Local

Hannah Watkins’ class at Ellijay Elementary School was among the local pre-K classes who received brand new Dr. Seuss books courtesy of Cherry Log’s Craddock Center in celebration of Read Across America Day, Tuesday, March 2.

Hannah Watkins’ class at Ellijay Elementary School was among the local pre-K classes who received brand new Dr. Seuss books courtesy of Cherry Log’s Craddock Center in celebration of Read Across America Day, Tuesday, March 2.

Craddock Center continues bringing books to Gilmer County pre-K classes

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Local nonprofit The Craddock Center recently continued a long-standing tradition that celebrates both Read Across America Day and the birthday of children’s author, Dr. Seuss. As part of its early childhood literacy program, the Cherry Log enrichment center provided 1,100 brand-new Dr.
Adrian Stover, front, and Drew Dupree, back, make up the local band Echo Chamber.

Adrian Stover, front, and Drew Dupree, back, make up the local band Echo Chamber.

Young Ellijay band celebrates release of first CD

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Two young musicians are celebrating the release of their band’s first CD, an accomplishment that did not come without some unexpected hurdles. Singer and guitarist Adrian Stover, 22, and drummer Drew Dupree, 29, make up the band Echo Chamber.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Whitepath project still under review

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
After residents of the Boardtown community expressed concerns about a planned electrical system upgrade, Georgia Transmission Corporation is still looking at alternate routes for the project that initially involved installing miles of 46-kV subtransmission power line and poles along Boardtown Road.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Tubing outfitters facing changes

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Tubers renting from local outfitters will have to leave their coolers at home as part of changes to the proposed ordinance. “We’re banning coolers because the alcohol problem has just gotten out of hand,” said Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Bill to add tech fee to magistrate court

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
Filing a civil case with the Gilmer County magistrate’s office may come with an added fee if a bill moving through the General Assembly passes. Magistrate Judge Kevin Johnson requested the bill after taking office and assessing the technology needs.
New traffic signals and a pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Highway 52/River Street and First Avenue were made operational last week.

New traffic signals and a pedestrian crossing at the intersection of Highway 52/River Street and First Avenue were made operational last week.

New traffic lights, crosswalk, part of GDOT project in East Ellijay

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, March 9, 2021
After waiting covered with black bags the past few months, new traffic lights and pedestrian crossing signals were made operational last week at a busy East Ellijay intersection.
A crew is pictured working along South Main Street, part of the work area for an ongoing Georgia Power Grid Investment project that involves undergrounding and strengthening overhead power lines.

A crew is pictured working along South Main Street, part of the work area for an ongoing Georgia Power Grid Investment project that involves undergrounding and strengthening overhead power lines.

Gilmer among Georgia Power ‘grid investment’ project areas

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Work being done to improve Georgia Power’s electrical service infrastructure in Gilmer County is part of a statewide $1.3 billion project under the umbrella of the company’s Grid Investment Plan.
Installing additional signs to point drivers to the courthouse/Dalton State parking lot is among the ideas being discussed by the Ellijay Downtown Development Authority’s safety committee.

Installing additional signs to point drivers to the courthouse/Dalton State parking lot is among the ideas being discussed by the Ellijay Downtown Development Authority’s safety committee.

DDA continues parking, pedestrian safety discussion

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
After recently forming two committees to focus on different areas, members of the Ellijay Downtown Development Authority’s safety committee talked about ideas for improving parking and pedestrian safety in downtown Ellijay while meeting at City Hall last Tuesday.
Talona Ridge RV Resort, currently under construction in East Ellijay, has been announced as the new location for the first Georgia Mountain Trail Fest.

Talona Ridge RV Resort, currently under construction in East Ellijay, has been announced as the new location for the first Georgia Mountain Trail Fest.

New name, location, date all part of 7 Trails Fest reboot

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
A festival designed to celebrate and promote Gilmer County’s plentiful outdoor recreation options may finally be able to launch next year.  The first 7 Trails Fest was originally scheduled for 2020, then later tentatively rescheduled for this summer.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

$1.4 million donation for animal shelter

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Tuesday, March 2, 2021
Gilmer County’s animal shelter will receive $1.5 million in expansions and improvements because of generous donors. Initially, Chairman Charlie Paris was offered $200,000 for improvements at the shelter at the end of 2020 if the county would set aside $100,000 for the project.