Local

Lumpkin County High School's class of 2020 Valedictorian Faith Schofield and Salutatorian Katy Carroll

Exclusive Content

LCHS Val and Sal rise to the challenge

SHARON HALL

Thursday, May 21, 2020

Over the last four years Valedictorian Faith Schofield and Salutatorian Katy Carroll have made friends, earned awards and experienced a variety of challenges at Lumpkin County High School. One of those challenges included coping with the fallout of the coronavirus.

Drug bust leads to trafficking charges

Exclusive Content

Drug bust leads to trafficking charges

Matt Aiken

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

A three-month long investigation into a suspected local drug trafficking operation resulted in a trio of arrests at a Dahlonega residence Sunday evening. And more arrests are likely, said Lt. Alan Roach of the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office.

Incumbent Mera Turner will take on challenger Ryan Scott in the race for the Lumpkin County Board of Education.

Exclusive Content

School board candidates debate budget cuts and school reopening

SHARON HALL

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

When should the schools reopen? Sooner or later? If a round of budget tightening is imminent what should be cut? What makes for a good school board candidate?

COVID-19 case count increases

News Staff

Wednesday, May 20, 2020

The reported number of confirmed coronavirus cases for Lumpkin County has increased to 83, according to the Georgia Department of Public Health. That number was the last available total before The Nugget press-time and has jumped from the 76 cases reported this time last week.

Local sheriff candidates Jack Jones (left) and Stacy Jarrard will face off during the General Primary June 9.

Sheriff candidates ready for race

SHARON HALL

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

What is law enforcement’s role in the pandemic? What’s the most pressing need for the LCSO? What quality makes for a good sheriff? These questions and more were posed to Jack Jones and Stacy Jarrard as they face off for the office of Lumpkin County Sheriff.

County offices ready for phased re-opening

SHARON HALL

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

County offices will be opening for business Thursday, May 14, though with some restrictions. “We have established several means to protect staff and citizens as we open up to the public,” said County Manager Stan Kelley.

Team Give Back is hoping a strong response during its virtual fundraiser will help give Carsten Ussery a more stable life.

Pandemic can’t stop virtual fundraiser

GREG FINAN JR.

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

Sometimes we all need a helping hand or a shoulder to hold us up. For Carsten Ussery, who suffers from a chromosome abnormality, that support could come by way of a stability dog.

Local National Guard COVID-19 testing cancelled

SHARON HALL

Thursday, May 7, 2020

Due to “a large backlog” of unprocessed tests, said County Manager Stan Kelley, the Georgia National Guard called off Friday’s testing for COVID-19 in Lumpkin County. The decision, said 1st Sgt. Andrew Keene, “was made by a lot of people a lot higher up than me. They are doing the math on this.

Tag office reopens May 7 for title transfers

SHARON HALL

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

The Lumpkin County Tax Commissioner’s office will reopen Monday, May 7. However, it will not be business as usual. The only business that will be transacted, Commissioner Rachel Pruitt said, is title transfers. “That’s the only thing we can’t do online.

Lumpkin County High School assistant principal Whittney McPherson carries senior signs as she and other LCHS faculty members placed the signs along downtown Dahlonega to honor the Class of 2020.

High school senior signs shine on square

Jake Cantrell

Wednesday, April 29, 2020

Although Dahlonega is already revered as a charming, friendly town, those who passed through downtown in the past week were sure to notice an unusually large number of smiling faces on the square, despite mandated social distancing.