Local

Gilmer Animal Shelter Director Daniel Laukka, left, is pictured with Friends of the Gilmer Animal Shelter (FOGAS) members Bill Schmid, Sylvia Harris, Jack Peaden and Bob Dolloff in front of the animal shelter’s new training and adoption building, also seen below.

Gilmer Animal Shelter Director Daniel Laukka, left, is pictured with Friends of the Gilmer Animal Shelter (FOGAS) members Bill Schmid, Sylvia Harris, Jack Peaden and Bob Dolloff in front of the animal shelter’s new training and adoption building, also seen below.

New animal shelter training, adoption building donated

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, May 31, 2023
A standalone building recently donated to the Gilmer County Animal Shelter by its “friends of” support group will help to better facilitate pet adoptions and training for adoptable dogs.
Crosses commemorating deceased Gilmer County veterans line South Main Street.

Crosses commemorating deceased Gilmer County veterans line South Main Street.

Memorial Day tradition

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Members of Ellijay American Legion Post 82 put up more than 1,100 white crosses along the roadside in advance of Memorial Day. Each cross bears the name of a deceased veteran who was either originally from Gilmer County or lived here when they passed.
As construction of the new Gilmer County Swimming Pool continues, crews work to complete wiring and pipe installation on the site’s deep well, at left. At right, is the lap pool, which will be the site’s biggest swimming area.

As construction of the new Gilmer County Swimming Pool continues, crews work to complete wiring and pipe installation on the site’s deep well, at left. At right, is the lap pool, which will be the site’s biggest swimming area.

Pool builders shooting for July finish

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
As it begins to look like summer outside, the crater of earth behind the Gilmer County Civic Center is beginning to look like a swimming pool (again). That will be even more true after the first pouring of concrete at the site, which is expected to be done this week if weather allows.
Some of Gilmer County native Thurlo McClure’s squad members in Vietnam were, from left, Roger Vonholdt (had both legs blown off in an artillery barrage), John Beck (recently passed away from Agent Orange-related cancer, according to Cpl. John Verton), John Prostio (shot in the hip and med-evacked, never to return) and McClure (holding helmet, killed in action not long after the photo was taken).

Some of Gilmer County native Thurlo McClure’s squad members in Vietnam were, from left, Roger Vonholdt (had both legs blown off in an artillery barrage), John Beck (recently passed away from Agent Orange-related cancer, according to Cpl. John Verton), John Prostio (shot in the hip and med-evacked, never to return) and McClure (holding helmet, killed in action not long after the photo was taken).

Gilmer native’s actions in Vietnam War called ‘heroic’

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Maria McClure tried to walk in her father’s shoes as a toddler, and remembers him sweeping her off her feet and tossing her into the air. It would be her only memory of him. U.S. Marine Corporal Thurlo Merida McClure was killed in action in Vietnam on August 16, 1967.
Gilmer High celebrated students and seniors (above) in its life skills transition program with a graduation ceremony and lunch (below) last Wednesday. This year’s super seniors included Jacob Powell, Sidney Clemmons, Shelby Clemmons, Veronica Bautista and Mary Bowman.

Gilmer High celebrated students and seniors (above) in its life skills transition program with a graduation ceremony and lunch (below) last Wednesday. This year’s super seniors included Jacob Powell, Sidney Clemmons, Shelby Clemmons, Veronica Bautista and Mary Bowman.

GHS holds graduation, celebration for life skills transition students

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
It was an afternoon of celebration and appreciation for Gilmer High. The school recognized graduating students in its life skills transition program last Wednesday at the ETC Pavilion.
The interior of a historic building at 127 Dalton Street awaits extensive renovation, which will turn it into the new home of the Gilmer Arts Gallery.

The interior of a historic building at 127 Dalton Street awaits extensive renovation, which will turn it into the new home of the Gilmer Arts Gallery.

Renovation of future Gilmer Arts Gallery space underway

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Work has begun to transform an old Dalton Street building into the new Gilmer Arts Gallery.
At a groundbreaking event, Dr. William Raisig, second from left, describes the purpose of a new aquatic center that will be constructed behind the Raisig Clinic and Wellness Center in East Ellijay. Pictured, from left: Raisig Clinic Assistant Director Sandy Bowling, Dr. Raisig, East Ellijay Mayor Don Callihan and Gilmer Chamber CEO Jennifer Grimmer.

At a groundbreaking event, Dr. William Raisig, second from left, describes the purpose of a new aquatic center that will be constructed behind the Raisig Clinic and Wellness Center in East Ellijay. Pictured, from left: Raisig Clinic Assistant Director Sandy Bowling, Dr. Raisig, East Ellijay Mayor Don Callihan and Gilmer Chamber CEO Jennifer Grimmer.

Aquatic wellness center will be a first for county

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
An aquatic wellness center that will be unique not only to Gilmer County, but maybe to the entire country, will soon be built in East Ellijay. Dr.
Kent Sanford, of the Gilmer Initiative for Community Housing, standing, explains a new effort to build a workforce housing apartment complex, funded in part by state-issued tax credits, to Ellijay City Councilmembers and Mayor Al Hoyle.

Kent Sanford, of the Gilmer Initiative for Community Housing, standing, explains a new effort to build a workforce housing apartment complex, funded in part by state-issued tax credits, to Ellijay City Councilmembers and Mayor Al Hoyle.

Ellijay council hears future plans for workforce housing

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
Ellijay City Councilmembers heard about plans for possible construction of a workforce housing apartment complex during a workshop that preceded the Monday, May 15, council meeting.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

East Ellijay council gets first look at next budget

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, May 24, 2023
East Ellijay City Councilmembers reviewed the city’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year and approved moving some financial assets when meeting last Wednesday. The city’s all funds budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which starts July 1, is $2.6 million.