Local

Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Majority in favor of rec center

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Attendees at a town hall called by Gilmer County commissioners to gauge interest in a recreation center were overwhelmingly in favor of the project. Ellijay Elementary School’s auditorium was close to capacity for the meeting Wednesday, Jan. 17.
Josh Chancey, a Kids Ferst of Gilmer County board member, reads to children at a local elementary school. The childhood literacy organization distributes 1,000 books a month to children ages 0 to 5 in the county, and recently passed donating its 200,000th book since the program’s inception in 2007.

Josh Chancey, a Kids Ferst of Gilmer County board member, reads to children at a local elementary school. The childhood literacy organization distributes 1,000 books a month to children ages 0 to 5 in the county, and recently passed donating its 200,000th book since the program’s inception in 2007.

Unique childhood literacy program at risk of closing

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
The pandemic and inflation have delivered a one-two punch to many states’ economies throughout the nation. Now childhood literacy advocates say the destructive duo could knock out a program that is feeding the educational dreams of local kids.
Jackson McVey with parents, Patrick and Susan

Jackson McVey with parents, Patrick and Susan

Family affair for McVeys

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Gilmer High junior Jackson McVey was recognized for scoring his 1,000th career point prior to the Bobcats’ Jan. 12 game versus West Hall. He is joined by parents Patrick and Susan McVey, who are GHS alumni.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

County agencies had few issues during cold snap

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Last week’s freezing cold snap caused one school systemwide closing (which meant a digital learning day for students) followed by a two-hour delay the next day, but no big issues for local utilities or emergency management agencies.
New Ellijay City Councilmembers Thomas Griffith and Claudia Penland are sworn in for their first terms prior to Monday’s council meeting.

New Ellijay City Councilmembers Thomas Griffith and Claudia Penland are sworn in for their first terms prior to Monday’s council meeting.

City of Ellijay council, mayor begin new terms

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
The Ellijay City Council welcomed two new members at its first meeting of 2024.  New mayor pro tem Claudia Penland and councilmember Thomas Griffith were elected to their first terms in November.
Assessors chairman Bill Logan and vice chairman Jerry Davis

Assessors chairman Bill Logan and vice chairman Jerry Davis

Assessor board names officers, updates policies

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
The Gilmer County Board of Assessors updated several assessors office policies and named board members for 2024 during its first meeting of the new year.  Assessor board positions will remain the same for the year, with Bill Logan continuing as chairman and Jerry Davis as vice chairman.
Patrick McVey, president of the Ellijay-Gilmer County Library Foundation, left, presents a plaque to Anne and Lex Rainey, center and right, dedicating a portion of the facility’s lower level to the longtime supporters of the local public library.

Patrick McVey, president of the Ellijay-Gilmer County Library Foundation, left, presents a plaque to Anne and Lex Rainey, center and right, dedicating a portion of the facility’s lower level to the longtime supporters of the local public library.

Area of library dedicated to Raineys

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
A gathering room at the Gilmer County Library was dedicated to a local couple who were heavily involved with getting the library’s current location built.
Becky Griffin, of the UGA Extension Service Mountain Research and Education Center in Blairsville, will present a workshop on how to grow milkweed and the benefits of the native plant in an upcoming Master Gardeners program at the Gilmer County Library.

Becky Griffin, of the UGA Extension Service Mountain Research and Education Center in Blairsville, will present a workshop on how to grow milkweed and the benefits of the native plant in an upcoming Master Gardeners program at the Gilmer County Library.

Master Gardeners to host milkweed workshop

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, January 24, 2024
The Gilmer County Master Gardeners will welcome a guest speaker to give a full tutorial on a native plant that’s beneficial to butterfly and firefly populations at one of the UGA Extension-sponsored group’s upcoming free programs.
Construction of an Aldi supermarket in East Ellijay nears completion, but the opening of the store could be delayed due to the long wait time for a power transformer.

Construction of an Aldi supermarket in East Ellijay nears completion, but the opening of the store could be delayed due to the long wait time for a power transformer.

Transformer shortage could delay openings

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
The opening of an Aldi supermarket in East Ellijay could be delayed due to the unavailability of a crucial piece of equipment needed to supply power to the store.  A three-phase transformer, which is used by larger facilities, will be needed to suit the store’s electrical consumption.
Gilmer County Road Crew Supervisor Ronnie Chadwick takes a look at Evans Road after creek waters came up over it during a heavy storm last week.

Gilmer County Road Crew Supervisor Ronnie Chadwick takes a look at Evans Road after creek waters came up over it during a heavy storm last week.

County roads escaped much storm damage

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, January 17, 2024
Gilmer County’s roads and bridges did not take too much of a pounding from a storm that brought a deluge of rain and heavy winds Tuesday, Jan. 9.  “We were exceptionally lucky this go-round. We’ve had instances in the past where we’ve had multiple blowouts.