Local

Melinda Cowan, above, and Janice Ross, below, were among those who volunteered to wrap gifts for this year’s Gilmer Toys for Tots campaign, which distributed toys to local families up till Christmas Eve.

Melinda Cowan, above, and Janice Ross, below, were among those who volunteered to wrap gifts for this year’s Gilmer Toys for Tots campaign, which distributed toys to local families up till Christmas Eve.

Donor generosity made for successful Toys for Tots drive

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
When the Toys for Tots campaign that serves Gilmer children kicked off this past October, its organizers were worried that COVID-19 pandemic would limit this year’s amount of donated toys and funds. However, the final tally of the 2020 drive shows quite the opposite.
Kent Sanford, of the Faith, Hope and Charity Scholarship Committee, helps two students during the nonprofit’s recent award process for the spring college semester.

Kent Sanford, of the Faith, Hope and Charity Scholarship Committee, helps two students during the nonprofit’s recent award process for the spring college semester.

FHC Recycle awards $41,000 in scholarships

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Just before the Christmas holiday, local community outreach nonprofit Faith, Hope and Charity (FHC) Recycle Store Inc. provided some financial assurance to several local students who are either already enrolled in college or soon will be after graduating from Gilmer High School (GHS).
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Man arrested for threatening to bomb courthouse

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
Alarming social media posts led to the arrest of a Gilmer County man who was charged with making terroristic threats and acts last week.
From left, Olivia Shull, Rachel Ballew and Cloie Burnell rehearse a scene for the upcoming Gilmer High School Theater production, Goldilocks On Trial.

From left, Olivia Shull, Rachel Ballew and Cloie Burnell rehearse a scene for the upcoming Gilmer High School Theater production, Goldilocks On Trial.

GHS Theater to present rescheduled one-act play

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, January 12, 2021
This weekend, Gilmer High School Theater will present a one-act comedy that was postponed from its initial December opening date.  The GHS Theater Department presents Goldilocks on Trial Saturday, Jan. 16, at 7 p.m., and Sunday, Jan. 17, at 1 p.m.
Nurse Jennifer Vick draws a dose of COVID-19 vaccine during the Gilmer County Health Department’s recent vaccination of local health care workers.

Nurse Jennifer Vick draws a dose of COVID-19 vaccine during the Gilmer County Health Department’s recent vaccination of local health care workers.

Next phase of COVID vaccine

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
More Georgians will soon be able to receive COVID-19 vaccinations.  Beginning Monday, Jan. 11, adults age 65 and older will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, as will first responders who’ve not already been vaccinated, announced Gov. Brian Kemp and Public Health Commissioner Dr.
At the Georgia State Capitol, Roger Mooney, left, and Sen. John Wilkinson hold a framed copy of Senate Resolution 951, which honors Mooney’s 36-year career as a professional rodeo announcer.

At the Georgia State Capitol, Roger Mooney, left, and Sen. John Wilkinson hold a framed copy of Senate Resolution 951, which honors Mooney’s 36-year career as a professional rodeo announcer.

Mooney honored at Georgia State Capitol

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
A Gilmer County native who’s cut a wide swath as professional rodeo announcer was recognized at the Georgia State Capitol just before 2020 drew to a close. Sen.
Sid Turner, vice president of the Blue Ridge Mountains chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, joins representatives from Gilmer County Public Safety to present the SAR chapter’s awards for Firefighter and EMS Employee of the Year to Michael Dockery and Les Eisenhart. Pictured, from left: Fire Chief Daniel Kauffman, Turner, Dockery, EMS Chief Russell Brown and Deputy Fire Chief Mark Chastain.

Sid Turner, vice president of the Blue Ridge Mountains chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution, joins representatives from Gilmer County Public Safety to present the SAR chapter’s awards for Firefighter and EMS Employee of the Year to Michael Dockery and Les Eisenhart. Pictured, from left: Fire Chief Daniel Kauffman, Turner, Dockery, EMS Chief Russell Brown and Deputy Fire Chief Mark Chastain.

Gilmer firefighter/EMTs recognized by area SAR chapter

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, January 5, 2021
A Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) chapter that covers Gilmer County presented year-end awards to two local firefighter/EMTs before 2020 ended.