College students, judge debate impact of 'Jena Six' protests

Gainesville State College students discussed the parameters of a 2006 racially charged incident in Jena, La., inviting municipal court Judge Hammond Law to participate Wednesday.

Cold weather, economic woes hit residents with double-barrel winter blast

When temperatures across Northeast Georgia dropped into the teens shortly after New Year's Day and again last weekend, residents had little choice but to run their furnaces almost nonstop.

Poultry industry shows off research, technology to customers at expo

ATLANTA - For the poultry industry, this is the big one: acres of equipment that handle everything from eggs to processed chickens and everything in between. The 60th annual International Poultry Expo may not be the biggest show held at the Georgia World Congress Center, but for the poultry industry, this is the granddaddy of them all. It's three days of meeting face to face with customers ...

School funding from state is ‘going backward’

ATLANTA - An education advocacy group released its top 10 issues for 2008 on Wednesday, giving no issue any particular priority. But it was clear from the discussions that followed with education reporters statewide that how to pay for education will get a lot of legislative attention this year. The issue surfaced time and again in the second annual media symposium sponsored by the Georgia Partnership for ...

Two Lanier Tech projects included in governor's proposed spending plan

ATLANTA - The agency that oversees Georgia's technical colleges presented its $387 million budget request Wednesday to a joint meeting of the House and Senate appropriations committees. The 2009 budget package includes funds for an expansion of Lanier Technical College's campus in Cumming and a new building for the college in Dawsonville. The funds for both projects were approved by the House and Senate in the current ...

Smoke inhalation killed woman in New Holland fire

Authorities have narrowed the cause of a fire that claimed the life of a Gainesville woman Tuesday night to two possibilities: smoking or candles. Diane Vinson, 55, died in the fire on East Main Street in a neighborhood of mill houses in the New Holland area of Gainesville, according to Hall County Coroner Marion Merck. An autopsy conducted Wednesday concluded that Vinson died from smoke inhalation, Merck said. <font ...

Doctor's old-fashioned medical care starts with a $1,600 price tag

Imagine having a doctor who's available by cell phone 24 hours a day, who handles your care personally if you're hospitalized, who doesn't rush through your appointment so he can see his next patient.

Gainesville school board can't decide on permanent chairman

The Gainesville school board voted Tuesday night to keep a chairman-of-the-month rotation through June, but, on the advice of board attorney Phil Hartley, selected an acting chairman to sign legal documents.

Man accused of practicing law without license

Finees Casado looked the part of a lawyer and acted the part, but lacked the credentials, authorities say. Casado, who operates Casado's Associates LLC, a storefront office on Jesse Jewell Parkway offering assistance in immigration and tax matters, faces possible grand jury indictment after being charged with felony theft by deception last month. The arrest serves to underscore a more disturbing trend of people providing legal services without ...

Warmer weather coming this week

Despite the freezing rain that fell on Hall County for part of Tuesday, it seemed that few problems lingered into the evening. That's likely a welcome relief to local folks and officials who spent the end of last week and the weekend dealing with almost back-to-back weather events that dumped snow and a bit of ice across the region.

Power wheelchair soccer team carries the legacy of its founder in North Georgia

At about 5 p.m. every Wednesday, the North Georgia Screamin Eagles start gearing up to practice one of the rarest sports in the state of Georgia. Unlike other sports teams, the Screamin Eagles have no need for special shoes that make them run faster or jump higher. They only need eight guys, a soccer ball, charged batteries and a guard.

Go Fish could lure big bucks ($17 million a year) in economic impact for Hall

The Hall County Commission reviewed Gov. Sonny Perdue's Go Fish Georgia Initiative at a work session Tuesday, and will consider approving the engineering contract for related construction at Laurel Park at a Thursday meeting.

Woman killed in fire

Authorities have not yet determined the cause of a fire that claimed the life of woman in the New Holland neighborhood Tuesday night. Hall County Fire Marshal Scott Cagle described the victim as a middle-aged woman who was the only resident of one unit of a mill house converted into a duplex on Main Street, located off Limestone Parkway.

Developments would bring more shoppers to Ga. 365

BALDWIN - Retailers along Ga. 365 are extending a hearty welcome to talk of additional shopping venues along the corridor. This follows a rezoning approval for a major residential development, which will have a shopping component, and an application for a major regional shopping center, both on Ga. 365 in Hall County. Carrie Wilder and her husband, Clint, own a 20,000-square-foot store in Baldwin that carries goods ...

Oakwood planning board meets Tuesday night

Monday's Oakwood Planning Board meeting has been rescheduled for 7 tonight. The meeting will be held at Oakwood City Hall at 4035 Walnut Circle.

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

Recharged waters threat to low lying areas during upcoming hurricane season

The rain has been good, but the approaching hurricane season could put Georgia at risk for flooding and other trouble if it continues to rain, weather experts say.

Standoff suspect makes first appearance in court

A Gainesville man charged with terroristic threats, criminal damage to property and reckless conduct had his first appearance before a Hall County magistrate judge on Wednesday.

State to privatize its lodge parks by July 1

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is moving to privatize lodge parks in the state, as part of fulfilling a state mandate to become, among other things, more self-sufficient.

Red Rabbit to continue operating

The saga of the Red Rabbit fixed-route bus service ended Wednesday with the Hall County Board of Commissioners approving an agreement with Gainesville, but it didn't end quietly.

Army Rangers in training perform safety exercises on Lake Lanier

About 100 Rangers in training from Camp Frank D. Merrill in Dahlonega parachuted into Lake Lanier at War Hill Park in Dawsonville on Wednesday.

Residents speak out against city’s at-large voting system during council meeting

Two Gainesville residents spoke against the city's at-large voting system at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

City holds first transportation public meeting

Upon moving to Gainesville in February, Tricia Terrell soon discovered that in-town travel - at least by foot or bicycle - was more than a little tricky.

Lumpkin County Superintendent: Prayer encouraged as long as it doesn’t disrupt class

A week after a student-led prayer resulted in more than 50 Lumpkin County High School students skipping classes, the system's superintendent said no action will be taken other than working to educate teachers and students about the law pertaining to prayer in school.

Dawson County chief tax assessor facing drug charges

Dawson County's chief tax appraiser was arrested at his office Tuesday afternoon on misdemeanor drug charges.

Shred Away Cancer event set for today

The Times and Document Destruction Services Inc. are teaming up for a document shredding event today to benefit Relay for Life.

Ridgewood, Green Street intersection to close today

Ridgewood Avenue will be closed at its intersection with Green Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.

Hot weather health tips

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

Winter weather tips

Braving winter weather