Buford girls soccer advances to Class AAA state semifinals

Elexa Bahr recorded a hat trick with three consecutive goals for the Buford girls soccer team in a 5-0 Class AAA quarterfinal win over Savannah Arts Academy on Friday in Savannah.

White County's Gearing takes state title at Class AAA girls track meet

As a freshman, White County's Jenna Gearing has taken the Class AAA long distance events by storm.

White County grad Lowery released from hospital

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Kentucky junior safety and White County graid Ashely Lowery has been released from the hospital less than a week after a serious car accident and could be back on campus by June.

Robbery suspect turns himself in after Thursday search

A robbery suspect turned himself in Thursday night after four Gainesville schools were locked down that afternoon when police tried to serve a warrant for his arrest.

McCann drives in 3 runs as Braves beat Giants 6-3

SAN FRANCISCO - Brian McCann hit a two-run homer and an RBI single in his third game this season after coming off the disabled list, and the Atlanta Braves beat the San Francisco Giants 6-3 on Thursday night to begin a four-game series between NL division leaders.

Your Views: Administration won’t be honest about threats facing nation

It seems we are continually confronting a threat or threats: radical Islam, economic meltdown, Obama scare, war, etc. However, one of my greatest concerns is the lack of honesty in our leaders. Their response, unfortunately, is always an effort to mislead and cover up. If I recall correctly, this administration promised to be the most transparent in our history. It appears to me we have a trust deficit much larger than our fiscal one.

Conserve water with recycled rainbarrels

The Soque River Watershed Association in Clarkesvillle and the Habitat for Humanity ReStores in Clarkesville and Clayton are teaming up again to turn recycled Coca-Cola barrels into rainbarrels for water conservation efforts.

Rabies clinic set for 9 a.m. on Saturday

The Humane Society of Northeast Georgia is putting on a rabies clinic Saturday at the Gainesville Walmart.

Enota named family-friendly school

Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy has been named a winner of the state Department of Education's Family-Friendly School Partnership School Award.

The Times raises $2,158 for Relay for Life

The Times held a fundraising event Thursday in Gainesville where community members were welcomed to bring documents to shred, with all proceeds benefiting Relay for Life. The "Team Times" Relay for Life Committee collected $2,158 Thursday for the fight against cancer. In addition to people bringing documents to shred, hamburgers and hot dogs were on sale to benefit the cause.

2 Forsyth men charged in $1.6 million theft of 91-year-old

Chestatee doubles tandem named first team in 8-AAAA tennis

Chestatee's doubles pair of Blaine Brown and Juan Carrion were named to the Region 8-AAAA All-Region first team, announced last Friday.

Lake Lanier Fishing Report: Crappie biting well in shallow coves

Like the weather, water temperatures this past week been unseasonably cool and are hovering in the low to mid 60s. Lake Lanier is 2.57 feet above a full pool of 1,071 feet. The water is clear to stained on main lake and stained to very stained in the creeks and rivers.

Take a trip through space

The next walking tour of the Solar System Scale Model is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, May 11, in Gainesville.

Author’s fascination with history prompts Georgia Gold Series

Habersham resident Denise Weimer's "Sautee Shadows," the first of a four-book series linking antebellum Georgia's coast and mountains during the Georgia Gold Rush, will hit the bookstands this weekend.

Our Views: Celebrating Georgia’s new signature reforms

Gov. Nathan Deal's signing pen had a busy week, and as a result, some important new laws are on Georgia's books.

Commentary: Schools scandal in Atlanta reveals the dark side of offering incentives

Earlier this month, 35 public school teachers and administrators indicted for allegedly cheating to raise test scores in an Atlanta school district began turning themselves in to authorities. They may be the tip of the iceberg; a state investigation implicates 178 educators in the scandal.

Commentary: Feds need it in order to rehire public employees

America's economy is poised to roar ahead if only Washington would stop holding it back.

Commentary: Government shouldn’t spend beyond its means

With Tax Day upon us, American families and employers are keenly aware of the deep cut the government is taking out of their household incomes and hard-earned profits - especially during the slowest economic recovery since the Great Depression.

Commentary: Follow FDR’s sage advice: Tax those most able to pay

America's economy is in the midst of a Great Stagnation that almost rivals the Great Depression of the 1930s, and the nation is fighting a costly and prolonged worldwide war against relentless Islamic terrorism.

Commentary: State, local collaboration helps spur today’s economic growth

In January, the Georgia Economic Developers Association hosted more than 50 state legislators at a luncheon to celebrate economic development accomplishments over the past 12 months. We also launched a year of celebration complete with a proclamation from Gov. Nathan Deal, as 2013 marks GEDA's 50th Anniversary.

Dean's, President's and Merit List honorees for fall 2012 semester

The following local students completed courses with exemplary marks and made the President's and Dean's List for 2012 fall semester at Gainesville State College in Oakwood.

Support groups

The following is a list of support groups that regularly meet in the Hall County area. These meetings are free to the public, though some may require registration or membership. Contact the agency listing for more information.

Places of worship

African Methodist Episcopal

Hot weather health tips

Here are some tips to help you deal with the summer heat wave.

Submit your questions to Ask The Times

Do you have a question about something in your community?

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.