Local

An FFA family looks at a new crop duster drone at the Georgia Ag Expo Saturday, March 14. Shown from left are Luke Oliver, John Oliver and Melissa Oliver.

An FFA family looks at a new crop duster drone at the Georgia Ag Expo Saturday, March 14. Shown from left are Luke Oliver, John Oliver and Melissa Oliver.

Old-fashioned hard work and new tech meet at North Georgia Ag Expo

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Some parts of farming haven’t changed much since the Stone Age. Cassie Norman shows her goat, Boogie, at the North Georgia Ag Expo Saturday, March 14. Other parts would sound like science fiction even a decade ago.
Renae Blair shares a tender moment with Phoenix, an 11-month-old Belgian colt with a deadly medical condition.

Renae Blair shares a tender moment with Phoenix, an 11-month-old Belgian colt with a deadly medical condition.

Book signing celebrates a doomed horse

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Phoenix, an 11-month-old Belgian horse, won’t live much longer. Phoenix, an 11-month-old Belgian colt, has an unfixable condition that leaves his feet overly bent because he wasn’t properly treated at birth.  His fetlock joints bend too much, so his feet can’t hold him correctly.
Gardeners can learn when and where plants grow best from the Gilmer County Library’s seed bank.

Gardeners can learn when and where plants grow best from the Gilmer County Library’s seed bank.

Seed Library helps gardeners

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Just like books, small seeds can take root, grow and yield amazing results. The Gilmer County Library’s seed bank offers seeds to plant for gardeners, as well as information on plants. That’s why the Gilmer County Library (GCL) has opened its seasonal Seed Library.
Award winners celebrate with those close to them at the Thursday, March 12, Daughters of the American Revolution’s awards ceremony. Shown from left are, front, Lillian Seay, Ella Bramlett, Nora Todd, Rosalie Greenberg, Brittany Todd and Hailey Greenberg; and, back, Kelly Seay, Glenn Seay, Dr. Gregory Withrow, Lori Bramlett, Michael Todd, Schott Leiter and Paula Hyatt.

Award winners celebrate with those close to them at the Thursday, March 12, Daughters of the American Revolution’s awards ceremony. Shown from left are, front, Lillian Seay, Ella Bramlett, Nora Todd, Rosalie Greenberg, Brittany Todd and Hailey Greenberg; and, back, Kelly Seay, Glenn Seay, Dr. Gregory Withrow, Lori Bramlett, Michael Todd, Schott Leiter and Paula Hyatt.

Daughters of the American Revolution celebrates community achievements

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
People may often think of patriotism as a national phenomenon, but it’s truly local.  National heroes come from particular towns. Documents are stored at local libraries. Veterans are buried in local graves.
Jo Loveday, a thriller author, will be part of the Local Authors Forum, hosted by Friends of the Gilmer Library.

Jo Loveday, a thriller author, will be part of the Local Authors Forum, hosted by Friends of the Gilmer Library.

Thriller novels come from inventive Gilmer woman

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Often, the best story ideas come from real life. Gilmer author Jo Loveday got her thriller ideas from her time working as a nurse and the deep knowledge of people this career gave her.  Loveday is originally from Canada.
Charlie Paris

Charlie Paris

Charlie Paris announces candidacy for re-election

News Staff
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
I’m Charlie Paris and I am currently the Chairman of your Board of Commissioners. I am a candidate for re-election to that office.  Over the past 11 years we have made major  improvements to each department and have also improved the financial position of the county to the best in our history.
Gilmer Fire and Rescue Chief Paul Beamon displays his department’s new blood transfusion kit. This technology will save lives.

Gilmer Fire and Rescue Chief Paul Beamon displays his department’s new blood transfusion kit. This technology will save lives.

New blood transfusion kits will save lives

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
The time between injury and blood transfusion can decide life or death.  That’s why Gilmer Fire and Rescue’s (GFR) new transfusion kits make a difference for everyone in the county. “That’s a game changer,” Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Division Fire Chief Paul Beamon said.
Gilmer High school junior Lilyan Cook, left, and senior Lauren Smith, right, get free prom dresses at Make It Yours Alterations and Formal Wear March 7.

Gilmer High school junior Lilyan Cook, left, and senior Lauren Smith, right, get free prom dresses at Make It Yours Alterations and Formal Wear March 7.

Free prom dress program helps Gilmer girls

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
To a teenage girl, prom is a celebration of high school success and a final celebration before leaving high school. “It’s kind of a rite of passage,” former teenage girl Alexandria Patterson said. But prom dresses can be incredibly expensive.