Local

Above, below, Apple Festival 5K participants head up North Main Street during last year’s race.

Above, below, Apple Festival 5K participants head up North Main Street during last year’s race.

Apple Festival 5K to go on in virtual form this year

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
One Apple Festival event will take place this year, although in a much different form, following cancellation of the two fall festivals it normally precedes.
The array of colorful and unusual plants grown in the Gilmer County Library’s DIG educational garden will provide a setting for adults and children to participate in the 2020 Great Georgia Pollinator Census, an interactive parking lot program scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22.

The array of colorful and unusual plants grown in the Gilmer County Library’s DIG educational garden will provide a setting for adults and children to participate in the 2020 Great Georgia Pollinator Census, an interactive parking lot program scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 22.

Library to host pollinator census parking lot event

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
The Gilmer County Library is inviting adults, teens and children to take part in the Great Georgia Pollinator Census, an educational program in which participants count and identify busy insects.  The outdoor “parking lot program” will take place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Aug.
The Georgia Apple Festival, which typically brings 50,000 visitors to the county will be cancelled this year because of the possibility of spreading COVID-19 at the event.

The Georgia Apple Festival, which typically brings 50,000 visitors to the county will be cancelled this year because of the possibility of spreading COVID-19 at the event.

Apple Festival called off for 2020

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
In what representatives from the Georgia Apple Festival’s two sponsor organizations are describing as a very difficult, but necessary decision given current circumstances, it has been decided that Gilmer County’s biggest annual event will not take place this year.
Pre-K student Bella Banks and mom Crystal venture to class on the first day of school with assistant from school nurse Cayla West at Clear Creek Elementary school.

Pre-K student Bella Banks and mom Crystal venture to class on the first day of school with assistant from school nurse Cayla West at Clear Creek Elementary school.

School’s plan for positive COVID cases, contact tracing

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Gilmer County Schools welcomed students back to class last Friday. Given the current situation of the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic coupled with the normal hurdles of a new year, superintendent Dr. Shanna Downs was pleased with the first day.
Employees of the Cartecay Water Treatment Plant show the Platinum Award the plant recently received from the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. Pictured, from left, are: Dale Stanley (assistant superintendent), Gary Nix (plant superintendent), Dwight Pratt (operator) and Todd Dilbeck (lab analyst/operator).

Employees of the Cartecay Water Treatment Plant show the Platinum Award the plant recently received from the Georgia Association of Water Professionals. Pictured, from left, are: Dale Stanley (assistant superintendent), Gary Nix (plant superintendent), Dwight Pratt (operator) and Todd Dilbeck (lab analyst/operator).

Water treatment plant receives 12th straight quality award

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
Employees of the Cartecay Water Treatment Plant, the facility responsible for producing the Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority’s drinking water supply, are proud to have received the another commendation from the Georgia Association of Water Professionals (GAWP).
Michael Travis Case

Michael Travis Case

Ellijay fugitive captured

News Staff
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
A fugitive wanted by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and Pickens County Sheriff’s Office was caught by Fannin County deputies and a GBI agent late Saturday night, Aug. 8.
Honey is among the dogs that have found their way to Homeward Bound Pet Rescue.

Honey is among the dogs that have found their way to Homeward Bound Pet Rescue.

Two local nonprofits receive state ag department grants

News Staff
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
James Wilson is pictured with his pal, Copper, a Shelter Dogs for Veterans service dog in training, after passing a test that’s part of the nonprofit’s training program.
Pictured, from left, are: Trent Sanford (Optimist Club president), Kathy Romanick (Optimist Club fundraiser event chair), Paul Bryant (food pantry volunteer), Lu Hale (food pantry Sack Pack coordinator) and Allen Triebel (food pantry executive director).

Pictured, from left, are: Trent Sanford (Optimist Club president), Kathy Romanick (Optimist Club fundraiser event chair), Paul Bryant (food pantry volunteer), Lu Hale (food pantry Sack Pack coordinator) and Allen Triebel (food pantry executive director).

Food Pantry’s Sack Pack program receives big boost from Optimist Club

News Staff
Wednesday, August 12, 2020
A recent donation to the Gilmer Community Food Pantry ensures that its Sack Pack program for children will continue through the current school year.
The project area for the Coosawattee River-Carters Lake Watershed Management Plan is highlighted in blue on the above map.

The project area for the Coosawattee River-Carters Lake Watershed Management Plan is highlighted in blue on the above map.

Grant program targets septic systems in Coosawattee-Carters Lake watershed area

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, August 4, 2020
A grant program administered through a partnership between the Georgia Soil and Water Conservation Commission, state Environmental Protection Division (EPD) and Gilmer County Environmental Health Department will provide funds for repairing failing septic systems and septic system pump-outs done at...