Local

The pygmy goats from the petting zoo at Hillcrest Orchards.

The pygmy goats from the petting zoo at Hillcrest Orchards.

Gilmer Chamber launches This Is Ellijay initiative

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 15, 2020
The Gilmer Chamber is using both a new Facebook group and its website to share stories about interesting local residents.
Kids Ferst volunteers gather for a 2019 group photo. From left, front: Carolyn Thompson, Stan Ashworth, Rena Ashworth, Dottie Piehler, Joan Blomquist, Lynne Becker and Eileen Bailey; center: Galen Forbes, Judy Serritella, Susan Marler, Jacqueline Poole, Kathy Stephens, Judy Harvey, Eileen Below, Ben Bailey and Ann Buehler; back: George McClellan and Emil Harvey.

Kids Ferst volunteers gather for a 2019 group photo. From left, front: Carolyn Thompson, Stan Ashworth, Rena Ashworth, Dottie Piehler, Joan Blomquist, Lynne Becker and Eileen Bailey; center: Galen Forbes, Judy Serritella, Susan Marler, Jacqueline Poole, Kathy Stephens, Judy Harvey, Eileen Below, Ben Bailey and Ann Buehler; back: George McClellan and Emil Harvey.

Kids Ferst seeing decline in new registrations, fundraising

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Kids Ferst, a nonprofit childhood literacy group that’s the Gilmer County affiliate of the statewide Ferst Readers program, is still functioning and providing books to local children.
Alcoholics Anonymous: Unity, Service, Recovery

Alcoholics Anonymous: Unity, Service, Recovery

Local AA group needs new place to meet

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
An Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) group that serves the Gilmer County area is searching for a new, and hopefully long-term, place to meet.
Tiffany Watson, new executive director for Gilmer Family Connection, is pictured in back with her three sons, from left, Luke, Sam and Jake Watson.

Tiffany Watson, new executive director for Gilmer Family Connection, is pictured in back with her three sons, from left, Luke, Sam and Jake Watson.

Gilmer Family Connection welcomes new executive director

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
The new executive director of Gilmer County’s Family Connection office is happy to begin her work, despite some of the program’s events and meetings being sidelined by the COVID-19 pandemic.  Tiffany Watson officially became the county’s new Family Connection director Aug.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Gilmer students to receive free meals

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has provided emergency funding that will feed Gilmer County students attending in-person instruction. The department’s Aug. 31 press release stated, “The USDA will extend several flexibilities through as late as Dec. 31, 2020.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Labor Day backwoods rescue

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Gilmer County Public Safety personnel put their training into practice during a rescue in the Rich Mountain area. An individual on a Labor Day motorcycle ride was 8 miles up a forest service road when he was involved in a crash, said Gilmer County Public Safety Director Keith Kucera.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Bracing for Nov. 3 election

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Preparations for the Nov. 3 election, which includes the presidential election as well as two senate seats in Georgia, are ramping up. Gilmer County Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins has a request for local voters. “Be prepared to be patient,” she said.
Ada Jones

Ada Jones

Goat and lamb show held

News Staff
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
Ada Jones, of Union County works with her goat at the Apple Capital Market Goat and Lamp Show held Saturday, Sept. 5, at the Gilmer County Agricultural Center.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Water authority in talks with GDOT about rerouted Old 5 water line

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 8, 2020
The Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority has completed relocation of a water main that had to be moved in accordance with the Georgia Department of Transportation’s (GDOT’s) ongoing construction of a traffic roundabout at Highway 382 and Old Highway 5.
Faith, Hope and Charity Recycle Store cashier Debra Wise waits for her next customer at the store’s sneeze-guarded counter.

Faith, Hope and Charity Recycle Store cashier Debra Wise waits for her next customer at the store’s sneeze-guarded counter.

FHC Recycle Store fully reopened with safety precautions still in place

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, September 1, 2020
Things are getting somewhat closer to normal at a popular charitable thrift store after it was closed for almost two months, then reopened with limited hours.