Happy birthday, Bonnie!

GAINESVILLE - Northeast Georgia Medical Center is showering a Toccoa couple with gifts for having delivered the hospital's first baby of 2008.

A look ahead: New fire stations bring long-term building project to end

An ambitious building project that began in 1999 may be coming to a close this year for Hall County Fire Services, an agency that has seen tremendous growth in the new century and that may have its last planned fire station operational by the end of 2008. And what began as a sales tax-funded plan to provide a station within five miles of all residential structures could also see the county's ...

New mayor to be sworn in

GAINESVILLE - It's a new year and a new term for most of the members of the Gainesville City Council. More than half of the Gainesville City Council will kick off another term of city service at the council's first meeting of 2008.

Kid-friendly festivities ring in 2008

Youngsters partied all day Monday aboard a plane at the Interactive Neighborhood for Kids and sipped sparkling grape juice at the Gainesville Bowling Center to ring in the new year.

Turn on the heat; frigid temperatures expected tonight

On Wednesday, you won't need to look at a calendar to know that January has arrived. All you'll have to do is step outside. A monstrous cold front will move through the region today, bringing the most frigid temperatures Georgia has seen since last January. Nighttime lows will drop to 20 degrees or lower tonight and Wednesday night in Gainesville, while the mountain counties could see temperatures as low as ...

Road checks slow down night drivers

A little side street off U.S. 129 was hopping with law enforcement activity Monday night, part of the annual ritual of the New Year's Eve road check. This year, about 20 Hall County sheriff's deputies descended on Chestnut Street, a narrow blacktop between the Pilgrims Pride poultry plant and the Featherbone Center, checking each motorist who passed through for valid licenses, insurance and any infractions that might warrant an order ...

A look ahead: Hall makes plans to support growth

A look ahead

Murder defendant's mental state to be raised at trial

Lawyers for a Maryland man facing the death penalty in the rape and stabbing death of a homeless woman are preparing to make his mental state an issue at trial.

Native son heads UGA alumni group

Trey Paris is about as deep in Bulldog legacy as one can get.

Sweet split: Sugar Bowl divides twins between Hawaii, Georgia

You've seen those car tags that say "house divided."

EPA probes Talmo plant that suffered from fire, odor complaints

The federal government is investigating a shuttered waste recycling plant where a treatment pond caught fire three months ago.

Health care industry’s future looks bright in Northeast Georgia

When Northeast Georgia Medical Center's North Patient Tower opens in early 2009, it will mark one of the most dramatic changes in the hospital's six-decade history.

2007 not driest after all

ATLANTA - It turns out 2007 will not go down as the driest year on record for the drought-stricken Atlanta area, thanks to Sunday showers that capped four consecutive days of rain.

Year’s end brings deals on vehicles

Today, on the last day of the year, there is a Northeast Georgia car dealer ready to make you a great deal on a new car. Print and broadcast media has been filled in December with auto companies and local dealers offering end-of-the-year deals, including major price reductions and lower interest rates

Sheriff’s sergeant killed in accident

A senior Hall County sheriff's investigator died Saturday night after colliding with a car while riding an all-terrain vehicle earlier in the afternoon. Hall County sheriff's Sgt. James Evans, 46, was traveling north on Hillcrest Lane near his home riding a late model Yamaha ATV Saturday when he collided head-on with a 2001 Honda Accord, said Georgia State Patrol Trooper Robert Land. Evans and passenger Christopher Peck, 20, ...

Flooding hits South Hall, closing roads

Hall County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dick Mecum has issued a declaration of local emergency for South Hall, which was hardest hit by overnight thunderstorms.

Ga. water negotiator's role may be seen as conflict

Rock in the Spring concert benefits local school

Concertgoers look over items in a silent auction Saturday night at the Rock in the Spring fundraiser at Brenau University ampitheater. Proceeds benefit the local school Challenged Child and Friends, an early intervention center in Gainesville that provides special needs and typically developing children the opportunity to learn together and from each other. Local musicians Mid Life Crisis played at the event. Local musicians Mid Life Crisis perform Saturday night for the audience at the Brenau ...

Riverside Military Academy opens campus home for president

Riverside Military Academy welcomed a new addition to its campus Saturday, something it hasn't had since 2005: A home for the school president.

Powerball: Did these numbers change your life?

Winning numbers: 22-10-13-14-52

Groups gather at Lake Lanier to promote boating safety

In anticipation of the summertime increase in lake recreation, the Lake Lanier Association held a Boating Safety Awareness Day Saturday at Lake Lanier Islands resort.

Nonprofits, state agencies work to help victims of human trafficking

Jennifer Robson sits in front of her laptop computer and scrolls through a list of ads on an adult website, looking for a local woman to call.

Law agencies focus sharp eyes to spot victims

To spot victims of sex trafficking, it takes the keen eye of an expert - one like Brian Johnston, assistant special agent in charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Human Trafficking Unit.

Proposed left-turn ban on Green raises a stir

The potential for no left turns on Green Street has raised hackles along the busy, four-lane road, according to one of its most vocal business leaders.

Last school day a chance for partying, fun in Gainesville

With tears in her eyes, second-grade teacher Maria McConnell says goodbye to her class.

Judge to decide best tax distribution between cities and county based on filings

Hall County and Gainesville, on behalf of all the county's municipalities, each submitted their offers on the distribution of local option sales tax revenue Friday morning to visiting Superior Court Judge Frank Mills.

Federal courthouse ceremony welcomes 52 new Americans

Fifty-two foreign nationals from more than 25 countries walked into the federal court in Gainesville at 11 a.m. Friday and walked out as citizens of the United States at noon.

BBQ cooks fire up for Laurel Park competition

Crowds came by both car and by boat Friday to the kickoff for the second annual Hawgin' on Lanier barbecue competition at Laurel Park.

Rove to speak at Republican convention in Athens

As the state GOP convention officially came to order Friday, a small group of tea party and other activists stood outside to announce a large-scale voter outreach effort this year in part because they feel they can't depend on national Republicans to win elections.

Fire damages commercial building off Jesse Jewell

Firefighters were called to a blaze this afternoon at a building off Jesse Jewell Parkway in the 1000 block of Airport Drive.