Local

From left, Maj. Adam Smith, Capt. Brian Crump, Lt. Josh Chancey and Sgt. Greg Dotson, of the Gilmer Sheriff’s Office, and Brian Scudder, of Gilmer Fire and Rescue, wait in front of the East Ellijay Walmart to be paired with children participating in the Shop With a Hero program.

From left, Maj. Adam Smith, Capt. Brian Crump, Lt. Josh Chancey and Sgt. Greg Dotson, of the Gilmer Sheriff’s Office, and Brian Scudder, of Gilmer Fire and Rescue, wait in front of the East Ellijay Walmart to be paired with children participating in the Shop With a Hero program.

Shop With a Hero a positive program

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Monday, December 23, 2019
This holiday season was the first time out for a new program that pairs local public safety officers with children for a day of Christmas shopping. Planning and fundraising for the county’s first Shop With a Hero program began less than three months ago, said Capt.
The Rev. David Smedley, left, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Ellijay, transfers the Bethlehem Peace Light to the lantern of Marcia Rubin of King of Kings Lutheran Church in Jasper, during a brief ceremony at Hope on Saturday. Rubin and other area church leaders took the lights back to their congregations for Christmas-oriented services Sunday.

The Rev. David Smedley, left, pastor of Hope Lutheran Church in Ellijay, transfers the Bethlehem Peace Light to the lantern of Marcia Rubin of King of Kings Lutheran Church in Jasper, during a brief ceremony at Hope on Saturday. Rubin and other area church leaders took the lights back to their congregations for Christmas-oriented services Sunday.

Churches share ‘Bethlehem Peace Light’ before Christmas

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Monday, December 23, 2019
The Christmas spirit was alive last Saturday in a local church as members from four congregations gathered to share the Bethlehem Peace Light and take it back to their own fellowships the following day.
Investigators with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit arrested Jimmy Lee Bowling, of Ellijay, Dec. 17 at an undisclosed public location in southern Cherokee County. Bowling arrived at the location shortly after noon to meet what he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

Investigators with the Cherokee Sheriff’s Office Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit arrested Jimmy Lee Bowling, of Ellijay, Dec. 17 at an undisclosed public location in southern Cherokee County. Bowling arrived at the location shortly after noon to meet what he thought was a 14-year-old girl.

Gilmer man charged with trying to meet teen for sex

News Staff
Monday, December 23, 2019
A Gilmer County man thought he was meeting a 14-year-old girl, but instead was arrested by deputies in Cherokee County. He showed up wearing a Santa hat.
Site administrator Mike Putman cuts the ribbon in front of the new location of Mountain Education Charter High School (MECHS) inside the Larry Walker Education Center. Also pictured, in front from left: MECHS teacher Daniel Hayes, Georgia Charter Schools Foundation President Michele Nealy, MECHS Public Information Officer Sydney Sanford, MECHS Public Relations Coordinator April Smith, Putman, Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, MECHS Superintendent Dr. Wayne Lovell, student Evan Sanford and Carlos Reynoso.

Site administrator Mike Putman cuts the ribbon in front of the new location of Mountain Education Charter High School (MECHS) inside the Larry Walker Education Center. Also pictured, in front from left: MECHS teacher Daniel Hayes, Georgia Charter Schools Foundation President Michele Nealy, MECHS Public Information Officer Sydney Sanford, MECHS Public Relations Coordinator April Smith, Putman, Georgia House Speaker David Ralston, MECHS Superintendent Dr. Wayne Lovell, student Evan Sanford and Carlos Reynoso.

Ribbon cut at new home of Mountain Education

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Monday, December 23, 2019
An educational facility that allows 9th-12th grade students to work toward a high school diploma during nontraditional school hours celebrated its relocation to a larger building with a ribbon cutting and open house held Dec. 12.
Megan Williams

Megan Williams

Quilts abound at gallery exhibit

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Monday, December 23, 2019
Megan Williams, Judy Kruger, and Maureen Hicks stand next to their quilted creations during an opening reception for the third annual quilt and fiber exhibit now on display at the Gilmer Arts Gallery.
Santa and Mrs. Claus tell stories and greet children at CCES.

Santa and Mrs. Claus tell stories and greet children at CCES.

Santa was here early

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Monday, December 23, 2019
Santa and Mrs. Claus made sure to cross an appointment with Gilmer County schoolchildren off their list of pre-Christmas engagements as they visited Clear Creek, Ellijay and Mountain View Elementary Schools to hear wish lists and deliver gifts before students were released for winter break.
From left, David Westmoreland, Ruth Caudell and Lynelle Stewart attended their last meeting as members of the Ellijay City Council on Monday.

From left, David Westmoreland, Ruth Caudell and Lynelle Stewart attended their last meeting as members of the Ellijay City Council on Monday.

Ellijay council OKs alcohol licenses, says goodbye to outgoing members

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, December 17, 2019
The Ellijay City Council approved the last round of alcohol license renewals for 2019 during the its final meeting of the year Monday, Dec. 16. On-premise consumption licenses for beer and wine were renewed for Cantaberry Restaurant, Boardwalk Pizza and Pub and Country Corner Kitchen.
Pictured is a swath cut through wooded land off Old Highway 5 that will be used in the forthcoming connection of Highways 382 and 515. The Georgia Department of Transportation highway extension project is expected to last into 2021.

Pictured is a swath cut through wooded land off Old Highway 5 that will be used in the forthcoming connection of Highways 382 and 515. The Georgia Department of Transportation highway extension project is expected to last into 2021.

Highway coming through

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Tuesday, December 17, 2019