Local

Teaching assistant Melissa Long high-fives Trinity Dazey and helps Jayden Morales Lorenzo make his friendship bracelet in Laura Bramlett’s kindergarten class.

Teaching assistant Melissa Long high-fives Trinity Dazey and helps Jayden Morales Lorenzo make his friendship bracelet in Laura Bramlett’s kindergarten class.

Back to school

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Gilmer County students were back in the classroom Monday to begin the 2024-25 school year. Above are scenes from Mountain View Elementary School. 
Marea McIntosh posted this photo and others on the “Ellijay Life” Facebook page and remarked, “(I) saw the two funnel clouds forming at the beginning of (the July 30) storm shortly before we lost power. Holden Road (off Old Highway 5 South) has several trees down and power lines down on the road.” (Contributed photo)

Marea McIntosh posted this photo and others on the “Ellijay Life” Facebook page and remarked, “(I) saw the two funnel clouds forming at the beginning of (the July 30) storm shortly before we lost power. Holden Road (off Old Highway 5 South) has several trees down and power lines down on the road.” (Contributed photo)

‘Crazy’ thunderstorm causes damage

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Josh Chancey and his family saw firsthand how scary a violent thunderstorm can be when it slammed into their Buckhorn neighborhood last week.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

County ends deal to purchase building

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Gilmer County commissioners voted to cancel an agreement to buy an office building in East Ellijay. A unanimous vote was taken following an hour long closed door meeting Aug. 2. County Attorney David Clark said “suitability” was the reason for ending the deal.
Volunteer Lindsey Porter logs in food items as the truck from the Chattanooga Area Food Bank delivers to the Gilmer Community Food Pantry each Tuesday at their 5273 Highway 52 East location.

Volunteer Lindsey Porter logs in food items as the truck from the Chattanooga Area Food Bank delivers to the Gilmer Community Food Pantry each Tuesday at their 5273 Highway 52 East location.

Food pantry emergency averted

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Quick thinking and faithful volunteers kept thousands of dollars of food from being lost last week at the Gilmer Community Food Pantry. Director Allen Triebel said power outages before and after the July 30 storm made two days in a row “quite hectic.
Jackson McVey scores two points during his junior season at Gilmer High School. He will play his senior season with Overtime Elite in Atlanta.

Jackson McVey scores two points during his junior season at Gilmer High School. He will play his senior season with Overtime Elite in Atlanta.

McVey transfers to OTE

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
One of the best to ever suit up for Gilmer High has played his final basketball game with the Bobcats. Ellijay’s Jackson McVey filed his transfer paperwork with GHS and is set to play his senior season with Overtime Elite (OTE), which is an Atlanta-based league for 16-20-year-olds.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Parents sue over death of teen

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
A lawsuit has been filed by the family of a Gilmer County teen who died while in custody. “We are aware of the lawsuit,” said Gilmer County Attorney David Clark. “But, the county has yet to be served.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Board approves rollback millage rate

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Gilmer County commissioners voted unanimously to approve the rollback millage rate for 2024. The vote was taken at a special called meeting July 22. For the 2024 tax assessments, the rollback rate was calculated at 5.329 mils. The current millage rate is 5.5 mils.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

County looks to Jan. 1 start date for STR ordinance

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
After almost a year and 18 previous versions, Gilmer County has an ordinance regulating the operation and licensing of short-term rentals, and there’s still a lot be done between now and when the ordinance goes into effect Jan. 1 2025.
Jesse Westbrook, right, received the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Medal during a presentation at Ellijay’s United Community Bank in mid-June. U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia’s Ninth Congressional District, left, helped procure the medals through a request originated by Westbrook’s friend, Ralph Cox, center. It’s been 71 years since Westbrook served in Korea.

Jesse Westbrook, right, received the Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal and the National Defense Medal during a presentation at Ellijay’s United Community Bank in mid-June. U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia’s Ninth Congressional District, left, helped procure the medals through a request originated by Westbrook’s friend, Ralph Cox, center. It’s been 71 years since Westbrook served in Korea.

Westbrook receives medals 71 years later

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
When Jesse Westbrook was deployed to South Korea in 1952, he stayed until the end of the war on July 27, 1953. Though it might be said hostilities were winding down in that last year, Westbrook and his unit were still supporting combat missions while dodging bullets and mortar shells.
Pictured, from left, board member Hubert Parker, board member Ricky Wimpey, board member Tony Whitaker, wife Halena Gibbs, daughter Holli Gibbs, son Matt Teague, daughter-in-law Whitney Teague, board chairman Billy Rowe, board member David Westmoreland, former board member Greg Teague and water authority director Gary McVey. 

Pictured, from left, board member Hubert Parker, board member Ricky Wimpey, board member Tony Whitaker, wife Halena Gibbs, daughter Holli Gibbs, son Matt Teague, daughter-in-law Whitney Teague, board chairman Billy Rowe, board member David Westmoreland, former board member Greg Teague and water authority director Gary McVey. 

Gibbs honored by water authority

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority board members and staff honored late board chairman Mike Gibbs last week by unveiling a commemorative plaque bearing his likeness that will hang at the water authority building on Progress Road.