Breakfast for seniors set for Aug. 14

The Father's House will be hosting a free Senior's Breakfast at the Fun House, a new ministry department in the church's building dedicated to family outreach, from 9-11 a.m on Aug. 14.

A ‘slew’ of students

Louise Tinsley Inklebarger gathered 26 of her 28 grandchildren and great-grandchildren together Sunday, the day before the 2008-2009 school year began, and wished them well.

Dawson County youth begin new school year

More than 3,000 children began a new year of school in the Dawson County School System Monday morning.

4 stores hit in 3 counties

Authorities in three counties continued searching Wednesday for a suspect in several convenience store burglaries and car thefts.

Deal talks energy at town hall meeting

Energy was Rep. Nathan Deal's hot button issue last week as he toured the region meeting with constituents.

Suspects indicted in jeans case

A Dawson County Grand Jury has indicted six people authorities say are part of a group known as the Blue Jean Bandits on a combined total of almost 50 charges.

Commissioners open floor for additional public comment

The public will have additional opportunities to speak at county commission meetings following a unanimous vote by the board last week to extend public comment at regular meetings.

New middle school dedicated

Dawson County Middle School will welcome its first students Monday. But the halls were alive with laughter and celebration Sunday for the new school's dedication.

Art center gears up for Shakespeare

The Bowen Center for the Arts is reviving the works of Shakespeare for its Sept. 8 event at the Lakeview Center at 7 p.m.

Training burn tower to be operational by September

Workers moved the first loads of dirt last week to make way for the county's new fire training facility.

War Hill Park boat ramp closing

Recent rains are not enough to prevent the closure of yet another boat ramp on Lake Lanier. War Hill Park's only boat launching ramp faces closure this week.

City approves airstrip rezoning

Property owners Bill, Dan and Ernie Elliott have moved one step closer in their plans to redevelop their land on Elliott Family Parkway into a light industrial complex.

County pinching pennies

Faced with the highest gas prices in history and rising operational costs, Dawson County government has implemented several cost-cutting measures.

Security is improved at courthouse

Residents can expect tighter security at the Dawson County courthouse within the next month.

Dawson to pilot drug program

After piloting the CHAMPS elementary program for the state in 2003, the Dawson County School System is one of five counties in the state set to pilot a similar program at the middle school level.

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.