Local

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.

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School board rebuffs new floating homestead exemption

Keith Murden
Thursday, December 19, 2024
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

Keith Murden
Thursday, December 19, 2024
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.

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New fire engine to get push from public

Matt Aiken
Thursday, December 19, 2024
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.

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Planning Commission denies RV park appeal

Keith Murden
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
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.

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Rotary donates new downtown landmark clock

Matt Aiken
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
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.

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Little Sister has a plan for big business

Keith Murden
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
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.
Members of the Dahlonega City Council discuss the merits of shifting back to the time-tested radio system for employee communication.

Members of the Dahlonega City Council discuss the merits of shifting back to the time-tested radio system for employee communication.

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City shifts from cell phones to radio-waves

Hunter Mauldin
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
They say the best answer to a problem is usually the simplest one, and it appears that the City of Dahlonega is taking this approach in their initiative to improve the technological infrastructure of their communications systems.
Cadie Barron says she enjoys teaching high school seniors. “They are young adults in society now and many of them are having to carry the weight of a full time job ... it’s a matter of making them feel welcome and excited to be here."

Cadie Barron says she enjoys teaching high school seniors. “They are young adults in society now and many of them are having to carry the weight of a full time job ... it’s a matter of making them feel welcome and excited to be here."

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Barron named teacher of the year for LCHS

Keith Murden
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Cadie Barron believes that one of the greatest honors she could receive as an educator is the recognition of her peers. That’s why the Senior English teacher found it incredibly “heartwarming” to be selected as the 2025 Teacher of the Year for Lumpkin County High School.
Lumpkin County is considering the best possible usage for $2.8 million in grant awards provided by the state for improving or maintaining recreational facilities inside Yahoola Creek Park.

Lumpkin County is considering the best possible usage for $2.8 million in grant awards provided by the state for improving or maintaining recreational facilities inside Yahoola Creek Park.

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Turf upgrades pondered by County for Parks & Rec fields

Keith Murden
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
Back in May, Governor Brian Kemp announced two grant awards totaling $2.8 million that would allow Lumpkin County to make improvements to several athletic fields in Yahoola Creek Park.
Faulkner University President Mitch Henry, right, presents local philanthropist Bud Stumbaugh with a plague commemorating the recent establishment of The Stumbaugh School of Risk Management & Insurance.

Faulkner University President Mitch Henry, right, presents local philanthropist Bud Stumbaugh with a plague commemorating the recent establishment of The Stumbaugh School of Risk Management & Insurance.

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Alabama school named after local philanthropist

Hunter Mauldin
Tuesday, November 26, 2024
Local author, businessman and philanthropist Bud Stumbaugh describes himself as “a turtle on top of a fence-post.” In other words, “if you see him there, you know he didn’t get there by himself,” he said while chatting with The Nugget.