Commotion caused by bear in North Ga.

Georgia wildlife authorities are looking into reports that a large black bear is menacing at least one resident in the Dawsonville area in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains.

Hall takes prescription meds back this Saturday

Hall County will have three locations for the fifth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday.

Sen. Miller gives legislative overview

Sen. Butch Miller, R-Gainesville, wove jokes and entertaining remarks with serious answers on policy issues at Thursday's Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Students rewarded with a show of strength

Students at Mount Vernon Exploratory School were rewarded Thursday for their efforts to encourage fitness at their school. A group of children did a run and a tennis shoe collection earlier in the school year and more recently the school raised money to buy an Xbox gaming system and games for the physical education department. The children gathered in the school's driveway for their reward - watching Greg Cochran pull a Ford F150 pickup along the pavement.

Deal signs 2nd part of criminal justice legislation

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal signed the second edition of a criminal justice bill into law Thursday, calling the legislation another step toward making the state "smarter on crime."

Deal updates state immigration law

Gov. Nathan Deal signed a bill Wednesday that aims to fix some unintended consequences of the state's 2011 crackdown on illegal immigration.

Send us your summer events for Splash!

The Times' annual summer leisure guide, Splash!, will be published with the May 26 edition. It will include stories about summer fun on Lake Lanier and in Northeast Georgia, plus event calendars from Memorial Day through the end of August.

Bear causes commotion near Dawsonville

Commissioners won’t vote again on Red Rabbit funds

Hall County commissioners said Wednesday night they will not take a second vote to accept federal money to continue operating the Red Rabbit fixed-route bus service.

Self-contained classrooms help students with autism

Reagan Floyd was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and a mild intellectual delay when she was about 2 years old.

Trial continues for rape suspect

Testimony continued Wednesday in the trial of a Gainesville man charged with rape. In addition to the four counts of rape, Jose Luis Aguilar faces two counts of aggravated child molestation, one count of aggravated sodomy and seven counts each of incest, aggravated sexual battery and child molestation. Hall County Sheriff's Office investigator Joel Edgerton testified along with Julie Battle, forensic interviewer from Brenau University, and a therapist from the Children's Center for Hope & ...

State’s motorcyclist fatalities decline in 2012

Georgia experienced slightly fewer motorcyclist fatalities in 2012 than in 2011, according to statistics compiled by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety.

Gainesville public utilities department looks to pay refunds

More than $26,000 in refunds hasn't been claimed for water accounts with the Gainesville Public Utilities Department, according to a news release from the city.

Forsyth County man arrested; $34K of suspected meth seized

A joint law enforcement investigation has resulted in one arrest and the seizure of an estimated $34,000 in suspected methamphetamine.

Designs for Forsyth County jail, courthouse enter the final stages

The designs for a new courthouse and jail in downtown Cumming have entered the final stages before construction starts in July.

South Hall flooding causes county to declare emergency

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.