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

Egg hunt is Saturday

Easter is this weekend and K.A.R.E. for Kids is ready for its annual egg hunt. The hunt begins at 11:30 a.m. on March 30 at Veterans Memorial Park. The organization invites the community to come out for a lunch of hotdogs and more.

Game benefits cause

A longstanding county rivalry deepened Saturday night when the Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office topped the Dawson County Sheriff's Office in a charity basketball game. After the 51-37 win in Dahlonega, Lumpkin County Sheriff Stacy Jarrard said he was proud to take home the coveted pig-shaped trophy.