Group from St. Michael Catholic Church will see pope, attend Mass at Yankee Stadium

A group of Gainesville Catholics are on their way to worship with Pope Benedict XVI during his first trip to the United States since he was named the head of the Roman Catholic Church in 2005. The group, about 26 members of St. Michael Catholic Church, are headed to New York to attend a papal Mass Sunday at Yankee Stadium.

Gainesville manufacturer Stork Gamco nominated for award by Lanier Tech

ATLANTA - A Gainesville firm was among the regional nominees at the annual Georgia Manufacturing Appreciation Week awards luncheon. Stork Gamco, a maker of automated poultry processing equipment, was nominated by Lanier Technical College.

Suspect pleads not guilty, faces death penalty in Hoschton murder, arson

JEFFERSON - The man who faces the death

Area officials shocked, saddened by Evans' resignation

Hours after Mike Evans announced his resignation, many area officials who lobbied hard to keep him on the state Department of Transportation Board for five more years say they are shocked at his decision to leave - especially after such a hard-fought battle only three months ago.

Gainesville parks restoration right on schedule

Gainesville's director of Parks and Recreation reports that two park restoration projects are on schedule and should be ready for enjoyment by September.

Evans: Relationship with Abraham began after vote

ATLANTA - Nearly three months after he survived one of the toughest political battles in state history, State Transportation Board Chairman Mike Evans resigned Thursday over another battle, this one of the heart.

Act 3: Lanier Centre has become a Holiday Inn

For the third time in its history, a downtown Gainesville hotel has assumed a new franchise.

Fuel, health insurance costs plague Hall County budget

Hall County budget reviews consistently revealed one problem Tuesday - rising fuel and health insurance costs are forcing county departments to cut costs elsewhere, which may result in smaller raises for employees in the upcoming year.

Recycling firm nabs industrial land deal

After more than a month of discussion, the Gainesville City Council chose to sell its final 28 acres of Industrial Park West property to the owner of Cowart Mulch Products, but the decision may cause one existing industry to leave Gainesville.

Habersham schools OK Robert Costley as new chief

The Habersham County Board of Education voted Monday night to officially approve Robert Costley as its new superintendent starting July 1. He has an initial three-year contract that includes an annual salary of $120,000.

Warmer temperatures keep crops safe overnight

Warmer than expected temperatures had growers with tender fruit crops breathing a sigh of relief on Wednesday. A freeze warning had been issued for most of the Northern half of the state for 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday. However, the low temperature at Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport in Gainesville was 39 degrees at 6 a.m. By 9 a.m., the temperature had risen to 51 degrees, the same temperature recorded at midnight.

Oakwood receives transportation funds

The Georgia Department of Transportation awarded the city of Oakwood $100,000 for phase two of its downtown sidewalk improvement program.

Georgia poultry plants not among those raided

Nearly 300 people were arrested Wednesday in immigration and identity theft raids at Pilgrim's Pride poultry plants in five states.

Apartment fire victims still critical

A young girl and her 61-year-old grandfather remained in critical condition Tuesday at an Atlanta hospital, more than a day after being severely burned in a fire at Spring Street Apartments, a fire official said.

Sheriff says competition, inmate transfers will curb revenues from Hall County Jail

Bed space, bodies and some unwanted competition may lead Hall County Sheriff's officials to revise their initial revenue estimates for the new $54 million jail.

Principal Coleman says goodbye to friends and school

Mark Coleman and the late Chris Mance spent the last few years preparing for retirement.

Hall County schools looking at new visitor identification system

Visitors to Hall County schools could have a new security checkpoint to go through beginning next school year.

German tourists learn about diversity

A Wednesday visit to Hall County by several German tourists served to illuminate a reality prominent in the U.S., and increasingly in the forefront of modern Europe - the tide of immigration.

Ex-bank manager from Murrayville charged in theft

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.

Local efforts gather help for Oklahoma tornado victims

Syfan Logistics is working to do its part to help victims of the tornadoes in Oklahoma.

Flood causes sewer spill into Flowery Branch Creek

Sunday's historic flood in Flowery Branch has produced another problem for the beleaguered South Hall city - a 200,000-gallon sewer spill into Flowery Branch Creek.

Ridgewood Avenue to close at 9 p.m.

Ridgewood Avenue will be closed at 9 tonight until 4 a.m. Wednesday while Georgia Power does work in the area.

The Local Agenda: Germans to come to Hall to study immigration

A group from Germany will be visiting Hall County on Wednesday, looking to learn about American cultural life and political issues but particularly immigration.