Local

The aging Field 5 concession stand at Parks & Rec will be getting a facelift in the coming months.

The aging Field 5 concession stand at Parks & Rec will be getting a facelift in the coming months.

Concession stand set for new $234K renovation

There will be a spiffy new spot to purchase peanuts and Cracker Jack at Yahoola Creek Park, that’s because plans to refurbish an aging concession stand next to baseball Field 5 are finally ready to proceed to the construction phase.
Local lifeguards like Summer Smith are ready to keep attendees safe at the Pinetree Recreation Center, as families are ready to dive into the pool this summer.

Local lifeguards like Summer Smith are ready to keep attendees safe at the Pinetree Recreation Center, as families are ready to dive into the pool this summer.

Pool patrol is ready at Pinetree Rec Center

With summertime just getting underway, people are eager to get back in the water as the long days start to heat up; for the lifeguards at the Pinetree Recreation Center, the season brings excitement but also a renewed sense of responsibility.
Lumpkin County School Nutrition staff recommendations included increasing paid meal prices, transferring money from the General Fund for the first time since 2022 and making some minor tweaks to the service delivery model.

Lumpkin County School Nutrition staff recommendations included increasing paid meal prices, transferring money from the General Fund for the first time since 2022 and making some minor tweaks to the service delivery model.

School meals to increase in cost after summer

As the cost of food continues to spike nationwide, students and their parents will also be facing an increased financial burden for school meals in the 2026/2027 school year.
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

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.
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

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.
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

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.
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

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.
Satellite Industries held a ribbon cutting last week to celebrate its new 172,000 square foot manufacturing and distribution center, located on Fannie Russell Road in Lumpkin County.

Satellite Industries held a ribbon cutting last week to celebrate its new 172,000 square foot manufacturing and distribution center, located on Fannie Russell Road in Lumpkin County.

Future jobs in the works with Satellite Industries factory expansion

Manufacturing in Lumpkin County just got a big boost last week, as local manufacturer Satellite Industries celebrated the grand opening of its new, 172,000 square foot facility off of Burnt Stand Road.
Junior Jeb Jackson (center) is flanked by 10 student models wearing his clothing brand, One Fifty Three Designs, during a charity fashion show held last month in the high school auditorium.

Junior Jeb Jackson (center) is flanked by 10 student models wearing his clothing brand, One Fifty Three Designs, during a charity fashion show held last month in the high school auditorium.

Fashionable fundraiser formed by LCHS student

“It all started with a pair of jeans.”That’s how Media Center Specialist Hollie Eudy summed up the random series of events that led Lumpkin County High School junior Jeb Jackson to curate his first professional fashion show, called “Testament.
For the School Board District 2 seat, Lee Adkins, Taylor Gilleland and Kevin Herrit are challenging incumbent Craig Poore. For the District 4 seat, Ronna Anderson is facing Steven Mulkey.

For the School Board District 2 seat, Lee Adkins, Taylor Gilleland and Kevin Herrit are challenging incumbent Craig Poore. For the District 4 seat, Ronna Anderson is facing Steven Mulkey.

School Board candidates square off in Lumpkin

NOTE: This online version contains three additional questions and answers that were not included in the May 13 print edition due to space constraints.