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Nettie Craddock celebrates her 95th birthday surrounded by family. Shown from left are, first row, Nettie Craddock; and, second row, Laura McMahan and Cynthia Bailey; and, third row, John Craddock, Greg McMahan and Shane Reis.

Nettie Craddock celebrates her 95th birthday surrounded by family. Shown from left are, first row, Nettie Craddock; and, second row, Laura McMahan and Cynthia Bailey; and, third row, John Craddock, Greg McMahan and Shane Reis.

Craddock Center founder celebrates 95th birthday

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Over the last 25 years, the Craddock Center has grown into a resource for children across Appalachia.“I’m very proud of the Craddock Center,” Nettie Craddock said. “It’s much larger, and it’s done much more than what we thought when we started.
Ellijay Police Department Officer Allen O’Neal, left, and Oficer Dawson Young, right, receive their Police Commendation Awards for rescuing a runaway 12-year-old girl.

Ellijay Police Department Officer Allen O’Neal, left, and Oficer Dawson Young, right, receive their Police Commendation Awards for rescuing a runaway 12-year-old girl.

Ellijay officers awarded for saving 12-year-old girl

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Thursday, May 28, 2026
Heroism can begin with being perceptive and doing a little extra.That’s what happened on March 9, when Ellijay Police Department (EPD) Officer Dawson Young was driving home from work at roughly 2 a.m.
Matt Banks’s family celebrate after he received the Teacher of the Year Award. Shown from left are Gunner Banks, Lindsay Banks, Grey Banks and Matt Banks.

Matt Banks’s family celebrate after he received the Teacher of the Year Award. Shown from left are Gunner Banks, Lindsay Banks, Grey Banks and Matt Banks.

Matt Banks wins District Teacher of the Year

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Thursday, May 28, 2026
After 19 years of teaching, eight-grade physical science teacher Matt Banks has won District Teacher of the Year.“It’s really humbling,” Banks said of winning the award. “There’s a lot more people I feel are more deserving than I am, but it’s nice to be recognized.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

City of Ellijay plans road resurfacing

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Thursday, May 28, 2026
With some grant funding from the state, the City of Ellijay will soon be resurfacing several city roads.“I go around and try to pick out the ones that needed resurfacing the worst, and those were the ones that got top of the list this year,” Ellijay Mayor Al Hoyle said.
Pictured are GHS graduates who participated in the Life Skills Program. Top row from left are Joshua Ayers, Nyla Cooper, Alfredo Chavez and Michael Amerson. Bottom row are Stephen Harris, Riley Manders, Ava Jane Sanders and Emily Pendley.

Pictured are GHS graduates who participated in the Life Skills Program. Top row from left are Joshua Ayers, Nyla Cooper, Alfredo Chavez and Michael Amerson. Bottom row are Stephen Harris, Riley Manders, Ava Jane Sanders and Emily Pendley.

Life Skills Transition Program thrives

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Thursday, May 28, 2026
It was an afternoon of celebration and success for 10 Gilmer High seniors.The school recognized graduating students in its Life Skills Transition Program Thursday, May 14, at the Larry Walker Education Center’s Professional Training Center.
Deputy Savannah Banks celebrates her graduation alongside the Session 126 class of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.

Deputy Savannah Banks celebrates her graduation alongside the Session 126 class of the Georgia Public Safety Training Center.

Two Gilmer deputies graduate basic law enforcement training

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Monday, May 11, 2026
Pepper spray to the face, hard physical training, self-defense drills and vehicle pursuit tactics were all things that basic law enforcement training graduates could overcome.But it was impossible for the class to get their sweatshirts right, graduate Savannah Banks said.