Local

Attendees at the Georgia Apple Festival look at a hot sauce stand on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Attendees at the Georgia Apple Festival look at a hot sauce stand on Saturday, Oct. 11.

Georgia Apple Festival bears fruit for Gilmer

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
The Georgia Apple Festival draws crowds massive enough to overwhelm cell towers and cause traffic jams. A stilt performer entertains crowds at the Georgia Apple Festival Saturday, Oct. 11.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

County Commission puts limit on SPLOST debt

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
With an upcoming vote on Gilmer’s Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax (SPLOST), the Gilmer County commission’s members made a few clarifications about the measure.  Currently, there is a 1 percent SPLOST sales tax. This tax helps pay bond debt and fund improvements to the county.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Early voting opens

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Local elections are coming up, and early voting has already opened.  Although local elections might not always appear in national news, they can have a major impact on your life. Many important decisions are made on the county and local level. Advanced voting opened Tuesday, Oct.
Kids and crowds enjoy the Fall Festival at First Baptist Church of Ellijay.

Kids and crowds enjoy the Fall Festival at First Baptist Church of Ellijay.

Gilmer County getting spooky for Halloween

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
As Halloween approaches, there are a frightening number of fun activities to choose from for the holiday. Whether you’re looking for family-friendly trick-or-treating or fun events for adults, there’s something for you and those you care about.
Contributed photo Ian Campbell has opened a SMART Recovery program to help Gilmer residents out of addiction.

Contributed photo Ian Campbell has opened a SMART Recovery program to help Gilmer residents out of addiction.

Recovering addict helps others toward sobriety

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, October 22, 2025
Three years ago, Ian Campbell was an addict. Today, he’s clean, and helping lead others to sobriety. “What keeps me sober is service work,” Campbell said. He is now a certified addiction recovery empowerment specialist. On Oct. 6, he opened a SMART Recovery program in Gilmer County.
Crowds sample the food, handmade goods, art and activities of the Georgia Apple Festival Saturday, Oct. 11. The event’s first weekend experienced beautiful weather.

Crowds sample the food, handmade goods, art and activities of the Georgia Apple Festival Saturday, Oct. 11. The event’s first weekend experienced beautiful weather.

Georgia Apple Festival draws huge crowds

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Nothing brings out the excitement of apple harvest like thousands of people celebrating together. At this year’s Georgia Apple Festival, 30,000 people attended in the first weekend alone, Gilmer County Chamber of Commerce President Kyle Ray said.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Ellijay council to lower millage rate

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Ellijay residents will see a slight reduction in their city taxes next year if the presented budget passes. City Council members, minus Kevin Pritchett, and Mayor Al Hoyle presented the 2026 budget to an empty room at a special called meeting Oct. 13.