Local

Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Voting hours extended, turnout is high

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
As voting in the 2024 election enters the final week, extended hours have been announced for Gilmer County early voting. Gilmer County Chief Registrar Tammy Watkins said voting will run from 7:30 a.m. until 6:30 p.m. through Friday, Nov. 1.
The photographer almost walked face first into this huge Joro spider in the Frosty Mountain development in eastern Gilmer County (left, photo by Mark Millican). At right, this Joro spider in the Burnt Mountain area spanning Gilmer and Pickens counties shows off its intricate web that has captured a falling leaf (photo by René Wilder).

The photographer almost walked face first into this huge Joro spider in the Frosty Mountain development in eastern Gilmer County (left, photo by Mark Millican). At right, this Joro spider in the Burnt Mountain area spanning Gilmer and Pickens counties shows off its intricate web that has captured a falling leaf (photo by René Wilder).

Just in time for Halloween – Joro spiders invade Gilmer County

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, October 30, 2024
René Wilder sees a lot of wildlife in the Burnt Mountain area, but some newcomers — Joro spiders — are really putting on a display. “We’ve never seen this many before up here,” said Wilder, an ad rep for the Times-Courier. “Their webs are pretty amazing.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

GHS graduation rate ranks 10th in state

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
As graduation rates rise across the state, Gilmer High School ranks among the best. The Georgia Department of Education released graduation rates for all districts Oct. 8. Gilmer High’s four-year graduation rose from 92.9 percent last year to 98.4 percent in 2024.
Smoke rises from a small plane crash at the Gilmer County airport.

Smoke rises from a small plane crash at the Gilmer County airport.

Plane crash

News Staff
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Smoke rises from a small plane crash at the Gilmer County airport. Fire trucks can be seen responding to the incident which occurred Wednesday, Oct. 16, at noon. Four adults survived the crash with minor injuries, according to Gilmer County Assistant Fire Chief Jason Bryant.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Board tweaks short-term rental ordinance, sets fee

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Gilmer County commissioners set the fee for short-term rentals in the county and added some safety tweaks to the short-term rental ordinance. A couple of short-term rental owners pushed back against changes in the work session and public hearing before the ordinance changes were made.
An overhead view shows the 2024 Georgia Apple Festival unfolding. (Gilmer Chamber photo)

An overhead view shows the 2024 Georgia Apple Festival unfolding. (Gilmer Chamber photo)

Apple Festival draws 55,000 attending

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Clear skies and crisp fall weather helped bring a little over 55,000 people to the 53rd annual Georgia Apple Festival over the last two weekends. “It takes a community to put this thing on,” said Natalie Knight, festival manager.
At the Gilmer County Airport, volunteers load a plane with supplies bound for those affected by Hurricane Helene.

At the Gilmer County Airport, volunteers load a plane with supplies bound for those affected by Hurricane Helene.

Hurricane relief arriving from Gilmer County

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Supplies for those in western North Carolina, South Carolina and parts of Tennessee affected by the devastation of Hurricane Helene have been arriving from Gilmer County by plane and truck. A team of local residents affiliated with a local distillery has been among those making the supply runs.
Ribbon cutting on Lower Cartecay bridge

Ribbon cutting on Lower Cartecay bridge

Lower Cartecay crossing reopened

News Staff
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Gilmer County Chair Charlie Paris cuts the ribbon for the opening of the new Lower Cartecay Bridge. The bridge was replaced by the Georgia Department of Transportation at a cost of $4 million after roughly 5 years of being closed.
Speed tables

Speed tables

Speed tables on North Avenue

News Staff
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
New speed tables have been installed on North Avenue in an effort to curb speeding on the heavily traveled downtown street. The Ellijay City Council recently approved the tables going in after hearing comments from multiple North Avenue residents.