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.

Talks to restore Olympic site making progress

The Lake Lanier Olympic Center could soon see a rebirth if current discussions about restoring the site to its past glory bear fruit.

More rain may be on the way this week

The work week begins with - you guessed it - a chance for more rain.

Lake groups pressing on with other issues, plans

A couple of organizations that sprang out of last summer's Lake Lanier tragedies still are forging ahead, notwithstanding successes during the past Georgia General Assembly.

Teacher evaluations take time, offer more feedback

When the new teacher evaluation system first rolled out, there was a lot of apprehension as state leaders talked about tying the evaluations to how teachers are paid.

Shred Day to help fight cancer

If your spring cleaning has stalled because you don't know what to do with piles of documents, Shred Away Cancer may be able to help.

Rain may return by afternoon, carry into Monday

The rain has eased up for now, but more may be on the way.

Derby hats star at local celebration

Gainesville Rotary Club Derby Party chair Chris Slate, center, greets Jerry and Leslie Williams at the Elks Club on Riverside Drive Saturday afternoon. Leslie Williams would later win the best woman's hat award at Saturday's event coinciding with the Kentucky Derby. The party, the first of a possible annual event, helped raise money for the Rotary's various charitable causes, Slate said. Partygoers paid $50 each at the door, bid on auction items such as gift ...

Local cyclists feel blessed after kidney transplant

You might think giving away a kidney would slow 57-year-old athlete Kelly Parham down a little, but it hasn't.

Plans for Ga. 347 include roundabout

While construction is rolling along on most of Ga. 347 in South Hall, the last link of that project - between McEver Road and Lake Lanier Islands - is in the throes of design.

Law enforcement seeks clues in death of popular Latino businessman

One month after David Sanchez was killed, his family and friends said they would wear black until his killer was brought to justice.

Push is on to collect sales taxes on online purchases

Evelyn Franklin, co-owner of gift shop Cozy Corner on Gainesville's downtown square, said Internet retailers that don't charge sales tax on online purchases hurt her business.

Hot weather health tips

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

Winter weather tips

Braving winter weather