Local

Times-Courier

Times-Courier

BoE approves 2 percent local supplement increase

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Gilmer County School System staff are set to receive a 2 percent bump in pay. At the Gilmer County Board of Education’s May 17 work session, superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs discussed increasing the local supplement from 8 percent to 10 percent for classified and certified staff.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Water board OKs authority budget for coming year

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority board members approved a $7.86 million operating budget for 2021-22 when meeting Monday, May 24.  Among capital improvement projects to start in the coming year is a large-scale change out of thousands of customers’ water meters.
The Gilmer County Animal Shelter will continue a program in which feral cats are being trapped, fixed and released. The additional spay-neuter procedures will be done as long as limited funding allows.

The Gilmer County Animal Shelter will continue a program in which feral cats are being trapped, fixed and released. The additional spay-neuter procedures will be done as long as limited funding allows.

Animal shelter extends feral cat trap and release program

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
The Gilmer Animal Shelter is extending a first-time program in which feral cats are being trapped locally, then fixed and released or rehomed.
Fireworks will go up over Ellijay Sunday, July 4, just after dark. A parade through downtown will begin at 6 p.m.

Fireworks will go up over Ellijay Sunday, July 4, just after dark. A parade through downtown will begin at 6 p.m.

Downtown July 4 parade, festivities to return

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, June 1, 2021
Following a year in which almost any public event was canceled, full Fourth of July festivities will return to downtown Ellijay this Independence Day.
Preparing for combat at Fort Polk, La., six weeks before leaving for Afghanistan are, from left, late Staff Sergeant John Beale, SSgt. Stephen Warren and Sgt. Jim Wilson of the Georgia Army National Guard.

Preparing for combat at Fort Polk, La., six weeks before leaving for Afghanistan are, from left, late Staff Sergeant John Beale, SSgt. Stephen Warren and Sgt. Jim Wilson of the Georgia Army National Guard.

Five-time combat veteran reflects on Memorial Day

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Jim Wilson had been engaged in combat environments three times and was back home in Gilmer County. When he heard that First Lt. Noah Harris, of Ellijay, died from an IED (improvised explosive device) blast in Iraq in 2005, he knew what he had to do — re-enlist again for the War on Terror.
Landscape architect Madie Fischetti, fourth from left, reviews an overhead map of downtown Ellijay with city councilmembers Sandy Ott, Katie Lancey, Tom Crawford and Mayor Al Hoyle.

Landscape architect Madie Fischetti, fourth from left, reviews an overhead map of downtown Ellijay with city councilmembers Sandy Ott, Katie Lancey, Tom Crawford and Mayor Al Hoyle.

Ellijay council reviews options for pedestrian safety, roundabout updates

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
During a workshop that preceded a May 17 Ellijay City Council meeting, councilmembers and Mayor Al Hoyle learned more about the variety of options that could be implemented to improve pedestrian safety downtown and prevent damage to the traffic roundabout.
Pictured is the beginning of a line of white wooden crosses now displayed along South Main Street in recognition of Memorial Day. Each marker bears the name of a deceased Gilmer County veteran. Different branches of Ellijay American Legion Post 82 typically put up more than 1,000 of the crosses twice a year in observance of Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Pictured is the beginning of a line of white wooden crosses now displayed along South Main Street in recognition of Memorial Day. Each marker bears the name of a deceased Gilmer County veteran. Different branches of Ellijay American Legion Post 82 typically put up more than 1,000 of the crosses twice a year in observance of Memorial Day and Veterans Day.

Memorial Day service returns to veterans bridge site Monday

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
The public is invited to attend a patriotic Memorial Day service that returns to the Ellijay Veterans Memorial Bridge site Monday, May 31. The service will begin at 11 a.m.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Ellijay council discusses short-term rentals in city

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
The Ellijay City Council began discussion of developing an ordinance to govern short-term or “vacation” rental properties when meeting Monday, May 17. Councilmember Tom Crawford said there are several downtown Ellijay homes currently being used as airbnbs.
The Gilmer High School class of 2021 valedictorian is MacKenzie Setser, left. Heather Pierce was named salutatorian.

The Gilmer High School class of 2021 valedictorian is MacKenzie Setser, left. Heather Pierce was named salutatorian.

GHS graduation ceremony May 28, valedictorian, salutatorian announced

News Staff
Tuesday, May 25, 2021
Gilmer High School is pleased to announce the Class of 2021 commencement exercises. The event will take place at Huff-Mosley Memorial Stadium Friday, May 28, at 7 p.m., rain or shine. Tickets are not required to attend, and admission is free to all spectators.