Local

Poll worker Mary Shaw, right, helps voter Lois Leatherwood get signed in during Election Day voting at the East Ellijay (City Hall) polling place.

Poll worker Mary Shaw, right, helps voter Lois Leatherwood get signed in during Election Day voting at the East Ellijay (City Hall) polling place.

Busy or slow, Election Day voting at polls reported smooth overall

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
As a first-time poll worker for the 2020 General Election, Ellijay resident April Smith didn’t quite know what size turnouts to expect at both early and Election Day voting. “I knew it was going to be a big one, but I didn’t anticipate it being this busy,” said Smith about this year’s election.
This year’s local Toys for Tots headquarters is located at 941 Progress Road, in the former location of Fresenius Kidney Care. Toys for Tots applications can be filled out and donations of new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at this location.

This year’s local Toys for Tots headquarters is located at 941 Progress Road, in the former location of Fresenius Kidney Care. Toys for Tots applications can be filled out and donations of new, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at this location.

Despite pandemic, setbacks, local Toys for Tots drive will continue

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Toys for Tots will continue to provide Christmas gifts for families in Gilmer County this year, although the continuing COVID-19 pandemic is having some impact on the U.S. Marines-sponsored toy drive. Ret. Marine Sgt. A.J.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Gilmer turnout lower than 2016

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
More voters turned out for the 2020 election in Gilmer County than were registered in 2016, but it was a lower percentage overall. On the election ending Nov. 3, 16,576 voters cast ballots in the county, 4,907 on Nov. 3, 8,150 in early voting, 3,506 mail-in ballots with 13 provisional ballots.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Repairs underway after Times-Courier’s internet servers shut down

News Staff
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
  As if a global pandemic and polarized political campaigns weren’t enough, Times-Courier’s internet system failed in the wee hours of last Friday morning, Nov. 6. The Times-Courier relies on its parent company Community Newspapers, Inc.’s (CNI) servers located in Athens.
Benton MacKaye Trail Association member Frank Forehand gets an up-close look at one of many downed trees along an 80-mile section of the hiking trail that extends through north Georgia to the Tennessee border.

Benton MacKaye Trail Association member Frank Forehand gets an up-close look at one of many downed trees along an 80-mile section of the hiking trail that extends through north Georgia to the Tennessee border.

MacKaye Trail group cleaning up after Zeta

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, November 10, 2020
Members of the Benton MacKaye Trail Association (BMTA) have surveyed “incredible” damage along the recreational hiking trail following Tropical Storm Zeta’s tear through the north Georgia mountains, confirmed members of the volunteer trail maintenance group.
Gilmer County Public Safety went to remove to a huge tree down on 382 and a bunch of citizens stop to help them cut and remove it. (Photo courtesy of Al Cash/Gilmer Fire and Rescue)

Gilmer County Public Safety went to remove to a huge tree down on 382 and a bunch of citizens stop to help them cut and remove it. (Photo courtesy of Al Cash/Gilmer Fire and Rescue)

Storm rampages through Gilmer

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Tropical Storm Zeta made landfall as a hurricane in Louisiana, but maintained enough strength to down trees and cause massive power outages in Gilmer County. Early Thursday morning, Oct. 29, Zeta made its presence felt in the county.
Octavia Bushey, who was recently declared a National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Award winner in the area of dairy production-entrepreneurship, is pictured competing at the All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, Pa.

Octavia Bushey, who was recently declared a National FFA Agricultural Proficiency Award winner in the area of dairy production-entrepreneurship, is pictured competing at the All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, Pa.

Bushey nets top honor at National FFA Convention

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
A Gilmer High School junior faced and bested college-level competition in this year’s 93rd National FFA Convention and Expo. Octavia Bushey was declared winner of the National Agricultural Proficiency Award in the area of dairy production-entrepreneurship during the virtual convention held Oct. 27.
Gilmer Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Eric Irish is shown with one of the two LUCAS chest compression devices recently acquired by the county public safety agency.

Gilmer Fire and Rescue Battalion Chief Eric Irish is shown with one of the two LUCAS chest compression devices recently acquired by the county public safety agency.

Gilmer Fire and Rescue adds automatic chest compression devices to ambulances

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Two new automatic chest compression units were recently added to Gilmer Fire and Rescue’s equipment resources. The LUCAS devices were acquired through CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security) ACT funding received by the county, confirmed Gilmer EMA Director Keith Kucera.