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Pictured at the 2026 State of the State luncheon (from left) are Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Wes Chambers, State Sen. Steve Gooch, Davis MacEntyre, State Rep. Will Wade and Chamber Executive Director Robb Nichols.

Pictured at the 2026 State of the State luncheon (from left) are Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Wes Chambers, State Sen. Steve Gooch, Davis MacEntyre, State Rep. Will Wade and Chamber Executive Director Robb Nichols.

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Legislators discuss local and state issues at Chamber event

Keith Murden
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
From housing to health care to auto insurance, affordability was a recurring theme at Thursday’s State of the State luncheon hosted by the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce.The afternoon’s two featured speakers, state Rep.
Images presented by Julie Sellers during the public hearing show sample exterior designs for the single-family detached units. “The intention is to really focus on neutral color palettes that are found in earth and really play into the location of Dahlonega,” she said.

Images presented by Julie Sellers during the public hearing show sample exterior designs for the single-family detached units. “The intention is to really focus on neutral color palettes that are found in earth and really play into the location of Dahlonega,” she said.

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Housing complex on Pinetree Way to hit 125 units

Keith Murden
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
A long-gestating development that would bring 125 new residential units to Pinetree Way in Dahlonega moved one step closer to final approval last week.On May 5, the Dahlonega Planning Commission gave their recommendation of approval to the Planned Unit Development revision for a 56.
Candidates Katherine James and Rhett Stringer are vying for the Lumpkin County Board of Commissions Chair in the Special Election race.

Candidates Katherine James and Rhett Stringer are vying for the Lumpkin County Board of Commissions Chair in the Special Election race.

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County Chair candidates compete in Special Election

Keith Murden
Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Early Voting in Georgia entered its second week for the upcoming May 19 General Primary and Special Election.According to results posted on Lumpkin County’s Elections & Registration website, 247 local citizens cast early ballots this Monday, bringing total participation as of presstime up to 1,640.
Local TOPS members (from left) Kaye Campagnoli, Donna Rice and Mary Holiday celebrate during an annual chapter award banquet at Donna’s home in Dahlonega.

Local TOPS members (from left) Kaye Campagnoli, Donna Rice and Mary Holiday celebrate during an annual chapter award banquet at Donna’s home in Dahlonega.

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Healthy living is the goal for local weight loss club

Keith Murden
Wednesday, April 29, 2026
Looking to shed a few pounds without committing to the latest radical, and potentially dangerous, fad diet?The national non-profit organization, TOPS Club Inc.
Charles and Robbie Wehunt (pictured with their 10-year-old Beagle mix, Betsy) are celebrating their Platinum Anniversary on April 28.

Charles and Robbie Wehunt (pictured with their 10-year-old Beagle mix, Betsy) are celebrating their Platinum Anniversary on April 28.

Local couple is celebrating 70-year anniversary

Keith Murden
Thursday, April 23, 2026
Long-time residents Charles and Robbie Wehunt are on the verge of marking a relationship milestone that only one-tenth of one percent of marriages achieve: their Platinum Anniversary.That’s because the happy Dahlonega couple will commemorate the 70th anniversary of their nuptials on Tuesday.
Bluegrass jam circles are a common sight around the Public Square during the annual Bear on the Square festival.

Bluegrass jam circles are a common sight around the Public Square during the annual Bear on the Square festival.

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Bear on the Square returns this weekend

Keith Murden
Wednesday, April 15, 2026
It’s hard to believe, but this weekend it will have been three full decades since a black bear cub scrambled up a sycamore tree in front of the historic square’s Sargent Building in April, 1996, fortunately the startled cub was tranquilized and safely removed by the Department of Natural Resources,...
Lumpkin County Republican Party Chair and forum moderator Mark Page (left) reviews his notes as District 9 state House candidate Wayne Rowan speaks to voters. Seated behind Rowan are fellow House candidates (from left) Doug Sherrill, Chris Dockery and Roger Smith.

Lumpkin County Republican Party Chair and forum moderator Mark Page (left) reviews his notes as District 9 state House candidate Wayne Rowan speaks to voters. Seated behind Rowan are fellow House candidates (from left) Doug Sherrill, Chris Dockery and Roger Smith.

Candidates mix it up at local forum

Keith Murden
Sunday, April 12, 2026
Thursday night ushered in the first fireworks of the election season, as the Lumpkin County Republican Party hosted a non-partisan candidate forum inside the local Parks & Rec community center.
A crowd of local protestors gathered on the Square last Saturday on the lawn next to the Gold Museum.

A crowd of local protestors gathered on the Square last Saturday on the lawn next to the Gold Museum.

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Protests take place at UNG and Public Square

Keith Murden
Wednesday, April 1, 2026
The official start of spring just took place, but it appears that the combination of warmer weather and turbulent times for the country has led to the start of another season altogether: political protest season.
City contractors work to install segments of the much-anticipated pedestrian bridge at Lake Zwerner.

City contractors work to install segments of the much-anticipated pedestrian bridge at Lake Zwerner.

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Pedestrian bridge is taking shape at Lake Zwerner

Matt Aiken
Wednesday, March 25, 2026
A new pedestrian pathway is in place. It became official last Tuesday morning as City contractors worked to piece together several sections of the long-awaited footbridge at Lake Zwerner.
Candida Petite presents her plan for a new farm-friendly development called Mountain Sanctuary Ranch to the members of the Lumpkin County Planning Commission.

Candida Petite presents her plan for a new farm-friendly development called Mountain Sanctuary Ranch to the members of the Lumpkin County Planning Commission.

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Planning Commission approves mini-farm subdivision

Matt Aiken
Wednesday, March 18, 2026
Candida Petite says she’s trying to build more than a subdivision: “What I’m trying to do is create a subtle thoughtful place that is living with nature,” said the British native and Dahlonega resident while addressing the Lumpkin County Planning Commission last Monday.