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Consolidated Gold Mine manager Dathan Harbert (right) and gold miner Jamie Shedd review drone video on the computer. (Right) Nir Pe’er of Inspired Intelligence controls a drone that is flying through previously unmapped Consolidated Gold Mine tunnels to create never-before seen maps.

Consolidated Gold Mine manager Dathan Harbert (right) and gold miner Jamie Shedd review drone video on the computer. (Right) Nir Pe’er of Inspired Intelligence controls a drone that is flying through previously unmapped Consolidated Gold Mine tunnels to create never-before seen maps.

Gold mine uses new technology to explore old tunnels

JOHN BYNUM
Wednesday, October 7, 2020
114 years. That's how long it has been since since miners labored to discover gold ore underground at one of Dahlonega's most popular historical sites.
When asked about the masked start, implemented as a safety precaution as a result of COVID-19, Three Gap Fifty rider Anthony Murrell said "wearing a mask is the least you can do in this fight."

When asked about the masked start, implemented as a safety precaution as a result of COVID-19, Three Gap Fifty rider Anthony Murrell said "wearing a mask is the least you can do in this fight."

Six Gap rolls on with COVID precautions

Jake Cantrell
Wednesday, September 30, 2020
Sitting at the starting line with his family as other riders packed in on all sides, minutes away from the start of the Three Gap Fifty, Jose Muhina was feeling “a little nervous.” However it wasn’t because of the crowd or the possibility of being exposed to the coronavirus.
Jacob Elliott is teeing off with a local disc golf tournament in hopes of raising funds to improve the golf at Yahoola Creek Park.

Jacob Elliott is teeing off with a local disc golf tournament in hopes of raising funds to improve the golf at Yahoola Creek Park.

Disc golfer ready to repair local course

Matt Aiken
Wednesday, September 23, 2020
It started with a birthday present. A birthday present that Jacob Elliott quickly threw into Yahoola Creek. “When my wife and I would come to the park and walk dogs I would see the disc golf baskets,” said Elliott. “And I would say ‘That looks like it’d be fun.
Due to the difficulty in maintaining appropriate social distancing because of COVID-19, the Gold Rush festival’s board of directors made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 edition.

Due to the difficulty in maintaining appropriate social distancing because of COVID-19, the Gold Rush festival’s board of directors made the difficult decision to cancel the 2020 edition.

Gold Rush festival cancelled amid COVID-19 concerns

Matt Aiken
Wednesday, September 16, 2020
It’s official. Gold Rush Days 2020 is a no-go. The festival’s board of directors released the official statement on Facebook Tuesday morning and was met with a chorus of comments that ranged from supportive statements to shocked retorts to the occasional “nooo!
Pictured (from left): Judy Shubert—Long Branch Elementary Cafe Manager, Andi Foster—Blackburn Elementary Cafe Manager, Julie Knight-Brown—Lumpkin Schools Nutrition Director, Kathy Fleming—Lumpkin High School Cafe Manager, Vicki Carpenter—Lumpkin Middle School Cafe Manager and Brenda Christy—Lumpkin Elementary Cafe Manager show off the recent harvest.

Pictured (from left): Judy Shubert—Long Branch Elementary Cafe Manager, Andi Foster—Blackburn Elementary Cafe Manager, Julie Knight-Brown—Lumpkin Schools Nutrition Director, Kathy Fleming—Lumpkin High School Cafe Manager, Vicki Carpenter—Lumpkin Middle School Cafe Manager and Brenda Christy—Lumpkin Elementary Cafe Manager show off the recent harvest.

Hometown Harvest is bringing fresh produce to school lunches

JOHN BYNUM
Wednesday, September 9, 2020
A collaboration between the University of North Georgia biology department, 4-H and Lumpkin County Schools is resulting in fresh, locally grown vegetables for local school lunches.
The annual Six Gap bike ride will continue this year with precautions to limit coronavirus risk.

The annual Six Gap bike ride will continue this year with precautions to limit coronavirus risk.

Socially distant Six Gap bike ride will roll on

Jake Cantrell
Wednesday, September 2, 2020
With many changes in place in the name of safety, the 32nd annual Six Gap Century will be quite different from the usual fall ride.
LCMS 6th grade student Jeb Jackson said virtual school has some perks, like having his dog around while he’s learning.

LCMS 6th grade student Jeb Jackson said virtual school has some perks, like having his dog around while he’s learning.

Virtual school poses new tests

Jake Cantrell
Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Although holding a doctorate in education, Lumpkin County Schools Superintendent Rob Brown found himself still wanting to learn more last week. So he went back to kindergarten.
Greg Finan Jr. is moving on after seven great years of Nugget sports writing. (Photo by Carrie Dawn Roy)

Greg Finan Jr. is moving on after seven great years of Nugget sports writing. (Photo by Carrie Dawn Roy)

The Next Chapter

GREG FINAN JR.
Friday, August 21, 2020
If all the world is a stage, as some famous person once said, then I have been blessed to have had the cast, crew and extras that have starred in the movie of my life. Act I began with family. My upbringing never consisted of keeping up with the Jones, but it was full of riches.
Amanda Barton is taking the musical helm at GA Pick & Bow.

Amanda Barton is taking the musical helm at GA Pick & Bow.

Music teacher tunes up for Georgia Pick & Bow

Jake Cantrell
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
It started with an exception. Georgia Pick & Bow, a Dahlonega-based music program that teaches traditional bluegrass music to students from fourth grade to 12th grade usually doesn’t allow adults in their classes.
A recent COVID-19 case update request made by the The Nugget was denied, as the superintendent criticized recent coverage of the school system.

A recent COVID-19 case update request made by the The Nugget was denied, as the superintendent criticized recent coverage of the school system.

Nugget's COVID-19 case update request denied by schools

Jake Cantrell
Wednesday, August 19, 2020
Though the latest report of COVID-19 cases in the Lumpkin County School System has been released, superintendent Dr. Rob Brown declined The Nugget’s request to report up-to-date numbers in the print edition this week, taking issue with recent coverage of the school system.