Local

New Performing Arts Center will soon be completed

New Performing Arts Center will soon be completed

New Performing Arts Center will soon be completed

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
After about 10 months of construction, the Gilmer County Schools (GCS) Performing Arts Center is nearing completion, Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley said. “We’re hoping it’s going to be a really good impact.” The main shell of the building will likely be done sometime in October, he said.
Jamison “Slim” Reece

Jamison “Slim” Reece

Gilmer man in custody following shooting

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
A Gilmer County man is in custody after fleeing the scene of a shooting. Coulter Jamison “Slim” Reece, 18, is being charged with aggravated assault for shooting his girlfriend during a domestic violence incident. Around 1 a.m. Tuesday, Aug.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Public comment begins on millage increase

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
A total of nine people spoke at the first two public hearings concerning Gilmer County raising the millage rate for the coming year. Three public comment periods must be held before commissioners can vote on setting the millage rate. The first two were held Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 11:30 a.m. and 6 p.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

County and cities look to renew SPLOST

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
In a short meeting, the leaders of the cities of Ellijay, East Ellijay and Gilmer County agreed to move forward on renewing the current SPLOST. SPLOST stands for Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax, which in this case is one cent added to the sales tax in Gilmer County.
Kittens wait for adoption at the Gilmer County Animal Shelter.

Kittens wait for adoption at the Gilmer County Animal Shelter.

Homeward Bound offering discounted spays and neuters

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Gilmer pet owners can spay and neuter their pets for extremely discounted rates because of a program sponsored by Homeward Bound. “We have a terrible overpopulation of dogs and cats,” Homeward Bound board member Heather Campbell said.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

One car accident leads to fatality

News Staff
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
A Gilmer County man was killed when his pickup truck overturned in Cherry Log. Melvin E. Lopez Lopez, 19, of Ellijay, was driving his 1998 Toyota Tacoma southbound on Hwy. 515 near Rock Creek Road Aug. 7, around 1:52 p.m.
Dawn Lade of the American Legion Post 82 Auxiliary stands in front of the new mural she had a vision for at the facility on Legion Road. The muralist from South Carolina who did the patriotic work wishes to remain anonymous, she said.

Dawn Lade of the American Legion Post 82 Auxiliary stands in front of the new mural she had a vision for at the facility on Legion Road. The muralist from South Carolina who did the patriotic work wishes to remain anonymous, she said.

American Legion post unveils striking patriotic mural

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
A decade after Russel Lade retired from the Air Force, he and his wife Dawn moved to Ellijay from Warner Robins four years ago. He’d been an American Legion member since age 18, and after his transfer to Post 82 in Ellijay, she joined the Auxiliary last year seeking volunteer opportunities.
From left, Rebecca Harrell, Renee Lake and Cat Benitez play a game of mahjong together at Mahjong in the Mountains.

From left, Rebecca Harrell, Renee Lake and Cat Benitez play a game of mahjong together at Mahjong in the Mountains.

Mahjong Club gains popularity in Gilmer

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
At Ellijay Mahjong, friendly rivalries, community, friendships and more have all blossomed out of a game. “You come for the game, but you stay for the friendships,” club member Rebecca Harrell said. Harrell started playing mahjong about five years ago.