Local

The race for City Council is officially on after eight local candidates qualified to run for office last week.

The race for City Council is officially on after eight local candidates qualified to run for office last week.

City Council seats contested by eight candidates

An eventful qualifying week at City Hall saw a total of eight city residents officially enter the race for the Dahlonega City Council. The match ups include Johnny Blaze Ariemma and Erin Seng in a race for Post 4.
NGMA member Ron Gaynor explains the basics of lift, weight, drag and thrust to Judah Payne, 7, Noah Wade, 14, and Trevor Wade during the club’s recent Junior Flight Academy event.

NGMA member Ron Gaynor explains the basics of lift, weight, drag and thrust to Judah Payne, 7, Noah Wade, 14, and Trevor Wade during the club’s recent Junior Flight Academy event.

High flying hobby ready for takeoff at local club

“Who wants to fly one of these models?” asked Bob Roe as he began a brief lecture on the basics of remote control airplanes. Excited hands shot into the air from students of varying ages as they gathered around a table strewn with model parts. “Are you sure?
Paul Travis Williams’ first appearance in court took place in 2017 after the then-director of Wahsega 4-H Center was arrested in the midst of a GBI investigation.

Paul Travis Williams’ first appearance in court took place in 2017 after the then-director of Wahsega 4-H Center was arrested in the midst of a GBI investigation.

Former camp director will receive prison time

Nearly six years after his arrest, Paul Travis Williams, 54, has been convicted in a case in which the once prominent community member was accused of downloading “volumes” of child pornography, according to District Attorney Jeff Langley.
Lumpkin Schools Superintendent Dr. Rob Brown was one of four leaders of local educational institutions who were on hand last week to speak at the Chamber’s annual State of Education event. Also present were new UNG President Dr. Michael Shannon, Mountain Ed Charter High School Interim Superintendent Stan Davis, and Lanier Technical College President Tim McDonald.

Lumpkin Schools Superintendent Dr. Rob Brown was one of four leaders of local educational institutions who were on hand last week to speak at the Chamber’s annual State of Education event. Also present were new UNG President Dr. Michael Shannon, Mountain Ed Charter High School Interim Superintendent Stan Davis, and Lanier Technical College President Tim McDonald.

Education event highlights successes and opportunities

Superintendent Dr. Rob Brown announced Lumpkin County’s 2025 Teachers of the Year during his remarks at the annual State of Education Luncheon last Thursday.  The sold-out event at Parks and Rec was hosted by the Dahlonega-Lumpkin Chamber of Commerce.
Potential party-goers and local motorists alike were greeted with a ramped up law enforcement presence Saturday night prior to the normally rowdy back-to-school block party at a local apartment complex. (Photo submitted)

Potential party-goers and local motorists alike were greeted with a ramped up law enforcement presence Saturday night prior to the normally rowdy back-to-school block party at a local apartment complex. (Photo submitted)

Party tamed by law enforcement checkpoints

A back-to-school block party with a reputation for wildness was much tamer than usual this year after a multi-agency law enforcement effort on Saturday night.
Students grapple with their rolling partners during a lively session at Dahlonega Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Students grapple with their rolling partners during a lively session at Dahlonega Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

Jiu Jitsu gym teaches practical self defense

By Dylan Henschen / The Nugget    ------------    As another class began at Dahlonega Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, students stretched and prepared for their hour-long, intense session.
Members of the Six Gap Organizing Committee, from left, Mea Inglehart, Joe Coddington and Robb Nichols work on the new logo for their 6G2 Gravel Ride. They hope to expand the Six Gap brand to include five races throughout the year.

Members of the Six Gap Organizing Committee, from left, Mea Inglehart, Joe Coddington and Robb Nichols work on the new logo for their 6G2 Gravel Ride. They hope to expand the Six Gap brand to include five races throughout the year.

Six Gap crew looks to expand to multiple events

The Six Gap bike ride is famous for its on-the-road challenges, but now cyclists are going to see some new options. A lineup of new rides are being planned that will take cyclists into the woods around Lumpkin County.
The City of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County are in an ongoing dispute over ownership of a piece of property at the site of the downtown Fire Station and the cell phone tower.

The City of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County are in an ongoing dispute over ownership of a piece of property at the site of the downtown Fire Station and the cell phone tower.

City/County lawsuit continues as legal fees add up

Legal bills continue to mount in the ongoing dispute between the City of Dahlonega and Lumpkin County over ownership of a piece of property at 57A Pinetree Way.
A crowd gathers in the sanctuary of Dahlonega United Methodist Church on August 6 as an overwhelming majority of the members ultimately voted to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church.

A crowd gathers in the sanctuary of Dahlonega United Methodist Church on August 6 as an overwhelming majority of the members ultimately voted to disaffiliate from the United Methodist Church.

Methodist church split looms after LGBTQ vote

Church services were over by several hours, but with rain falling and parking hard to find, a steady stream of people huddled under umbrellas and made their way to Dahlonega United Methodist Church (DUMC) Aug. 6.
On the set of their new short film, which will conclude the upcoming Night at the Movies event, are (from left) director Brad Kennedy, visual effects editor Ellis Treece, intern and UGA film major Savannah Sabol and director Luke Pilgrim.

On the set of their new short film, which will conclude the upcoming Night at the Movies event, are (from left) director Brad Kennedy, visual effects editor Ellis Treece, intern and UGA film major Savannah Sabol and director Luke Pilgrim.

Sozo Bear Film Festival will return to The Holly Aug. 18

The local movie-producing team at Sozo Bear Films has gone into the science fiction realm for their latest effort. Their film Melody Skylark and the Cosmic Soup features plenty of crafty staging and expert special effects to result in a mix of comedy and inspiration.