Local

Henry ‘Doc’ Johnson has been named the 2025 Gold Rush Grand Marshal and will emcee his final festival next week.

Henry ‘Doc’ Johnson has been named the 2025 Gold Rush Grand Marshal and will emcee his final festival next week.

Gold Rush emcee ‘Doc’ Johnson to host one final festival

JOHN BYNUM
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
A 25-year anniversary is usually considered “silver,” but for the emcee of Gold Rush Days, Henry ‘Doc’ Johnson, this one is nothing short of golden. The recognizable face of the festival plans to make this his final run onstage at the annual downtown Dahlonega event.
A downtown crowd braved the misty weather for a ceremony honoring the memory of Charlie Kirk on Sunday night.

A downtown crowd braved the misty weather for a ceremony honoring the memory of Charlie Kirk on Sunday night.

Exclusive Content

Tribute for Charlie Kirk draws downtown crowd

Matt Aiken
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
Downtown Dahlonega’s Hancock Park played host to an evening of worship, remembrance and a noticeably heightened law enforcement presence last Sunday night.
WWII veteran and Lumpkin resident Arthur Hugh “Pete” Hardy turns 100 on October 14. His unit received a Presidential Citation for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of the Bulge. He is pictured at home with his neighbor and close friend Lee Tidmore. (Far right: an Army photo shows Hardy in France shortly before returning home.)

WWII veteran and Lumpkin resident Arthur Hugh “Pete” Hardy turns 100 on October 14. His unit received a Presidential Citation for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of the Bulge. He is pictured at home with his neighbor and close friend Lee Tidmore. (Far right: an Army photo shows Hardy in France shortly before returning home.)

Exclusive Content

100-year-old veteran ‘Pete’ Hardy celebrates milestone birthday

Keith Murden
Wednesday, October 8, 2025
World War II veteran Arthur “Pete” Hardy is commemorating a very special milestone on Tuesday, October 14: that’s when the Lumpkin County resident and Battle of the Bulge survivor will officially turn 100 years old.
Guest speaker Dr. Andrew Leavitt discusses how genealogy led to his own interest in the Bayeux Tapestry.

Guest speaker Dr. Andrew Leavitt discusses how genealogy led to his own interest in the Bayeux Tapestry.

University hosts historic tapestry presentation

Keith Murden
Saturday, October 4, 2025
The University of North Georgia recently hosted, for the third consecutive year, their famous Bayeux Tapestry Replica, the only full-size replica of its kind in the United States.
Two upcoming City hearings, the first on October 7 and the second on October 20, will decide the fate of the amended PUD proposal.

Two upcoming City hearings, the first on October 7 and the second on October 20, will decide the fate of the amended PUD proposal.

Exclusive Content

New subdivision could top 260 units

Keith Murden
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
Another large residential development is set to face a critical public hearing soon.  This time the property in question is located inside the City limits, just across from Clay Creek Falls Road on Dawsonville Highway.
Lumpkin County Middle School teacher Wes Adams has been chosen as the overall 2027 Teacher of the Year representing the local school system.

Lumpkin County Middle School teacher Wes Adams has been chosen as the overall 2027 Teacher of the Year representing the local school system.

Exclusive Content

Wes Adams voted top teacher in Lumpkin School System

Keith Murden
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
The results are in, and eighth grade Georgia Studies teacher Wes Adams has been selected as the system-wide Teacher of The Year. The big news was announced during the September regular meeting of the Board of Education, as were the names of the other four “2027 Teachers of the Year” winners.
An upcoming paving project should allow for a smoother walking and rolling commute on North Grove Street.

An upcoming paving project should allow for a smoother walking and rolling commute on North Grove Street.

Exclusive Content

Smoother sidewalks likely for North Grove Street stretch

Matt Aiken
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Improved walkways are in the works for Dahlonega pedestrians as the City Council is officially paving the way for a long-awaited project that will connect the Lumpkin County Middle School area to the downtown square with smoother sidewalks.
University of North Georgia senior Kelbie Murphy posted an online video in which she questioned a passage in her textbook for an online Communications course.

University of North Georgia senior Kelbie Murphy posted an online video in which she questioned a passage in her textbook for an online Communications course.

Exclusive Content

Textbook causes TikTok controversy for UNG Communications course

Keith Murden
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
A single word can make a world of difference.  That was one of the key takeaways after a recent viral TikTok controversy in which a senior University of North Georgia student complained on social media that content in one of her assigned textbooks is offensive to Christians.
A Character Area Map amendment that would pave the way for a 150-unit multifamily development at the end of GA 400 met stiff resistance from County residents last week.

A Character Area Map amendment that would pave the way for a 150-unit multifamily development at the end of GA 400 met stiff resistance from County residents last week.

County hearing turns heated over housing proposal

Keith Murden
Wednesday, September 24, 2025
Does the recent influx of large-scale residential proposals in Lumpkin represent one final burst of housing expansion on the 400 corridor, as residential sewer capacity limits kick in?
The Lumpkin County Health Department on Mechanicsville Road will likely have COVID vaccines available without a prescription later this month.

The Lumpkin County Health Department on Mechanicsville Road will likely have COVID vaccines available without a prescription later this month.

Local COVID vaccinations on pause at Health Dept.

News Staff
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
By Keith Murden & Ty Tagami / The Nugget & Capitol Beat  ---------  Fall is approaching fast, and with it comes that annual decision on whether or not to pursue seasonal flu and/or COVID-19 vaccinations.