Five hour standoff with individual threatening self-harm
Featured Stories December 20, 2022
PRESS RELEASE – The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office released the following statement after an almost five hour incident where they responded to a call where an individual had barricaded himself and was threatening to harm himself.
GCSO stated, “The heavy Sheriff’s Office and EMS presence in the 1600 block [off] John Call Road today was in response to a barricaded male subject threatening to harm himself with a firearm. After almost five hours, the man surrendered to law enforcement and was taken into custody without incident. We are thankful for the peaceful resolution to this incident and appreciate the assistance from our colleagues with Gilmer County EMA and the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office SWAT team.”
The National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) reported, “64% of people with mental illness report holidays make their conditions worse.”
The holidays typically represent joy and time together with friends and family, be sure to check in with yours this holiday season.
UPDATE: Missing Teenager Found Safe One Day Later
Announcements, Police & Government September 19, 2019GILMER COUNTY, GA – On September, 19, William Marlin Branch disappeared from his Gilmer County home at 3 a.m. The Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office (GCSO) asked anyone with information about missing teenager to keep an eye out, and on September 20, GSCO reported Branch had been found safe.
Branch left his home on Charlotte’s Webb Drive at 3:00 a.m. on Thursday, September 19 following an altercation. He is 14 years old, 5’8, 120 lbs, with brown hair and brown eyes. He left wearing green pants, a camouflage jacket, and ball cap.
The last reported siting of Branch occurred around 6 a.m. on September 19 until he was found on September 20.
GCSO broadcasted the missing teenager on their Facebook for the public to actively participate in the search for the boy.
If you have any information or have seen Branch today, please contact the authorities at 911 or (706) 635-4162.
Fetch Your News will update this story as information becomes available.
GILMER COUNTY WOMAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR ARSON
News August 14, 2019
INSURANCE AND SAFETY FIRE COMMISSIONER
– State of Georgia –
NEWS RELEASE
GILMER COUNTY WOMAN SENTENCED TO 10 YEARS FOR ARSON
ATLANTA – Nora Patricia Richardson, 37, of Ellijay, Georgia was recently sentenced to ten years in prison
with five to serve for setting a fire in Gilmer County on January 12, 2019.
“Richardson set the fire to a couch in her living room. Another individual was inside the home at the time
the fire originated. Luckily, that individual was able to escape unharmed,” said Safety Fire Commissioner John F.
King. “However, Mrs. Richardson’s blatant disregard for human safety should serve as a reminder; arson will not
be tolerated and criminals found guilty of arson will be punished to the full extent of the law.”
The fire that started and ended in the living room of the single-wide mobile home located at 67 Stephens
Run in Ellijay, Georgia was extinguished before fire personnel arrived. Richardson was located a short time later.
The home suffered minimal damage during the fire.
In April, Richardson was indicted by the Grand Jury in Gilmer County. Richardson was then found guilty on
one count of Arson and one count of Criminal Damage to Property. An investigator with the Safety Fire
Commissioner’s Office assisted the Gilmer County Fire Department and the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office with
this investigation.
Second Degree Arson is a felony punishable by a fine of no more than $25,000 or by a prison term between
one and ten years, or both. To report arson, call the Arson Hotline at 1‐800‐282‐5804. Rewards are offered of up to
$10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of an arsonist. Calls are taken 24 hours a day and
callers can choose to remain anonymous.
Missing Woman in Coosawattee
News July 27, 2017
ELLIJAY, GA – A woman around the age of 40 has been reported missing in the Coosawattee area of Gilmer County.
Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office, volunteer Fire Fighters, and other enforcement have been called in to aid in the search for the woman. She was last reported wearing shorts and a black bikini top with flip flop sandals.
While officials continue their search, they have asked that anyone with information regarding this search to contact the Sheriff’s Office at 706-635-4162.
UPDATE: It is FYN’s understanding that this photo was recently offered by a family member to aid in the search.
Fire at Gilmer High School
News November 11, 2016
Early on the morning of November 11 a small fire was discovered the the Gilmer High School Gymnasium around 8:00am.
According to Gilmer Schools Superintendent Dr. Shanna Wilkes no one was injured in the outbreak. She went on to say the fire was quickly contained and extinguished as a staff member quickly retrieved a fire extinguisher to combat the small fire before sever damage could be caused. So far, Dr. Wilkes says that damage is minimal including “a good bit of insulation, four ceiling tiles, and a folding table.”
While classes were relocated from the gym today, there is no expectation that this will continue and classes will return normally after the weekend.
Although no cause for the fire has been announced yet, FYN has contacted Gilmer Fire and is currently awaiting more information as they are continuing an investigation. FYN is also awaiting information from the Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office about a possible investigation on their part as well.
Gilmer Responds to Tour Bus Collision
News October 13, 2016
Shortly after the incident involving a wreck of a Tour Bus and a Semi-Truck on Highway 515 in Gilmer County, Tony Pritchett, Director of Public Safety for Gilmer County, held a conference to answer questions.
Director Pritchett stated a call came in to Gilmer County 911 at 11:02 for response to the accident.
When FYN arrived on the scene, several helicopters were still circling the area including both news choppers and Life-Flight services. The accident is suspected at this time by authorities to have occurred while a tour bus was traveling north on Highway 515 collided with a Semi-Truck who was crossing into or across the highway from Whitestone Road.
Minutes after the call came in, emergency response was on the scene to provide care and Gilmer County also responded with its Mass Casualties Trailer to aid in on-scene triage. Pritchett confirmed one fatality in the wreck belonging to the driver of the Tour bus. While four people remained uninjured, another 43 have sustained injuries requiring one to be Life-Flighted and others transported via ambulance to local hospitals including Fannin Regional Hospital, Northside Cherokee Hospital, and Piedmont Mountainside Hospital according to Pritchett.
FYN has been informed that the tour bus was carrying a majority of elderly passengers and had sustained extensive damage collapsing the front end. However, the quick response units were able to arrive and get on the bus quickly to begin caring for those on board.
More aid was quickly brought to the scene as well due to several mutual aid agreements in place with surrounding areas. In fact, authorities from Gilmer Fire and Rescue and EMS as well as Gilmer County Sheriff’s Department, Georgia State Patrol, Fannin County EMS Resources, Pickens County EMS Resources, Dawson County EMS Resources, and Murray County EMS Resources were all confirmed to be on-scene aiding with the incident. Pritchett went on to say he was “very thankful for the response of those surrounding jurisdictions, they were very helpful.”
While the limited sight distance at the location was referenced as a possible factor with the incident, no official statement was given with regards to cause or circumstance involved in the incident as the investigation is ongoing. Director Pritchett did confirm with FYN that he could recall at least one other incident involving a fatality occurring at the same location earlier this year. Witnesses have also been confirmed on scene and are speaking with officials at this time.
Currently, 515 will remain shutdown as a continuing investigation will be undertaken by the Georgia State Patrol and authorities are redirecting traffic around the accident. One traffic officer FYN talked with suggested those heading North on 515 to detour down Highway 136 to Old 5 to bypass it.
For more information on the accident and the Press Conference watch the video below and stay connected with Fetch Your News as more information becomes available.
https://youtu.be/csCQvaTxzDI
Jones Reported Missing ~ located in Vegas
News March 11, 2016
Tom Jones, reported missing March 4th, has been located in Vegas. According to a report early Friday morning March 11th, from Gilmer County Sheriff’s Office Jones contacted Detectives and let them know he was fine and was in Las Vegas. We have no information as to why he waited this long to notify someone of his whereabouts, or if he was aware of the search efforts.
Last week the Gilmer County Sheriff’s office had asked everyone to be on the lookout for the missing man. Tom Jones age 54, was last seen Friday, March 4, 2016 at 10 am. He was driving a black 2015 Dodge Ram and it was believed he left Ellijay headed to the Atlanta area to purchase a hot tub from an individual. He had not been seen or heard from since until today.
Body of Young Woman from Blue Ridge Found in Gilmer County
News December 19, 2015
The body of a young woman was found late last week in Gilmer County. Detectives with the Gilmer Sheriff’s Office are currently conducting an investigation into the cause of death. The body of Ashley Candelaria was discovered off River Hill Road in Ellijay on Thursday, December 17th. She was 26 years old and from Blue Ridge, GA. Candelaria was a paraplegic and her body was discovered Thursday afternoon.
The cause of death is unknown at this time however the body has been sent for an autopsy and investigators are awaiting results including a toxicology report. No more details have been released at this time pending the investigation. Authorities tell us maybe more will be released as early as next week. FYN will update as soon as more information becomes available.
Teen Maze Held at the Lion’s Club
Community, Featured Stories September 25, 2013
Students at Gilmer High School participated in the Teen Maze. (more…)
Another Round Of Flooding In Gilmer County
Featured Stories, News August 7, 2013
UPDATE Per the National Weather Service, The flash flood watch that has been in effect for Gilmer County for the better part of Wednesday will remain in effect through the morning of Thursday, August 8th. (more…)
Fetch Fitness Challenge 2012
Featured Stories, Health December 31, 2012
At the beginning of 2012 FYN along with Ellijay Fitness Center announced the Fetch Fitness Challenge. (more…)
Methamphetamine Lab In Ellijay Seized
Featured Stories, News September 4, 2012
On August 29th Gilmer County Deputies and Probation Officers with felony probation conducted an investigation at 179 Squirrel Lane in Ellijay. (more…)
DTF Agents and Gilmer County Deputies make Arrest in Methamphetamine Manufacturing Ring
Featured Stories, News November 7, 2011
On November 1st DTF Agents and Gilmer County Deputies concluded a two month investigation into a methamphetamine manufacturing ring. (more…)