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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.
Betsy Franck (pictured) and the rest of Athens-based band Bloodkin are ready to take the stage at the historic Holly Theatre for the first time ever on Friday, March 13. Franck is hopeful that a big turnout will boost the likelihood of other high-profile concerts coming to town.

Betsy Franck (pictured) and the rest of Athens-based band Bloodkin are ready to take the stage at the historic Holly Theatre for the first time ever on Friday, March 13. Franck is hopeful that a big turnout will boost the likelihood of other high-profile concerts coming to town.

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Band aims to boost local music scene

Keith Murden
Wednesday, March 11, 2026
It’s been 40 years since childhood friends and West Virginia natives Eric Carter and Daniel Hutchens played their first gig in Athens, Georgia, under the moniker “Bloodkin.
Sheriff Stacy Jarrard, far left, and Major Doug Cochran, far right, present the LCSO Life Saving Award to Sgt. Tristan Burnett, left, and Deputy Daniel Garguilo during a special meeting last month.

Sheriff Stacy Jarrard, far left, and Major Doug Cochran, far right, present the LCSO Life Saving Award to Sgt. Tristan Burnett, left, and Deputy Daniel Garguilo during a special meeting last month.

LCSO officers honored for life-saving actions

Matt Aiken
Wednesday, March 4, 2026
Twelve minutes . . . that’s how long Deputy Daniel Garguilo and Sgt. Tristan Burnett worked to save the life of a Lumpkin County man after he went into apparent cardiac arrest on the front doorstep of his Frogtown home last month.
Chairman Chris Dockery (center) holds up a custom rug modeled after the Lumpkin County seal during his final meeting with the Board of Commissioners. The rug was a parting gift from fellow commissioners (from left) Tucker Greene, Dr. Bobby Mayfield, Jeff Moran and Rhett Stringer.

Chairman Chris Dockery (center) holds up a custom rug modeled after the Lumpkin County seal during his final meeting with the Board of Commissioners. The rug was a parting gift from fellow commissioners (from left) Tucker Greene, Dr. Bobby Mayfield, Jeff Moran and Rhett Stringer.

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Special Elections planned after County shakeup

Keith Murden
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
An unusually complicated local election year gained some new clarity last week, as two members of the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners stepped down from their seats.
Bartender Victoria Woodall chats with customers as she pours a beer at Johnny B’s on Monday afternoon. The popular local restaurant and watering hole is set to close at the end of this month.

Bartender Victoria Woodall chats with customers as she pours a beer at Johnny B’s on Monday afternoon. The popular local restaurant and watering hole is set to close at the end of this month.

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Johnny B’s building bought by university

Keith Murden
Thursday, February 19, 2026
Residents who long for the taste of beer, thin crust pizza and chicken wings are lamenting the looming closure of popular restaurant and bar Johnny B’s.
Local drivers often keep a close watch on gas prices in Lumpkin County and beyond.

Local drivers often keep a close watch on gas prices in Lumpkin County and beyond.

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Gas prices shift from county to county

Matt Aiken
Wednesday, February 11, 2026
Sure, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence, but is the gas always cheaper on the other side of the county line? That seems to be the perception among Lumpkin County drivers who often look to neighboring communities with fuel-related envy. So, is that adage true?
RJ may look serious but he was quick to offer a friendly wag of the tail to fellow warming center residents on Monday morning.

RJ may look serious but he was quick to offer a friendly wag of the tail to fellow warming center residents on Monday morning.

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Local warming center options are limited

Matt Aiken
Wednesday, February 4, 2026
The local Unitarians were bracing for worse, much worse; with Winter Storm Fern approaching, congregation members at the Georgia Mountains Unitarian Universalist Church began to worry that their sanctuary-turned-warming-center might not be able to completely withstand this particular brand of icy...