About Dawson County news. (Dawsonville, Georgia) 2015-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 19, 2020)
Wednesday, February 19,2020 dawsonnews.com I DAWSON COUNTY NEWS I 3A Catch more fish, find more hikes, enjoy North Georgia: Get to the 2020 Outdoor Expo in March Jessica Taylor Dawson County News Authorities are searching near the Approach Trail in Amicalola Falls State Park for Eddie Noonkester, a hiker who went missing on Feb. 16. FROM 1A Hiker some signs or symptoms of early onset [dementia] however please understand that has not been diagnosed.” Following the interview with Noonkester, authorities mobilized a search, but were unable to find any sign of the hiker until approximately 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 17, when staff of the Len Foote Hike Inn located some of Noonkester’s personal belongings near the Hike Inn trail. The items have since been verified by Noonkester’s family members, Thompson said. Efforts to find Noonkester continued into Monday night with six K9 teams searching a large grid area around the Approach Trail in Amicalola Falls State Park, and on through Tuesday morning until the weather deteriorated. On Tuesday, Thompson said Dawson County Emergency Services called in the Georgia Emergency Management Agency to assist in the search. “Today, we have called in the assis tance of GEMA, numerous law enforcement agencies, DNR, Dawson County Sheriff’s department, park staff here, numerous fire depart ments... Gilmer County, Union County, Fannin County are represent ed today,” Thompson said. At least 50 people from multiple state and local agencies are currently active in the search. “Right now our focus is a grid area of what’s called the Approach Trail down High Shoals Road which is a service road that leads over to the Len Foote Hike Inn and then the Len Foote Hike Inn trail back down towards the visitor’s center and Cochran Falls,” Thompson said. “The search area where we’re looking for Mr. Noonkester is a very, very treacherous area. Terrain is very, very difficult and couple that with the heavy downpours that we’ve had throughout the day and will continue to have over the next 72 hours, we’re going to continue to push for this search of Eddie and hope for a positive outcome.” Thompson said that those wishing to volunteer in the search efforts may do so by contacting the official search and rescue volunteer email, DCSAR@ dawsoncounty.org. “What we’re asking the volunteers, when you email into that address, leave your name, contact telephone number, your availability and your experience level of hiking,” Thompson said. Noonkester is an approximately 60 year old white male, standing at 5’10” and weighing approximately 200 pounds with gray hair and gray goatee. Authorities ask that if you see some one matching Noonkester’s description to call the Dawson County Sheriff’s Office’s nonemergency number, (706) 344-3636. “Our priority is to try to find him in these next 48 hours,” Thompson said. “We have a high focus of trying to locate him as quickly as we can.” From staff reports The forests, streams and summits of North Georgia are calling. The whizz of the line racing down the fishing rod after a cast, the thwack of a bowstring being released, the slap of a paddle on Lake Lanier — as the region shakes off the worst of winter, remind yourself of your favorite bits of the out doors at the second-annual Outdoor Expo. Set for March 14 at the Gainesville Civic Center, the expo will include a slew of demonstrations, booths and ven dors. Attendees to the free event can catch up on the latest in bass fishing tech, kayaking, wilderness survival and even wildlife photography. Local anglers will have practiced hands leading seminars on SONAR and electronic charts. Fishing writer and local guide Ken Sturdivant is set to give a demonstration on stripers and SONAR, while John McCalpin will talk about how to get the most out of your modern fish finder and other mapping technology. “These devices tend to not be cheap, and unfortunately most people who buy them never get the maximum value out of them,” McCalpin said on Wednesday, Feb. 12. Following his advice, McCalpin said anglers can save a third of their current fuel burn simply by knowing how to use the fish finders and other tech they like ly already own. “For me, it’s been huge. I didn’t really start fishing until about 10 years ago,” he said. “One thing I found out really quickly is the guys who have been out there 30 or 40 years ago just seemed to know where they’re going.” To compete with the veterans, he dug into his charts and now spends less time trying to guess where fish might be at any given time of year and more time catching them. “The end result for me is I probably spend less than half the amount of time going from place to place than I used to,” he said. The inaugural expo was held in Outdoor Expo When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., March 14 Where: Gainesville Civic Center, 830 Green St. NE, Gainesville More info: lnelson@ gainesvilletimes.com How much: Free Cumming near Forsyth County News, a sister paper of The Times and Dawson County News. “The interest in this event last year was incredible,” Editor in Chief Shannon Casas said. “Our region has so many opportunities for enjoying the outdoors, whether you like fishing on Lake Lanier, camping in the mountains or just going on an occasional hike or paddle. We hope to provide a lot of expertise on those topics all in one place.” This year’s event will feature speak ers on topics including fishing, kayak ing and wilderness survival. The Outdoor Expo is set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Gainesville Civic Center, 830 Green St. NE, Gainesville. Here's the schedule: Room A 11 a.m.: Bass fishing lures with pro angler and Lake Lanier guide Phil Johnson Noon: SONAR with Lowrance Pro Staff Ken Sturdivant and Capt. John McCalpin 2PM: Kayaks with Vibe Kayaks pro Erica DeLana 3PM: Stripers with Lowrance Pro Staff Ken Sturdivant Room B 11:30 a.m.: Survival tips of the trail with Mark Warren 1 p.m.: Crappie fishing with Capt. John McCalpin 3:30 p.m.: The secret art of stalking for photographers, wildlife observers and hunters with Mark Warren A diverse set of wealth management options to meet your diverse set of needs. From retirement planning to saving for college and more, Schwab has a breadth of investment products to help you and everyone under your roof reach their financial goals. David Robertson Dawsonville Independent Branch 12 Dawson Market Way, Suite 240 schwab.com/dawsonville ©2019 Charles Schwab & Co., Inc. (“Schwab”) Member SIPC. All rights reserved. SCH1087-4b (1218-8WCN) (11/19) charles SCHWAB Qlcunr yV-CV '
