Local

Lumpkin Coalition member Gina Tripi is hopeful that a local land owner will be interested in hosting the HemlockFest charity music festival this fall.

Lumpkin Coalition member Gina Tripi is hopeful that a local land owner will be interested in hosting the HemlockFest charity music festival this fall.

HemlockFest looks for new local venue

Keith Murden
Wednesday, July 5, 2023
By Keith Murden The Nugget The Lumpkin Coalition, a non-profit, 501(c3) charitable organization, is asking for the community’s help in locating a suitable local venue for its biggest annual fundraising event of the year: the HemlockFest charity music festival.
An artist’s concept for a proposed park at the old kindergarten property on 147 North Park Street depicts parking, a shelter, a bicycle pump track and two ball courts.

An artist’s concept for a proposed park at the old kindergarten property on 147 North Park Street depicts parking, a shelter, a bicycle pump track and two ball courts.

DAHLONEGA -- New park proposed for downtown property

Keith Murden
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
Pickleball, basketball, a pavilion and a pump track are all part of the recently discussed conceptual design for a new City park and recreation space that would be located on the vacant downtown property at 147 North Park Street, commonly referred to as “the old kindergarten property.
The Lumpkin County School Board met on June 12 at the Lumpkin County Schools Administrative Offices for the first of two public budget meetings regarding the 2024 fiscal year budget.

The Lumpkin County School Board met on June 12 at the Lumpkin County Schools Administrative Offices for the first of two public budget meetings regarding the 2024 fiscal year budget.

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School system budget presented for 2024

Keith Murden
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
The Lumpkin County Board of Education has released preliminary budget numbers for Fiscal Year 2024, with estimated expenditures of $51,770,472 and projected revenues of $47,718,252.
Underground infrastructure repairs will soon divert traffic on East Main Street. (Photo by Matt Aiken)

Underground infrastructure repairs will soon divert traffic on East Main Street. (Photo by Matt Aiken)

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Underground repair will result in extended detour of downtown traffic

News Staff
Wednesday, June 28, 2023
A nearly million dollar fix is in the works for the City of Dahlonega’s aging underground infrastructure and officials caution that the repairs will detour downtown driving for a three month period starting in July.
Cole Devlin bravely attempts to stay on the saddle in the bull riding competition during the Mountain Top Rodeo at the R-Ranch.

Cole Devlin bravely attempts to stay on the saddle in the bull riding competition during the Mountain Top Rodeo at the R-Ranch.

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R-Ranch hosts annual Mountain Top Rodeo

Eligha Roper
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
The R-Ranch hosted its 34th annual Mountain Top Rodeo over the weekend. The event offered top-of-the-line entertainment and a ton of head-turning action. Things got underway with bareback and saddle bronc action. Taking first in the bareback competition was Tanner Phipps, scoring 79/513.00.
A pie graph from page 28 of the Lumpkin County 2024 Proposed Budget breaks down the different categories of expenditures that impact the General Fund.

A pie graph from page 28 of the Lumpkin County 2024 Proposed Budget breaks down the different categories of expenditures that impact the General Fund.

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County set to review $28 million dollar budget proposal

Keith Murden
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
At the June Work Session of the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners, Finance Director Abby Branan outlined a preliminary budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2024. County staff recommended a total budget of $28,328,300, an increase of $1.85 million dollars over FY 2023 spending.
City Hall was packed with concerned citizens last Monday as meeting-goers stepped to the mic to address multiple issues.

City Hall was packed with concerned citizens last Monday as meeting-goers stepped to the mic to address multiple issues.

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Open container ordinance debated by City

News Staff
Tuesday, June 13, 2023
By Keith Murden & Matt Aiken / The Nugget  ----------  A packed meeting room greeted Dahlonega City Council members last Monday night as numerous residents argued for looser open container laws.
Hayden Phipps competes in the 2022 R-Ranch Rodeo in the Bronc competition.

Hayden Phipps competes in the 2022 R-Ranch Rodeo in the Bronc competition.

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Rodeo competition set to return to R-Ranch this weekend

Eligha Roper
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
In the words of the great John Wayne, “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.” Competitors will test that same courage once again this week as they saddle up for the 34th annual Mountain Top Rodeo at R-Ranch.
Shannon Caldwell shows off her automated Gammill longarm machine at The Common Thread.

Shannon Caldwell shows off her automated Gammill longarm machine at The Common Thread.

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Local quilt shop focuses on close-knit community

Keith Murden
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
The Common Thread has served the quilting needs of Lumpkin County since it first opened in 2008. After celebrating its 15th anniversary in January, the store moved from its previous location at 598 Grove Street North to a brand new building at 5015 South Chestatee St.
The view atop Preachers Rock could soon cost hikers $5 to see, as the United States Forest Service is considering funding options to keep trailhead parking lots and other facilities maintained.

The view atop Preachers Rock could soon cost hikers $5 to see, as the United States Forest Service is considering funding options to keep trailhead parking lots and other facilities maintained.

Woody Gap parking fees proposed by Forest Service

Keith Murden
Tuesday, June 6, 2023
The United States Forest Service recently outlined a proposal to increase existing fees to use its federal recreation sites, as well as to add brand new fees at previously free sites throughout the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest region.