Olympic hopefuls begin quest for '08 games

The field of Canadian Olympic hopefuls in canoe and kayak started taking shape at the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Center on Saturday. Canoe finals in the men's C-1 (one-person canoe) 1,000 meter race and men's C-2 1,000 meter finals were held. Kayak finals in the men's K-1 1,000 meter, men's K-2 1,000 meter and women's K-1 500 were also held.

Prep soccer: Buford girls make it to state semifinals

The Buford High girls soccer team qualified for the state semifinals in Class AA/A for the second consecutive season with a 3-2 win against Brookstone Saturday night in Columbus. Buford visits Lovett in the round of four Wednesday night in Atlanta at a time still to be determined.

Prep track: VanGorder bests school record in 800 meters

ALBANY -- North Hall senior track and field star Morgan VanGorder placed fifth in the GHSA Class AAA girls' 800-meter dash state final Saturday at Hugh Mills Stadium.

Kitchen inspections, April 18-24

The following are among the food service establishments inspected from April 18-24 by the Hall County Environmental Health Department.

Georgia Force: Griesen leads team to win

FLOWERY BRANCH - Chris Griesen completed 23 of 31 passses for 296 yards and six touchdowns to lead the Georgia Force to a 66-39 win over the New Orleans VooDoo on Saturday night.

Reyes, Braves crush Reds

ATLANTA - Now that John Smoltz is going to be a closer when healthy, the Braves will need to find another starter for the rest of the season.

Alpharetta motorcyclist dies in wreck

John Ante, 37, of Grovehurst Drive in Alpharetta died shortly after 11 a.m. Sunday when a car collided with the motorcycle he was driving on U.S. 19.

Good news

The Gainesville Gateway Garden Club and the Crabapple and Fleur de Lis garden clubs presented the flower show "Color me Young" March 28-29 at the Quinlan Visual Arts Center. It was presented in conjunction with Youth Art Month.

83-year-old man killed in Hoschton collision

An 83-year-old man was killed Saturday morning in downtown Hoschton in a collision between his car and a tractor-trailer, authorities said.

Newsmakers in business

The Times wants to know about promotions, new management hires and other personnel news in your business. We'll publish the information each Sunday on the Business page. Send information, including a photograph and contact information, to Harris Blackwood at hblackwood@gainesvilletimes.com. You also may use regular mail at Newsmakers, The Times, P.O. Box 838, Gainesville, GA 30503.

Many types of sprouts are edible and grow quickly

Question: What are sprouts? My husband likes to use them on his salads.

Community Forum: Yarbrough doesn't truly understand Carter

Dick Yarbrough's column, "Carter should stick to wood and poetry," was appalling both in its tone and in the ignorance he demonstrated about the post presidential activities of our 39th president, Jimmy Carter.

Warm weather brings special lakeside services

Beginning Sunday, Gainesville First United Methodist will kick off its summer lakeside services.

Hawks force Game 7

ATLANTA - The Atlanta Hawks just won't let go of their first trip to the postseason in nine years.

Bullpen return likely for Smoltz

ATLANTA - Manager Bobby Cox said Friday that John Smoltz is likely to return as the Atlanta Braves' closer when he comes off the disabled list.

Flowery Branch hires Sokol as boys basketball coach

Flowery Branch High has hired David Sokol as its boys head basketball coach, according to a statement released Monday by Hall County Schools Director of Community Relations and Athletics Gordon Higgins.

Atheists to put books next to Bibles in state parks

Boil water advisories still in effect for some

A boil water advisory is in effect for those served by Flowery Branch along with 18 homes at the end of Trudy Drive served by Gainesville.

School News

Three local students honored at Young Harris College event

YOUNG HARRIS - Young Harris College is pleased to announce Kendra Lynne Cowart of Murrayville, Mason David Mitcham of Bremen and John Howard Ross of Gainesville received awards April 21 at the 2013 honors ceremony at Susan B. Harris Chapel on the YHC campus.

Hall County seniors earn GeorgiaBEST certification

Exactly 120 Hall County seniors participating in the Work-Based Learning Program at their respective high schools have earned their GeorgiaBEST (Business Ethics Student Training) certification.

Braves rally with 4 in the 8th inning to beat Dodgers 5-2

ATLANTA (AP) - Ramiro Pena got a fierce wakeup call with the bases loaded and the scored tied in the eighth inning.

Ga. water negotiator's role may be seen as conflict

Births

Ball, a boy, James Wesley III, May 12, Laura Ball and James W. Ball Jr.,Dahlonega.

Our Views: What a tangled web

Dogs and small children, when taught properly, will learn lessons quickly. Punish them with a slap on the behind or reward them with a treat and you'll get the behavior you want.

Reunions

SCHOOL

Manji/Nix

Sam and Colleen Manji of Gainesville announce the engagement of their daughter Kahra Docia Manji to Morgan Nix, son of John and Linda Nix of Gainesville.

Good News

Kangaroo Express operated by The Pantry Inc., recently announced its Florida and select Georgia and South Carolina stores have raised more than $453,000 for Give Kids The World Village, a 70-acre, nonprofit "storybook" village in central Florida that provides cost-free, weeklong vacations for children with life-threatening illnesses and their families.

Kitchen Inspections for April 12-25

April 12

Powerball: Did these numbers change your life?

Winning numbers: 22-10-13-14-52