Gainesville, Hall County high school graduation rates are solid

With a 2007 graduation rate of 81 percent, or 10 points above the state average, Gainesville High School has become a destination for some 40 school districts statewide "to learn more about our success," said campus principal Mike Kemp.

Habersham County's new superintendent could start July 1

Application documents are available for viewing for Robert Costley, who has been given the Habersham County school board's OK as its new superintendent.

Parents, students, educators worry that new HOPE rules can leave behind ‘best and the brightest’

Students, parents and educators complained Tuesday night about last year's eligibility changes in the much-coveted HOPE Scholarship and its effects on students taking challenging courses.

Gas station at Seasons on Lanier still a no-go

In the tussle between Seasons on Lanier residents and the bankrupt neighborhood's potential new developer, Easlan Capital of Atlanta Inc. has been granted a timeout.

Former county parks director works in Arcade

Deborah Mockus, who served for five years as director of Hall County Parks and Leisure Services, is now city administrator for the Jackson County town of Arcade. Mockus left Hall County's employment in mid-March. "She was not asked to leave," said County Administrator Jim Shuler, calling her departure "mutually agreed upon." Mockus was given a six-month severance package. Shuler did not elaborate on the reason for the ...

Northeast Georgia Health System says Barrow hospital's lawsuit has no merit

Northeast Georgia Health System officials have denied allegations that they did not follow Georgia's certificate-of-need rules when applying to build a new hospital in Braselton.

Gainesville City Council, school board hold joint meeting

The Gainesville City Council and the Gainesville school board met Monday to discuss matters that affect both.

Church hopes to buy building to house mission

St. Michael Catholic Church has signed a contract to purchase the current building of Emmanuel Baptist Church as a mission. The $1.3 million contract is contingent upon the church's ability to raise $300,000 in donations and pledges by the end of April. Emmanuel Baptist, located at 177 Atlanta Highway, is in a business district that is dominated by businesses owned by or catering to Latino clientele. It backs up to ...

Residents give ideas to improve libraries

A group of nearly 20 Hall County residents and elected officials gathered Monday at Blackshear Place Library in Oakwood to brainstorm improvement ideas for Hall County libraries. Adrian Mixson, Hall County Library System director, said the purpose of the focus group was to determine how library patrons' needs regarding facilities, services and programs might change during the next five years. "This is a growing county. We're asking our ...

Holly tree pruning will block off lane of downtown traffic

GAINESVILLE- It's not Christmas, but they'll still be trimming the holly tree. Gainesville motorists should be advised that the Green Street lane that turns right onto E.E. Butler will be blocked off this afternoon while Jackson EMC prunes the Green Street holly tree.

An exercise in auctioneering: Uptown Fitness equipment sold to pay taxes

They came in search of the elusive bargain, and some found it Tuesday as Gainesville and the Hall County Tax Commissioners office sold some of the equipment at the former Uptown Fitness on Bradford Street.

Car theft, chase lead to arrest of Talmo teenager

An 18-year-old Talmo resident is being held in the Hall County Jail without bond after he allegedly fired a gun at someone, stole a car and fled from deputies Sunday morning.

Uptown Fitness Center equipment up for auction

The Hall County Tax Commissioners Office and the city of Gainesville will host an auction from 8 to 10 a.m. today at the former site of Uptown Fitness Center at 131 Bradford St.

Forum on HOPE set for tonight

A forum on changes made last year in HOPE scholarship grade-point average calculations is set for 7 tonight at the Hall County school system offices at 711 Green St. Daniel McGrail, a Johnson High School senior, has organized the meeting with help from school system officials. McGrail, the Student Teacher Achievement Recognition student at Johnson this year, has invited officials from the ...

Gainesville braces for less money in budget

GAINESVILLE - The city of Gainesville may be running on a slimmer budget in the coming fiscal year than in years past. A lag in construction and an uncertain economy has Gainesville's financial experts projecting revenues for this fiscal year to be less than had been expected. But Gainesville City Manager Brian Shuler insists the outlook is not so grim. "I don't think there's any department in ...

First Friday gets downtown swinging

The First Friday events in downtown Gainesville have started up again and are expected to bring more vistors to the shops and restaurants around the square.

Robbery suspect turns himself in after Thursday search

A robbery suspect turned himself in Thursday night after four Gainesville schools were locked down that afternoon when police tried to serve a warrant for his arrest.

Dial-A-Ride bus system serves county residents

Gainesville resident Gloria Carruth depends on the Dial-A-Ride bus service since she nearly severed her ankle three years ago.

Gala honors business leaders

In order to develop and strengthen the local economy, businesses and the community work together for the benefit of each other.

Officials warn motorcyclists to be wary as weather warms

As part of efforts to keep drivers and motorcyclists safe, law enforcement officials and highway safety advocates gathered Thursday in Buford to promote motorcycle safety awareness.

Rabies clinic set for 9 a.m. on Saturday

The Humane Society of Northeast Georgia is putting on a rabies clinic Saturday at the Gainesville Walmart.

Enota named family-friendly school

Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy has been named a winner of the state Department of Education's Family-Friendly School Partnership School Award.

The Times raises $2,158 for Relay for Life

The Times held a fundraising event Thursday in Gainesville where community members were welcomed to bring documents to shred, with all proceeds benefiting Relay for Life. The "Team Times" Relay for Life Committee collected $2,158 Thursday for the fight against cancer. In addition to people bringing documents to shred, hamburgers and hot dogs were on sale to benefit the cause.

Kids learn lake safety tips before summer ‘trauma season’ begins

Four children sat in a boat on their school's gym floor Thursday as Department of Natural Resources officers shook it and a crowd of their classmates loudly counted down.

4 Gainesville schools went on lockdown Thursday afternoon

Four Gainesville City schools were temporarily locked down Thursday afternoon.

2 Forsyth men charged in $1.6 million theft of 91-year-old

Hot weather health tips

Here are some tips to help you deal with the summer heat wave.

Winter weather tips

Braving winter weather