A hero’s welcome home

Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Joshua Sfeir didn't sleep last Friday night, as he waited to return home from Hawaii to Atlanta.

Poker Run benefits drug recovery efforts

A graphic and disturbing dose of reality is on display at the Dawson County Courthouse to shed light on the number of people, young and old, affected by loved one's drug and alcohol addictions.

Outdoor burning restrictions to be lifted

Burning restrictions imposed by Georgia's rules for Air Quality Control will be lifted Oct. 1.

United Way sets annual goal

The United Way for Dawson County announced an ambitious goal of $100,009 Friday, knowing the stress of hard economic times translates to more people needing assistance.

5K, fun run to be held in hiker’s honor

When Meredith Emerson was living in Buford, she and her black Labrador retriever Ella enjoyed running and hiking the trails at the Gwinnett Environmental and Heritage Center.

Child safety events set for Saturday at John Megel Chevrolet

In an effort to bring awareness to the number of children injured in car accidents, John Megel Chevrolet and Dawson County SafeKids have paired to kickoff National Child Passenger Safety Week.

Plea possible in slaying case

Prosecutors say a plea agreement could be reached as early as this week in the case against Joshua Glen Layman.

Land gift advances college

More steps have been taken to finalize a pending land deal between Lanier Tech and the Dawson County Board of Education.

Fall mazes are corny, yes — but also fun

Corn mazes now are competing with fall festivals, leaf watching and pumpkin shopping as major attractions for Northeast Georgia tourists.

Soldier returning from Iraq

Wendy Sfier describes her oldest son, Joshua, as someone who would give up the shirt off his back.

Layman pleas to manslaughter

The Forsyth County man who was set to stand trial at the end of the month for a 2003 fatal stabbing pleaded guilty this morning to reduced charges.

Man identified in deadly shooting

Authorities are now saying the shooting death of a 44-year-old man in Big Canoe Tuesday morning is being investigated as self-defense.

Dawson County remembers 9/11

Area communities are gathering today to honor the more than 3,000 men, women and children who lost their lives seven years ago today in the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks on the United States.

Dawsonville man killed in early morning crash

A Dawsonville man was killed early Wednesday morning in a one-vehicle crash at the intersection of Hwy. 53 and Hugh Stowers Rd. in Dawson County.

Drug court helps one man smile

Until just a few weeks ago James Raines didn't smile.

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."