Local

Wyatt Hammond reads a book to Yoshi at the Gilmer County Animal Shelter Monday, Dec. 22.

Wyatt Hammond reads a book to Yoshi at the Gilmer County Animal Shelter Monday, Dec. 22.

Kids read to animals at Gilmer County Animal Shelter

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Dogs aren’t known for their ability to read, but they’re almost unrivalled at listening. As a Christmas treat, local children got to read to the dogs and other animals at the Gilmer County Animal Shelter.
Joshua Joya, left, and Eddie Martinez, right, put the finishing touches on the GA 515 and Old Hwy. 5 Restricted Crossing U-Turn.

Joshua Joya, left, and Eddie Martinez, right, put the finishing touches on the GA 515 and Old Hwy. 5 Restricted Crossing U-Turn.

Georgia DOT changes Hwy. 515 and Old Hwy. 5 intersection

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
A small change to a dangerous local intersection has just made Gilmer County a little bit safer, according to the Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT). The connection between Hwy. 515 and Old Hwy. 5 has been replaced with a Restricted Crossing U-Turn (RCUT). The new GA 515 and Old Hwy.
Resident Shirley McKin, left, won second place at the Parkside Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation’s ugly Christmas sweater contest. Her daughter, Cheryl Adams, right, celebrates her victory.

Resident Shirley McKin, left, won second place at the Parkside Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation’s ugly Christmas sweater contest. Her daughter, Cheryl Adams, right, celebrates her victory.

Ugly Christmas Sweater contest brings smiles to retirement home

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Ugly Christmas sweaters can still bring the beauty of laughter. Resident Trish Segers won first place at the Parkside Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation’s ugly Christmas sweater contest.
Two rescue pigs, Bob, left, and Steve, right, spend time together on Deb Logan’s Southeast Llama Rescue foster farm.

Two rescue pigs, Bob, left, and Steve, right, spend time together on Deb Logan’s Southeast Llama Rescue foster farm.

Shelter seeks home for pigs

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
Hogs and dogs may be just one letter apart, but they have very different needs. That’s why it was a crisis when the Gilmer County Animal Shelter (GCAS) received eight pigs after a welfare check on Monday, Aug. 4.
Emily Beck’s Giving Tree is decorated with family requests for presents and needs.

Emily Beck’s Giving Tree is decorated with family requests for presents and needs.

Christmas giving tree fundraiser brings in $5,000

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, December 30, 2025
When Emily Beck set up a charity tree to provide for kids in need, she thought she’d be lucky to help 25 kids. She ended up giving gifts to 114. “The first 25 orders were filled so quickly, within the first week and a half of having it they were all completely taken,” she said.
Katherine Evans of Gilmer Fire and EMS, left, and Clear Creek Elementary School student Eowyn Stevenson, right, take their Shop with a Hero trip Saturday, Dec. 13, together to celebrate Christmas.

Katherine Evans of Gilmer Fire and EMS, left, and Clear Creek Elementary School student Eowyn Stevenson, right, take their Shop with a Hero trip Saturday, Dec. 13, together to celebrate Christmas.

Shop with a Hero brings joy

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
A gathering of first responders and students has been a key feature of Christmas in Gilmer County for the last seven years. “We want to give back to the community. It reminds me of why I do this, and why I’ve been doing this for 30 years,” said Ellijay Police Department (EPD) Captain Ray Grace.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Commissioners pass 2026 budget

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
Gilmer County will enter 2026 with a budget. Commissioners passed the budget at a special called meeting Dec. 22. Following the motion and a second, Commissioner John Marshall asked to speak. “I’m very, very honored to have been part of this particular budget,” Marshall said.
The results of this year’s 2025 College and Career Ready Performance Index reflect well on Gilmer County Schools (GCS).

The results of this year’s 2025 College and Career Ready Performance Index reflect well on Gilmer County Schools (GCS).

Gilmer County Schools receive 2025 College and Career Ready Performance Index results

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
The results of this year’s 2025 College and Career Ready Performance Index reflect well on Gilmer County Schools (GCS). “We’re going to work with our teachers and our families and community,” Assistant Superintendent Lottie Mitchell said. “We always want to do better.
Discarded Christmas trees are piled for recycling during one of Keep Georgia Beautiful’s past events. Trees collected in Gilmer County will be used as fish habitat at Carters Lake.

Discarded Christmas trees are piled for recycling during one of Keep Georgia Beautiful’s past events. Trees collected in Gilmer County will be used as fish habitat at Carters Lake.

Keep Gilmer Beautiful helps fish with Christmas trees

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, December 23, 2025
In Gilmer County’s lakes, there are hundreds of Christmas trees.  And having them there is good for the fish, Keep Gilmer Beautiful Chair Terril Carson said. “It helps the fish habitat grow,” he said. Old Christmas trees are a perfect habitat for fish in local lakes.