Local

Emergency services personnel and supporters line up in front of a firetruck. Shown from left are, front row, Gilmer County Fire Department Deputy Chief of Operations Mike Dempsey, Commissioner John Marshall, Kevin Panter, Kim Blair, Tara Deen, Manager Robbie Harbour; and, back, Ellijay Police Chief Edward Lacey, Deputy Fire Chief Jason Bryant, Public Safety Chief Sam West, Austin Panter, Sheriff Stacy Nicholson, Stacie Nicholson and East Ellijay Public Safety Director Larry Callahan.

Emergency services personnel and supporters line up in front of a firetruck. Shown from left are, front row, Gilmer County Fire Department Deputy Chief of Operations Mike Dempsey, Commissioner John Marshall, Kevin Panter, Kim Blair, Tara Deen, Manager Robbie Harbour; and, back, Ellijay Police Chief Edward Lacey, Deputy Fire Chief Jason Bryant, Public Safety Chief Sam West, Austin Panter, Sheriff Stacy Nicholson, Stacie Nicholson and East Ellijay Public Safety Director Larry Callahan.

911 address signs help Gilmer EMS during emergencies

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, January 21, 2026
A high-visibility address sign can save your life and the lives of others.  “We’ll eventually have all of [Fannin County] and hope to have Gilmer,” local insurance agent Kevin Panter said of the signs.
Gilmer High School Assistant Manager Jackie Chadwick, left, and Manager Karen Pinson, right, prepare a salad bar including locally grown foods.

Gilmer High School Assistant Manager Jackie Chadwick, left, and Manager Karen Pinson, right, prepare a salad bar including locally grown foods.

Gilmer Schools improves lunches with local foods

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
The complexity of modern supply chains may connect us to the entire world, but there’s something special about local food. Gilmer County Schools (GCS) is making efforts to give kids more local produce in school lunches, and so far, students love it.
Terri Olsen sits down at her nearly 100-year-old sewing machine, a key tool for making beautiful quilts.

Terri Olsen sits down at her nearly 100-year-old sewing machine, a key tool for making beautiful quilts.

Quilters Against Cancer makes quilts for cancer patients

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Lori Fordham had just gotten difficult news about her cancer treatment.  “At that moment, I was just utterly defeated,” she said. “I even asked God out loud, ‘Why are you ditching me?’” Then, she and her husband heard the doorbell ring.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Farmers get discount on permits

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Gilmer County commissioners began the year by approving a discount for local farmers undertaking construction projects. In their first regular meeting of the year, the board voted on this and approved the second reading of a tweak to the zoning ordinance.
Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director Caitlin Neal celebrates a great holiday season for Gilmer County.

Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce Marketing Director Caitlin Neal celebrates a great holiday season for Gilmer County.

Holidays bring tourism wealth to Gilmer County

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
Visitors eventually leave Gilmer. But some of their money stays to benefit the local economy. Cell data from the Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce (GCCOC) reveals just how much Gilmer residents benefit from tourism.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Handguns found in road

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, January 14, 2026
In heaven the streets are paved in gold, but in Gilmer they seem to be paved in lost firearms. Last week is the second that a Gilmer resident has found a firearm near or on the street. In the first incident on Saturday, Dec.