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Incumbent Sheriff Stacy Jarrard (right) addresses challenger Matt Cook during last week’s candidate forum as moderator Roger Smith (far left) glances at his notes.

Incumbent Sheriff Stacy Jarrard (right) addresses challenger Matt Cook during last week’s candidate forum as moderator Roger Smith (far left) glances at his notes.

Sheriff candidates debate local issues

NOTE: This article has been updated to reflect that the debate portion of the event was scheduled to start at 6:30 p.m., not 6 p.m., as originally reported.
Field 5, near the Senior Center, will receive repairs so that the senior softball teams can resume playing games there next year.

Field 5, near the Senior Center, will receive repairs so that the senior softball teams can resume playing games there next year.

Battered ballfields are set to receive $109K upgrade

Yahoola Creek Park is getting a major face lift in the form of $109,000 worth of repairs to five different ballfields. The request from County staff was approved unanimously by the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners at their March 19 regular session.
The Lumpkin County Planning Department heard comments from a representative for the developer, as well as area residents regarding a proposal to re-zone 472 acres of the Montaluce subdivision and surrounding property as commercial.

The Lumpkin County Planning Department heard comments from a representative for the developer, as well as area residents regarding a proposal to re-zone 472 acres of the Montaluce subdivision and surrounding property as commercial.

Montaluce expansion/land use change debated by Planning Department

UPDATE:  Officials from the County contacted The Nugget and stated that all seven Character Area Map amendment requests had been withdrawn by the representative for the developers and will not appear on the April 8 Planning Commission meeting agenda.
Primary turnout was 18.55 percent, with 4,182 of Lumpkin’s 22,544 registered voters participating in absentee, advance or election day voting.

Primary turnout was 18.55 percent, with 4,182 of Lumpkin’s 22,544 registered voters participating in absentee, advance or election day voting.

Trump, Biden are top choices in local 2024 primary voting

By Keith Murden & Dave Williams / The Nugget & Capitol Beat News  ----------  Lumpkin County voters made their voices heard in last Tuesday’s Presidential Preference Primary, with 87.4 percent of Republican balloters choosing former President Donald Trump and 91.
Last week's Dahlonega Planning Commission meeting turned into a round table talk as attendees discussed possible changes to City sign codes.

Last week's Dahlonega Planning Commission meeting turned into a round table talk as attendees discussed possible changes to City sign codes.

Regulations for downtown murals are up for debate

City Attorney Doug Park’s presentation to the Dahlonega Planning Commission included a memorable disclaimer last Tuesday evening.  “You know the lawyers ruin everything,” he said jokingly. “I hope you understand that.
Early voting and election qualifying are both taking place this week at the Lumpkin County Elections & Voters Registration Office.

Early voting and election qualifying are both taking place this week at the Lumpkin County Elections & Voters Registration Office.

Early voting and election qualifying underway

The Lumpkin County Elections & Voters Registration Office is definitely living up to its lengthy name this week as both early voting and election qualifying are currently underway at the downtown facility.
Pictured are (men, left to right): Lew Houser, Jim Carroll, Dave Moore, Brian Towns, Joe Comfort, John Bayne, Bill Morris and Luke Lucarelli.  (Women, left to right): Linda Carroll, Ann Moore, Deb Towns, Gail Dowsett, Millie Bayne, Kathy Morris and Diane Houser.

Pictured are (men, left to right): Lew Houser, Jim Carroll, Dave Moore, Brian Towns, Joe Comfort, John Bayne, Bill Morris and Luke Lucarelli. (Women, left to right): Linda Carroll, Ann Moore, Deb Towns, Gail Dowsett, Millie Bayne, Kathy Morris and Diane Houser.

Car club holds fundraising event for NOA

Plenty of classic cars and smiling faces greeted visitors to the Achasta clubhouse Saturday afternoon, as the Dahlonega Car Club held an automobile show and silent auction benefitting NOA (No One Alone).
Outgoing Branch Manager Tracey Thomaswick led the Lumpkin Library for over two decades.

Outgoing Branch Manager Tracey Thomaswick led the Lumpkin Library for over two decades.

Library branch manager bids farewell after storied career

There was no shortage of smiles and appreciative hugs in the meeting room of the local library last Tuesday, as the Friends of the Library hosted a special retirement party for outgoing Branch Manager Tracey Thomaswick.
Dahlonega resident Penny Sharp and her dog Clarence Oddbody make up some time as they race through downtown in the Wimpy Mile.

Dahlonega resident Penny Sharp and her dog Clarence Oddbody make up some time as they race through downtown in the Wimpy Mile.

WIMPY MILE - Rotary club races to support local causes

It was bigger and better than ever.  Despite freezing temperatures at the starting line, the field of competitors gathered next to Hancock Park on Saturday morning. An enthusiastic group of runners, ranging from kids to adults and even pets, readied themselves for the third annual Wimpy Mile.
A capacity crowd gathered inside and outside the planning commission meeting room Monday night to make their voices heard on a proposed mixed use development for Dawsonville Highway and Pink Williams Road.

A capacity crowd gathered inside and outside the planning commission meeting room Monday night to make their voices heard on a proposed mixed use development for Dawsonville Highway and Pink Williams Road.

Flourish Community development sparks lively discussion

It was a full 20 minutes until the start of the scheduled planning commission meeting on Monday night. A large crowd already filled the lobby and vestibule of the Lumpkin Planning & Development building and had begun to spill outside.