Chestatee's Felix earns national weekly soccer honors

Chestatee's Cristian Felix has been named the National Soccer Coaches Association of America/TopDrawerSoccer.com High School Player of the Week, announced Monday. Felix led the War Eagles to their first region championship in school history.

Medlen uneven early for Braves in 3-1 loss to Nationals

ATLANTA - Kris Medlen was the National League's most dominant pitcher in the final two months last season.

Young Harris falls to Francis Marion 11-6

Michael Wilson's grand slam highlighted a six-run fifth inning as Francis Marion University defeated Young Harris College 11-6 in a Peach Belt Conference baseball game on Thursday evening at Zell B. Miller Field.

Lake Lanier Fishing Report: Schools of stripers lead to great fishing

Water temperatures this past week have remained in the 60's. Lake Lanier is 1.17 feet above a full pool of 1,071 and is looking great.

Hawks ditch practice after ugly Game 5 loss

ATLANTA - After a dismal playoff performance, the Atlanta Hawks decided it was best to spend some time away from each other.

Dawson County Steel fabricator to add 150 jobs

A steel fabricator plans to add more than 150 jobs over the next three years at its Dawson County plant to supply parts for a new Caterpillar production facility in Athens.

Your Views: Vision 2030 laid out workable plan for public transit

Reading "The Local Agenda" headline in Tuesday's Times, "Transit remains unknown," saddened me. In April 2012, the Rapid Transit Subcommittee within the Infrastructure Transportation Committee of VISION 2030 presented an innovative transit plan for Hall County. No government cost was involved; and the plan could be immediately implemented.

Mule Day to highlight history

JEFFERSON - As an annual tradition, Shields-Ethridge Heritage Farm will celebrate its agricultural heritage by hosting Mule Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at the farm.

Groups to tackle Backyard Missions

Adventures in Missions, a nonprofit inter-denominational missions organization based out of Gainesville, is mustering up local volunteers to spend a Saturday serving the community. Backyard Missions Day will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, May 4. Check in is at 8:30 a.m. near the downtown square in Gainesville. The free event will include lunch.

Cocktails & Conversations launches with speed dating event May 9

Cocktails & Conversations will have its grand opening at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, May 9, at Scott's Downtown in Gainesville. The mixer and speed dating event is for single professionals ages 30 and older.

Animal Shelter hosts Touch-a-Truck

The Hall County Animal Shelter is hosting a Touch-a-Truck Festival from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, May 5, at Laurel Park.

Your Views: A salute to all local volunteers taking part in cancer study

On April 23-24, 378 Gainesville residents took action to change the face of cancer for generations to come by enrolling in the American Cancer Society's Cancer Prevention Study 3. This landmark study will take a long-term look at lifestyle, genetic and environmental factors that cause or prevent cancer, which will help the Society better understand cancer risks and causes and develop new prevention and treatment options.

‘The Civil War in Georgia’ photo contest announced

ATLANTA - The Historic Preservation Division of the Georgia Department of Natural Resources is holding its fourth annual online photo contest to coincide with preservation month in May. This year's theme is "The Civil War in Georgia."

Butterflies to invade museum

ATLANTA - Grab your wings and prepare for a soaring good time as Fernbank Museum of Natural History celebrates the giant screen adventure, Flight of the Butterflies, with a family-friendly Butterfly Bash from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 4, at 767 Clifton Road NE in Atlanta.

Broadway musical takes over high school

"Thoroughly Modern Millie," a high-spirited 1920s musical romp, is taking over the stage at Pam Ware Performing Arts Center this weekend.

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

Commentary: Assessing life's urgency

The most important fact of life is death. Yet, we spend our whole lives busily running away from that fact to create an ever-more complex world of endless trivial tasks and diversions. But the ultimate reality is that our time here is so limited and ever closer to the end.

Jimmie Johnson wins All-Star race

CONCORD, N.C. - Cross another milestone off of Jimmie Johnson's list. He stands alone in All-Star history.

Gattis, Simmons hit homers as Braves top Dodgers 3-1

ATLANTA - Evan Gattis and Andrelton Simmons hit consecutive homers off Kenley Jansen in the eighth inning, and the Atlanta Braves rallied to beat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-1 on Saturday night.