Remains of missing hiker found in N.C.

BREVARD, N.C. - A body found in western North Carolina is a missing hiker believed to be a victim of a man who pleaded guilty to murdering a hiker in Georgia, authorities said Monday. The skeletal remains found Saturday by a hunter in Macon County were identified as belonging to John Bryant, who disappeared in October with his wife, Irene, while they were hiking in the Pisgah National Forest, ...

District may wait to build sixth elementary school

GAINESVILLE - A "shaky economy" and ownership issues has Gainesville city schools looking at putting off construction of its sixth elementary school, Mundy Mill Academy. The district had considered opening the school in the fall of 2009, with construction to start this year.

Miami, Mableton men charged in jewelry theft

Police have charged two Miami men and a Mableton man in the Thursday burglary of Gainesville Jewelry that resulted in the theft of more than $200,000 in merchandise.

Men arrested in meth bust in Buford

BUFORD - Three Mableton men face drug trafficking charges after they were arrested while delivering 11 ounces of methamphetamine to a parking lot in an undercover buy-bust operation Monday, authorities said.

Cancer center offers patients free art therapy

Treating cancer patients requires addressing the needs of body, mind and soul. As part of a more holistic approach, the Cancer Center at the Longstreet Clinic is offering free art therapy sessions to cancer patients and survivors on Thursday and again on Feb. 21.

Sheriff's officers complete immigration enforcement training

Nine Hall County Sheriff's officers were among 38 local law enforcement officers from around the nation now authorized to enforce federal immigration laws.

Vietnamese community wishes for blessing, success, life in new year

More than 150 people gathered at the Georgia Mountains Center arena Sunday afternoon to ring in the Vietnamese New Year with firecrackers, dragon dances and live music. The Vietnamese New Year, known as Tet Nguyen Dan, marks the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar and the beginning of spring.

Violent crime down in Gainesville

The city of Gainesville's crime statistics stayed about the same in 2007 as the previous year, with a low overall violent crime rate and a rise in business burglaries the only significant spike.

Friends celebrate Super Bowl Sunday in different ways and at various venues

As the New England Patriots battled the New York Giants in the Arizona desert Sunday evening, some Gainesville residents hashed it out in front yards and area parks while others watched Super Bowl XLII on a 111-inch screen at Sweet Magnolia's on Main Street. Rebecca Clanton, who co-owns Sweet Magnolia's, said she expected more than 100 people to show up for the restaurant's family-friendly Super Bowl party. Party-goers enjoyed chili, ...

Fair Street music instructor to receive arts honor

GAINESVILLE - An area school music instructor and choral music director is being honored in Atlanta Saturday as one of the Woodruff Salutes Georgia Arts in Education Leaders. Ellen Leamon of Fair Street International Baccalaureate World School also works with the Gainesville High School band, holds community performances with Fair Street's fourth- and fifth-grade choruses and prepares middle and high school students for auditions. "We are very ...

Gainesville students may help to name streets at new middle school campus

GAINESVILLE - Elementary and middle school students in Gainesville city schools may have a say in naming streets on the new Gainesville Middle School campus. Superintendent Steven Ballowe has recommended to the City Board of Education that students would be asked to submit the names to their principal by Feb. 28. The principal, in turn, would forward the suggestions to Gainesville City Manager Bryan Shuler. The topic ...

Lanier still waiting for water

First, the good news about Lake Lanier's water level: It's not dropping.

Wauka Mountain gets ready for Chicken Pie Supper

On Saturday, Wauka Mountain Elementary got ready for next weekend's annual Chicken Pie Supper with a day of chicken pickin'.

Old water habits return with the rains

North Georgians may be forgetting about conservation after seeing a little rain recently, as a few area utilities report water usage went up in January.

Political fix to water crisis remains elusive

While water, and the lack of it, has been a hot topic for Georgia lawmakers in both Atlanta and Washington, they admit that there is not much they can do to alleviate the current situation.

Hall County completes storm damage assessment

Hall County suffered about $800,000 in storm damage, county Fire Chief David Kimbrell told county commissioners at their meeting Wednesday.

Sheriff's office searching for shooting suspect

Gary Wilson said he never dreamed he would pull up to his father's Lula business "and find crime scene tape."

Hall County students begin their summer vacation

Students across Hall County burst from school doors Thursday, ready to begin their summer vacations.

Hall's cities report slight bumps in population

Hall's cities all showed a slight bump in population between 2011 and 2012 according to the estimates released today by the U.S. Census Bureau.

More than $85,000 in aid to be delivered to Oklahoma

Syfan Logistics received an "overwhelming" amount of donations from the community in response to its relief effort for the Oklahoma tornado victims.

Memorial Day travel to remain busy

If you plan to travel this Memorial Day holiday weekend, you may find things just a little bit less crowded. But don't count on it.

Dogs available for adoption after seized in hoarding case

Some dogs are already in new homes since being seized May 16 in an animal hoarding case, with the rest being prepared for adoption.

Hall leaders discuss library budget request

Hall County commissioners heard two budget requests for 2014 at their meeting Wednesday afternoon from the Hall County Library System director and Superior Court clerk.

Veterans killed in action remembered

Members of the American Legion Post 7, Unit 7, in Gainesville, along with area Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, were busy Wednesday ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. Legion members and scouts were placing flowers on veterans' graves in observance of the holiday, celebrated on the last Monday in May to recognize Americans who have died while serving.

Gainesville pedestrian bridge to close temporarily

The pedestrian bridge in downtown Gainesville will close Tuesday through May 31 for sidewalk repairs on the City Hall side.

Buford: Burglaries reported in county’s flooded areas

The Hall County Sheriff's Office is checking out reports of burglaries and entering auto incidents near flooded areas in the area of the Hall and Gwinnett county line in Buford.

Driver succumbs to injuries in wreck

Covington: Fox bites students attending school

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.