Local

As of last week, the Gilmer Community Food Pantry’s pet food pantry was down to less than two weeks worth of pet food to distribute to clients.

As of last week, the Gilmer Community Food Pantry’s pet food pantry was down to less than two weeks worth of pet food to distribute to clients.

Pet food pantry feeling effects of shortage

A program at the Gilmer Community Food Pantry that’s given pet food to clients with dogs and cats the past two years is seeing a sudden decrease in the amount of bagged pet food received from the Humane Society. The Atlanta Humane Society is the pet food pantry’s largest contributor.
Kerry Sweat, left, receives his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu from Master Carlos Gracie Jr. during a graduation ceremony at the Gracie Barra headquarters in Florianópolis, Brazil.

Kerry Sweat, left, receives his black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu from Master Carlos Gracie Jr. during a graduation ceremony at the Gracie Barra headquarters in Florianópolis, Brazil.

Ellijay jiu-jitsu grapplers reach black belt milestone in Brazil

Two coaches at a local Brazilian jiu-jitsu gym recently returned from Brazil with black belts in the competitive martial art. That feat is impressive enough on its own.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

County budget approved for 2023

Gilmer County has an official operating budget for 2023. Commissioners passed the 2023 budget at a special meeting Jan. 20, by unanimous vote. Gilmer County’s maintenance and operations budget for 2023 will be $39,921,978. This is $8 million more than the $31,783,762 for 2022.
Boiled water advisory in effect

Boiled water advisory in effect

BOILED WATER ADVISORY LIFTED

As of 8:00 a.m. today, Thursday January 26, 2023, the Ellijay-Gilmer County Water & Sewerage Authority (Authority) is lifting the Boiled Water Advisory issued on Tuesday January 24, 2023.
Amber Davenport, Ellijay United Community Bank vice president, left, and teller Rachel Bailey, right, are shown inside a mobile banking unit the local UCB branch is using while cleanup and repairs from recent water damage continue.

Amber Davenport, Ellijay United Community Bank vice president, left, and teller Rachel Bailey, right, are shown inside a mobile banking unit the local UCB branch is using while cleanup and repairs from recent water damage continue.

Bank on wheels being used

It’s not a construction trailer. It’s a bank on wheels. That’s a brief description of a mobile banking unit that Ellijay United Community Bank (UCB) has been using to serve customers after the bank received extensive water damage during the Christmas weekend deep freeze.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Residents of Rock Creek Road voice concerns

Residents of Rock Creek Road showed up to voice their opinions on bridges and short-term rentals to Gilmer County commissioners. Three residents of the area spoke about two bridges on their road which have been on the county’s list to repair or replace.
Ashley Jane Turner

Ashley Jane Turner

Two month investigation nets $24,000 worth of meth

An Ellijay woman was arrested and four kilograms of methamphetamine were seized. “My deputies and drug agents made a dent in the methamphetamine availability in Gilmer County with this investigation,” said Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson.
Deanna Carter, right, and buddy Emily Hall enjoy the first Night to Shine Prom held at Cartecay Baptist Church in 2020.

Deanna Carter, right, and buddy Emily Hall enjoy the first Night to Shine Prom held at Cartecay Baptist Church in 2020.

Night to Shine Prom returning to Cartecay Baptist

A prom for people with special needs will soon be held again at an Ellijay church following a two-year hiatus. Sponsored by the Tim Tebow Foundation, Night to Shine Proms are normally held in hundreds of churches across the country and abroad each year.
Volunteer and nurse Mary Young performs a blood pressure check during one of the mobile clinic’s previous stops at Faith, Hope and Charity Recycle Store. (Photo by Mark Millican)

Volunteer and nurse Mary Young performs a blood pressure check during one of the mobile clinic’s previous stops at Faith, Hope and Charity Recycle Store. (Photo by Mark Millican)

Mobile free clinic now partnering with health department

Volunteers who help staff a mobile health clinic that comes to Gilmer County monthly hope a change in location will increase the number of patients receiving care.