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South Enotah Child Advocacy Center Executive Director Rebekah Perethian speaks to a crowd of donors, volunteers and well-wishers at the grand opening for the non-profit’s new Dahlonega location.

South Enotah Child Advocacy Center Executive Director Rebekah Perethian speaks to a crowd of donors, volunteers and well-wishers at the grand opening for the non-profit’s new Dahlonega location.

Child advocacy center opens local headquarters

Keith Murden
Wednesday, October 1, 2025
The South Enotah Child Advocacy Center has come full circle.  After a humble beginning in the counseling office of the University of North Georgia and a shared office in White County, a local Child Advocacy Center (CAC) location is now back to serve the citizens of Lumpkin County.
Lumpkin County firefighters Paul Northop, left, and Jean-Luc Cypher work to contain a quickly-spreading fire that ultimately claimed a Trahlyta Estates home last Friday.

Lumpkin County firefighters Paul Northop, left, and Jean-Luc Cypher work to contain a quickly-spreading fire that ultimately claimed a Trahlyta Estates home last Friday.

Firefighters battle blaze in Trahlyta Estates

Matt Aiken
Wednesday, September 17, 2025
A tower of smoke billowing from a fast-burning blaze in Trahlyta Estates could be seen throughout downtown Dahlonega Friday morning. In fact, Lumpkin County Fire Marshal Chris Maloney spotted the fire from the parking lot of Station 1 just before the official call went out.
A local winged celebrity buzzed by the Lumpkin County Library recently to help spread the news about the upcoming Lumpkin Literacy Adult Spelling Bee & Variety Show which is taking place October 7 at 7 p.m. in the University of North Georgia’s Hoag Auditorium. Admission is free to the donation-only event. Pictured, Eleanora Sizemore, the actual Spelling Bee, will be making appearances in The Nugget in the weeks leading up to the big show as she visits key contributors to the cause of local literacy.

A local winged celebrity buzzed by the Lumpkin County Library recently to help spread the news about the upcoming Lumpkin Literacy Adult Spelling Bee & Variety Show which is taking place October 7 at 7 p.m. in the University of North Georgia’s Hoag Auditorium. Admission is free to the donation-only event. Pictured, Eleanora Sizemore, the actual Spelling Bee, will be making appearances in The Nugget in the weeks leading up to the big show as she visits key contributors to the cause of local literacy.

Lumpkin Literacy helps spell success for many

News Staff
Wednesday, September 10, 2025
Editor’s Note: This appeared in the “OUR VIEW” section of the September 10 edition.  Don’t call it a comeback. Call it a c-o-m-e-b-a-c-k instead.  Because after six years, the Lumpkin Literacy Adult Spelling Bee & Variety Show has returned.
Tammy Nash moved from Dacula to manage her Lumpkin County getaway on Highway 52 East.

Tammy Nash moved from Dacula to manage her Lumpkin County getaway on Highway 52 East.

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Local inn offers modern-yet-secluded getaway

Keith Murden
Wednesday, September 3, 2025
Local resident Tammy Nash savors the reaction she gets from visitors when they walk into her home for the first time.  “I like seeing people come in. It makes them happy,” Nash recently told The Nugget.
Neighbors and passersby joined together to help rescue Lamar Laird from the bottom of a steep embankment after the local resident was pinned beneath his riding mower last Tuesday.

Neighbors and passersby joined together to help rescue Lamar Laird from the bottom of a steep embankment after the local resident was pinned beneath his riding mower last Tuesday.

School bus crew saves injured man

Matt Aiken
Wednesday, August 27, 2025
Lamar Laird was trapped beneath his lawnmower and trying not to lose hope.  But after several hours pinned to the ground in a drainage ditch, hope was getting harder and harder to come by. And the constant torrential rain of last Tuesday afternoon didn’t help matters much.
Members of the Lumpkin County Planning Commission considered a Character Area Map amendment request that could switch the property from the Residential Growth character area to the Gateway Corridor Overlay District.

Members of the Lumpkin County Planning Commission considered a Character Area Map amendment request that could switch the property from the Residential Growth character area to the Gateway Corridor Overlay District.

Housing complex near GA 400 closer to reality

Keith Murden
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
A large multi-family townhome development near the intersection of Highway 60 and GA 400, consisting of between 180-190 rental units, is one step closer to becoming a reality.
Former Lumpkin County Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bill Poole recognized some fellow retired Rangers in the audience before urging the Board of Commissioners to approve a local Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Former Lumpkin County Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Bill Poole recognized some fellow retired Rangers in the audience before urging the Board of Commissioners to approve a local Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

Veterans cemetery gets green light from County

Keith Murden
Wednesday, August 13, 2025
Lumpkin County veterans could soon have the option of being laid to rest in a military cemetery, right here in their own community.  That dream could at last become a reality, thanks to a generous matching fund commitment from the Lowell S. and Betty L. Dunn Family Foundation.
A road sign marking the northern terminus of Highway 400 stands on the future site of a dedicated right turn lane. The Georgia Department of Transportation is expected to break ground on the project later this year to ease congestion at the busy intersection.

A road sign marking the northern terminus of Highway 400 stands on the future site of a dedicated right turn lane. The Georgia Department of Transportation is expected to break ground on the project later this year to ease congestion at the busy intersection.

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Hwy 400 traffic could get relief from new plan

Keith Murden
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
Impatient motorists at the end of Highway 400 are resorting to improper lane changes, and the drivers they are cutting off are responding with indecent gestures and other dangerous acts of “road rage,” according to Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard.
Lumpkin County Schools Nutrition Director Julie Knight-Brown said the school system will be trying ‘Provision 2’ as a mode of service to offer free breakfast for students this year.

Lumpkin County Schools Nutrition Director Julie Knight-Brown said the school system will be trying ‘Provision 2’ as a mode of service to offer free breakfast for students this year.

Schools to offer free breakfast for students this year

Keith Murden
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
American statesman, scientist and author Benjamin Franklin coined the famous phrase “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” Now, students attending Lumpkin County schools in the upcoming 2025/2026 school year can add a new guarantee to that list: breakfast.
UNG Campus Victim Advocate Courtney Hause noted that her working dog, Mavis, pays rapt attention to visitors, as if the K-9 can almost understand what they are discussing. “She just chills. It’s like she’s in the meeting with us,” Hause said. “She’s tuned in.”

UNG Campus Victim Advocate Courtney Hause noted that her working dog, Mavis, pays rapt attention to visitors, as if the K-9 can almost understand what they are discussing. “She just chills. It’s like she’s in the meeting with us,” Hause said. “She’s tuned in.”

SPECIAL SECTION — Dogs (and cats) take the stage!

News Staff
Thursday, July 24, 2025
It’s time for our furry friends to shine as The Nugget is celebrating our four-legged companions. Whether they’re wagging their tails or purring with happiness, our favorite animals are the focus of the special section inside this week’s paper.