News

An old cabin off Camp Wahsega Road was brought to the ground in a matter of minutes after a suspected lightning strike hit the abandoned structure on Saturday. Firefighters from both Camp Frank D. Merrill and Lumpkin County Emergency Services responded to the scene.

An old cabin off Camp Wahsega Road was brought to the ground in a matter of minutes after a suspected lightning strike hit the abandoned structure on Saturday. Firefighters from both Camp Frank D. Merrill and Lumpkin County Emergency Services responded to the scene.

Fire at abandoned cabin caused by lightning strike

Matt Aiken
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
A long abandoned cabin on the side of Camp Wahsega Road burned to the ground in a literal flash Saturday afternoon.
The Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners managed to trim the budget and reduce the gap to roughly $1 million, which could be made up by utilizing the fund balance. The board plans to hold public hearings regarding the budget on August 9 at 6 p.m., August 11 at 9 a.m. and August 23 at 4 p.m. with a special called meeting to follow at 4:30 p.m. to adopt the budget.

The Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners managed to trim the budget and reduce the gap to roughly $1 million, which could be made up by utilizing the fund balance. The board plans to hold public hearings regarding the budget on August 9 at 6 p.m., August 11 at 9 a.m. and August 23 at 4 p.m. with a special called meeting to follow at 4:30 p.m. to adopt the budget.

County Commission tries to bridge budget gap

Jake Cantrell
Thursday, July 28, 2022
When the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners and county staff began the budget process, they were projecting around a $1.9 million shortfall.
Lumpkin County Commissioners discuss the latest blueprint for the proposed county pool at last week’s BOC meeting.

Lumpkin County Commissioners discuss the latest blueprint for the proposed county pool at last week’s BOC meeting.

Latest county pool plan makes waves

Jake Cantrell
Wednesday, July 20, 2022
Yet another new plan for a pool was rolled out on Saturday morning at a special called work session of the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners, with hopes that it’ll be the last new plan.
Geese and ducks at the local reservoir may have been the targets of mistreatment, reported a local man. Officials from the Georgia DNR have looked into the situation.

Geese and ducks at the local reservoir may have been the targets of mistreatment, reported a local man. Officials from the Georgia DNR have looked into the situation.

Guarding the geese—waterfowl harmed by unknown cause at reservoir

Jennifer Ramsay
Wednesday, July 13, 2022
Something’s hurting waterfowl at Lake Zwerner. And local Tom Knowles is on the case. Knowles first became aware of this in early 2020. ”I found a goose that had a fishing line on it and I thought it was accidental,” he said. “…But I could see that it wasn’t accidental.
Local historian Chris Worick examines some mysterious stone letters found recently in Dahlonega’s Mount Hope Cemetery.

Local historian Chris Worick examines some mysterious stone letters found recently in Dahlonega’s Mount Hope Cemetery.

Hidden history uncovered at local cemetery

JOHN BYNUM
Wednesday, July 6, 2022
When a heavy chunk of marble with the letters “WI” chiseled on it caught the eye of cemetery committee chairman Chris Worick several years ago, he thought it might be an old plot marker laid to distinguish the area of land of a particular family.
ABOVE: Elected officials, hospital higher ups and construction crews all gathered together to celebrate the official start of the next chapter in healthcare in Lumpkin County on Wednesday at the groundbreaking for the future NGMC Lumpkin campus. Pictured from left: Philip Wilheit, Bonita Jacobs, Sonja McLendon, Senator Steve Gooch, Carol Burrell, Spence Price, Chris Dockery, RK Whitehead and Representative Will Wade.

ABOVE: Elected officials, hospital higher ups and construction crews all gathered together to celebrate the official start of the next chapter in healthcare in Lumpkin County on Wednesday at the groundbreaking for the future NGMC Lumpkin campus. Pictured from left: Philip Wilheit, Bonita Jacobs, Sonja McLendon, Senator Steve Gooch, Carol Burrell, Spence Price, Chris Dockery, RK Whitehead and Representative Will Wade.

New hospital celebrates groundbreaking at Lumpkin site

Jake Cantrell
Wednesday, June 29, 2022
A day years in the making came one step closer as Lumpkin County saw the first ceremonial signs of progress beginning at the construction site alongside Georgia 400 where a new hospital will eventually sit.
This potential pool project will most likely make a splash at an upcoming Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners meeting as officials work towards a long awaited plan that would bring an end to the community's swimming drought.

This potential pool project will most likely make a splash at an upcoming Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners meeting as officials work towards a long awaited plan that would bring an end to the community's swimming drought.

New county pool plan emerges

Jake Cantrell
Tuesday, June 21, 2022
County Manager Alan Ours hears the comments at least once a week. Board of Commissioner Chairman Chris Dockery said he hears about it constantly. Those are the continuous community comments about the status of the county’s future pool plan, or its current lack of one.
County Board of Commissioners Chairman Chris Dockery shared concerns about matters of privacy when a request for two license plate reading cameras was made at a recent county work session.

County Board of Commissioners Chairman Chris Dockery shared concerns about matters of privacy when a request for two license plate reading cameras was made at a recent county work session.

County considers new surveillance camera purchase

Jake Cantrell
Wednesday, June 15, 2022
A sheriff’s office request for two license plate reading Flock Safety Falcon Cameras was met with skepticism from Chairman Chris Dockery at a recent county work session. Not because of budgetary issues, but because of matters of privacy.
Petty Officer 1st Class Chandler Alexander feels the need, the need to lead in the TOPGUN training program. The Lumpkin County High School alum is pictured alongside his proud parents Steve and Casey Alexander.

Petty Officer 1st Class Chandler Alexander feels the need, the need to lead in the TOPGUN training program. The Lumpkin County High School alum is pictured alongside his proud parents Steve and Casey Alexander.

TOPGUN trainer looks to next challenges

SHARON HALL
Wednesday, June 8, 2022
Local TOPGUN graduate Chandler Alexander is used to calling the shots. Literally. Because that’s just what the 1st Class Petty Officer does as one of only 20 weapons and tactics instructors in the elite Navy program. “I don’t fly.
While Northeast Georgia Medical Center meets the immediate needs of the county, groundbreaking will soon begin on a brand new facility.

While Northeast Georgia Medical Center meets the immediate needs of the county, groundbreaking will soon begin on a brand new facility.

New hospital groundbreaking approaches

Jennifer Ramsay
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
New details have been revealed for the much-awaited hospital coming to Lumpkin County. For starters the groundbreaking is scheduled for later this month, according to Northeast Georgia Healthcare System representative Sonja McLendon.