News

For the third straight year, Lumpkin County has been over the 95 percent mark in graduation rate.

For the third straight year, Lumpkin County has been over the 95 percent mark in graduation rate.

Graduation rate among highest in the state

When it comes to graduation rates, Lumpkin County High School has once again reached new highs, scoring the highest rate in school system history for the third straight year while also placing third in the state for highest graduation rate.
Father John Hamilton and his congregation are ready to open the doors at the “Love in Action” service fair.

Father John Hamilton and his congregation are ready to open the doors at the “Love in Action” service fair.

Congregation helps put 'Love in Action'

This weekend Lumpkin Countians looking for ways to give back to their community can discover how to do just that while also enjoying a free chili lunch, musical performances and a firetruck tour and puppet show for the children.
Claude Gilstrap will be at the head of the Gold Rush parade as grand marshal this Saturday at 3 p.m.

Claude Gilstrap will be at the head of the Gold Rush parade as grand marshal this Saturday at 3 p.m.

Gilstrap is set to be parade Grand Marshal

Claude Gilstrap has quietly been one of Lumpkin County’s leaders for many years. Raised in a farm family in the Cane Creek area, the native-born Nugget led his own family into a farming tradition that continues to this day.
Tyler Barnes, co-owner and winemaker at Accent Cellars, is frustrated and confused about recent damage done to his small vineyard at the top of the winery property. Barnes estimates the damage to be around $6,000 worth, affecting around 20 percent of his vineyard.

Tyler Barnes, co-owner and winemaker at Accent Cellars, is frustrated and confused about recent damage done to his small vineyard at the top of the winery property. Barnes estimates the damage to be around $6,000 worth, affecting around 20 percent of his vineyard.

Vine vandals strike local winery

There’s a strange mystery afoot in Dahlonega. And Tyler Barnes is ready for it to be over. “I just want it to stop more than anything,” he said. That’s because according to Barnes, it seems someone is vandalizing his vines, over at Accent Cellars.
Lumpkin County Administration Building

Lumpkin County Administration Building

Gun range proposal shot down

By Jake Cantrell & Jennifer Ramsay / The Nugget After a month of consideration between an August public hearing and last Tuesday’s special called meeting, the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners voted against the proposed gun range off Porter Springs Road in a meeting that spanned around five...
Dahlonega voters will choose a new mayor in 2021.

Dahlonega voters will choose a new mayor in 2021.

Who is Dahlonega's next mayor?

The race for the next mayor of Dahlonega is on. And a trio of candidates is now in the running to fill the soon-to-be vacant seat of current mayor Sam Norton once his term comes to a close at the end of the year.
A group of University of North Georgia professors and faculty gathered for a quick rally in favor of a mask mandate being enforced indoors at UNG.

A group of University of North Georgia professors and faculty gathered for a quick rally in favor of a mask mandate being enforced indoors at UNG.

Professors push for mask mandate

A desire for masks to be required indoors at University of North Georgia pushed professors outdoors, hoping to spread the word about not spreading the virus.
After spending nine months in Afghanistan as a member of the Army National Guard, Will Mayfield took to the classroom, using his experience to teach Southwest Asia history at LCMS. Amid the current crisis in Afghanistan, Mayfield offers a unique perspective to his students.

After spending nine months in Afghanistan as a member of the Army National Guard, Will Mayfield took to the classroom, using his experience to teach Southwest Asia history at LCMS. Amid the current crisis in Afghanistan, Mayfield offers a unique perspective to his students.

Veteran shares Afghanistan experience as a teacher

Will Mayfield still hasn’t quite wrapped his head around it. When he left Afghanistan in September of 2019, it was with the optimism that he and his fellow service members had left the country and its people better than they found it, in hopes of providing the foundation for an independent nation.
The race is on for City and County elections

The race is on for City and County elections

The race is on for 2021 elections

The race is officially on for local elections in Lumpkin County and Dahlonega. Last week two candidates qualified for the County Commissioner - District 1 seat: Tucker Greene and Mitchell Ridley.  On the city side, Posts 1, 2, and 3 on the City Council are up for reelection, as well as the Mayor.
Pip patiently poses while waiting for a treat from hotel employee Liz McClain. He likes treats, pets, and exploring around the hotel.

Pip patiently poses while waiting for a treat from hotel employee Liz McClain. He likes treats, pets, and exploring around the hotel.

Friendly feline greets downtown hotel guests

One of Dahlonega’s biggest celebrities walks on all fours and will trade cuddles for treats. Pippin Silverton Ariemma, also known as Pip, first showed up at the Dahlonega Square Hotel in 2016. His exact origins are still a mystery, but even from the start he was a friendly cat.