Local

Judy Wilson, left, and Laura Thomas stand in front of Hometown Florist where a few senior portraits can be seen in the window.

Judy Wilson, left, and Laura Thomas stand in front of Hometown Florist where a few senior portraits can be seen in the window.

Turning the town purple for the Class of 2020

April Teague - Staff
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Judy Wilson of Hometown Florist and Laura Thomas of Green Willow Soap wanted to do something for this year’s graduating seniors. Their efforts resulted in a downtown display of purple bows and senior portraits honoring the GHS Class of 2020.
Valedictorian, Riana Henderson and salutatorian, Riley McCormick

Valedictorian, Riana Henderson and salutatorian, Riley McCormick

Valedictorian, salutatorian announced

News Staff
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
The Gilmer High School Class of 2020 valedictorian is Riana Henderson and the salutatorian is Riley McCormick. The “social-distanced” individual graduation ceremonies will be held May 6-8.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Shelter in place order expires for most

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Georgia’s shelter in place order expired for the majority of citizens as April ended. Gilmer County Commission Chair Charlie Paris cautioned people not to act as if COVID-19 (coronavirus) is not still active. Cases are still being identified in the county.
Signs posted at Logan Funeral Home, notify those attending funerals or visitations at either establishment to limit physical contact and maintain distancing of at least six feet.

Signs posted at Logan Funeral Home, notify those attending funerals or visitations at either establishment to limit physical contact and maintain distancing of at least six feet.

Changes, restrictions affecting how funerals are done during pandemic

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Funeral services and visitations have been handled much differently during the COVID-19 pandemic. Those changes will continue until the situation improves and possibly thereafter confirmed representatives from two local funeral homes.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Water authority resumes late penalties, cutoffs

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
After temporarily suspending late penalties and reducing service cutoffs, the Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority has resumed doing both of those.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Gilmer residents slow to answer Census 2020 call

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Tuesday, May 5, 2020
Gilmer County residents are not responding to Census 2020 as well as they did in 2010. On the website 2020census.gov a map indicates the response rates by state, which can then be clicked through to county level. Gilmer County’s self-response rate is 39.2 percent, according to the website.
Health department nurses at the Gilmer County Specimen Point of Collection (SPOC) site. From left to right are Jennifer Vick, Leeann Dover, Krystal Sumner and Raquel Watkins.

Health department nurses at the Gilmer County Specimen Point of Collection (SPOC) site. From left to right are Jennifer Vick, Leeann Dover, Krystal Sumner and Raquel Watkins.

Virus numbers jump as testing ramps up

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
In one week the number of confirmed COVID-19 (coronavirus) cases in Gilmer County jumped from 18 to 54 on the Georgia Department of Public Health website. Officials want everyone to remain cautious, but not panic.
Above, trees are in bloom at the Red Apple Barn orchard.

Above, trees are in bloom at the Red Apple Barn orchard.

Apple growers adjust while looking toward fall

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, April 28, 2020
With trees blossoming and fruit on the way, local apple growers would already be looking toward fall during an average spring season.