Deal ‘ready to spend’ state funds to deepen harbor

Gov. Nathan Deal said Tuesday he's willing to use state money to start deepening the Port of Savannah's busy shipping channel without waiting for funding from Washington as long as the federal government promises to pay its share of the $652 million project later.

Braves beat Pirates on Simmons' 10th inning double

ATLANTA - Andrelton Simmons hit a game-ending double off Mark Melancon in the 10th inning, lifting the Atlanta Braves to a 5-4 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night.

Retired band conductor celebrates 90th birthday

The Sounds of Sawnee Concert Band recently surprised one of its longest standing members with a birthday celebration.

Flowery Branch named fastest growing city in Hall County

Flowery Branch is Hall County's fastest-growing city, expanding 2.7 percent between July 2011 and July 2012, according to recently released census statistics.

Georgia Tech eliminated with 7-1 loss to Vanderbilt

NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Philip Pfeifer threw five scoreless innings and Xavier Turner drove in three runs to lead No. 2 overall seed Vanderbilt to a 7-1 victory over Georgia Tech in an NCAA regional championship game Monday night.

Medlen ends skid, Braves beat Pirates 7-2

ATLANTA - Kris Medlen stuck to his game plan through the longest losing streak of his career: Keep games close and give Atlanta's powerful offense a chance to come through.

UGA hires Stricklin as head baseball coach

ATHENS - Scott Stricklin, who led alma mater Kent State to five NCAA Regionals and the 2012 College World Series, has been named head baseball coach at the University of Georgia, Director of Athletics Greg McGarity announced Monday.

Bulldogs promote Hayes to assistant basketball coach

Jonas Hayes, a 2004 UGA graduate and the Bulldogs' Basketball Operations Coordinator for the past year, has been promoted to assistant coach, according to an announcement Monday by head coach Mark Fox.

Braves trade 3B Francisco to Brewers

ATLANTA - Third baseman Juan Francisco has been traded from the Atlanta Braves to the Milwaukee Brewers for minor league left-handed pitcher Tom Keeling.

Allen recognized among 47 incoming freshmen

VALDOSTA - Misti Allen of Flowery Branch will enter Valdosta State University's Honors College this year with an honors scholarship awarded by the VSU Foundation. Allen is a graduate of West Hall High School.

Mount Mount Vernon Exploratory hosts math contest

Mount Vernon Exploratory School hosted its first MathMania competition in March at the school.

Quinlan's Arty Attendance Party

Riverside yearbook in “Gallery of Excellence”

The 2013 Bayonet yearbook of Riverside Military Academy has been inducted into Walsworth Yearbooks' prestigious "Gallery of Excellence." This award is given to a very small percentage of yearbooks in the nation who have consistently demonstrated superior quality.

Riverbend students receive Little Free Library box

Riverbend Elementary School's Little Free Library was unveiled at the May 17 assembly and students were instructed on how to use the little library.

Tea party targets Southern Co. power monopoly

ATLANTA - The Southern Co. makes billion-dollar decisions that affect millions of people in Georgia, yet it has attracted little political scrutiny - until now.

Nightlife

37 Main, Buford. 678-288-2030.

Winter weather tips

Braving winter weather

Volunteer opportunities

This list details volunteer opportunities submitted directly to The Times. Please contact these agencies for additional information. Listings are published in rotation on a biweekly basis.

Area attractions

Antiques market, Cumming. Open third weekend of each month: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sundays. Lakewood 400 Antiques Market, 1321 Atlanta Highway, Cumming. $3 admission good all weekend. 770-889-3400.