Local

Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Gilmer’s CCA does not get grant

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
For the second year in a row, Gilmer’s college and career academy narrowly missed out on an educational grant that has become increasingly scarce. The Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) heard presentations from four school districts in November who were vying for one $3.1 million grant.
Curtis Edward McConnell, 42, of 32 Ridge Road, Ellijay, and Breanna Micaela Rodriguez, 28, of 353 Collette Street, Andrews, are both charged with multiple felonies involving drug sales.

Curtis Edward McConnell, 42, of 32 Ridge Road, Ellijay, and Breanna Micaela Rodriguez, 28, of 353 Collette Street, Andrews, are both charged with multiple felonies involving drug sales.

Ellijay man arrested in Fannin drug bust

News Staff
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
By Glenn Harbison, News-Observer Multiple drug charges have left a pair of suspects being held without bond in the Fannin County Jail following their arrests Monday, Dec. 11.
Outgoing Ellijay City Councilmembers Sandy Ott, left, and Katie Lancey, right, are pictured with Mayor Al Hoyle following their last council meeting.

Outgoing Ellijay City Councilmembers Sandy Ott, left, and Katie Lancey, right, are pictured with Mayor Al Hoyle following their last council meeting.

Last meeting for two Ellijay councilmembers

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
The Ellijay City Council met for the last time in 2023 with a brief agenda and goodbyes to councilmembers Katie Lancey and Sandy Ott, both of whom will be coming off the council at the end of the year.  Lancey has served on the council since 1998 and Ott since 2020.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Water authority board hears year-end project updates

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Ellijay-Gilmer County Water and Sewerage Authority board members heard updates on continuing projects headed into 2024 during a brief end-of-year meeting Dec. 18.
From front left, Gilmer Arts board president Terry Ellis, Gilmer Arts director Pam Burns and Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley accept donation checks from Ellijay Songwriters Festival promoter Ray Green, right. The donated funds, which came from the May 2023 live music event, will be put toward programs offered by the two recipients.

From front left, Gilmer Arts board president Terry Ellis, Gilmer Arts director Pam Burns and Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Brian Ridley accept donation checks from Ellijay Songwriters Festival promoter Ray Green, right. The donated funds, which came from the May 2023 live music event, will be put toward programs offered by the two recipients.

Local programs benefit from songwriter fest

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, December 27, 2023
Some local music and arts programs will benefit from a live music event held around the county in May.  Last week, Ray Green, promoter of the Ellijay Songwriters Festival, presented two checks totaling almost $6,000 to Gilmer Arts and Gilmer County Schools.  Dr.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Piedmont plans new ER, medical facility

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
A big transformation is in store for local Piedmont health offices and a partially undeveloped piece of land off Highway 515.
Above left, David Jones, a state trooper from Gilmer County, left, was among the many local and area police and fire department representatives who participated in the fifth annual Shop With a Hero program. At right, East Ellijay Police officers Sgt. Noel Loera, back left, and patrolman Logan Bristol, back right, get ready to lead shopping trips at the East Ellijay Walmart during the fifth annual Shop With a Hero day.

Above left, David Jones, a state trooper from Gilmer County, left, was among the many local and area police and fire department representatives who participated in the fifth annual Shop With a Hero program. At right, East Ellijay Police officers Sgt. Noel Loera, back left, and patrolman Logan Bristol, back right, get ready to lead shopping trips at the East Ellijay Walmart during the fifth annual Shop With a Hero day.

Shop With a Hero helps 77 Gilmer kids

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
The caravan of emergency vehicles that passed through Ellijay and East Ellijay early Saturday, Dec. 9, was a cause for celebration, not concern.  Thankfully, there was not a serious emergency situation at hand.
Burley Davis, 100, is pictured with his caretaker, Jennifer Griffin, at his Pleasant Gap residence. He served in both the European and Pacific Theaters of World War II.

Burley Davis, 100, is pictured with his caretaker, Jennifer Griffin, at his Pleasant Gap residence. He served in both the European and Pacific Theaters of World War II.

‘Watching dogfights at 20,000 feet’

Mark Millican - Special to the Times-Courier
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
After completing desert training for deployment in the North African theater, Burley Davis was unexpectedly sent to Great Britain with his U.S. Army unit. There, he and his fellow soldiers found themselves below some sky-high action when air-raid sirens sounded.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Loaded agenda for commissioners

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
In their final regular meeting of 2023, Gilmer County commissioners dealt with a stuffed stocking of issues. Items on the agenda ranged from bridges to bike trails and new people and new convenience center hours for Yukon Road.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Gilmer County budget comes in under the wire

Andy Ashurst - Publisher
Wednesday, December 20, 2023
Gilmer County commissioners put the finishing touches on the 2024 budget just in time for a public hearing this week. A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 20, at the Gilmer County courthouse. Beginning with a budget meeting Nov.