Independent audit wanted of assessors office

Hall County Commissioner Deborah Mack said Thursday that she wants to see the appointed board of tax assessors expanded from three members to five and have an independent audit of the tax assessors office in light of recent accusations of possible financial improprieties.

Let the shopping begin: Some retailers open in Forsyth’s outdoor mall

When they held the grand opening for Chocolaterie last week, co-founders Elizabeth and Michael Ashworth thought they would have plenty of promotional truffles for what they anticipated would be a small crowd. After all, The Avenue Forsyth's grand opening isn't until May 17. "We only opened with about 10 other stores," Michael Ashworth said. "It has been going very well, and we're very fortunate to be in The Avenue community." ...

Gainesville presents balanced budget for 2008-09

A slowing economy and rising health insurance costs have pounded Gainesville's budget, but residents may not feel the hurt in their tax bills.

Oldest bowler, 106, dies

In 2007, at 106 years old, Bill Hargrove was honored by the U.S. Bowling Congress as the oldest active bowler in the history of the game. Despite suffering from deteriorating eyesight, he continued participating in the sport he loved. Hargrove of Clermont kept bowling up until last week, just before he was hospitalized and died Monday of congestive heart failure at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Today would have been Hargrove's ...

City could begin saying ‘yes’ to developers

The city of Gainesville will resume issuing water availability letters to developers after a suggestion from the city's utilities director that some restrictions could be eased.

Post office to fight hunger

The National Association of Letter Carriers will conduct its 16th annual nationwide Stamp Out Hunger! food drive Saturday. The program is the nation's largest single-day food drive and has netted more than 836 million pounds of food since 1992.

Hall County administrator to resign

Hall County Administrator Jim Shuler is resigning his post effective June 30 after reaching an agreement to cut short his current one-year contract by three months, officials announced during a regular county commission meeting Thursday.

Chunks of the past: Murrayville man seeks new home for old cannonball

He's not positive exactly what it is, but John McCracken of Murrayville knows he wants to get rid of it. He hopes his junk is indeed another man's treasure.

Jogger stable after being struck by car

A Gainesville youth minister was in critical but stable condition Thursday after being struck by a drunken driver while jogging, officials and family members said. Vester Lewis, 56, was jogging north alongside Tanners Mill Road off the roadway near its intersection with Jones Lane shortly before 1:30 p.m. Wednesday when he was struck by a southbound 1996 Pontiac Trans Am driven by 46-year-old Annette Jackson of Gainesville, the Georgia State ...

20 rabies cases now confirmed in Hall County

The number of confirmed rabies cases in Hall County has increased to 20.

Wal-Mart sweetens drug plan

Every cloud has a silver lining.

Search to resume Friday for possible drowning victim

Authorities have suspended the search for a man believed to have drowned Sunday and will resume searching Lake Lanier on Friday.

The Medical Center Auxiliary honors volunteers

The Medical Center Auxiliary Inc. honored three long-time volunteers at its annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner Wednesday.

Area schools outperform state on graduation tests

Area high school juniors have outperformed the state on the 2008 Georgia High School Graduation Tests.

Flowery Branch's downtown revitalization project is still on

The Flowery Branch Historic Preservation Commission approved plans for a $15 million mixed-use development Wednesday that seeks to revitalize the city's historic downtown. The commission's approval is the first step in the process toward constructing the commercial and residential venture Hortman and Dobbs Developers LLC are planning to build. Hortman and Dobbs Developers, owned by Flowery Branch residents Marty Hortman and Kellin Dobbs, is planning a 2.5-acre, mixed-use ...

Fellowship to help Gainesville student study law at Mercer

Whit Carmon was stepping off the bus after delivering his final term paper at the University of Georgia when his phone rang.

New state law to protect federal park rangers

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Ranger Ken Weiner is still suffering physically from when he was attacked last year at Burton Mill Park.

South Hall flooding causes county to declare emergency

Early Sunday storms rocked Hall County, leaving heavy flooding, collapsed roads and other damage in its wake.

Ga. water negotiator's role may be seen as conflict

Rock in the Spring concert benefits local school

Concertgoers look over items in a silent auction Saturday night at the Rock in the Spring fundraiser at Brenau University ampitheater. Proceeds benefit the local school Challenged Child and Friends, an early intervention center in Gainesville that provides special needs and typically developing children the opportunity to learn together and from each other. Local musicians Mid Life Crisis played at the event. Local musicians Mid Life Crisis perform Saturday night for the audience at the Brenau ...

Riverside Military Academy opens campus home for president

Riverside Military Academy welcomed a new addition to its campus Saturday, something it hasn't had since 2005: A home for the school president.

Powerball: Did these numbers change your life?

Winning numbers: 22-10-13-14-52

Groups gather at Lake Lanier to promote boating safety

In anticipation of the summertime increase in lake recreation, the Lake Lanier Association held a Boating Safety Awareness Day Saturday at Lake Lanier Islands resort.

Nonprofits, state agencies work to help victims of human trafficking

Jennifer Robson sits in front of her laptop computer and scrolls through a list of ads on an adult website, looking for a local woman to call.

Law agencies focus sharp eyes to spot victims

To spot victims of sex trafficking, it takes the keen eye of an expert - one like Brian Johnston, assistant special agent in charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Human Trafficking Unit.

Proposed left-turn ban on Green raises a stir

The potential for no left turns on Green Street has raised hackles along the busy, four-lane road, according to one of its most vocal business leaders.

Last school day a chance for partying, fun in Gainesville

With tears in her eyes, second-grade teacher Maria McConnell says goodbye to her class.

Judge to decide best tax distribution between cities and county based on filings

Hall County and Gainesville, on behalf of all the county's municipalities, each submitted their offers on the distribution of local option sales tax revenue Friday morning to visiting Superior Court Judge Frank Mills.

Federal courthouse ceremony welcomes 52 new Americans

Fifty-two foreign nationals from more than 25 countries walked into the federal court in Gainesville at 11 a.m. Friday and walked out as citizens of the United States at noon.

BBQ cooks fire up for Laurel Park competition

Crowds came by both car and by boat Friday to the kickoff for the second annual Hawgin' on Lanier barbecue competition at Laurel Park.