Local

Sheriff Stacy Nicholson has served Gilmer County for 35 years.

Sheriff Stacy Nicholson has served Gilmer County for 35 years.

Sheriff remembers 35 years of service

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Gilmer County Sheriff Stacy Nicholson joined the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) because he needed a job.  He found a calling. “I quickly saw that my job was to help people,” he said.
Gilmer student Clifford DeFoor drags a dummy at the SkillsUSA firefighting competition. (Contributed photos)

Gilmer student Clifford DeFoor drags a dummy at the SkillsUSA firefighting competition. (Contributed photos)

Gilmer SkillsUSA students compete at regional and state

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Achieving mastery of an art is worth celebrating.  For Gilmer students in Career, Technical and Agricultural Education (CTAE), regional and state SkillsUSA competitions highlight their finely-honed skills.
Jackson Elliott/Reporter Renae Blair, the President of the Blair Haven Farm Equine Rescue and Sanctuary, cares for her mammoth donkey, Nutmeg, as she recovers at the University of Tennessee.

Jackson Elliott/Reporter Renae Blair, the President of the Blair Haven Farm Equine Rescue and Sanctuary, cares for her mammoth donkey, Nutmeg, as she recovers at the University of Tennessee.

Blair Haven Farm raises $8,680 to save donkey

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
It would take a miracle to save Nutmeg, a sick mammoth donkey.  And Renae Blair, the President of the Blair Haven Farm Equine Rescue and Sanctuary, got it. “I knew there was just something that we just hadn’t thought of,” she said.
In his many adventures as a treasure hunter, Joseph Hunter has found artifacts including these spoons, forks and belt buckles.

In his many adventures as a treasure hunter, Joseph Hunter has found artifacts including these spoons, forks and belt buckles.

Swinging and Dinging Detecting brings treasure hunting to Gilmer

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
With a metal detector, you can connect with history. Very often, the past is hidden somewhere out in the woods, under a thin layer of dirt. That’s why Swinging and Dinging Detecting, a local metal detector enthusiast group, loves their hobby.
A museum employee, left, and author Kathy Williams, right, remember history at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, La., 2016.

A museum employee, left, and author Kathy Williams, right, remember history at the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, La., 2016.

Amazing author’s memoirs make the past come alive

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
Local author Kathy Williams brings rich life experience to her two books, “Dear Dad” and “Wait.” “Dear Dad” retells her father Judson Miller’s experiences leading his men through World War II.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Controlled burns take place in Gilmer County

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Tom Govus found the landscape outside his house in Cartecay covered in thick smoke. “The last time it had been like this was when there was a big forest fire that burned thousands of acres,” he said. But the smoke wasn’t a forest fire, even if it felt stifling.
The future look of the Gilmer Veterans Memorial Wall rendered by architect Elena Maria Zas. The project is hoped to be completed by Memorial Day.

The future look of the Gilmer Veterans Memorial Wall rendered by architect Elena Maria Zas. The project is hoped to be completed by Memorial Day.

Groundbreaker held for Veterans Memorial Wall

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
A roll call of sorts was held at last week’s groundbreaking of what will soon become the Veterans Memorial Wall at River Park. Upon the wall will be inscribed: Don Murray, left, and Sandy Lyons were recognized for their contributions at Gilmer Veterans Memorial Park at a Memorial Day ceremony.
Bigfoot looks out over a lush wilderness landscape.

Bigfoot looks out over a lush wilderness landscape.

Nearly a third of Gilmer residents believe in Bigfoot

Jackson Elliott - Reporter
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
His image decorates bumper stickers, coffee mugs and souvenirs across America. Some love him. Some hate him. Everyone argues about him. He’s not a politician. He’s Bigfoot. America’s most famous cryptid is a perennial conversation-starter in Gilmer County.