Dawson assistant DA found dead

The supervising prosecutor of the Dawson County office of the Northeastern Judicial Circuit's District Attorney's office was found dead last week. John G. Wilbanks Jr., who spent more than three decades as a prosecutor in north Georgia, died Dec. 13 in Florida. He was 57.

Man involved in explosion dies

A Newnan man critically injured in an explosion at Amicalola Propane earlier this month has died from his injuries. Jimmy Lassetter, 45, died Thursday at the Grady Memorial Hospital Burn Unit, according to an obituary released by the Higgins Hillcrest Chapel Funeral Home in Newnan.

Dawson assistant DA found dead

2 injured in blast at center

A 26-year-old Dawson County man is recovering after a propane explosion last week left him with second- and third-degree burns over half his body. Casey Rickett is in stable condition at Grady Memorial Hospital's burn ward, according to spokeswoman at the hospital in Atlanta.

‘Magical’ experience

The reason for the season was showcased Friday and Saturday night as the congregation at Bethel Baptist Church presented an elaborate, full-scale production depicting the story of Christ. Kelly Crane and her 6-year-old son Hayden were among the first in line Friday night for the hayride through about 40 acres behind the church, where the 13-scene production was staged.

Woman hurt in wreck dies

A Dawsonville woman hospitalized last month after a head-on collision on Hwy. 53 near the Dawson-Forsyth County line has died. Funeral services for Fredina Marie Elrod were held Sunday in the chapel of Bearden Funeral Home.

Wednesday night explosion injures two

Two Dawson County workers were injured Wednesday night after an explosion at a propane tank refurbishment company on Easy Street off Ga. 53 just west of Ga. 400.

Countdown begins

Arriving by fire engine, Santa and Mrs. Claus rolled into Dawsonville on Friday night to help Mayor James Grogan light the city's Christmas tree. "Ho, Ho, Ho," Santa said waving to the crowd of hundreds waiting for his arrival in the Georgia Racing Hall of Fame's Winner's Circle outside the Dawsonville Municipal Complex.

Church presents live nativity

The congregation at Bethel Baptist Church will present its annual holiday production this weekend. Now in its 25th year, the 13-scene live nativity will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Visitors will board tractor-drawn wagons to embark on a trip to a time when shepherds watched over the flocks by night and angels spread the news of Christ's birth.

Churches serve up Thanksgiving feast

Dozens of volunteers from areas churches, civic groups and youth organizations served up several hundred meals Nov. 21 during the Alliance of Church's annual Community Thanksgiving Dinner at the Lakeview Center. "There are so many people in this day and age that need help, that need things, so we're here to help," said Rob Weischedel, bishop at Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

Road closed for work

A busy stretch of Thompson Road will close Thursday as crews rebuild its intersection with Hwy. 53. The closure is scheduled to last two months if there are no weather setbacks, according to state Department of Transportation officials.

Santa Claus is coming to town

Santa Claus is coming to town Friday night to help the city of Dawsonville light its grand Christmas tree. Festivities, including carolers and dancers, are set for 5:30 p.m. at the Dawsonville Municipal Complex, followed later by the lighting of the 26-foot tree.

Boot drive raises funds for Christmas

Local firefighters, paramedics and EMTs plan to hit the streets this weekend for an annual boot drive to raise Christmas funds for local families. Dawson County Emergency Services hopes to provide some Christmas cheer to several families in the area by collecting donations.

Groups collecting toys

Several local groups are collecting toys to give out this holiday season. Georgia State Patrol has donation boxes set up that benefit the Marine Corps Toys for Tots Program.

Falcons surprise young fan with room makeover

A Riverview Middle School student found the surprise of a lifetime when he arrived home from school Nov. 13: Atlanta Falcons running back Michael Turner. Erikson Sieber, 11, was among a handful of young fans selected to receive a room makeover by Rooms to Go, which partners every year with the Falcons to award deserving student athletes who also excel academically.

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."