Local

City Engineer Mark Buchanan addresses the Dahlonega City Council during last week's work session.

City Engineer Mark Buchanan addresses the Dahlonega City Council during last week's work session.

Exclusive Content

Grant could allow middle and high school to connect via sidewalk

Matt Aiken
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
The newly paved walkways on North Grove Street could just be the beginning of a brave new footpath future for Dahlonega as the City was recently notified that they are likely to be awarded an $11 million grant that could help connect the middle school to the high school via a sidewalk that may also...
LEFT: Tigra the calico cat is ready to greet visitors at the Feral Cat Program of Georgia’s private rescue shelter located at 4318 S. Chestatee Street. RIGHT: UNG senior Graceson Casey and Jan House (right) support FCPGA by volunteering at The Friendly Feral Thrift Store.

LEFT: Tigra the calico cat is ready to greet visitors at the Feral Cat Program of Georgia’s private rescue shelter located at 4318 S. Chestatee Street. RIGHT: UNG senior Graceson Casey and Jan House (right) support FCPGA by volunteering at The Friendly Feral Thrift Store.

Exclusive Content

Feline rescue supported by new thrift store

Keith Murden
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
If you’re looking to shop on a budget while helping contribute to “paws-itive” outcomes for the local feral cat population, then look no further than The Friendly Feral Thrift Store; the volunteer-run shop, which opened its doors February 7, is located just off the downtown square at 28 North Grove...
Lumpkin County High School’s 2025-2026 Star Student, senior Haley Hayes (left), joins her Star Teacher choice Lisa Lopresti (center) and Superintendent Sharon Head during a ceremony at the January 12 Board of Education meeting.

Lumpkin County High School’s 2025-2026 Star Student, senior Haley Hayes (left), joins her Star Teacher choice Lisa Lopresti (center) and Superintendent Sharon Head during a ceremony at the January 12 Board of Education meeting.

Exclusive Content

STAR student thrives on challenging high school career

Keith Murden
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Lumpkin County High School swimming star Haley Hayes doesn’t just excel at water sports.  The amphibious athlete is also a certified academic sensation, as evidenced by the fact that she was recently named Star Student for the 2025-2026 school year.
Fire Marshal Chris Maloney was on hand at the Lumpkin County Planning Commission meeting last week as he recommended that engineers take a closer look at the entrance/exit of a proposed Highway 400 development.

Fire Marshal Chris Maloney was on hand at the Lumpkin County Planning Commission meeting last week as he recommended that engineers take a closer look at the entrance/exit of a proposed Highway 400 development.

Exclusive Content

Hwy 400 commercial complex is in the works

Matt Aiken
Thursday, February 19, 2026
A major multi-use commercial complex could soon be on the way to a stretch of land off Highway 400 located just on the edge of Lumpkin County.
Pictured inside the Parks & Rec kitchen are (from left) Front Desk Associates Cali Timms and Cody Jackson, Chef Steve Hewins and Administrative Coordinator Scarlet Shumate.

Pictured inside the Parks & Rec kitchen are (from left) Front Desk Associates Cali Timms and Cody Jackson, Chef Steve Hewins and Administrative Coordinator Scarlet Shumate.

Exclusive Content

Chef Hewins cooks up new flavor-filled event for Senior Center

Keith Murden
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Have you ever wondered what the real differences are between “American Italian” food and authentic Italian cuisine?  It is a question that all 63 members of the Lumpkin County Senior Center will get to discover for themselves, and in the best way possible: by getting to sample the real thing.
On stage in the new Holly Theater production are (from left) Kate Keller, played by Lindsey Guest; Captain Keller, played by Joe Goode; Helen Keller, played by Peytonrose McLarrin; Annie Sullivan, played by Ana Cordero; Aunt Ev, played by Anne Hallum; and James Keller, played by Colin Lamons.

On stage in the new Holly Theater production are (from left) Kate Keller, played by Lindsey Guest; Captain Keller, played by Joe Goode; Helen Keller, played by Peytonrose McLarrin; Annie Sullivan, played by Ana Cordero; Aunt Ev, played by Anne Hallum; and James Keller, played by Colin Lamons.

Exclusive Content

Miracle Worker shares compelling story of Helen Keller

News Staff
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
By David Zunker / Theater Writer  -------------  No one knows a theatre production better than its director, and by the time a play is ready for an audience, it has had months of preparation—from production planning to auditions, casting, rehearsals, and the anxiety-laden lead-up to opening night.
A design schematic shown at the recent County retreat illustrates what different sides of the new animal shelter facility on Red Oak Flats Road will look like.

A design schematic shown at the recent County retreat illustrates what different sides of the new animal shelter facility on Red Oak Flats Road will look like.

Exclusive Content

County projects include new animal shelter and more

Keith Murden
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
A new $2.5 million County animal shelter is one of several large capital projects for 2026, according to a presentation made during the Board of Commissioners’ recent out-of-town retreat in Helen.
One wartime letter by Marion Hatcher included a French bank note, presumably intended for a younger sibling. “By the way I’m sending you two Francs to put in Junior’s penny bank (That’s four cents to you!),” Hatcher wrote to his parents.

One wartime letter by Marion Hatcher included a French bank note, presumably intended for a younger sibling. “By the way I’m sending you two Francs to put in Junior’s penny bank (That’s four cents to you!),” Hatcher wrote to his parents.

Exclusive Content

Local cadet and WWII hero remembered for sacrifice

Keith Murden
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
University of North Georgia Cadet Marion “Shrimp” Hatcher made the ultimate sacrifice while defending the free world from Nazi aggression during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.
Cottrell Elementary School teacher Samantha Cochenour and her son Gabe co-authored one of her new children’s books together: Earth’s Best Friend: The Tiny Tale of Salamander Sam.

Cottrell Elementary School teacher Samantha Cochenour and her son Gabe co-authored one of her new children’s books together: Earth’s Best Friend: The Tiny Tale of Salamander Sam.

Exclusive Content

Salamander Sam stars in local teacher’s new book

Keith Murden
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
Cottrell Elementary Teacher of the Year Samantha Cochenour can add another exciting accomplishment to her resumé, as of this January, the successful second grade educator is now a children’s author as well.
Pictured at last week’s pinning ceremony are (from left) Deputy Chief Tim Stowers, Sergeant Stephen Lively, Sergeant Frank Colinet, Sergeant Jeremy Boldin, Sergeant Paul Walthrop, Sergeant Joseph Solomon and Chief David Wimpy.

Pictured at last week’s pinning ceremony are (from left) Deputy Chief Tim Stowers, Sergeant Stephen Lively, Sergeant Frank Colinet, Sergeant Jeremy Boldin, Sergeant Paul Walthrop, Sergeant Joseph Solomon and Chief David Wimpy.

Exclusive Content

Fire Department celebrates new sergeants

Keith Murden
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
It was a celebratory scene inside the garage of Dahlonega’s Fire Station 1 last Thursday, as a group of five dedicated men, surrounded by friends and family, accepted the new rank of sergeant within Lumpkin County Fire/EMS services.