Local

Dr. Jon Melhferber displays the 2023 Christmas In Dahlonega collector’s ornament he helped design.

Dr. Jon Melhferber displays the 2023 Christmas In Dahlonega collector’s ornament he helped design.

Christmas ornament design shaped by professor Mehlferber

For the last eight years University of North Georgia professor Dr. Jon Mehlferber has volunteered to share holiday cheer while helping to preserve local history for future generations. In other words, this is not your typical holiday commitment.
A construction worker labors outside the new Lumpkin County College & Career Academy building on the LCHS campus.

A construction worker labors outside the new Lumpkin County College & Career Academy building on the LCHS campus.

New LCHS building nears deadline for construction

It’s crunch time at the site of the College & Career Academy on the Lumpkin County High School campus. Crews are working furiously to have the facility open in time for the start of the next semester in January of 2024.
Current Deputy Superintendent of Lumpkin County Schools Sharon Head will be elevated to the role of Superintendent on January 1, 2024, replacing Dr. Rob Brown.

Current Deputy Superintendent of Lumpkin County Schools Sharon Head will be elevated to the role of Superintendent on January 1, 2024, replacing Dr. Rob Brown.

Sharon Head readies for Lumpkin superintendent role

Sharon Head has been in the Lumpkin County school system for nearly her entire life, starting with her days as a kindergarten student.
Dr. Rob Brown carefully packs his keepsakes in preparation for his retirement as Lumpkin’s superintendent.

Dr. Rob Brown carefully packs his keepsakes in preparation for his retirement as Lumpkin’s superintendent.

Brown to retire as Lumpkin's superintendent

On a weekday morning at the Lumpkin County School System home office, Dr. Rob Brown was still conducting business as usual. But soon Brown will pursue a different daily routine—that of retirement.
Dahlonega ordinances dictate that inflatables are not allowed within the city limits. That includes Santa and a holiday penguin outside of Shenanigans Irish Pub.

Dahlonega ordinances dictate that inflatables are not allowed within the city limits. That includes Santa and a holiday penguin outside of Shenanigans Irish Pub.

Christmas inflatables cause City code flap

While it’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Dahlonega, there has been one particularly deflating issue with the power to impact local snowmen, Santas and reindeer across the town. And that’s the wording of the City sign ordinance.
Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard was first to address the Board of Commissioners regarding sound ordinances during last week’s work session.

Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard was first to address the Board of Commissioners regarding sound ordinances during last week’s work session.

Sound ordinance debated by County Commission

At their first work session of December, the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners discussed a resolution that would amend the existing Restrictions on the Use of Sound Amplifying Equipment Ordinance passed in the fall of 2021.
The Dahlonega City Council discussed preliminary ideas in last week’s City Council meeting at City Hall.  SPLOT projects would be dependent on voters approving the continuation of the one-cent sales tax on the 2026 ballot.

The Dahlonega City Council discussed preliminary ideas in last week’s City Council meeting at City Hall. SPLOT projects would be dependent on voters approving the continuation of the one-cent sales tax on the 2026 ballot.

City discusses possible uses for SPLOST funds

A $3.4 million downtown parking garage, a $3.6 million expansion of City Hall and the planning phase of $6 million in eventual waste water treatment plant improvements are all on the list of potential City projects for the next round of the Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax.
Kelly Seabolt displays her 2025 Teacher of the Year award for Long Branch Elementary.

Kelly Seabolt displays her 2025 Teacher of the Year award for Long Branch Elementary.

Seabolt lauded as Long Branch Elementary top teacher

According to Principal Sara Fain, educating is a “work of heart” for kindergarten teacher Kelly Seabolt. That's why the Dahlonega native has been chosen as the 2025 Teacher of the Year representing Long Branch Elementary.
Members of the Dahlonega City Council, the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners and their staffs gathered Monday afternoon for a special joint session.

Members of the Dahlonega City Council, the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners and their staffs gathered Monday afternoon for a special joint session.

City & County agree on split of $33 million in SPLOST dollars

All it took was about 15 minutes for the City Council and County Board of Commissioners to discuss over $33 million in potential projects and vote to approve a new sales tax distribution for the 2026 SPLOST referendum.
Officials gathered at the downtown fire station recently to hand out a $5,000 reward to a local citizen who provided crucial information in the investigation of a 2021 arson case. On hand were, from left, State Fire Investigator Brian Smith, LCSO Investigator Heath Higman, District Attorney Jeff Langley, Georgia Arson Control consultant Ken LeCroy, Fire Marshal Chris Maloney, Fire Chief David Wimpy and Deputy Fire Chief Tony Kent.

Officials gathered at the downtown fire station recently to hand out a $5,000 reward to a local citizen who provided crucial information in the investigation of a 2021 arson case. On hand were, from left, State Fire Investigator Brian Smith, LCSO Investigator Heath Higman, District Attorney Jeff Langley, Georgia Arson Control consultant Ken LeCroy, Fire Marshal Chris Maloney, Fire Chief David Wimpy and Deputy Fire Chief Tony Kent.

Crime-solving tip nets $5k reward

The recipient of a $5,000 check didn’t stick around for ceremonial photos at the Lumpkin County Fire Station last Monday. And that’s understandable.