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Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Fire risk can be high even after heavy rains

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
It may seem that summer’s heat would bring forest fires, but dry fall leaves are actually more dangerous. “Wildfires are very dangerous,” Gilmer County Emergency Management (GCEM) Director Aaron Freeman said. “They can overwhelm you very quickly.
New obstacles bar an entrance as cars park in the First Baptist Church of Ellijay’s lot on a busy Wednesday, Nov. 26. For the downtown, the church’s parking lot helps provide extra spots when many people are touring Ellijay’s businesses.

New obstacles bar an entrance as cars park in the First Baptist Church of Ellijay’s lot on a busy Wednesday, Nov. 26. For the downtown, the church’s parking lot helps provide extra spots when many people are touring Ellijay’s businesses.

First Baptist Church of Ellijay to charge for parking

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, December 3, 2025
Recent increases in traffic have made new rules necessary for First Baptist Church of Ellijay’s parking lots. “Our first and foremost priority is to make sure that our membership had access to the parking lots during the time that the church is meeting,” church Elder Del Land said.
The FBI contacted the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) to warn of a “credible and imminent” cybersecurity threat.

The FBI contacted the Georgia Superior Court Clerks’ Cooperative Authority (GSCCCA) to warn of a “credible and imminent” cybersecurity threat.

Hacking threat targets Georgia Superior Court Clerks

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, November 26, 2025
The Gilmer County Clerk of Superior Court has several online services shut down in response to a cybersecurity threat. “[People] just need to know that all their deeds and plots and all the paperwork, all their filings, the old historical stuff is safe,” Clerk of Superior Court Amy Johnson said.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Sheriff’s deputy struck by car

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
A Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) School Resource Office deputy was struck by a car Tuesday, Nov. 18, while directing traffic. A report from the GSP names the deputy as Deputy William Gooch. The report adds that he was hit by 80-year-old Carole Semenchuk.
The downtown square had people everywhere hours before, during and after the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree on the square during Light Up Ellijay last year. (Photo by Mark Millican)

The downtown square had people everywhere hours before, during and after the traditional lighting of the Christmas tree on the square during Light Up Ellijay last year. (Photo by Mark Millican)

“Merry Mountain Town” parade brings in the Christmas season

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
The Friday after Thanksgiving is a perfect time to find community and fun at the Merry Mountain Town Festival. River Street and the south side of the Ellijay square, and all of downtown, are dazzling with or without a Christmas festival and are drawing hundreds of tourists every day.
Dustin Hamby, left, has been promoted to special agent in charge of the Region 1 Investigation Office located in Calhoun. Region 1 covers 12 counties in northwest Georgia. Also pictured is District Attorney Frank Wood of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit, who traveled to Cleveland for a recent going-away luncheon for Hamby at Region 8 headquarters. He will be sworn in during an upcoming promotion ceremony. (Contributed photo)

Dustin Hamby, left, has been promoted to special agent in charge of the Region 1 Investigation Office located in Calhoun. Region 1 covers 12 counties in northwest Georgia. Also pictured is District Attorney Frank Wood of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit, who traveled to Cleveland for a recent going-away luncheon for Hamby at Region 8 headquarters. He will be sworn in during an upcoming promotion ceremony. (Contributed photo)

GBI promotes Hamby to Region 1 Special Agent in Charge

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
A longtime agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Dustin Hamby, has been promoted to special agent in charge of the Region 1 Investigation Office in Calhoun, a GBI release has announced. Region 1 is composed of 12 counties in northwest Georgia.
Ellijay Elementary School first-grader Anabella Ledford lines up a full plate of a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Feast Friday, Nov. 21. The foods she is enjoying are inspired by the classic Charles Schulz “Peanuts” cartoon.

Ellijay Elementary School first-grader Anabella Ledford lines up a full plate of a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Feast Friday, Nov. 21. The foods she is enjoying are inspired by the classic Charles Schulz “Peanuts” cartoon.

Full plate for Thanksgiving

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Dave Krier moves a cart of food including a delicious Thanksgiving turkey at the Gilmer Community Food Pantry on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

Dave Krier moves a cart of food including a delicious Thanksgiving turkey at the Gilmer Community Food Pantry on Wednesday, Nov. 19.

Gilmer Community Food Pantry celebrates Thanksgiving by helping others

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Gilmer Community Food Pantry (GCFP) Director Adam Pilkinton knows what it’s like to celebrate Thanksgiving in poverty. He grew up in Southwest Atlanta, where his family often visited Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless, the local food pantry. “I was thankful for any sort of normalcy,” he said.