vote, the Gilmer County Board of Commissioners voted to maintain last year’s millage rate of 5.5 mils. By Georgia state law, the board has to advertise this as a tax increase since the value of taxable property in the county went up.
Richard Holt, left, and Beverly Ratcliff look at some of the oldest grave sites in the Ellijay City Cemetery on a workday during which the two were straightening and repairing headstones of their family members.

Richard Holt, left, and Beverly Ratcliff look at some of the oldest grave sites in the Ellijay City Cemetery on a workday during which the two were straightening and repairing headstones of their family members.

Historic section of city cemetery getting attention

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Some of the oldest grave sites in Ellijay’s hilltop city cemetery are getting much-needed attention from folks with a shared interest in genealogy and local history. Beverly Ratcliff and Richard Holt have been teaming up at the cemetery that overlooks downtown Ellijay for a few months now.
“Life is Funny,” above, is the latest novel from Gilmer County author and humorist Kathi Harper Hill.

“Life is Funny,” above, is the latest novel from Gilmer County author and humorist Kathi Harper Hill.

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Family’s funny adventures continue in Hill’s new book

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
A local author is happy to bring back some of her most beloved characters in a sequel to a previous novel, even though that wasn’t what she originally planned. Kathi Harper Hill recently released “Life is Funny,” a sequel to her 2016 novel, “Bensy and Me.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

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Water authority urges customers to use new online payment link

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
By Michael Andrews Mountain Life Editor   The Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority is urging customers who pay their bill online to use an updated link on its website, which might require providing new login information.
Above, Michael Harrison, Barry Broadwater, Wendy Bell, Cathy Broadwater, Carol Harris and Julia Padgett work to install slotted concrete blocks and new boards in the DIG’s raised beds. (Contributed photo)

Above, Michael Harrison, Barry Broadwater, Wendy Bell, Cathy Broadwater, Carol Harris and Julia Padgett work to install slotted concrete blocks and new boards in the DIG’s raised beds. (Contributed photo)

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Master Gardeners celebrate library garden renovation

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, August 2, 2023
Gilmer County’s Master Gardner Extension Volunteers are about to mark a big chore off their summer checklist.
The Woodring Branch Road access to Carters Lake off Highway 282 was blocked for campers and boaters for awhile last week after turbulent storms raked Gilmer and Murray counties on the night of July 20-21.

The Woodring Branch Road access to Carters Lake off Highway 282 was blocked for campers and boaters for awhile last week after turbulent storms raked Gilmer and Murray counties on the night of July 20-21.

Violent storm downs hundreds of trees

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Mark Rollins was sitting on the porch of his house on Lakeland Drive last Thursday afternoon when the sky darkened prematurely. “It started around 5 o’clock, and I was thinking maybe my squash will get some rain today,” he said. However, it was more than rain.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

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Ellijay man drowns in Lake Allatoona

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
An Ellijay man drowned in a portion of Lake Allatoona in Cherokee County Thursday. Witnesses reported that Jackie Merrell, 54, was swimming out in the water to his dog when he went under. According to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (DNR), at approximately 9:45 a.m.
Members of a youth group from Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church in Duluth recently helped put up signage at a lot on Roberts Ridge Road that’s currently being developed for a Habitat for Humanity home. The youth group was hosted by the North Georgia Mission Lodge in Fannin County, a group that works with the Fannin-Gilmer County Habitat chapter. 

Members of a youth group from Pleasant Hill Presbyterian Church in Duluth recently helped put up signage at a lot on Roberts Ridge Road that’s currently being developed for a Habitat for Humanity home. The youth group was hosted by the North Georgia Mission Lodge in Fannin County, a group that works with the Fannin-Gilmer County Habitat chapter. 

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Habitat still needs qualified applicants

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, July 25, 2023
Grading and site preparation have begun for future construction of two Habitat for Humanity (HFH) homes in Gilmer County. However, the Habitat chapter that serves Fannin and Gilmer does not yet have qualified applicants for either home to be built on Roberts Ridge Road.