Local

Doug Dovell

Doug Dovell

Last delivery

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
It wasn’t exactly the very last delivery that Doug Dovell was making above, but close. Dovell, Ellijay’s longtime city mail carrier, retired last week after 41 years with the U.S. Postal Service.
Aaron Garland leads the Gilmer High School Band during the halftime show at a recent home game against Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe High. (Photo by Robbie Bills/Sports Editor)

Aaron Garland leads the Gilmer High School Band during the halftime show at a recent home game against Lakeview Fort Oglethorpe High. (Photo by Robbie Bills/Sports Editor)

Gilmer High School Band alum proud to be new director

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
An Ellijay native who once played trombone in the Gilmer High School (GHS) Band has returned to GHS as its new band director.  Aaron Garland, a 2000 GHS grad with a master’s degree in music, began working as band director this past summer.
Sue and Walt Taylor show some of the fresh fruits and vegetables that have made Paw Paw’s Produce a popular roadside business. The future of the produce stand is uncertain after new spots the Taylors planned on moving to did not work out for various reasons.

Sue and Walt Taylor show some of the fresh fruits and vegetables that have made Paw Paw’s Produce a popular roadside business. The future of the produce stand is uncertain after new spots the Taylors planned on moving to did not work out for various reasons.

Produce stand in limbo after string of setbacks

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
The owners of a local produce stand are still on the move, albeit reluctantly.  Walt and Sue Taylor, the husband and wife behind Paw Paw’s Produce, ran their roadside fruit and vegetable stand on a Maddox Drive lot near East Ellijay Pawn for 14 years.
Two unidentified hikers help carry Prince, an exhausted 100-pound golden retriever, back from a long hike to Panther Creek Falls in Habersham County. Members of local outdoor activity group Stay Active Friends of Ellijay also assisted in the dog carrying team effort. (Contributed photo)

Two unidentified hikers help carry Prince, an exhausted 100-pound golden retriever, back from a long hike to Panther Creek Falls in Habersham County. Members of local outdoor activity group Stay Active Friends of Ellijay also assisted in the dog carrying team effort. (Contributed photo)

Day hike turns to dog rescue for members of local outdoors group

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
A recent day hike to a popular waterfall in Habersham County turned into a memorable experience for three local hikers, a South Carolina man, his dog and others. The reason why didn’t even involve the picturesque falls.  Bryan Santana, who lives in Greenville, S.C.
Times-Courier

Times-Courier

Assessor board split on hiring personal property audit firm

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Members of the Gilmer County Board of Assessors were split on deciding whether or not to allow hiring an outside company to do personal property auditing on local businesses. The item was discussed at an Aug.
Michael Bramlett

Michael Bramlett

Bramlett passes at 70

Robbie Bills - Sports Editor
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Longtime Gilmer County Board of Education member and avid Bobcat fan Michael Bramlett has passed away. Bramlett, 70, died last Saturday, Aug. 26. He was a lifelong Gilmer County resident and worked 42 years in the banking industry before retiring from Truist in 2020.
A conceptual drawing shows the possible layout of a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Legion Road and Old Highway 5.

A conceptual drawing shows the possible layout of a proposed roundabout at the intersection of Legion Road and Old Highway 5.

Ellijay council OKs planning for possible new roundabout

Michael Andrews - Mountain Life Editor
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
Ellijay might eventually have a third roundabout, this time at a school intersection with increasingly heavier traffic.  Mayor Al Hoyle and city councilmembers Sandy Ott, Katie Lancey, Kevin Pritchett, Tom Crawford and Al Fuller heard from two representatives of EXP U.S.