Local

Head coach Jordan Hice became the Bobcats’ all-time basketball wins leader with 167 when Gilmer High defeated West Hall last Friday. Hice is congratulated by dad Gene Hice, who previously held the record with 166.

Head coach Jordan Hice became the Bobcats’ all-time basketball wins leader with 167 when Gilmer High defeated West Hall last Friday. Hice is congratulated by dad Gene Hice, who previously held the record with 166.

‘Like father, like son’

The Hice family sits atop the Gilmer High School basketball coaching record book.  Last Friday marked an historic night for the boys basketball program when Jordan Hice earned his 167th win as the Bobcats’ head coach.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Commissioners wade through loaded calendar to begin year

Gilmer County commissioners authorized the purchase of a fire truck as part of a loaded calendar of items. A split vote was taken to purchase the truck with Post Commissioner Hubert Parker voting against the acquisition. The discussion ranged over a special called meeting Jan.
Fort Mountain State Park hosted the annual Black Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day, with 159 registered for the brief dip into the lake. Air temperature was 33 degrees with a 15-20 mph wind, according to a park spokesperson. Around 400 people attended overall. (Photo by Benny Huggins of Chatsworth)

Fort Mountain State Park hosted the annual Black Bear Plunge on New Year’s Day, with 159 registered for the brief dip into the lake. Air temperature was 33 degrees with a 15-20 mph wind, according to a park spokesperson. Around 400 people attended overall. (Photo by Benny Huggins of Chatsworth)

Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Storm closes schools, knocks out power

About this time last year, the county was barely thawed out from a single-digit deep freeze over Christmas week.  It was warmer temperatures coupled with heavy rain and wind that made for dangerous weather conditions Tuesday Jan. 9.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

GCSS needs bus drivers

Transportation is a vital need of every school district, and Gilmer is experiencing a bus driver shortage. The topic was discussed at the Gilmer County Board of Education’s December work session.
Alison Sosebee

Alison Sosebee

Sosebee to be superior court judge

Gov. Brian Kemp has announced that Alison Sosebee, district attorney for the Appalachian Judicial Circuit, will fill the vacancy for a third superior court judge in the three-county court circuit.  Sosebee has been the Appalachian circuit’s DA since 2013.
Departing Gilmer Animal Shelter Director Daniel Laukka, right, is pictured with Kelly Pickering, who will begin work as the animal shelter’s new director this week.

Departing Gilmer Animal Shelter Director Daniel Laukka, right, is pictured with Kelly Pickering, who will begin work as the animal shelter’s new director this week.

Laukka leaves legacy with animal shelter

The unwanted pets of Gilmer County are losing an ally whose leadership brought needed changes and improvements to the local animal shelter.  Daniel Laukka, the shelter’s director for the past nine years, recently offered his resignation, which will take effect Jan. 5.
Micah is safely back home after a 30-mile round trip, the first half quite perilous. (Photo by Marti Burgess)

Micah is safely back home after a 30-mile round trip, the first half quite perilous. (Photo by Marti Burgess)

The incredible hitchhiking kitten

Around six months ago, Marti and Bob Burgess noticed a feral cat hanging around their property in southwestern Gilmer County, not far from Carters Lake. They knew it was hungry because it was getting into their garbage and stalking birds. Soon they learned more about their visitor.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

New location, same focus for 2024 Night to Shine

A prom for people with disabilities and special needs will soon shift to a new location, while remaining under the same direction of Cartecay Baptist Church.  The Night to Shine event will take place for the first time at Victory Christian Center (VCC) Friday, Feb 9, from 6-9 p.m.
Representatives of Gilmer Fire and Rescue, Ellijay Fire Department, Ellijay Elementary School and Gilmer County Schools are shown with a delivery of toys that was part of this year’s Ellijay-Gilmer Firefighters Kids Christmas effort. Pictured, from left, back: Rylan Cochran, Alton Guidry, Dwayne McPherson, Andrew Mabry, Dr. Melinda Fonteboa, Tommy Vandiver, Katherine Evans, Sam West and Dustin Lovell; front: Mike Dempsey, Emerald Goble and Haley Gaddy.

Representatives of Gilmer Fire and Rescue, Ellijay Fire Department, Ellijay Elementary School and Gilmer County Schools are shown with a delivery of toys that was part of this year’s Ellijay-Gilmer Firefighters Kids Christmas effort. Pictured, from left, back: Rylan Cochran, Alton Guidry, Dwayne McPherson, Andrew Mabry, Dr. Melinda Fonteboa, Tommy Vandiver, Katherine Evans, Sam West and Dustin Lovell; front: Mike Dempsey, Emerald Goble and Haley Gaddy.

Firefighters, others team up for Kids Christmas

Teamwork makes the dream work. At a young age, schoolchildren learn this handy little phrase to help them cooperate and succeed in their tasks. Teamwork is also what makes a Christmas toy drive led by local firefighters come together each year just before the holiday school break.