FDA may soon set limits on amount of salt in commercial foods

It's the most common food additive in the world. It's in just about everything you eat. And it could kill you. The federal Food and Drug Administration is considering limits on the amount of salt allowed in commercially prepared foods.

Hall has a heart for those in need

During the holiday season, families trim Christmas trees, go shopping for gifts and plan dinner parties. But many other families spend their holidays worrying about debt, struggling to put food on the table and wondering how they will provide a Christmas for their children.

Record-setting temperatures won't continue

GAINESVILLE - Don't pack away those winter sweaters just yet; the record-setting heat wave is expected to end by the weekend.

Faye Bush nominated for national award

At 73, Faye Bush has dedicated 55 years of her life to the environmental justice efforts of the Newtown Florist Club. And now she's receiving a bit of recognition for her service as a semifinalist in the national Volvo for Life Awards.

JOURNEY TO VIETNAM: Providing sustenance

DIEN BAN PROVINCE, VIETNAM -- It was supposed to be a trip to rebuild a day care center, but the worst flooding in 42 years made that impossible.

Hall County work session includes two big projects

Two major developments in the northern part of the county that have drawn opposition from several local residents are on the agenda for this afternoon's work session planned by the Hall County Board of Commissioners.

Civic group gives to 450 children

The Gainesville Jaycees wraps up its annual Empty Stocking Fund today, when toys for about 450 needy children will be distributed throughout Hall County. Jaycees members, along with their significant others, gathered at 6 a.m. Dec. 1 at the Gainesville Wal-Mart to do the shopping for students from all but three Hall County elementary schools.

JOURNEY TO VIETNAM: Going home again

DA NANG, VIETNAM -- The last time they saw each other, he was a 12-year-old boy and she was 32 years younger.

JOURNEY TO VIETNAM: Culture Clash

HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM -- Landing at the international terminal at Tan Son Nhat Airport, a traveler might easily confuse the terminal with any of a number of the world's airports.

South Hall school districts shuffling

FLOWERY BRANCH -- South Hall County school principals say they're not hearing much buzz about it, but proposed new attendance boundary lines have caused something of a stir on Sterling on the Lake's Intranet

Charlie Company prepares for mission; retiring soldier honored

Staff Sgt. David Squires bid farewell to his fellow citizen-soldiers Saturday with a retirement speech that was short but heartfelt. With the three platoons of the Georgia Army National Guard's Charlie Company assembled in the back lot of their Gainesville armory, Squires wished them well in their next mission: helping train security forces in Afghanistan. "You're like a second family to me," said Squires, who at 49 was ...

Warehouse fire under investigation

Gainesville fire officials are investigating two fires that broke out late Friday and early Saturday in a warehouse at 998 Industrial Blvd.

No title, but a great ride for Trojans and their fans

ATLANTA -- This season, North Hall's football team beat Elephants, War Eagles, Knights and Warriors on its way to school history.

Hundreds attend Winter Bazaar, greet St. Nick with celebrity excitement

BY BIANCA BRUNO bbruno@gainesvilletimes.com The reindeer weren't needed at the second annual Sterling on the Lake Winter Bazaar this year. Saturday afternoon, Santa made his grand entrance by helicopter instead. The red helicopter landed just outside the clubhouse of the subdivision and Santa was greeted by nearly 200 cheering fans. The Winter Bazaar, an event created by Newland Communities, featured more than ...

Gainesville utility department offers in-home water ‘audits’

An in-home water audit is not as scary as you might think. No one shows up unannounced at your door in a suit with a stern face and a briefcase, demanding proof of your water expenditures and more money. In fact, it's just the opposite.

Locals offer support for Oklahoma tornado victims

Syfan Logistisc is taking donations to tornado victims in Oklahoma and is asking for help to fill a trailer.

Firefighters battling blaze at home off Lee Land Road

Firefighters are battling a blaze in the 2600 block of Commander Drive, where one person is being evaluated for possible smoke inhalation.

Graduation rates up in local schools

Many of Hall County's schools have exceeded the state graduation rate, which rose to 69.7 percent in 2012 from 67.4 percent in 2011.

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.

Longstreet Clinic moves into expanded office in Oakwood

The staff at The Longstreet Clinic Family Medicine practice in Oakwood hurried to move into its renovated site Monday, hoping to begin working from it today.

Hall County sheriff proposes buying 12-14 patrol cars

To update its aging fleet, the Hall County Sheriff's Office is looking at spending $550,000 to buy 12-14 new patrol cars and refurbish another four or five.

Crews busy fixing roads after floods

Under sunny skies and no trace of rain, area governments worked Monday to fix roads that had been damaged, some seriously, by fierce storms overnight Sunday.

Despite road closures, kids get to school

Though severe weather Saturday night washed out roadways in Flowery Branch, most students in the area made it to school Monday morning.

Business owners slogging through flood damage

Outside The Tire Store and Lakeview Automotive Group on Atlanta Highway in Flowery Branch, workers hauled equipment to dry areas and washed sheets of mud off the pavement.

Hall schools board discusses options to balance budget

The Hall County Board of Education grappled with "philosophical issues" as it discussed ways to continue to function with a tight budget next year.

Fair Street students may use tablet computers next fall

Gainesville's technology director gave City Board of Education members a Kuno tablet computer to play with briefly Monday night.

McEver still closed, fire official reports

Under sunny skies and no trace of rain, area governments worked Monday to fix roads that had been damaged, some seriously, by fierce storms overnight Sunday.

Atheists to put books next to Bibles in state parks

Boil water advisories still in effect for some

A boil water advisory is in effect for those served by Flowery Branch along with 18 homes at the end of Trudy Drive served by Gainesville.