Local

The Gilmer County Optimist Club will bring a school bus to the East Ellijay Walmart for a two-day Stuff the Bus school supply collection event July 31 and Aug. 1.

The Gilmer County Optimist Club will bring a school bus to the East Ellijay Walmart for a two-day Stuff the Bus school supply collection event July 31 and Aug. 1.

Gilmer Optimists begin Stuff the Bus drive this week

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, July 7, 2020
Donation drop-off boxes, like the one from a past drive seen above, will be put at the Gilmer Chamber and the local UPS Store this week.  The Gilmer County Optimist Club begins its seventh annual Stuff the Bus school supply drive this week.
Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office was listed as a contributing agency in a nine-month investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad and Homeland Security Investigations. More than 47 arrest warrants for charges including gang and drug related activity. Some are still outstanding. Agents seized 136 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at $1.76 million and approximately $100,000, during the investigation.

Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office was listed as a contributing agency in a nine-month investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad and Homeland Security Investigations. More than 47 arrest warrants for charges including gang and drug related activity. Some are still outstanding. Agents seized 136 kilograms of methamphetamine valued at $1.76 million and approximately $100,000, during the investigation.

Operation leads to gang and drug arrests

News Staff
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Following a nine-month investigation, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, the Cherokee Multi-Agency Narcotics Squad and Homeland Security Investigations served 47 arrest warrants for charges including gang and drug related activity. Some are still outstanding.
Gov. Brian Kemp posted this photo on social media with the caption, “Wear your mask, Georgia — and Go Dawgs!” Kemp is traveling the state this week to encourage citizens to wear a mask in public to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Gov. Brian Kemp posted this photo on social media with the caption, “Wear your mask, Georgia — and Go Dawgs!” Kemp is traveling the state this week to encourage citizens to wear a mask in public to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.

Gov. asks citizens to wear face masks

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Gov. Brian Kemp is not making face masks mandatory in public, but he is going on a tour of the state to encourage people to wear them in response to COVID-19 (coronavirus).
North Georgia Health District Infectious Disease Director Sherry Gregory, RN, BSN, is shown using the Department of Public Health’s new contact tracing app.

North Georgia Health District Infectious Disease Director Sherry Gregory, RN, BSN, is shown using the Department of Public Health’s new contact tracing app.

COVID-19 contact tracing program continues in Georgia

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
The North Georgia Health District wants to inform the public about the state Department of Public Health’s expanded COVID-19 contact tracing program implemented to curb spread of the virus.
Happy Fourth of July!

Happy Fourth of July!

Public health offers virus safety tips for July Fourth

News Staff
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
With cases of COVID-19 increasing prior to a holiday that’s typically heavy with travel and large gatherings, the North Georgia Health District offered some recommendations for preventing further spread of the virus this July Fourth.
The American Red Cross is now testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies.

The American Red Cross is now testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies.

Local Red Cross blood drives scheduled for July

News Staff
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Numerous summer events may be canceled, but those who wish to donate blood to the American Red Cross can still do so. There is currently an urgent need for blood donors to help prevent a summer shortage and all blood types are needed, confirmed Ronnika McFall, Red Cross communications manager.
Jay Zipperman, front, leads a nature awareness hike during a 2019 Mountain Wisdom summer camp.

Jay Zipperman, front, leads a nature awareness hike during a 2019 Mountain Wisdom summer camp.

Safety planning during pandemic new priority for Mountain Wisdom camps

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
By Michael Andrews Mountain Life Editor   The director of a local back-to-nature camp will be doing a number of things differently this year to increase safety for participating teens and their family members.
Information Please 2020-21

Information Please 2020-21

Information Please is here!

News Staff
Thursday, June 25, 2020
Our annual "Information Please" magazine is here! It's loaded with everything you need to know about living in beautiful Gilmer County. Click to enjoy!