Change of heart: Pearson will seek re-election

State Sen. Eugene "Chip" Pearson, R-Dawsonville, said Monday that he would seek a third term to the state Senate. Pearson was said to be eyeing a bid to fill the 9th District seat on the State Transportation Board. Mike Evans, a former state representative, resigned the post last week. Pearson said he had given some thought to leaving the Senate. Pearson and his ...

Sources for more information or help in dealing with substance abuse

Avita Community Partners (formerly Georgia Mountains Community Services): 678-207-1800 (receives state funding; charges on a sliding scale based on income)Center Point: 770-535-1050Family Recovery: 770-535-1073Laurelwood at Northeast Georgia Medical Center: 770-531-3800 (insurance or self-pay; no state subsidies available)LifeWorks Counseling Services: 770-503-7999New Hope Cimarron Counseling: 770-539-9669Also, for more information, visit www.theantidrug.com.

White Sulphur Elementary joins Riverbend in closing early Wednesday for Tour de Georgia

White Sulphur Elementary School in East Hall will have to close early Wednesday for the Tour de Georgia, a 600-mile bicycle race that started Monday.

Officials aim to keep road closures brief as Tour de Georgia rides through Hall

As more than 100 cyclists ride in Wednesday for one of the nation's premier cycling events, area motorists will have to pump the brakes - or at least take a detour.

Students take a different test: Officials say random drug screens get results in Hall

In the professional ranks, athletes often are put on pedestals. But in Hall County, when it comes to dealing with drugs and alcohol, athletes are put under a microscope. Currently, only student athletes in Hall County schools are subjected to mandatory, random drug tests, and school officials say it seems to be working.

Dahlonega's Bear on the Square Mountain Festival brings out the banjos and fiddles

Break out your banjo 'cause the 12th annual Bear on the Square Mountain Festival in Dahlonega this weekend proved that old time mountain music is still alive and kicking.

Kids get bird’s-eye view of Earth Day

They're so soft!" Emily McGarr said as Rebecca Nelson nodded in agreement about the caterpillar the two had been holding moments before.

Businesses find the green in going green

Earth Day began as a grassroots movement, but these days it's become a marketing opportunity.

Flowery Branch celebrates Georgia Cities Week

Flowery Branch will celebrate Georgia Cities Week next week by offering tours of the City Administration Building, located across from City Hall, from 1-4 p.m. Wednesday.

Authorities report that prescriptions are the drug of choice for teens

The investigator sees it. The paramedic sees it. The coroner sees it. Teen substance abuse, particularly of prescription drugs and alcohol, leads to arrests, overdoses and deaths each year in Hall County. And while alcohol remains the most common substance abused by kids in middle school and high school, pharmaceuticals have overtaken marijuana as the so-called "gateway drug" in today's drug culture, officials say. "For the first time ...

The message gets through: Authorities see fewer drugs on campus

Bo the drug dog sniffed along the lockers of his second home, East Hall High School, but when he came up empty, it was to no one's great surprise. Fewer drug seizures are made in Hall County schools these days, after the county school system and Hall County Sheriff's Office entered into an agreement last year authorizing unannounced drug searches. The drug dogs, two of whom make their ...

Busy week of activities rolls in with Tour de Georgia

More than 160 cyclists will be sweeping through Gainesville on Wednesday for the sixth annual Tour de Georgia, one of the nation's elite cycling events.

St. Michael Catholic Church contingent thrilled by witnessing papal Mass in New York

"I don't think anything of this nature has ever happened in Yankee Stadium," Father Kizito Okeke said as he waited to see the popemobile pass by after the papal Mass held in New York on Sunday afternoon.

Drug court turns a life around

Cruise Dill admits he's an unlikely person to represent the successes of drug court. Dill reluctantly entered Hall County's felony drug court program in early 2006, only after much persuasion by his lawyer and parents. Once he was in, by his own admission, he cheated on drug tests, lied to his counselors, even lied to the judge. He missed other drug screens, was late to group therapy and didn't pay ...

Q&A: Drug court judge says program helps those who want to quit

Superior Court Judge Jason Deal has presided over Hall County drug court since 2006. Deal has served on the Hall County Superior Court bench since 2005. He was previously district attorney and prior to that assistant district attorney in the Northeastern Judicial Circuit. Deal sat down with Times reporter Stephen Gurr to talk about the younger participants in drug court.

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