Ex-bank manager from Murrayville charged in theft

North Hall's state championship series set for 5 p.m. on Saturday

North Hall (32-4) will host Cartersville (28-7) in the Class AAA baseball state championship series, beginning with a doubleheader at 5 p.m. on Saturday in Gainesville. Game 3, if necessary, would be played Monday in Gainesville. Tickets are $7.

Gattis grand slam leads Braves past Twins 8-3

ATLANTA - Evan Gattis kept up an amazing rookie season with his first grand slam, B.J. Upton and Ramiro Pena also homered, and the Atlanta Braves finished off a sweep of the woeful Minnesota Twins with a 8-3 rout on Wednesday.

Winners of Brenau barbecue contests will advance to world finals

Two teams competing in this year's Brenau Barbecue Championship will also be selling their pork to hungry visitors at the event. But it's almost by accident that either team exists.

Gattis, Freeman lead Braves past Twins 5-4 in 10th

ATLANTA - Evan Gattis just keeps coming through for the Atlanta Braves.

Your Views: Push to raise Lanier’s level based on costs

In response to a concern about our push to increase the full pool of Lake Lanier to 1,073 feet: While we don't like to see public recreation areas and personal property compromised by high water levels, it is very instructive to see what the effects of 1,073 are on the surrounding lake areas.

Crawford: Ga. Republicans see no need to change course

The Republican Party delegates who gathered in Athens for their annual state convention heard a cautionary message from Gov. Nathan Deal about the future of the GOP.

Your Views: Administration continues to fuel an overall distrust of government

The Obama administration is at it again. According to President Barack Obama, he doesn't know half of what is going on in his administration, since he finds out things when he sees it on the news, like the IRS scandal. Then there was Benghazi, which the administration blamed on a movie instead of an organized terrorist organization. Then Hillary Clinton says "what difference does it make," like who cares?

Class Notes: Uzbekistanis visit Lanier Tech

A group of 11 Uzbekistanis, including farmers, businessmen and a representative of the country's Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management recently visited Lanier Technical College to learn about its refrigeration program.

Local political group protests IRS focus

Area residents took to the sidewalk in front of the local Internal Revenue Service office, waving signs and encouraging people driving by to honk in protest of the agency and revelations that some conservative groups have been targeted by IRS agents.

Graduation rates up in local schools

Hall County graduation rates increased in 2012 from 2011.

Fire destroys home; one treated for smoke inhalation

Gene Jones was outside his Commander Drive home cutting his grass when he saw smoke pouring out to the road.

Gainesville awards bid for convention center study

Gainesville City Council approved awarding the bid for the convention center and hotel feasibility study to consulting firms Key Advisors Inc. and the Bleakly Advisory Group on Tuesday evening.

Flood damage costs start to emerge

Flowery Branch officials are estimating $1.4 million in expenses related to Sunday's historic rainfall, and so far it appears that most of the financial burden is falling on the beleaguered South Hall city.

Norfolk Southern says heavy rains overwhelmed Flowery Branch culverts

Norfolk Southern officials said Tuesday that culverts in Flowery Branch were overwhelmed Sunday by the heavy rains that fell overnight.

Warm weather brings special lakeside services

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

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.

Cronic assured of third term with no opponent

It's four more years for the sheriff. Steve Cronic made Hall County history Friday as the first local sheriff ever to be unopposed in two consecutive election cycles.

Cycling for Christ

LULA - About 150 cyclists are expected to tighten their gears and secure their helmets for the upcoming LAP '08 - the Lula Assembly of Praise bike ride.

Newest library geared toward lifetime of learning

Doors to the new Spout Springs Library soon will open to reveal an imaginative world of princesses, frogs and castles for Hall County children.

Milton Martin Honda wins top company honor

For the third time in four years, Milton Martin Honda in Gainesville has been named a recipient of the President's Award from Honda Motor Co.

Many types of sprouts are edible and grow quickly

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

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.

Rain doesn’t dampen Murrayville’s parading spirit

A little rain Saturday morning didn't stop local residents from showing their small-town spirit during the annual Murrayville Day Parade.

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.

Prep soccer: Flowery Branch advances to state semifinals

FLOWERY BRANCH - If Flowery Branch High senior Kyle Ellis hadn't yet made a name for himself in his first year playing soccer for the Falcons, he certainly has now.

Prep baseball: Falcons win region championship

FLOWERY BRANCH - Cody Ackerman was waiting on a fastball when he stepped to the plate in the eighth inning for No. 1-ranked Flowery Branch Friday night and he was more than willing to be the one to play the role of hero for the Falcons with the bases loaded and the score tied 3-3 against Lumpkin County.

Canada’s sprint racing Olympic hopefuls take to the water today

The first of three steps to qualify for this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing begins today on Lake Lanier for Canada's top canoe and kayak athletes.

Water use increases but revenue is still down

As city officials expected them to do in the warmer months, Gainesville water customers have started using more water. That means Gainesville Public Utilities is making a little more money selling it, but water customers likely still face a rate increase in 2009.

Sour Cream Pound Cake

We're extra grateful to Oakwood resident Irene Reed, 89, who allowed us to share her recipe for Sour Cream Pound Cake. Cake: 3 cups sugar3 cups plain flour1 cup Crisco1 cup sour cream (use Breakstone's only)6 eggsPinch of salt1/4 teaspoon baking soda1 teaspoon vanilla1 teaspoon lemon Put all in a bowl. Beat just to moisten, then beat 4 minutes at medium speed. Bake in a greased and floured tube pan at 300 degrees for 1 ...