Local

Pictured above and below is a Daffodil Project garden at the Rotary Club Peace Park in Jasper, which was planted in 2020.

Pictured above and below is a Daffodil Project garden at the Rotary Club Peace Park in Jasper, which was planted in 2020.

Harrison Park looked at as site for Daffodil Project garden

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Ellijay could be the seventh site in communities along Highway 515 to have a Daffodil Project garden. The Daffodil Project is an Atlanta-based grass-roots initiative in which daffodil bulbs are planted in remembrance of children who died in the Holocaust.
East Ellijay City Councilmembers approved plans for a traffic roundabout to be built on Highland Parkway, between the entrance to Talona Ridge RV Resort and Westbrook Boulevard.

East Ellijay City Councilmembers approved plans for a traffic roundabout to be built on Highland Parkway, between the entrance to Talona Ridge RV Resort and Westbrook Boulevard.

East Ellijay council OKs new roundabout

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Gilmer County will be getting another traffic roundabout, this time in East Ellijay. When meeting last Wednesday, members of the East Ellijay City Council approved a resolution authorizing an expenditure of funds for construction of a roundabout on Highland Parkway.
Georgia Game Warden Scott Carroll leads a litter enforcement workshop recently attended by police officers from Gilmer and Whitfield County.

Georgia Game Warden Scott Carroll leads a litter enforcement workshop recently attended by police officers from Gilmer and Whitfield County.

Police, county officials attend litter enforcement workshop

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Several local police officers were among those who joined members of Keep Gilmer Beautiful (KGB) for a recent training workshop that explored how litter enforcement and prevention can help make communities safer.
Above, Ian Conrey signs copies of his first book, Hælend’s Ballad, at Book Exchange in Marietta.

Above, Ian Conrey signs copies of his first book, Hælend’s Ballad, at Book Exchange in Marietta.

‘Dark fantasy’ novel a triumphant debut for Ellijay author

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
It’s somewhat fitting that writing a fantasy novel became a decade-long quest for an Ellijay author. Fortunately, Ian Conrey persevered and is now enjoying the fruits of his literary labor. Conrey’s self-published novel, Hælend’s Ballad, was released last November.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Water authority responds to TV news leachate report

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
The director of the Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority (EGCWSA) is responding to a recent TV news report, which said the water authority has allowed landfills to deposit millions of gallons of waste into the local wastewater treatment plant without state-required permits.
Above, Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office personnel stand at salute around a memorial dedicated to late Gilmer Deputy Brett Dickey during a service for the 26th anniversary of Dickey’s death in the line of duty. Pictured, clockwise from left: Cpl. Al Greenway, Sgt. Randy Beavers, Aux. Dep. Josh Chancey, Lt. Gene Hefner, Dep. Ryan Scott, Aux. Dep. Bill Hall and Capt. Brian Crump.

Above, Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office personnel stand at salute around a memorial dedicated to late Gilmer Deputy Brett Dickey during a service for the 26th anniversary of Dickey’s death in the line of duty. Pictured, clockwise from left: Cpl. Al Greenway, Sgt. Randy Beavers, Aux. Dep. Josh Chancey, Lt. Gene Hefner, Dep. Ryan Scott, Aux. Dep. Bill Hall and Capt. Brian Crump.

‘A friend to this community’

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Several Gilmer County police officers gathered on a clear Saturday morning to honor and remember fallen Gilmer Deputy Brett Dickey. It was 26 years ago that Dickey was shot and killed as he and fellow officers attempted to serve a warrant on fleeing fugitive Tommy Pickren Feb. 13, 1996.
ETC fiberoptic technician Michael Reed splices a strand of the glass fiberoptic cable that provides broadband internet service to customers.

ETC fiberoptic technician Michael Reed splices a strand of the glass fiberoptic cable that provides broadband internet service to customers.

ETC plans countywide broadband expansion

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Ellijay Telephone Company (ETC) will greatly expand its broadband internet service in Gilmer and Pickens counties with $21 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funding.
Judge John Worcester, left, swears in a past group of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) for the Appalachian Judicial Circuit. Appalachian CASA is among the local victim assistance organizations that could see reductions in federal VOCA funding this year.

Judge John Worcester, left, swears in a past group of Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASAs) for the Appalachian Judicial Circuit. Appalachian CASA is among the local victim assistance organizations that could see reductions in federal VOCA funding this year.

Local victim aid organizations preparing for possible statewide cuts

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Several organizations that help victims of domestic and sexual abuse in three north Georgia counties are preparing for possible cuts in funding from the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) that could take effect Oct. 1.
A Georgia Mountains Health facility that combines the health care provider’s local medical and dental offices will soon be built on Cinema Drive in East Ellijay.

A Georgia Mountains Health facility that combines the health care provider’s local medical and dental offices will soon be built on Cinema Drive in East Ellijay.

New health care facility funded by $4.2 million from USDA

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, February 16, 2022
Georgia Mountains Health (GMH), a nonprofit health care provider with medical and dental offices in Gilmer County, will use $4.2 million loaned by USDA Rural Development to combine those two practices in a new facility.