Local

The Veterans Court of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit (Gilmer, Fannin and Pickens counties) recently received “Model Court” status from the Council of Accountability Court Judges in Georgia. The award conveys the program as a flagship Veterans Court for other judicial circuits around the state desiring to implement one. From left are Veterans Court case manager John Di Renzo, Senior Judge Brenda Weaver and coordinator Chris Holt.

The Veterans Court of the Appalachian Judicial Circuit (Gilmer, Fannin and Pickens counties) recently received “Model Court” status from the Council of Accountability Court Judges in Georgia. The award conveys the program as a flagship Veterans Court for other judicial circuits around the state desiring to implement one. From left are Veterans Court case manager John Di Renzo, Senior Judge Brenda Weaver and coordinator Chris Holt.

Area veterans court award denotes flagship program status

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
After serving in the U.S. Army in the 1970s, Dozier Watkins “lived on the wrong side of the law for many years” by abusing methamphetamine, cocaine and marijuana. “I got in trouble in the 1980s, but stayed under the radar (of law enforcement) until 2015,” he said of an arrest and probation.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

School bus mask mandate remains intact

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
The Gilmer County School System’s bus mask mandate is still in place, but that could soon change. Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley and staff continue to monitor and assess the situation as COVID positives and quarantines steadily decline. “We’ve seen a massive decrease over the past few weeks.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Ellijay to vote on liquor package sales Nov. 2

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Ellijay voters will have one question to decide in an upcoming special election — Should sales of packaged liquor be allowed within the city limits? The item — “Shall the issuance of licenses for the package of distilled spirits be approved?” — will go to vote Tuesday, Nov. 2.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Hazard pay for county employees

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Gilmer County employees will get hazard bonuses for working through the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioners met in a special called meeting Tuesday, Sept. 28, to vote on the bonuses and to discuss other uses of the first of two installments of $3.
Weslee Upchurch, left, and Charlene Tittle, right, of Artful Ellijay, work on their Wizard of Oz-themed scarecrow display at Harrison Park.

Weslee Upchurch, left, and Charlene Tittle, right, of Artful Ellijay, work on their Wizard of Oz-themed scarecrow display at Harrison Park.

Trick or treat, other fall events planned at Harrison Park

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Harrison Park will again host downtown Ellijay’s trick-or-treat festivities, as well as other events this month. Since Halloween falls on Sunday this year, Harrison Park will hold trick-or-treating Saturday, Oct. 30. It will last from 1-4 p.m.
From left, are Clear Creek eighth-grade softball players Gracie Gaitanoglou, Chloe Prosser and Lily Fortune.

From left, are Clear Creek eighth-grade softball players Gracie Gaitanoglou, Chloe Prosser and Lily Fortune.

CCMS softball season ends

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Clear Creek Middle School closed out its softball season last week. The Cats were on the road Monday in Union County and the Panthers earned an 11-6 win. CCMS was at home the following day as Lumpkin County came to town and the Indians won, 20-8.
The Georgia Apple Festival is back for its 50th year!

The Georgia Apple Festival is back for its 50th year!

Apple Festival, sister events on track for second, third October weekends

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
The Georgia Apple Festival will ring in its 50th anniversary when returning to the Lions Club Fairgrounds Oct. 9-10 and 16-17. Festival times are 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturdays and 9 a.m.- 5 p.m. Sundays. “All things are a go for this year. We are planning to open up on the 9th at 9 a.m.
Ellijay Downtown Development Authority members Reece Sanford, standing, Ellen Grant, Keith Nunn and Josh Moyers heard feedback from local businessowners and residents during a town hall meeting at the First Baptist Church Fellowship hall last week.

Ellijay Downtown Development Authority members Reece Sanford, standing, Ellen Grant, Keith Nunn and Josh Moyers heard feedback from local businessowners and residents during a town hall meeting at the First Baptist Church Fellowship hall last week.

Downtown parking town hall draws questions, suggestions

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
Almost 40, including several downtown Ellijay business owners, attended a Tuesday town hall meeting  to hear details and give feedback about an upcoming trial period during which parking spaces in front of shops on the downtown roundabout will be inaccessible.
Grand champion drum majors, from left, Ashlee Lopez, Dakota Brown and Alba Monraga-Telles are shown with trophies they earned at the competition.

Grand champion drum majors, from left, Ashlee Lopez, Dakota Brown and Alba Monraga-Telles are shown with trophies they earned at the competition.

GHS Marching Band crowned grand champions at Bowdon Invitational

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
The Gilmer High School Marching Band swept an invitational competition in Carroll County last weekend. David Wiebers, GHS band director, said the marching band finished with top honors, and then some, at the Bowdon Invitational held Saturday at Bowdon High School.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Labor shortage hits Gilmer Schools

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
The Gilmer County School System is looking to hire. Labor shortages around the country have been common during the COVID-19 pandemic, and Gilmer County is no exception. Gilmer Schools are in need of substitute teachers, custodians and bus drivers, according to superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley.