The Afternoon Delight was docked in the parking lot of Lake Zwerner last week as Duke Neslen and Beau Donner prepared to launch their newly-purchased 25-foot sailboat into the reservoir waters.

The Afternoon Delight was docked in the parking lot of Lake Zwerner last week as Duke Neslen and Beau Donner prepared to launch their newly-purchased 25-foot sailboat into the reservoir waters.

University students sharpen sailing skills on local lake

Tuesday, June 23, 2026

It began with an Instagram reel, the short video featured a group of college students setting sail across the Atlantic on their newly purchased boat. University of North Georgia student Duke Neslen liked the looks of it. And he knew just where to forward it.

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The Nugget has included a special section in this week’s print edition and the E-edition to recognize local First Responders.

The Nugget has included a special section in this week’s print edition and the E-edition to recognize local First Responders.

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Special section recognizes local First Responders

News Staff
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
In this week’s special section we salute the brave men and women who work every day to keep...
An overturned off-road vehicle led to the recent drowning death of a Lawrenceville man at Iron Mountain Park, according to law enforcement reports.

An overturned off-road vehicle led to the recent drowning death of a Lawrenceville man at Iron Mountain Park, according to law enforcement reports.

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Drowning reported at ATV park

Matt Aiken
Tuesday, June 23, 2026
An overturned off-road vehicle tumbled into a retention pond and resulted in the tragic drowning of...
Members of the Dahlonega City Council discuss the ins-and-outs of a possible new sales tax at Monday's special called meeting.

Members of the Dahlonega City Council discuss the ins-and-outs of a possible new sales tax at Monday's special called meeting.

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New local sales tax in the works

News Staff
Thursday, June 18, 2026
By Matt Aiken & Keith Murden  /  The Nugget  ---------------  It’s called the LHOST (or Local...
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Regional

Jonathon, Sarah, and Jonathon Barge Jr., who goes by “J,” are all smiles having learned that Jonathon Barge won the Winter 2022 Lake Living cover contest for the picture of “J” in the family’s 1972 Alumacraft fishing boat “catching snowflakes instead of fish” on Lake Burton in January 2022. Enoch Autry, publisher of The Clayton Tribune in Rabun County, right, hands the family the $100 prize for winning the contest. (Photo by Megan Broome)

Jonathon, Sarah, and Jonathon Barge Jr., who goes by “J,” are all smiles having learned that Jonathon Barge won the Winter 2022 Lake Living cover contest for the picture of “J” in the family’s 1972 Alumacraft fishing boat “catching snowflakes instead of fish” on Lake Burton in January 2022. Enoch Autry, publisher of The Clayton Tribune in Rabun County, right, hands the family the $100 prize for winning the contest. (Photo by Megan Broome)

Snowflakes instead of fish leads to Lake Living Winter 2022 cover

News Staff
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
By Megan Broome / CNI News Service  ---------------  Northeast Georgia offers many picture-perfect...
Cornelia resident Donna Shirley receives her $100 prize money from Alan NeSmith, Community Newspapers Inc. chairman. Shirley’s photograph of the double waterfalls that make up Anna Ruby Falls graces the cover of the 2023 summer edition of The Mountain Traveler magazine. (Photo/Kimberly Brown)

Cornelia resident Donna Shirley receives her $100 prize money from Alan NeSmith, Community Newspapers Inc. chairman. Shirley’s photograph of the double waterfalls that make up Anna Ruby Falls graces the cover of the 2023 summer edition of The Mountain Traveler magazine. (Photo/Kimberly Brown)

Chasing waterfalls leads to winning Mountain Traveler cover photo

News Staff
Wednesday, August 30, 2023
By Kimberly Brown  ----------  One of the things Donna Shirley of Cornelia loves most is traveling...
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The Afternoon Delight was docked in the parking lot of Lake Zwerner last week as Duke Neslen and Beau Donner prepared to launch their newly-purchased 25-foot sailboat into the reservoir waters.

The Afternoon Delight was docked in the parking lot of Lake Zwerner last week as Duke Neslen and Beau Donner prepared to launch their newly-purchased 25-foot sailboat into the reservoir waters.

University students sharpen sailing skills on local lake

Matt Aiken
It began with an Instagram reel, the short video featured a group of college students setting sail across the Atlantic on their newly purchased boat. University of North Georgia student Duke Neslen liked the looks of it. And he knew just where to forward it.“Let’s buy a sailboat and mess around,”…
The Nugget has included a special section in this week’s print edition and the E-edition to recognize local First Responders.

The Nugget has included a special section in this week’s print edition and the E-edition to recognize local First Responders.

Special section recognizes local First Responders

News Staff
In this week’s special section we salute the brave men and women who work every day to keep Dahlonega and Lumpkin County safe and secure. The service of everyone at Lumpkin County Emergency Services, the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office, the Dahlonega Police Department, the Coroner’s Office, Camp…
Assistant Coach Jake Estenson directs young participants during the recent summer camp.

Assistant Coach Jake Estenson directs young participants during the recent summer camp.

Football summer camp gives kids chance to sharpen skills

Eligha Roper
As the summer months roll on so do the local Lumpkin County High School camps; last week the local football program saw the biggest turnout yet, as over 100 campers turned out for the three-day event. The camp created special opportunities for high school coaches, Parks & Rec coaches, varsity…
Members of the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners, County staff and employees of the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office gathered last Wednesday to discuss priorities for the department’s FY’27 budget.

Members of the Lumpkin County Board of Commissioners, County staff and employees of the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office gathered last Wednesday to discuss priorities for the department’s FY’27 budget.

County budget requests considered by Commissioners

Keith Murden
An apparent shift in Georgia State Patrol policy has the Lumpkin County Sheriff’s Office scrambling for reinforcements; that was one of the more pressing department requests made during last Wednesday’s marathon six-and-a-half hour special work session of the Lumpkin County Board of…
Pictured, from left, Faith Jones, Scott DeGraff, Mathiel Mendoza and Natalie Mendoza represented Lumpkin with distinction at the Womens National Duals in Indiana.

Pictured, from left, Faith Jones, Scott DeGraff, Mathiel Mendoza and Natalie Mendoza represented Lumpkin with distinction at the Womens National Duals in Indiana.

Local wrestlers contribute to historic win for Team Georgia

Eligha Roper
Lumpkin County was well represented at the Womens National Duals, where three local wrestlers and Girls Head Coach Scott DeGraff helped power Team Georgia to its best overall finish in program history. Their impact stretched far beyond participation. They were key contributors in a week that showed…
An overturned off-road vehicle led to the recent drowning death of a Lawrenceville man at Iron Mountain Park, according to law enforcement reports.

An overturned off-road vehicle led to the recent drowning death of a Lawrenceville man at Iron Mountain Park, according to law enforcement reports.

Drowning reported at ATV park

Matt Aiken
An overturned off-road vehicle tumbled into a retention pond and resulted in the tragic drowning of a Lawrenceville man at Iron Mountain Park on a recent Saturday afternoon, according to officials with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.“Two people were on a rented UTV side-by-side,” said…
Lumpkin County’s Ridge Cole fields a ball during a previous game.

Lumpkin County’s Ridge Cole fields a ball during a previous game.

Cole shines at GACA All-Star matchup

Eligha Roper
Lumpkin County soccer standout Ridge Cole has continued to make a name for himself on the State level, the Region 6-AAA Player of the Year earned a spot in last week’s GACA All-Star game and made an immediate impact, assisting on a goal that found the back of the net for his team. Earning a…
Starting quarterback Kolson Howell leads the Indians onto the field during their Spring Game at East Hall.

Starting quarterback Kolson Howell leads the Indians onto the field during their Spring Game at East Hall.

Lumpkin football ready to rumble ahead of upcoming season

Eligha Roper
Though the school year has come to an end, all things football are just getting started for the Lumpkin County High School football team. This year the team looks to continue their tradition of success, rooted in their time tested mantra ‘Hard Work Pays Off.’ The 2025 starting quarterback…
Members of the Dahlonega City Council discuss the ins-and-outs of a possible new sales tax at Monday's special called meeting.

Members of the Dahlonega City Council discuss the ins-and-outs of a possible new sales tax at Monday's special called meeting.

New local sales tax in the works

News Staff
By Matt Aiken & Keith Murden  /  The Nugget  ---------------  It’s called the LHOST (or Local Homestead Option Sales Tax) and it could be coming to a cash register near you. But first, it will need to go to the ballot.“We will let the voters decide this fall,” said Mayor Sam…
Sports writer Eligha Roper’s Lumpkin County sports cap takes a vacation at Driftwood Beach.

Sports writer Eligha Roper’s Lumpkin County sports cap takes a vacation at Driftwood Beach.

ROPER: Hats can reveal your character

Eligha Roper
A hat is never just a hat, anyone who’s ever worn one knows this instinctively, a hat is a billboard, a personality test, a mood ring and sometimes a warning label. It’s the quickest way to tell if someone is headed to work, headed to play, or headed absolutely nowhere but wants to look like they…
A graph provided by Finance Director Abby Branan shows the County budget has steadily increased over the last decade, by around $15 million in total.

A graph provided by Finance Director Abby Branan shows the County budget has steadily increased over the last decade, by around $15 million in total.

County’s upcoming budget tops $35 million

Keith Murden
Accelerating inflation nationwide continues to affect local governments as much or more than individual consumers; that was one of the takeaways as Lumpkin County recently announced its Proposed Budget for Fiscal Year 2027: The $35.3 million in anticipated expenditures marks a 6.7 percent increase…