Pictured at the 2026 State of the State luncheon (from left) are Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Wes Chambers, State Sen. Steve Gooch, Davis MacEntyre, State Rep. Will Wade and Chamber Executive Director Robb Nichols.

Pictured at the 2026 State of the State luncheon (from left) are Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Wes Chambers, State Sen. Steve Gooch, Davis MacEntyre, State Rep. Will Wade and Chamber Executive Director Robb Nichols.

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Legislators discuss local and state issues at Chamber event

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

From housing to health care to auto insurance, affordability was a recurring theme at Thursday’s State of the State luncheon hosted by the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce.The afternoon’s two featured speakers, state Rep.

Local

Local voters cast their ballots at the Lumpkin County Parks & Rec building last week to decide a wide variety of races, many of which must still be decided in the upcoming June 16 runoff.

Local voters cast their ballots at the Lumpkin County Parks & Rec building last week to decide a wide variety of races, many of which must still be decided in the upcoming June 16 runoff.

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UPDATE - Primary election results in several runoffs

Keith Murden
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
The final day of reckoning has been extended by a few more weeks for several political candidates...
Long Branch Elementary Assistant Principal Kendra Beckworth will finish out the 2025/2026 school year in her current role before transitioning to Principal of Cottrell Elementary School later this summer.

Long Branch Elementary Assistant Principal Kendra Beckworth will finish out the 2025/2026 school year in her current role before transitioning to Principal of Cottrell Elementary School later this summer.

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Beckworth named new principal at Cottrell Elementary

Keith Murden
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
While many elementary school students are looking forward to acquiring new clothes or supplies...
The Lumpkin County High School Class of 2026 celebrated their years of hard work and successes at the recent graduation ceremony held at the UNG Convocation Center on Friday, May 22.

The Lumpkin County High School Class of 2026 celebrated their years of hard work and successes at the recent graduation ceremony held at the UNG Convocation Center on Friday, May 22.

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LCHS graduates look forward to the future

Eligha Roper
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
The Lumpkin County High School Class of 2026 celebrated their graduation at the UNG Convocation...
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Op/Ed

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Sports

Lumpkin County runners Reagan Long, Maddox Henderson, Kellyn Coffer and Josie Webb broke their previously set school records in the 4x200 event at the State Championships.

Lumpkin County runners Reagan Long, Maddox Henderson, Kellyn Coffer and Josie Webb broke their previously set school records in the 4x200 event at the State Championships.

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Track team concludes strong season at State

Eligha Roper
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
The Lumpkin County Track Team wrapped up a very successful season at the GHSA State Championships...
This year’s squad consisted of Kaitlyn Johnson, Rileigh Raftelis, Maddie Lee, Averie Simmons, Brooklyn Estrella, Taylor Burton, Gabby Warren, Layla Melius, Tavie Blacksher and Maggie McKenzie. They were coached and led by Head Coach Wolf Harbin, Assistant Head Coach Carson Horton, Director Of Vibes Mason Hester, Head of Scout Team Caleb Wendl and Team DJ Parker Cox.

This year’s squad consisted of Kaitlyn Johnson, Rileigh Raftelis, Maddie Lee, Averie Simmons, Brooklyn Estrella, Taylor Burton, Gabby Warren, Layla Melius, Tavie Blacksher and Maggie McKenzie. They were coached and led by Head Coach Wolf Harbin, Assistant Head Coach Carson Horton, Director Of Vibes Mason Hester, Head of Scout Team Caleb Wendl and Team DJ Parker Cox.

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Powder Puff 2026 Championship goes to Senior Class

Eligha Roper
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
The senior class at Lumpkin County High School wrapped up their year with one last victory lap.
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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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Pictured at the 2026 State of the State luncheon (from left) are Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Wes Chambers, State Sen. Steve Gooch, Davis MacEntyre, State Rep. Will Wade and Chamber Executive Director Robb Nichols.

Pictured at the 2026 State of the State luncheon (from left) are Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce Board Chair Wes Chambers, State Sen. Steve Gooch, Davis MacEntyre, State Rep. Will Wade and Chamber Executive Director Robb Nichols.

Legislators discuss local and state issues at Chamber event

Keith Murden
From housing to health care to auto insurance, affordability was a recurring theme at Thursday’s State of the State luncheon hosted by the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce.The afternoon’s two featured speakers, state Rep. Will Wade and state Senator Steve Gooch, gave their final…
Local voters cast their ballots at the Lumpkin County Parks & Rec building last week to decide a wide variety of races, many of which must still be decided in the upcoming June 16 runoff.

Local voters cast their ballots at the Lumpkin County Parks & Rec building last week to decide a wide variety of races, many of which must still be decided in the upcoming June 16 runoff.

UPDATE - Primary election results in several runoffs

Keith Murden
The final day of reckoning has been extended by a few more weeks for several political candidates after last week’s Primary election failed to produce clear winners in a number of state and local contests.Registered voters may participate in the runoff contests on Tuesday, June 16, with early…
Lumpkin County runners Reagan Long, Maddox Henderson, Kellyn Coffer and Josie Webb broke their previously set school records in the 4x200 event at the State Championships.

Lumpkin County runners Reagan Long, Maddox Henderson, Kellyn Coffer and Josie Webb broke their previously set school records in the 4x200 event at the State Championships.

Track team concludes strong season at State

Eligha Roper
The Lumpkin County Track Team wrapped up a very successful season at the GHSA State Championships at the University of Georgia’s newly built Spec Towns Track on May 14. This year the squad qualified 22 individual athletes across all events for Sectionals and of those 22, ten advanced onward to…
Long Branch Elementary Assistant Principal Kendra Beckworth will finish out the 2025/2026 school year in her current role before transitioning to Principal of Cottrell Elementary School later this summer.

Long Branch Elementary Assistant Principal Kendra Beckworth will finish out the 2025/2026 school year in her current role before transitioning to Principal of Cottrell Elementary School later this summer.

Beckworth named new principal at Cottrell Elementary

Keith Murden
While many elementary school students are looking forward to acquiring new clothes or supplies ahead of the next school year, Long Branch Assistant Principal Kendra Beckworth will be receiving something even more special: a brand new title.That’s because the long-serving local administrator will…
Nugget sports reporter Eligha Roper was presented with a State Championship ring by the Lady Indians wrestling team.

Nugget sports reporter Eligha Roper was presented with a State Championship ring by the Lady Indians wrestling team.

Nugget Sports reporter receives his own honorary State Championship ring

Eligha Roper
A little over a week ago I attended the girls wrestling end‑of‑year banquet. It was an incredible night that wrapped up a season unlike anything I’ve ever covered. The Lady Indians went undefeated in duals, claimed a Duals State Championship and then fought their way to a Traditional State Title…
The Lumpkin County High School Class of 2026 celebrated their years of hard work and successes at the recent graduation ceremony held at the UNG Convocation Center on Friday, May 22.

The Lumpkin County High School Class of 2026 celebrated their years of hard work and successes at the recent graduation ceremony held at the UNG Convocation Center on Friday, May 22.

LCHS graduates look forward to the future

Eligha Roper
The Lumpkin County High School Class of 2026 celebrated their graduation at the UNG Convocation Center on Friday, May 22, marking the end of a high-achieving chapter for the students. Principal Brian Matthews opened the ceremony by recognizing the class’s accomplishments.“This class leaves…
The Nugget’s Matt Aiken took a swing at conquering a nearby golf course along with family and friends.

The Nugget’s Matt Aiken took a swing at conquering a nearby golf course along with family and friends.

OPINIONS: Who needs to golf all 18 holes when you’re hungry for burritos?

Matt Aiken
I don’t really play golf. But a couple weeks ago, I played golf.We’re talking real golf. On a real golf course. No windmills. No astroturf. And when you finish the 18th hole, your ball doesn’t disappear into a mysterious tunnel.It was Spring Break and a spur of the moment thing. I texted my…
Local folks are having their opinions heard at City Hall, and that’s a good thing.

Local folks are having their opinions heard at City Hall, and that’s a good thing.

OUR VIEW: Public comments don’t have to be pressure packed

News Staff
They’ve been breaking the rules at City Hall lately.Or, at least, bending them a little.But we’re not here to complain. In fact, we’re here to encourage it. Because, in this case, that particular rule is the four minute limit on public comments during regular meetings.Yes, we’ve heard a lot of…
Fantasy Sports expert Steve Alexander catches up with NBA legend Dominique Wilkins as he dines at Dahlonega’s 7Pie Pizzeria.

Fantasy Sports expert Steve Alexander catches up with NBA legend Dominique Wilkins as he dines at Dahlonega’s 7Pie Pizzeria.

OPINIONS: This all-star encounter was decades in the making

News Staff
By Steve Alexander  ——————  When my buddy, Steve Klebe, texted me that NBA Hall of Famer, Dominique Wilkins, was at 7Pie on Sunday, I quickly gathered my thoughts and stuff, thinking that this was the moment I had been waiting for for 42 years.You see, Dominique and I have a long history…
Water and Sewage Authority Executive Director Sean Phipps gestures toward a letter from DCCM requesting a six month extension and $265,673 in additional construction phase services to complete the Cane Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Water and Sewage Authority Executive Director Sean Phipps gestures toward a letter from DCCM requesting a six month extension and $265,673 in additional construction phase services to complete the Cane Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.

New water treatment plant plan hits bump in the road

Keith Murden
Lumpkin County’s new 250,000 gallon Cane Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant project hit an unexpected speed bump during the May meeting of the Water and Sewage Authority.Executive Director Sean Phipps shared a letter from design company DCCM Infrastructure, Inc., the parent company of Peoples &…
This year’s squad consisted of Kaitlyn Johnson, Rileigh Raftelis, Maddie Lee, Averie Simmons, Brooklyn Estrella, Taylor Burton, Gabby Warren, Layla Melius, Tavie Blacksher and Maggie McKenzie. They were coached and led by Head Coach Wolf Harbin, Assistant Head Coach Carson Horton, Director Of Vibes Mason Hester, Head of Scout Team Caleb Wendl and Team DJ Parker Cox.

This year’s squad consisted of Kaitlyn Johnson, Rileigh Raftelis, Maddie Lee, Averie Simmons, Brooklyn Estrella, Taylor Burton, Gabby Warren, Layla Melius, Tavie Blacksher and Maggie McKenzie. They were coached and led by Head Coach Wolf Harbin, Assistant Head Coach Carson Horton, Director Of Vibes Mason Hester, Head of Scout Team Caleb Wendl and Team DJ Parker Cox.

Powder Puff 2026 Championship goes to Senior Class

Eligha Roper
The senior class at Lumpkin County High School wrapped up their year with one last victory lap. At the 67th annual Powder Puff Championship on Friday, the seniors clawed their way through the bracket, edging out the freshmen 1-0 in the first round then steamrolling the juniors 4-0 in the finals.…