Local

Kenzli and her grandmother take part in Shop with a Hero beside Santa Claus himself and Melissa Waddell of the sheriff’s office. (Contributed photos)

Kenzli and her grandmother take part in Shop with a Hero beside Santa Claus himself and Melissa Waddell of the sheriff’s office. (Contributed photos)

‘Shop with a Hero’ a tour de force of collaboration

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Upon viewing the recent parade of dozens of law enforcement vehicles — with a couple of school buses packed with kids staged in the middle — a downtown merchant posted online, “Gilmer County Shop with a Hero came by the bakery this morning. We love this town!
Firefighters taking part in the Ellijay/Gilmer County Firefighters for Kids Christmas shopping effort at Walmart are, from left, Capt. Chris Harrell, Sgt. Jon Henderson, Glenn Ballard, Sgt. Katherine Evans, Battalion Chief Terence Evans and Sgt. Tim Allison. (Contributed photos)

Firefighters taking part in the Ellijay/Gilmer County Firefighters for Kids Christmas shopping effort at Walmart are, from left, Capt. Chris Harrell, Sgt. Jon Henderson, Glenn Ballard, Sgt. Katherine Evans, Battalion Chief Terence Evans and Sgt. Tim Allison. (Contributed photos)

Firefighters for Kids Christmas carries on

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Because of a “soft spot in our hearts,” first responders of a non-law enforcement stripe have kept the Ellijay/Gilmer County Firefighters for Kids Christmas program going for 16 years. Battalion Chief Mike Dempsey of Gilmer Fire and Rescue began the effort in 2008.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Commissioners look to carve expenses from 2025 budget

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Gilmer County commissioners are going to have to do more than check under the sofa cushions for loose  change to balance the 2025 budget. Over the last two weeks, the board has met in an attempt to shave down next year’s maintenance and operating budget and the capital budget.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Gilmer Sheriff’s Office warns about ‘smishing’

News Staff
Sunday, December 22, 2024
Keep up with what packages you have on the way, the Grinch is out with a new scam this winter. The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office issued a warning on its app last week to beware of holiday scams, most prominently ‘smishing.’ “You get an email or text, and it says you missed the delivery.
A deed book at the Gilmer County Courthouse shows the record of Martin Scalf’s donation of 10 acres for the creation of downtown Ellijay in 1833. The town was named the county seat the following year.

A deed book at the Gilmer County Courthouse shows the record of Martin Scalf’s donation of 10 acres for the creation of downtown Ellijay in 1833. The town was named the county seat the following year.

Ellijay reaches 190 years as county seat

News Staff
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
By Whitney Sherrill, Contributing writer — On June 15, 1833, a blind man named Martin Scalf drew an “X” on a deed indicating his desire to donate 10 acres to “the Justices of the Inferior Court of Gilmer County Town of Elijay (sic)” for the construction of government buildings and development of...
Gilmer County Post Commissioner Hubert Parker (center) was honored with a plaque at his final regularly scheduled meeting by Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris and Post Commissioner John Marshall.

Gilmer County Post Commissioner Hubert Parker (center) was honored with a plaque at his final regularly scheduled meeting by Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris and Post Commissioner John Marshall.

Commissioners to schedule public hearings

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
Though no determination has been made about pulling Gilmer County out of HB581, commissioners have agreed to schedule the three public hearings outlined in the process. “We need to have those and get people’s input,” said Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris.
Attendees at a past Bethlehem Peace Light ceremony at Good Samaritan Catholic Church in Ellijay get their candles and lanterns lit in order to carry the flame to their homes and/or respective churches. From left are Ginger Hussian, Richard Byers, organizer Jack Planchard and Monsignor Jaime Barona, a retired priest from Gainesville. This year, the flame will be shared on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 10 a.m. at Hope Luthern Church south of Ellijay. The public is invited.

Attendees at a past Bethlehem Peace Light ceremony at Good Samaritan Catholic Church in Ellijay get their candles and lanterns lit in order to carry the flame to their homes and/or respective churches. From left are Ginger Hussian, Richard Byers, organizer Jack Planchard and Monsignor Jaime Barona, a retired priest from Gainesville. This year, the flame will be shared on Saturday, Dec. 21, at 10 a.m. at Hope Luthern Church south of Ellijay. The public is invited.

War won’t stop Bethlehem Peace Light

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
With the ongoing war in the Middle East, a Christmastime tradition that began decades ago is taking a different tack this year.
Brian Shedd of American Legion Post 82 in Ellijay recently visited with a former publisher of the Dalton Daily Citizen, George Clarke, of the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home in Augusta. Shedd and Legion members across Georgia visited dozens of veterans in the pre-Christmas trip, and he sought out Clarke at the request of friends Mark and Teresa Millican. Clarke is wearing a hat with the South Carolina state symbol given him by the couple; his early years as a newspaperman were in the Charleston area.

Brian Shedd of American Legion Post 82 in Ellijay recently visited with a former publisher of the Dalton Daily Citizen, George Clarke, of the Georgia War Veterans Nursing Home in Augusta. Shedd and Legion members across Georgia visited dozens of veterans in the pre-Christmas trip, and he sought out Clarke at the request of friends Mark and Teresa Millican. Clarke is wearing a hat with the South Carolina state symbol given him by the couple; his early years as a newspaperman were in the Charleston area.

American Legion’s Brian Shedd makes new friend

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
(Ed. note: When Brian Shedd, of Ellijay, announced on social media recently that he and fellow American Legion members in Georgia were going to make a special visit to Augusta, the writer of this article contacted him and made a request.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Board of Assessors to meet Dec. 19

News Staff
Wednesday, December 18, 2024
The Gilmer County Board of Assessors will hold its regularly scheduled meeting Thursday, Dec. 19, 2024, at 3 p.m. at its office, Gilmer County Courthouse, 1 Broad Street, Suite 104, Ellijay.