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Lumpkin County sixth grade student Mackenzie Wigington celebrates a hard-fought victory in Showmanship with her white heifer, Angel. (Photo submitted to The Nugget)

Lumpkin County sixth grade student Mackenzie Wigington celebrates a hard-fought victory in Showmanship with her white heifer, Angel. (Photo submitted to The Nugget)

Agriculture educators host annual Heifers in the Hills

Keith Murden
Wednesday, February 5, 2025
Middle and high school students from across the North Georgia region gathered Saturday morning for a moo-mentous cattle battle at the Lumpkin County High School agriculture barn during the annual “Heifers in the Hills” event.
Jonathan Wright was honored as the LCHS STAR student at a recent school board meeting. Pictured, from left, are Superintendent Sharon Head, Wright, LCHS Principal Brian Matthews and a virtual STAR teacher Don Brock (on the laptop).

Jonathan Wright was honored as the LCHS STAR student at a recent school board meeting. Pictured, from left, are Superintendent Sharon Head, Wright, LCHS Principal Brian Matthews and a virtual STAR teacher Don Brock (on the laptop).

Wright shines as Lumpkin’s next STAR Student

Hunter Mauldin
Wednesday, January 29, 2025
With the new year in full-swing, it’s not just Hollywood in the midst of award season.
Chief Finance Officer Whittney McPherson provides an overview of the possible impact of the upcoming property tax cap during the first of three public hearing before the Lumpkin County School Board last Friday. The next hearings will take place Thursday, January 23 at 11 a.m. and Thursday, January 30 at 5 p.m.

Chief Finance Officer Whittney McPherson provides an overview of the possible impact of the upcoming property tax cap during the first of three public hearing before the Lumpkin County School Board last Friday. The next hearings will take place Thursday, January 23 at 11 a.m. and Thursday, January 30 at 5 p.m.

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School board hears input on property taxes

Keith Murden
Wednesday, January 22, 2025
On Friday, the Lumpkin County School Board held the first of three advertised public hearings regarding their intention to potentially opt out of the provisions of House Bill 581, which was signed into law on April 18, 2024.
Members of the Native American Committee met last week inside The Venue at 223 to make some design choices for a new County park on Rock House Road.

Members of the Native American Committee met last week inside The Venue at 223 to make some design choices for a new County park on Rock House Road.

New reservoir park to have Native American heritage

Keith Murden
Thursday, January 16, 2025
The Lumpkin County Native American Advisory Committee met last Thursday to develop a recommendation on the aesthetics of the new County park set to be built on Rock House Road next year.
“No trespassing” signs delineate private property near the Etowah River bridge on Ga. Hwy. 52, a popular put-in spot for local floaters and paddlers. The Etowah is not technically considered navigable, so its waters could be restricted if the property on both sides is marked private.

“No trespassing” signs delineate private property near the Etowah River bridge on Ga. Hwy. 52, a popular put-in spot for local floaters and paddlers. The Etowah is not technically considered navigable, so its waters could be restricted if the property on both sides is marked private.

River rights regulations remain murky

Keith Murden
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
North Georgia area paddlers and fishermen concerned about losing future access to outdoor recreation were provided with no additional clarity after a December 2 final report of the Georgia House Study Committee on Navigable Streams and Related Matters.
UNG student Vaughan Duncan assisted Dahlonega City Engineer Mark Buchanan and City Manager Allison Martin by creating a rendering of a pedestrian bridge that will be built soon.

UNG student Vaughan Duncan assisted Dahlonega City Engineer Mark Buchanan and City Manager Allison Martin by creating a rendering of a pedestrian bridge that will be built soon.

Pedestrian bridge is on the way for reservoir

Hunter Mauldin
Tuesday, December 24, 2024
The City is working hard to build new bridges in the community, and not just in a metaphorical sense.
The Board of Education has authorized a special election on March 18, 2025 to decide whether a one percent Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax will replace the current expiring tax.

The Board of Education has authorized a special election on March 18, 2025 to decide whether a one percent Education Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax will replace the current expiring tax.

Schools gear up for next big E-SPLOST vote

Keith Murden
Thursday, December 19, 2024
At the same time the school system is preparing to deal with the ramifications of House Bill 581 on January 1, they are also engaging with another tax-related issue that comes into play in the new year.
Sharon Hall passed away in her sleep Sunday night. The popular and longtime Nugget staff writer had a reputation for using her reporting talents to promote local non-profits.

Sharon Hall passed away in her sleep Sunday night. The popular and longtime Nugget staff writer had a reputation for using her reporting talents to promote local non-profits.

Remembering Sharon Hall, a longtime reporter who made a difference

Matt Aiken
Wednesday, December 11, 2024
Sharon Hall, beloved mother, grandmother, longtime Nugget reporter and champion of local non-profits, died Sunday night. She passed away peacefully in her sleep at the age of 74 in her home in Jacksonville, Fla. She leaves behind a town full of friends, adopted family members and admirers.
ABOVE: This year, Santa and Mrs. Claus provided just the right amount of holiday magic to illuminate the lights on the tree in front of the Visitors Center and all around the downtown Dahlonega area. BELOW: Bells and Whistles perform at the lighting of the Festival of Tress in Hancock Park.

ABOVE: This year, Santa and Mrs. Claus provided just the right amount of holiday magic to illuminate the lights on the tree in front of the Visitors Center and all around the downtown Dahlonega area. BELOW: Bells and Whistles perform at the lighting of the Festival of Tress in Hancock Park.

Dahlonega celebrates arrival of Christmas with Lighting of the Square

JOHN BYNUM
Wednesday, December 4, 2024
The joy of the Christmas season was in the air last Friday as thousands of visitors and locals gathered to celebrate the annual lighting of the Public Square.