Elder to serve as acting president

Laura Elder has been chosen as acting president of Lanier Technical College following the retirement this week of Russell Vandiver, TCSG Commissioner Ron Jackson announced today.

Lillie Jean Cagle

Lillie Jean Cagle, 88, of Cumming, died March 16, 2013. She was a member of Shady Grove Baptist church and part of the ladies Sunday school class.

Michele Keller Chesnut

Michele Keller Chesnut of Cumming died March 15, 2013. Michele graduated from Grissom High School in Huntsville, Ala., and obtained her pharmacy degree from Auburn University in 1982.

Shane Michael Thurmond

Shane Michael Thurmond, 42, of Dawsonville, died March 12, 2013. Born Feb. 3, 1971, he was a lifelong resident of Dawson County.

Margie Weaver

Margie Weaver, 74, of Dawsonville, died March 18, 2013. Born July 31, 1938, in Pickens County, she lived in Dawson County for the past 55 years.

City declares Lady Tigers Day

In the final chapter of the varsity Lady Tigers varsity basketball team's story, the city of Dawsonville decided to set aside a day just for the players. During a luncheon in honor of the 2012-13 team on Sunday at the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame, Dawsonville Mayor James Grogan proclaimed March 17, 2013, to be "Lady Tiger Day."

Sticks, stones really not that bad after all

There are a few words that my child knows I will not tolerate being uttered. Fat. Stupid. Retarded. Hate. Ugly.

Ladies remain undefeated

The fourth-ranked, Class AAA, Lady Tiger soccer team is currently 7-0 on the season after defeating three teams in Jekyll Island over the weekend. Head coach Jed Lacey's team dominated Cedar Shoals, Aquinas and Richmond Academy.

Tiger receives ‘Blue Collar’ award

Dawson County High School football player Zack Martin was one of 10 players in the state of Georgia to receive the NAPA Auto Parts/Larry Csonka "Blue Collar Player of the Year" award. The award, which was presented March 19 in Macon, is given to "hard-working" players that, according to NFL Hall of Famer Larry Csonka in a released statement, "show up for work every day and never complain, unsung heroes who spend little time in ...

Dawson man killed in Forsyth County wreck

Art showcases kids of all ages

With last week being proclaimed Exceptional Children's Week by Mayor James Grogan, Dawson County schools have gathered work from several young artists across the county to showcase their skills. The March 8 show, which was held at the Dawson County Library, displayed art and writing from special needs students ranging from elementary, middle and high school levels.

Mike Withers

Sgt. 1st Class Mike Withers, U.S. Army retired, 54, of Dawsonville, died March 7, 2013. Born Sept. 4, 1958, in Monticello, Ariz., Mr. Withers had been a resident of Dawsonville for the past 13 years.

Lannie D. Vickers

Lannie D. Vickers, 60, of Winder, died March 8, 2013. Born Dec. 7, 1952, in Atlanta, to the late Roy and Wilma Sheriff Vickers, he lived most of his life in Gwinnett County before moving to Winder six years ago.

Kenneth Webster ‘Kenny’ Stewart III

Kenneth Webster "Kenny" Stewart III, 12, of Dawsonville, died March 11, 2013. Born Dec. 7, 2000, Kenny was a native of Forsyth County, but had lived in Dawson County since 2008.

Mary Frances Rainwater

Mary Frances Rainwater, 83, of Dawsonville, died March 9, 2013. Survivors include her daughters, Patricia Moore, Belita Piper, Barbara Whetstone; sons, Bruce Rainwater, Gary Rainwater, Tony Rainwater; nine grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; brother, Bill Moulder; various other relatives also survive.

Honoring District 51

One of the best parts about serving in the Georgia State Senate is the ability to honor groups and individuals in the Senate chamber. I am proud to represent District 51 at the State Capitol, and I am even more proud of the efforts that keep our district one of the best places to work and raise a family in Georgia. While the work we do in the Senate is great, it pales in comparison to the way each of you represents the pride and labors of our communities.

Some things I have been learning

It is IRS time and I've been putting together information to take to the CPS who has figured Taylor taxes for decades (one thing I have not completely learned). Surprisingly, I admit my gratitude that, even with a limited income, I usually must pay some extra dollars. That means that I have had money to live well enough and have something left. Fortunately, I don't have huge medical bills or credit interest payments and I ...

From the mountains to the ocean

It is a theological fact that God really likes Georgia. That is why He put mountains in north Georgia and the Golden Isles smack up against the Atlantic Ocean and added a bunch of lakes and parks and historical sites in between. Otherwise, we could have been Iran. Or Detroit. I stopped by last week to visit the man who is entrusted with these assets, Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources Mark Williams, to ...

R.E.A.D. director honored

Each year, one Certified Literate Community Program director is selected among every other in the state to win the Georgia Press Association Award of Excellence in CLCP award. R.E.A.D. executive director Sandy Lipkowitz has been named the 2013 award recipient.

Forsythia signals the arrival of spring

Early March can be one of the blandest times in the landscape. It can be downright depressing not being able to see any green leaves or any signs of colorful flowers. However, as the month moves on, March soon becomes one of my favorite times of the year. Seemingly out of nowhere, small clusters of bright yellow flowers begin to pop up on shrubs all over town. These flowers belong to one of the most revered shrubs in our area - forsythia.