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.

Charity basketball game benefits Relay for Life

The rivalry between Dawson and Lumpkin counties is expected to heat up Saturday night when sheriff's deputies from each county face off in a charity basketball game. "We've always had kind of a rivalry with the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office, so this is going to be interesting," said Dawson County Sheriff Billy Carlisle. "It's definitely going to be a competition."

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."

Lasting legacy

Family members and countless friends are mourning the sudden death of a woman many called an "angel among us." Margie Weaver, who served as director of the Dawson County Senior Center for nearly three decades, died Monday at age 74.

Woman killed in wreck

A wreck on War Hill Park Road claimed the life of a Dawson County woman Saturday night. Emergency officials said Edna Gazaway, 81, was traveling alone when her 2009 Chevrolet HHR left the road before clipping a mailbox, a stop sign and landing on its right side.

Kroger awarded top contributor

Kroger employees believe in giving back. For the last seven years, Dawsonville Kroger has led the way with United Way for Dawson County contributions, this year collecting nearly $20,000 for the local campaign.

Department seeks volunteer firefighters

Dawson County Emergency Services, like many other departments across the nation, are reevaluating and refocusing its efforts to recruit new volunteer firefighters. "Take a look across the board, nationwide, volunteerism in fire service is on the downslide," said Fire Chief Lanier Swafford. "Economics is tougher, more people are working extra jobs and you've got an enormous amount of competition for volunteerism."

Dawson man killed in Forsyth County wreck

Community mourning child, 12, who inspired

Dawson County's beloved "Soldier Boy" died Monday night after a more than five-year battle with cancer. Funeral services for 12-year-old Kenneth "Kenny" Webster Stewart III are scheduled for 3 p.m. Friday in the chapel of Bearden Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Moss Memorial Gardens.

‘Moonshiners’ stars chosen as grand marshals for festival

The lore of Dawsonville's unique moonshining history will have the community seeing stars come October when moonshiners from Discovery Channel's hit cable series of the same name will be in town to serve as grand marshals for the 46th annual Mountain Moonshine Festival. "We're excited to be coming to Dawsonville for the Moonshine Festival," said Jeff Waldroup, who was in town Thursday with his sidekick Mark to make the official announcement and promote the festival ...

Fire displaces family

A family was displaced Thursday after a fire destroyed a home on A.T. Moore Road in southern Dawson County. While the cause of the blazed has not been determined, Dawson County Deputy Chief and Fire Marshal Tim Satterfield said it appears to be electrical.

Wrecks include year’s first fatality

A Dahlonega man died Sunday after a wreck on Ga. 400 in northern Dawson County. Clayton Patterson, 69, was flown by helicopter to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta following a single-vehicle crash, which occurred about noon near the Dawson-Lumpkin County line.

GOP convention is set for Saturday

The Dawson County Republican Party convention Saturday is expected to usher in new leadership. Clint Bearden, who was elected as the local party's chairman in 2011, has said he will not seek an additional term as the county's GOP leader.

Plans for Carlisle Road outlined to residents

Plans to pave Carlisle Road were discussed during a meeting Saturday morning at Dawson County Emergency Services Station No. 2. Several Carlisle Road residents attended the town hall style meeting held by Dawson County Public Works Director David Headley and county engineer Corey Gutherie, who outlined the project that includes paving, widening and restructuring the gravel road.

Leap for Literacy

Dawson County residents didn't let 40-degree weather or stormy skies dampen their spirits for a good cause Saturday as WEE Books held its third annual Leap for Literacy. According to organizers, the fundraiser at War Hill Park has grown more successful each year.

Annual fundraiser aids cancer research

Dozens of volunteer teams are spending the week putting the finishing touches on cartoon-inspired festivities for Friday night's event.

Egg-themed show on display at Bowen Center

April marked the opening of an egg-themed show at the Bowen Center for the Arts. New Beginnings: the Art of the Faberge Egg and Spring Beauty Fine Art Exhibition, which will be on display at the Bowen Center for the Arts through April 27, showcases the art of the members of the International Egg Art Guild.

Jail lobby is drop-off for unused medications

Law enforcement officials are hoping a new service will play a role in keeping prescription and over the counter drugs out of the hands of children. Dawson County Sheriff Billy Carlisle recently announced the lobby of the detention center as a permanent drop-off location for the disposal of prescription and over the counter medications that are out of date or no longer needed.

Moon Shine run is Saturday

Grab your sneakers for the inaugural Moon Shine Run at Atlanta Motorsports Park on Saturday. Proceeds from the moonlit 5K and 10K run will benefit United Way for Dawson County, which provides monetary support to 14 area service agencies.

Church to screen film about crime on children

First Baptist Church of Dawsonville will be screening the new film "Finding Faith" Saturday with hopes that parents will take a new look at the dangers of Internet crimes against children. "As grandparents, it's a grave concern of ours," said Debbie Gaines, whose husband Jim pastors the church. "We were interested in alerting the community on this important message for teens and their parents."

Relay for Life holds dinner and more

Cancer survivors, their families and supporters will gather Thursday at Dawson County High School to celebrate survival. Relay for Life of Dawson County will be holding its annual Survivor Dinner Celebration from 6 to 8 p.m. at the high school. According to Andrea Shoemaker, community manager for Dawson County Relay for Life, the 12-year strong event is held to "bring cancer survivors together in celebration of their success in beating cancer."

Dance supports literacy

A fundraiser Saturday night had couples twisting the night away for literacy. The annual golden oldies trivia dinner dance collected more than $5,000 for Reading Education Association of Dawson County's mission to improve lives through literacy in the community.

DCSO offers women’s self-defense course

A free course designed to teach women basic self-defense tips will be taught at Robinson Elementary School. Dawson County Sheriff's Capt. Ray Goodie said the three-hour course, which runs from 9 a.m. to noon April 20, will give women hands-on experience to fight off attackers.

Rabies clinic this weekend

While cases are on the decline, rabies is still a threat to both man and animal. To help fight this threat, the county's annual rabies clinic, sponsored by 4-H, will be held Saturday morning. Veterinarians will offer the low-cost vaccinations at various locations throughout the county beginning at 8:30 a.m.

R.E.A.D. dancing for donations

R.E.A.D. will host its "Oldies but Goodies" trivia and dancing night Saturday and the community is invited to join in for food, fun and trivia. "It is a really fun evening," said R.E.A.D. Executive Director Sandy Lipkowitz. "All of the trivia will be about the oldies goldies music."

Annual golf tournament supports local veterans

There's still time to register a team in Rotary Club of Dawson County's annual golf tournament April 29 at Crystal Falls Golf Club. Early entries for the Ft. Lauderdale scramble run through April 22. Entry fees are $125 for individuals or $500 for a four-player team.

Perren named new president of Lanier Tech

Church continues tradition

Despite having been with New Bethel Baptist Church for only four years, Pastor Bobby Whitmire is continuing a tradition that has spanned more than 30. Whitmire and two church members, Michael Densmore, a deacon, and Yancy Savage, stood on platforms affixed to wooden crosses in front of the church March 29, off of Hwy. 136 East.

Elliott truck series debut Saturday at Martinsville

Dawsonville's Chase Elliott will make his national debut Saturday in NASCAR's Camping World Truck Series race at Martinsville Speedway in Virginia. The 1:30 p.m. race will be televised on Fox Sports and shown on the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame's 24-foot projection screen.

Eggs, food & fun

The football field at Veterans Memorial Park looked like it had been the victim of an Easter shower this weekend as Dawson County residents brought their children to gather chocolate prizes. Sponsored by Dawson County Parks and Recreation, K.A.R.E. for Kids and the church @ War Hill, the 27th annual Easter egg hunt at the park drew a large crowd to hunt eggs, take train rides and get their faces painted. There also was a burger-eating contest.