Murder, moonshine on tap

During the March meeting of the Dawson County Historical and Genealogical Society, Ray Rensi will present a program called "Murder and Moonshine in the Mountains." The meeting will be March 19 at the Dawson County Library on Allen Street.

Doughnut sales to fight cancer

The Dawson County Chamber of Commerce's Ambassador's Relay for Life team is selling doughnuts in the hopes of raising funds for the fight against cancer. The team, whose motto is "Wishing Upon a Cure" is currently selling preorders for Krispy Kreme doughnuts.

Coach, teacher to be inducted on Saturday

The University of North Georgia Athletic Department will induct four individuals into the Athletics Hall of Fame at a luncheon Saturday. Among those four is Dawson County High School history teacher and assistant girls basketball coach Anne Hyams. "Each year we have the opportunity to pay tribute to the finest student-athletes and coaches in North Georgia's history," said Lindsay Reeves, director of athletics, in a release. "We are proud to honor the 2013 Hall of ...

Locals take leap for literacy

Dawson County residents are being told to go "jump in a lake," but for a good cause. The third annual Leap for Literacy will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at War Hill Park.

Preserve, protect

The only memory Peggy Hulsey has of the 68-foot Southern magnolia on her property is that her father didn't like it. "Daddy hated the tree because they make such a mess, but [my mom] loved it," she said. "Nobody was going to cut down that tree as long as she was there, and it's still there."

Postal employees honored

Postmaster Andrea Phillips awarded seven Dawson County post office employees last week. "These awards are for years of service," said Phillips on Feb. 15. "These employees total over 200 years of service for the United States Postal Service."

Etowah Lodge’s annual spaghetti dinner Saturday

A nearly 30 year tradition continues Saturday when the Etowah Lodge No. 222 Free and Accepted Masons open the lodge for an annual spaghetti dinner fundraiser. "We've been doing this probably 28 years or so," said James Swafford, longtime lodge member.

Annual meeting focuses on safety

The annual meeting of the Dawson County's Homeowners Association aimed to educate the community on safety during natural disasters and everyday life. The meeting, held Saturday at the C&S Bank Community Building in downtown Dawsonville, featured guest speakers Billy Thurmond, director of Dawson County Emergency Services, and Sheriff Billy Carlisle.

Arbor Day celebration is Friday

The community is invited to a celebration of trees Friday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Park. The Dawson County Tree Preservation Committee in conjunction with Keep Dawson County Beautiful will meet at 2 p.m. in honor of Arbor Day, held in Georgia on the third week of February each year.

Preparing for emergencies topic of annual meeting

Emergency preparedness will be the topic of discussion Saturday at the Dawson County's Homeowners Civic Association annual membership meeting. Guest speakers Dawson County Sheriff Billy Carlisle and Emergency Services Director Billy Thurmond are scheduled to outline the county's emergency management plans, as well as answer questions.

Crossing topic of luncheon

Transportation is up for discussion Thursday during a Dawson County Chamber of Commerce luncheon. Robert Murphy, senior project manager with the Georgia Department of Transportation, will outline plans for the Hwy. 53-Ga. 400 crossing, which include converting it to a two-legged continuous flow setup.

Police academy seeks participants

The Dawson County Sheriff's Office is accepting applications for its annual Citizens Law Enforcement Academy. Designed to give residents an inside look at how local law enforcement operates, the free, four-week course begins March 7 with an introduction by Sheriff Billy Carlisle and his administrative staff.

Community mourns local teacher, coach

A local teacher and coach will be greatly missed, but his "legacy of kindness and service" will be kept alive, friends and former colleagues say. Philip Branson III, 59, who passed away Feb. 2 after a lengthy illness, leaves behind a community of family, friends and children whose lives he touched daily.

No charges in shooting

Charges will not be filed in what authorities have ruled an accidental shooting last week at Dawsonville Gun and Pawn on Hwy. 53 near Ga. 400. "It was an accident," said Dawson County Sheriff's Capt. Ray Goodie.

Dawson County Schools closed Friday

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.