Rain can’t deter rubber ducks from raising funds at Derby

A day of rain might stop a lot of people from competing, but certainly not a rubber duck. Saturday's 15th annual Rubber Duck Derby was held as scheduled, though rain canceled the festival to be held afterward. Volunteers and spectators weathered the elements to see 16,000 rubber ducks take over Clarks Bridge Park on Lake Lanier. The event benefited the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County. Joyce Wilson, vice president of development and marketing ...

2 charged with fleeing scene of drug arrest

Two men were arrested Saturday and charged with fleeing a drug arrest by the Hall County Multi Agency Narcotics Squad, Lt. Scott Ware said in a news release.

The Guest House unveils its new home on Oak Street

A few hiccups are to be expected with any major relocation. The Guest House, a nonprofit adult day care facility, certainly had its share of challenges moving to its new location on Oak Street in Gainesville. But though the nonprofit had to leave its beloved hobby shop behind, two heating-air conditioning units broke on the first day and bad weather threatened to delay the move, everything has finally come together. Repairmen were busy working on ...

A soggy spring so far: Rainy, cool weekend looms

So where did spring go? So far, April showers have carried over into May, leaving us with a cool, wet weekend that may throw a damper on some outdoor plans. Friday, the National Weather Service issued a flood watch for Hall and surrounding counties. About a tenth of an inch of rain was measured by the NWS recording station at Gainesville's Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport. The heavy rains caused creeks and rivers to swell with ...

Political reports may put clerks on the spot

Gainesville City Clerk Denise Jordan said she is uncomfortable imposing and collecting fees from elected officials as part of the new reporting requirements that will take effect Jan. 1.

61 trucks of concrete poured at hospital’s new Braselton location

Construction workers at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center's new Braselton campus were busy at work in the early hours of Friday.

Gainesville High salutes theater director Pam Ware for 2012 Woodruff award

The atrium of Gainesville High School was filled with educators, students, and local supporters of the arts Friday night as they gathered to honor Pam Ware as the 2012 Woodruff Salutes Theatre Educator Honoree.

Speaker encourages Brenau graduates to chase their dreams at commencement ceremony

Brenau University Women's College celebrated its 134th commencement exercise Friday afternoon. A total of 171 students received their diplomas. The featured speaker was Princeton University professor Anne-Marie Slaughter, formerly the top official for policy and planning in the U.S. Department of State and recently named president of the New America Foundation. Slaughter urged graduates to "follow your heart" in making career and family choices. "It is up to us to make it a woman's world, ...

Taxes done? Now it’s time to shred — carefully

You've filed your taxes and had time to catch your breath from that, but now you may be wondering what to do with those documents.

County-church access road project moving forward

Hall County is moving forward on a road project that is geared to improving access to the Hall County Government Center and providing overflow parking for neighboring Free Chapel.

Waldrep retires for second time after 50 years in law enforcement

Buddy Waldrep is retiring - again - marking a career of more than 50 years in law enforcement.

National Day of Prayer focuses on nation's leaders

Instead of turning things over in your mind today, turn them over to God in prayer, said Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch. God is always listening.

No tax hike for Gainesville residents

The city of Gainesville's budget for next year will not recommend a tax hike for residents.

Flowery Branch City Council OKs improvement district

Flowery Branch City Council gave its blessing Thursday night to the Lanier Islands Parkway Community Improvement District, a self-taxing district that would run along a western portion of Ga. 347 in South Hall County.

Forsyth County fatal fire probe awaiting GBI reports

Forsyth County authorities are still awaiting the results of a toxicology report for a woman found dead in a house fire Easter morning.

Eyes on the Road: More feet added to Ga. 53 fix in Dawson County

An additional 500 feet of Thompson Road will be closed as part of a Georgia Department of Transportation project to rebuild the road's intersection at Ga. 53 in Dawson County.

New law to help vets get into workforce

Retired Hall County military veterans Stephen McGruder and Johnny Varner hope a new Georgia law will aid them in helping vets seamlessly transition into the civilian workforce.

Fellowship to help Gainesville student study law at Mercer

Whit Carmon was stepping off the bus after delivering his final term paper at the University of Georgia when his phone rang.

New state law to protect federal park rangers

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Ranger Ken Weiner is still suffering physically from when he was attacked last year at Burton Mill Park.

South Hall flooding causes county to declare emergency

Early Sunday storms rocked Hall County, leaving heavy flooding, collapsed roads and other damage in its wake.

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.