Secret family history surfaces

Dozens of local residents gathered last week to hear the unpublicized, long-kept-secret history of a 1920s Dawsonville murder. The Dawson County Historical and Genealogical Society met at the local library on Aug. 21 to hear David Wallace, a great-grandson of Etna Parks, share his family's story on how Parks shot the county sheriff.

Bowen Center hosts food-focused festivities

While paintbrushes and canvases were absent, food of all shapes, colors, smells and tastes was aplenty at Bowen Center for the Arts. The "Let's Decorate with Food" workshop held Thursday by the Dawson County Arts Council offered art enthusiasts and culinary connoisseurs a chance to mix their mediums.

Laura Vandiver remembered for impact on community

Ga. 53 bridge in Dawson County reopens

Log truck overturns on Hwy. 53 West

An overturned log truck closed Hwy. 53 West about a mile and a half outside of Dawsonville just east of Elliott Family Parkway early Monday evening.

Treatment court graduates eight

Several drug and DUI offenders gathered at the Dawson County Courthouse last Thursday to celebrate reaching a new phase in their life. With tears, smiles and anticipation, eight participants in Dawson County Treatment Court's DUI and drug tracks received plaques recognizing their program completion.

Humane Society casino night Saturday

Cards will be tossed, dice will be rolled and wagers will be made on Saturday at the Dawson County Humane Society's Lucky Dog Casino Night. The third annual event benefits the animal shelter, which currently houses about 200 homeless cats and dogs.

Land purchases under way for Ga. 400/Hwy. 53 project

Right-of-way acquisition is just starting on a major and unique-for-Georgia retooling of Ga. 400 at Hwy. 53 in Dawson County, one of the region's busiest intersections. The cost of acquiring the 33 parcels is $9.5 million, a process that could take up to 18 months to complete, said Teri N. Pope, a Hall County-based spokeswoman for the Georgia Department of Transportation.

DOT to start resurfacing of Ga. 400

The Georgia Department of Transportation began overnight lane closures Tuesday as part of resurfacing Ga. 400 from Ga. 306 in Forsyth County to Ga. 53 in Dawson County. The $3.2 million, 8.7-mile project calls for workers to remove 1 inch of asphalt and replace it with new asphalt, working in one lane at a time. Work will begin at the busy Ga. 53 intersection.

Forsyth teen hurt in crash on Hwy. 9

A Forsyth County teenager was injured in a single-vehicle wreck Monday afternoon in Dawson County. A Georgia State Patrol spokeswoman said the 16-year-old driver was flown to Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta with what were described as non-fatal injuries.

Landing on Lanier

A jump from more than a quarter of a mile above Lake Lanier may not be a normal person's ideal morning. But for a U.S. Army Ranger, it is just another day at the office.

Prince family gets show of support

In a season when boat outings and long days enjoying Lake Lanier are common, it's difficult to imagine a day on the water taking a tragic turn. That's exactly what happened for the Prince family on June 18 when two of their sons - Jake, 9, and Griffin, 13 - were killed in a boating accident on the lake.

Longtime chamber president, local leader dies

The Dawson County community is mourning the death of a local civic volunteer and retired business leader this week. Linda Williams, longtime president of the Dawson County Chamber of Commerce, died Wednesday after a period of declining health. She was 64.

‘It is a heart thing’

After 29 hours aboard airplanes and packed vans, several Dawson County residents arrived in eastern Uganda to "spread the love of Christ." The locals teamed up with Helping Hands Foreign Missions, a Gainesville-based Christian ministry, to visit Ugandan schools, churches and bush villages for two weeks last month.

Local deli owner dies

A downtown business owner and member of the Dawsonville Planning Commission was found dead Tuesday morning in her restaurant on the square. According to employees at Julia's Neighborhood Deli, 44-year-old Julia Cody was unconscious and not breathing when they arrived to open the eatery for the lunch shift about 10 a.m.

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.

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.

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."