Local

Last year, the streets of Ellijay were painted red, white and blue Thursday as festivalgoers donned their patriotic colors and flags to join in the celebration of America’s independence.

Last year, the streets of Ellijay were painted red, white and blue Thursday as festivalgoers donned their patriotic colors and flags to join in the celebration of America’s independence.

July Fourth will bring fireworks

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
There will be no parade through downtown Ellijay this Fourth of July, confirmed representatives from the City of Ellijay and the Downtown Ellijay Business and Community Association (DEBCA).
Major Charles H. Pritchett presented posthumous awards to the parents of Sgt. Larry F. Davis after his death in September 1970 in Vietnam. Arvil and Roma Davis receive a Bronze Star, an Air Medal and Purple Heart. Pritchett remarked, “This exceptional boy went beyond the call of duty. The two-year serviceman volunteered for NCO school and accepted more responsibility than the average young man who enters the service.

Major Charles H. Pritchett presented posthumous awards to the parents of Sgt. Larry F. Davis after his death in September 1970 in Vietnam. Arvil and Roma Davis receive a Bronze Star, an Air Medal and Purple Heart. Pritchett remarked, “This exceptional boy went beyond the call of duty. The two-year serviceman volunteered for NCO school and accepted more responsibility than the average young man who enters the service.

‘He had a good future in front of him’

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Larry Davis is pictured in Vietnam in 1970. His finger is bandaged from cutting it while clearing trails in the jungle with a machete. He was the sixth Gilmer County man killed in action in the Vietnam War, later that year on Sept. 15.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Board looks to help wineries and farmers

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Gilmer County’s Board of Commissioners took up two matters in an attempt to help wineries and farmers recover during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic. Chairman Charlie Paris said given the shutdown and closing of businesses, the question has come up about how to help local businesses recover.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Health department’s 2021 budget reviewed

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
The Gilmer County Health Department can expect to see at least an 11 percent reduction in state funding for the next fiscal year, but the decrease is not expected to affect services or programs at the local public health facility.
Friends of the Gilmer Animal Shelter (FOGAS) members Rebecca Harrell, Meg Eanes, Tim Vellenoweth, Marla Swanberg, Ernie Taylor, Sylvia Harris, Jack Peaden and Susan Lebert accept a $500 donation from Sammie Jo Hawkins and Terrie Leyden, of Cornerstone Cafe, third and fourth from left.

Friends of the Gilmer Animal Shelter (FOGAS) members Rebecca Harrell, Meg Eanes, Tim Vellenoweth, Marla Swanberg, Ernie Taylor, Sylvia Harris, Jack Peaden and Susan Lebert accept a $500 donation from Sammie Jo Hawkins and Terrie Leyden, of Cornerstone Cafe, third and fourth from left.

Cornerstone Cafe pays it forward to local animal-friendly nonprofits

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Shelter Dogs for Veterans personnel Peter Callan (vice president), Taylor (volunteer), Pepper (service dog) and Sharon Callan (president and dog trainer) accept a $500 donation from Leyden, left.
Pictured are some of the box fans being distributed through a joint effort between Gilmer Fire and Rescue and Faith, Hope and Charity Recycle Store Inc.

Pictured are some of the box fans being distributed through a joint effort between Gilmer Fire and Rescue and Faith, Hope and Charity Recycle Store Inc.

Summer fan program underway at Gilmer Fire and Rescue

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
As summer temperatures rise, a long running partnership between Gilmer Fire and Rescue and Faith, Hope and Charity Recycle Store Inc. will again provide free box fans for those in need. “We ask that it’s for people who can’t afford them and we allot two (fans) per household.
Family members of U.S. Army PFC William Charles Burgess Jr., killed in Vietnam on June 4, 1969, gathered last year to see him honored as the Vietnam Veterans of America, Cumming Chapter 1030, presented a high school scholarship in his honor. The date of the presentation was exactly 50 years from the day Burgess was killed. From left are cousin Wayne McPherson, sister Elizabeth Minton-Mooney, nephew Steve Minton, sister Evelyn Morace and Raymond Morace.

Family members of U.S. Army PFC William Charles Burgess Jr., killed in Vietnam on June 4, 1969, gathered last year to see him honored as the Vietnam Veterans of America, Cumming Chapter 1030, presented a high school scholarship in his honor. The date of the presentation was exactly 50 years from the day Burgess was killed. From left are cousin Wayne McPherson, sister Elizabeth Minton-Mooney, nephew Steve Minton, sister Evelyn Morace and Raymond Morace.

‘It was a great loss’

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Elizabeth Minton-Mooney recalls her mother was “always looking ahead, wanting to know what the future was going to be.” Toward that end, she sought help about her only son, Charles.
Public health staff members from the Gilmer County Health Department are pictured in protective gear worn while working at the local COVID-19 testing site. Pictured, from left, are Nohemi Reynoso, Leigh Ann Dover, Irene Rosales, Trina Matthews, Monica Ledford and Krystal Sumner.

Public health staff members from the Gilmer County Health Department are pictured in protective gear worn while working at the local COVID-19 testing site. Pictured, from left, are Nohemi Reynoso, Leigh Ann Dover, Irene Rosales, Trina Matthews, Monica Ledford and Krystal Sumner.

Gilmer Board of Health hears COVID-19 update from district personnel

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, June 16, 2020
Much has transpired in regard to COVID-19 since the Gilmer County Board of Health last met three months ago. At that March 10 meeting, Dr.