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Commissioner Jeff Moran and challenger Wade Niles will face off for the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners District 4 seat.

Commissioner Jeff Moran and challenger Wade Niles will face off for the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners District 4 seat.

County candidates vie for commission seat

By Jake Cantrell  & Matt Aiken / The Nugget -------- What are the most pressing issues facing the county?  How should we deal with growth in the area?  And just how concerned should we be about the long anticipated aquatic center?
When this year’s edition of the Bear on the Square Festival comes to town, it will be in remembrance of these men who contributed in a big way over the years.

When this year’s edition of the Bear on the Square Festival comes to town, it will be in remembrance of these men who contributed in a big way over the years.

Bear on the Square Festival to honor memory of key contributors

When the Bear on the Square returns from a two-year hiatus April 23-24, it will be dedicated to four people very special to the festival.
The Wagon Wheel closes its doors after more than 40 years

The Wagon Wheel closes its doors after more than 40 years

Wagon Wheel closes doors after more than 40 years

As Dahlonega local Buzz Comstock stirred through what was left of his black-eyed peas last Thursday afternoon, he did so with a somber tone. Because for him, and many around town, a chapter of Dahlonega history was about to close forever, as were the doors of the Wagon Wheel Restaurant.
Art in the Park is back at Hancock Park as local artists bring their works to the downtown greenspace.

Art in the Park is back at Hancock Park as local artists bring their works to the downtown greenspace.

Art in the Park sets up shop downtown

Art in the Park returns for its second month Saturday, April 2. Held in Hancock Park from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., the event features local artists and their original handcrafted creations.
Deputies and drug agents confiscated numerous firearms, a reported three pounds of marijuana, and a stash of cash from a Pecks Road residence last week.

Deputies and drug agents confiscated numerous firearms, a reported three pounds of marijuana, and a stash of cash from a Pecks Road residence last week.

Marijuana, firearms seized in local bust

When deputies and drug agents showed up at the residence of Asa Scott Wilson last Wednesday,  they found something they didn’t expect amidst the reported guns and marijuana. Good manners. “He was super cooperative and nice,” said the undercover narcotics officer who helped make the arrest.
Former coroner and magistrate judge Jim Sheppard was arrested by GBI agents Friday afternoon.

Former coroner and magistrate judge Jim Sheppard was arrested by GBI agents Friday afternoon.

Former judge faces theft and conspiracy charges

Agents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrived at Jim Sheppard’s home Friday afternoon with theft and conspiracy related warrants intended for the former Lumpkin County Coroner and recently resigned magistrate judge, according to officials.
Leather crafter Jim Foley said he had to truly earn the title of Shoe Guy: “My grandfather said we can’t call you a Shoe Guy until you get paid and you ain’t ready to get paid yet.”

Leather crafter Jim Foley said he had to truly earn the title of Shoe Guy: “My grandfather said we can’t call you a Shoe Guy until you get paid and you ain’t ready to get paid yet.”

‘Shoe Guy’ carries on family tradition in Dahlonega

What do a meteorite, an arrowhead-impaled buffalo vertebrae and a letter from the office of Jimmy Carter have in common? Absolutely nothing. Except for Jim Foley: The Shoe Guy. The longtime local leather crafter is a collector of unusual and occasionally extraterrestrial artifacts.
Students showed off their hard work recently at a demonstration for parents and teachers at the middle school.

Students showed off their hard work recently at a demonstration for parents and teachers at the middle school.

Middle school Lego Club builds success

The Lumpkin County Middle School Lego Club is building a legacy of success brick by brick. In its third season of “FIRST LEGO League” the club is seeing plenty of interest from students.
Surveillance footage captured an armed robbery at Crisson Gold Mine last week as the suspect entered the front store on Morrison Moore Parkway and made off with more than $100,000 in gold and jewelry.

Surveillance footage captured an armed robbery at Crisson Gold Mine last week as the suspect entered the front store on Morrison Moore Parkway and made off with more than $100,000 in gold and jewelry.

Gold robber on the run after heist

A masked man entered the front door of Crisson Gold Mine Store just before 5 p.m. last Thursday with a gun and duffel bag in hand.
The victim of a shooting on Wesley Lee Road was air-lifted from Guy Wimpy Airport to Northeast Georgia Medical Center last Tuesday. The Dahlonega man was in critical condition as of press-time, according to officials.

The victim of a shooting on Wesley Lee Road was air-lifted from Guy Wimpy Airport to Northeast Georgia Medical Center last Tuesday. The Dahlonega man was in critical condition as of press-time, according to officials.

Suspect arrested, shooting victim air-lifted to hospital

A Dahlonega man has been charged with shooting his neighbor on the side of Wesley Lee Road during a heated argument about aggressive canines, according to officials with the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office.