Local

A U.S. flag formerly flown at Dahlonega City Hall will be carried by Zane Phlegar to Millinocket, Maine during his attempt to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 2025.

A U.S. flag formerly flown at Dahlonega City Hall will be carried by Zane Phlegar to Millinocket, Maine during his attempt to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail in 2025.

AT hiker helps to honor sacrifices of fellow soldiers

Every year, an estimated 3,000 people attempt to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, with only around 750 people completing it. 2025 looks to be no different, aside from one more hiker hoping to join that exclusive club.
Both the City of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County have said they will sign off on House Bill 581, which establishes a new statewide homestead property tax exemption.

Both the City of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County have said they will sign off on House Bill 581, which establishes a new statewide homestead property tax exemption.

City and County ready to sign off on new homestead property tax exemption

By Keith Murden and Hunter Mauldin / The Nugget  --------------------  Lumpkin County and the City of Dahlonega have both declared their support for House Bill 581, a law that takes effect January 1, 2025 and establishes a new homestead property tax exemption statewide.
Andrew Lee’s quilt “United We Stand” will be displayed at the 9/11 Museum in New York City.

Andrew Lee’s quilt “United We Stand” will be displayed at the 9/11 Museum in New York City.

Combat Quilter salutes service through stitching

Veteran Andrew Lee, also known as the “Combat Quilter,” brought two of his most well-known creations to local quilt shop The Common Thread this month as part of a nationwide promotional tour.
Dahlonega Walking Tours has received a special permit which will allow tour groups to walk through Mount Hope Cemetery after hours while abiding by specific guidelines.

Dahlonega Walking Tours has received a special permit which will allow tour groups to walk through Mount Hope Cemetery after hours while abiding by specific guidelines.

Graveyard ghost tour is reapproved by City Council

The ghostly business of an after-dark paranormal tour in Mount Hope Cemetery was officially reapproved for the year by a split vote of Dahlonega City Council members on a recent Monday, but not before a spirited debate broke out in City Hall.
Superintendent Sharon Head explains her position on HB 581 as Board of Education members Craig Poore, Lynne Sylvester, Chairman Bobby Self, Jim McClure and Mera Turner weigh their options.

Superintendent Sharon Head explains her position on HB 581 as Board of Education members Craig Poore, Lynne Sylvester, Chairman Bobby Self, Jim McClure and Mera Turner weigh their options.

School board rebuffs new floating homestead exemption

The Lumpkin County School Board has voted to adopt a timeline that would enable the system to “opt out” of House Bill 581 by the critical March 1, 2025 deadline. The new Georgia law, set to take effect January 1, allows for a statewide cap on growth in the property tax digest.
Adrienne Kidd has been selected as 2025 Teacher of the Year for Blackburn Elementary School.

Adrienne Kidd has been selected as 2025 Teacher of the Year for Blackburn Elementary School.

Kidd voted Blackburn Teacher of the Year

Special education teacher Adrienne Kidd has been selected as the 2025 Teacher of the Year for Blackburn Elementary School. Kidd said she has been “very blessed” to have spent her entire 21-year teaching career at Blackburn. “I taught first grade for three years.
The public is invited to ceremoniously push in the County’s new fire engine at Fire Station 1 on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m.

The public is invited to ceremoniously push in the County’s new fire engine at Fire Station 1 on Thursday, Dec. 19 at 2 p.m.

New fire engine to get push from public

Lumpkin County’s brand new firetruck is in need of a push. Don’t worry, it hasn’t broken down. The state-of-the-art $630,000 fire engine, which was provided by Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax funds, is about to roll its way into Station One this week.
A packed crowd gathered in the Commissioner’s Boardroom last Monday night in anticipation of the DiVine Village appeal hearing. Ultimately, the Planning Commission voted to uphold an administrative denial of increased density for the development.

A packed crowd gathered in the Commissioner’s Boardroom last Monday night in anticipation of the DiVine Village appeal hearing. Ultimately, the Planning Commission voted to uphold an administrative denial of increased density for the development.

Planning Commission denies RV park appeal

In front of a packed standing-room-only crowd in the Commissioner’s Boardroom, the Lumpkin County Planning Commission held an appeal hearing on Monday night regarding DiVine Village.
The recently donated downtown Rotary Club clock is officially unveiled Thursday morning with the assistance of, from left, Troy Armstrong, Justin Priest, past Rotary president Diane Bates, Mayor JoAnne Taylor and Rotary Assistant Governor Barbara Myers Mason.

The recently donated downtown Rotary Club clock is officially unveiled Thursday morning with the assistance of, from left, Troy Armstrong, Justin Priest, past Rotary president Diane Bates, Mayor JoAnne Taylor and Rotary Assistant Governor Barbara Myers Mason.

Rotary donates new downtown landmark clock

The sun rose on a new landmark in downtown Dahlonega last Thursday morning. And fittingly the Sunrise Rotarians were there to make it official as they unveiled their long awaited four-sided post clock which was donated by the local club to the City.
Pictured, from left, Chealse Morgan, Libby Lou Morgan and Megan Crane are on the job.

Pictured, from left, Chealse Morgan, Libby Lou Morgan and Megan Crane are on the job.

Little Sister has a plan for big business

Local sisters Chealse Morgan and Megan Crane can’t wait to share their new business, Little Sister Salon and Shop, with the community. The pair recently welcomed The Nugget to their cozy downtown location to discuss the opportunities available for both artists and patrons of the arts alike.