Hilton made plans for dog as part of plea deal

Authorities say the drifter who pleaded guilty to killing 24-year-old hiker Meredith Emerson made plans for his dog's future as part of his plea agreement. Dandy, the reddish golden retriever that belonged to 61-year-old Gary Michael Hilton, has been adopted into a new home. The Northern Judicial Public Defender, H. Bradford Morris, says Hilton was concerned that his dog have a good home.

Living history: War veterans meet with students from Gainesville Middle School

GAINESVILLE - They brought old photographs and memorabilia. One veteran brought a model of the bomber he flew during World War II. But most of all, the veterans brought memories of their time spent in the military, during war and peace. "We need to let these kids know what it was like back when," said Van Peeples, a second-class petty officer during the Vietnam War era. "There was a ...

Students, teachers face off in dodgeball

It's not every day that an eighth-grader gets the chance to peg his science teacher with a big white ball; although, he might imagine it on a daily basis. But that's the scenario 11 faculty members at Chestatee Middle School arranged Tuesday afternoon in the form of a student versus faculty dodgeball game. Nearly 250 Chestatee Middle School students filled the school gym stands to watch the competition between 60 student players and Team Ocho, ...

Teens ‘have a lot to tell’ to anti-drug group

"Just say no" just won't cut it anymore. As Hall County volunteers met Tuesday to talk about attacking the problem of teen drug use, several said the simplistic 1980s-era slogan is not enough in the age of text messaging and YouTube.

Brenau receives $200,000 from Regions

Regions Financial Corp. has donated $200,000 to Brenau University, with one of its executives saying that women's business education is central to the company's charitable giving programs.

Jackson, Forsyth schools pull possibly tainted meat from menus

Jackson and Forsyth county school systems are among Georgia school districts that have been ordered to stop serving beef supplied by a California slaughterhouse under federal investigation for mistreating animals.

Snow flurries could fall in Hall tonight

GAINESVILLE - The Hall County area can expect snow flurries tonight, but nothing more, the National Weather Service is reporting.

Hall considers increasing landfill fees, landscaping interstate exits

County commissioners discussed funding the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce's Centennial Gateway Initiative and the possibility of increasing county landfill rates from $34.50 per ton to $40 per ton at Monday's work session. Vice Commissioner Steve Gailey said the proposed hike comes after an eight-year period in which landfill rates remained constant, and the rate increase is needed to bring Hall County landfill rates up to market standards in surrounding ...

Toccoa Falls dorm set for August completion

Toccoa Falls College is building a $500,000 dormitory that is set to finished by August. Donations from two alumni paid for the two-story dormitory, which will house 24 students. The building will replace two mobile units and add additional beds. The project will complete a dorm expansion project consisting of four two-story and three one-story buildings housing 132 students. It also marks ...

Rotary Club honors man, woman of the year

A woman who was instrumental in the additional use of Hall County's Olympic Rowing venue and a longtime business and civic leader were honored Monday night as the Rotary Club of Gainesville's Man and Woman of the Year. Connie Hagler, who stepped down as executive director of the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club in October after working with the club for more than 10 years, was honored as Woman of ...

Authorities seek escaped diversion center inmate

GAINESVILLE -An inmate escaped from the Gainesville Diversion Center this morning after kicking out the window of his room. An escape warrant has been issued for James Dale Amos, 37, who was serving time in the minimum-security facility for charges of aggravated assault, first-degree criminal damage and possession of Xanax and methamphetamines in Cherokee County, according to Susan Phillips, director of public affairs for the state's Department of Corrections. ...

Gainesville Marine's open heart gives Iraqi girl chance at a future

Pink fingers, toes and lips.

Take 14 teens, and what do you get? A new house for Habitat for Humanity

Most afternoons, a group of 14 Hall County high school students will not be found in the classroom. But they are still nailing their grades.

Newton County educator will be North Hall High's new principal

North Hall High School has a new principal, Newton County High School principal Joe Gheesling.

Helen fire chief's arrest puts him at odds with White County sheriff

The White County sheriff and Helen's fire chief remain locked in a bizarre standoff after the sheriff ordered the fire chief arrested two weeks ago. Each official points to the same Georgia law to claim he is right.

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