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Jamie and Miki have lived in Ellijay since 2020. They are originally from Loganville. (Lauren Sabia/Reporter)

Jamie and Miki have lived in Ellijay since 2020. They are originally from Loganville. (Lauren Sabia/Reporter)

The humans behind Skelli-Jay

Lauren Sabia
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
People driving along Highway 52 East in Ellijay are sure to see a giant, mummified skeleton that doesn’t just celebrate Halloween. An electric sign flashes its name, Skelli-Jay, to drivers passing by. The name was coined by community members, Tasha and Briar Green.
Maddox Drive during the January 10 snow event. (Photo by Robbie Bills)

Maddox Drive during the January 10 snow event. (Photo by Robbie Bills)

Winter storm closes Gilmer schools for entire week

Lauren Sabia
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
Gilmer County students did not return to the classroom at all last week because of the winter storm. North Georgia was blanketed in snow Friday, Jan. 10, with 4 inches recorded in Ellijay.
Dangerous, freezing temperatures in the forecast

Dangerous, freezing temperatures in the forecast

Dangerous, freezing temperatures in the forecast

Lauren Sabia
Monday, January 20, 2025
The National Weather Service (NWS) reports a long-duration cold event could create dangerous conditions across north Georgia this week. An “extreme cold warning” was issued late Sunday night through Monday morning.
Photo captured from video posted to GCSO’s Facebook page on Friday. An SUV slid down Ogden Drive in the Coosawattee River Resort, hitting two parked vehicles. No serious injuries were reported.

Photo captured from video posted to GCSO’s Facebook page on Friday. An SUV slid down Ogden Drive in the Coosawattee River Resort, hitting two parked vehicles. No serious injuries were reported.

Rare storm blankets north Georgia in snow

Lauren Sabia
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Winter Storm Cora brought four inches of snow to Gilmer County, according to Emergency Management officials.  Friday’s snowfall impacted all of north Georgia. It was the first time more than an inch of snow has been recorded in Atlanta since 2018, according to the National Weather Service (NWS).
From left to right, horses Elle, Diva and Moe trot through the snow at Blondie Acres, located in Cherry Log.

From left to right, horses Elle, Diva and Moe trot through the snow at Blondie Acres, located in Cherry Log.

Gilmer County becomes a winter wonderland

Lauren Sabia
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Waking up to snow falling Friday morning was a welcomed occasion for Gilmer County residents, and highlighted the importance of community. Sherry Keith sent in this picture of her snowman.
President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter with Ellijay residents Bob and Melinda Hadden when the couple were visiting in the years following his presidency.

President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter with Ellijay residents Bob and Melinda Hadden when the couple were visiting in the years following his presidency.

Eating tomato sandwiches with Jimmy Carter

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Joe Sisson vividly recalls the first time he met Jimmy Carter, the former Georgia governor and 39th president of the United States who passed away recently at age 100.
Haley Higingbotham, the salutatorian for Gilmer High’s Class of 2016, is pictured outside the U.S. Capitol last week, waiting to see the casket holding President Jimmy Carter’s body lying in state in the Rotunda.

Haley Higingbotham, the salutatorian for Gilmer High’s Class of 2016, is pictured outside the U.S. Capitol last week, waiting to see the casket holding President Jimmy Carter’s body lying in state in the Rotunda.

Ellijay native visits Rotunda to see Carter lying in state

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
Ellijay native Haley Higingbotham and another friend from Georgia waited three hours outdoors in subfreezing, wind-chilled temperatures last week to view the casket with President Jimmy Carter’s body lying in state in Washington, D.C.
Clyde Wolfe-Borders, a volunteer at the Gilmer County Animal Shelter, holds one of six puppies that just arrived with their mom. He received a Facebook message that their owner moved and left them behind.

Clyde Wolfe-Borders, a volunteer at the Gilmer County Animal Shelter, holds one of six puppies that just arrived with their mom. He received a Facebook message that their owner moved and left them behind.

What happens to pets if their owner loses their home?

Lauren Sabia
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
From foreclosures to evictions, people who lose their home need to find new accommodations for their furry friends. Gilmer County Animal Shelter director Kelly Pickering says most of the time, they end up with her.  “There’s hardly the same process for each one,” Pickering said.