Murrayville fire may have been started by wood-burning stove

From staff reports A fire officials believe was started by a wood-burning stove caused about $100,000 in damage Friday morning to a mechanic's workshop in Murrayville. No one was hurt. Hall County Fire Marshal Scott Cagle said the 30-foot-by-48-foot workshop at 5434 Marlowe Road was owned by Jack Gilreath. A fire call came in at 11:15 a.m. When Hall County firefighters arrived, heavy smoke was ...

NGCSU Professor awarded Fulbright

DAHLONEGA - An English professor at North Georgia College & State University has been awarded a Fulbright grant to travel to Ukraine in April to teach a seminar on American literature.

Gainesville's plan to link parks under way

GAINESVILLE -- Step by step, Gainesville is gaining ground on becoming a more pedestrian-friendly community.

Mountain Judicial Circuit gets new DA

Brian M. Rickman was sworn in Jan. 2 as the new district attorney for the Mountain Judicial Circuit by Gov. Sonny Perdue at the Capitol in Atlanta. Rickman replaced Michael H. Crawford, who retired at the end of 2007. "I am honored and thrilled to be allowed the opportunity to succeed Mike Crawford in this position and work for the citizens of the Mountain Judicial Circuit," ...

Iraqi general will speak at church

Gen. Georges Sada, a former military adviser to Saddam Hussein and second in command of the Iraqi Air Force, will speak next month at the House of Prayer Church Family Life Center in Blairsville.

Dahlonega Rangers arrested

Four soldiers, including three Army Rangers, stationed at Dahlonega's Camp Frank D. Merrill face federal charges of conspiring to rob drug dealers at gunpoint.

Group home owners haven’t moved out yet

GAINESVILLE - Owners of two different group homes in Gainesville face criminal charges for not heeding orders to cease and desist operations of their residential drug and alcohol recovery programs.

Fight over Bethel Park may be resolved soon

The long-simmering debate over who should take over management of a Lake Lanier park could reach a resolution this spring. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has released a draft environmental assessment for 62-acre Bethel Park in Forsyth County and is accepting public comments until Feb. 19.

Snow possible overnight across the region

For the third time in two weeks, weather forecasters are telling North Georgians to get ready for winter precipitation.

Dahlonega man killed, brother hurt in Murrayville wreck

A Dahlonega man was killed and his brother remains in critical condition at an Atlanta hospital after a Tuesday night wreck in Murrayville. Dirk Ruthardt, 27, died in the 8 p.m. wreck on Pony Lake Road, Hall County Deputy Coroner John Abernathy said.

New vital records system reduces time

The Georgia Department of Human Resources, Division of Public Health, Office of Vital Records has implemented a new system that will significantly reduce the length of time it takes Georgians to obtain official copies of birth and death certificates.

Gainesville woman named DOT district administrative officer

GAINESVILLE - The Georgia Department of Transportation recently announced the appointment of a Gainesville woman to the position of District Administrative Officer.

Public schools are recruiting teachers

TeachGeorgia.org, the official teacher recruitment Web site for Georgia's public schools, plans to hold a free information session 6-7 p.m. Tuesday.

Hall commission approves Portofino site

Following five Hall County residents' vehement opposition to a 261-home development on Lake Lanier, Hall County Commissioners approved the 217-acre venture at Thursday's board meeting with a 4-1 vote.

Flowery Branch depot in line for a shine

Downtown improvements are chugging along in the old railroad town of Flowery Branch.

Sheriff's office searching for shooting suspect

The Hall County Sheriff's Office is searching for a suspect in an armed robbery this morning that injured a 59-year-old woman.

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.

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.