Lanier Tech president Vandiver announces retirement

Farmer up for national award

Bradley Weaver was sinking his hands into dirt and learning how to farm long before he started kindergarten. Now 21, Weaver is one of four finalists in a national contest for farmers who have mastered skills in production, finance, management and research.

Kilough Elementary names top teacher

Melanie Spooner, teacher at Kilough Elementary School, remembers the first time she wanted to be a teacher. "My first grade teacher was very young, pretty and sweet. I think it was her third year teaching and I just thought she was perfect in every way. That was the first year I remember thinking, 'I am going to be a teacher.' And I never thought of doing something else," she recalled.

Black’s Mill names teacher of the year

Born and raised in Dawson County, Felicia Stephens is a graduate of the local school system to which she is now a part. Stephens, who is entering her 15th year as a teacher, was announced in May as Black's Mill Elementary School's 2012-13 Teacher of the Year.

Kilough students reenact Civil War

More than 50 students descended upon a grassy lawn in blue and gray vests last Friday holding fake muskets stuffed with marshmallow bullets. Fifth graders at Kilough Elementary School heartily reenacted the battle of Gettysburg as part of the school's second annual Civil War Day.

Lanier Tech to celebrate new facility

Community leaders will gather Thursday morning to celebrate the new Lanier Technical College facility in downtown Dawsonville. After 10 months of construction, the college completed the $5 million expansion project in August and will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony for it at 10 a.m.

Black’s Mill Elementary receives gold medal

Black's Mill Elementary was recently awarded a gold medal through the Governor's SHAPE Honor Roll program for the school's commitment to the health and well-being of its students. As one of only 39 schools in Georgia to receive the distinction, Principal Cindy Kinney said she is proud of the school and honored to be a part of the program.

Riverview names top teacher

Third grade teacher Beth Murray has been serving Dawson County Schools for 14 years; long enough to watch three of her classes graduate high school. "I started teaching in 1999 for Dawson County after I was a student teacher. I really love it here," she said last week.

Grandparents important in students’ lives

Younger and older generations came together last Friday at the First Grade Grandparents' Luncheon at Black's Mill Elementary School. The event invited students' grandparents, or "Memes," "Papas," "Nanas," "Poppies" and "Grannies," as student's called them, to join their grandchild for story time, a craft activity and lunch.

Program cautions local teenagers

Local teens and adults will have the opportunity to see out of the eyes of a drunk driver Friday at the Dawson County Tigers' home football game. Community Action and Prevention Alliance, or CAPA, formally known as Dawson Against Substance Abuse, and Forsyth County Schools will be sponsoring a drunk driving and distracted driving education program.

Local JROTC program expands

In just three years the Dawson County High School JROTC Department has seen more than a 30 percent increase in student enrollment. According to Lt. Col. Johnnie Sweatte, who has overseen the program since its launch, JROTC currently has 134 students, up from the 87 in its first year.

Riverview Middle School names teacher of the year

Cassie Tallant recalls loving her middle school experience, even amidst her awkward teenage years. Now as a sixth grade language arts and reading teacher at Riverview Middle School, she aims to give her students the same satisfaction.

Learning center welcomes lead instructor

Lanier Technical College's Dawson County Adult Learning Center recently welcomed a new full-time lead instructor. Sharon Clark, 53, who first started working in adult education in 2005, began as lead instructor in August.

Close-knit community

Practicing under the hot summer sun for hours every week, Dawson County High's marching band is dedicated to generating school spirit. "Marching band helps us reach out to the community to show that we care about our county," said Brice Darnell, senior drumline member. "We can give them a good time and show them we care."

North Ga. hosts slew of speakers this fall

This fall, North Georgia College & State University will play host to a number of speakers, including the executive vice president of The Weather Channel and the president and CEO of the Atlanta Falcons. Starting Sept. 6, the fourth annual Cottrell Speaker Series will kick off at the Mike Cottrell School of Business, with students hearing from five different speakers throughout September, October and into November.

Grads ready to walk

Three days stand between more than 200 students and the next chapter of their lives.

Longtime educator retires

Friends and family gathered Sunday to honor a longtime Dawson County teacher and member of the Georgia Agriculture Education Hall of Fame on his upcoming retirement.

Jr. fire academy seeks cadets

Upcoming sixth- through ninth- graders interested in learning what it takes to be a firefighter are encouraged to sign up for Dawson County Emergency Services' Junior Fire Academy.

Tentative ’14 budget approved

The Dawson County Board of Education on Monday approved a tentative $32.3 million budget for fiscal year 2014, which represents a drop of about $3 million from 2013.

Junior police academy accepting applications

Spaces are quickly filling for Dawson County Sheriff Billy Carlisle's annual junior law enforcement academy.

Fifth-graders graduate as C.H.A.M.P.S.

Fifth graders from across the county graduated as C.H.A.M.P.S. during a ceremony and celebration May 6 at Dawson County Middle School.

Dance raises money for childrens books

The weather may have been chilly on April 27, but the dancing and barbeque helped keep everyone warm.

Local high school seniors honored

It was a night of checks, medals and chords for Dawson County High School seniors as students attended an event in their honor.

Stars head of class

Two Dawson County stars - one on the basketball court and the other on standardized testing - finished a close race for head of the class after three years of competing.

Media center dedicated to late historian

Members of the local education and historic communities gathered last week as Robinson Elementary dedicated its media center to the memory and life's work of a late friend.

Honor given to teacher

Dawson County High School chemistry teacher Laura Hendrix was recently named 2012-2013 Chemistry Teacher of the Year by the Northeast Georgia Section of the American Chemical Society.

School board one step closer to new home

A deal to relocate the Dawson County Board of Education's central office to downtown Dawsonville could close next month. During its meeting Monday night, the school board voted 3-0 to approve a contract with Community & Southern bank for the two vacant buildings at 28 Main St.

Monthly luncheon recognizes educators

Each year, staff from Dawson County public schools nominate a teacher they feel exemplifies that special "teaching spirit." At the monthly Dawson County Chamber of Commerce luncheon on April 11 at the Lakeview Center, seven local teachers were presented to attendees and their peers.

Focus is the kids

The track at Riverview Middle School was awash in a sea of bright blue shirts Thursday as the 2013 Dawson County Special Olympics got under way. "We are part of a group called Connectability that's a partnership between Lumpkin and Dawson counties," said Tricia Owenby, a special education teacher at Riverview and the school's Special Olympics coordinator.

Elementary schools begin kindergarten registration

Friday is kindergarten registration for Dawson County schools. Kindergarten registration will be held from 8 a.m.-4 p.m., April 12 at the Rock Creek Park Gym. Registration will be for Black's Mill, Kilough, Riverview and Robinson elementary schools.