In third year of drought, water park is proposed in Buford

Environmentalists say they're dumbfounded about a real estate company's proposal to build a 200,000-square-foot water park in Buford while the state remains in a drought.

Water restrictions eased for public utilities, not residents

Gainesville and Hall County will remain under level four drought restrictions as they have been since last October, state officials said at Tuesday's meeting of the state drought response committee.

Gas prices pose budget problems for Hall County schools

Fearing the price of fuel could go higher, the Hall County Board of Education is discussing whether to increase the proposed fuel budget for fiscal year 2009. Jewel Armour, executive director of operations for the school system, told board members Monday night that he had budgeted between $3.90 and $4 per gallon for the coming year's purchase of 480,000 gallons of diesel fuel and 60,000 gallons of gasoline. <font ...

City schools at least $1.7 million short for next fiscal year

Though still early in the Gainesville school system budgeting process, the projected spending for fiscal year 2008-09 exceeds the income by $3.3 million. Janet Allison, finance chief for the district, told the City Board of Education Monday night that expenses are estimated at $52.9 million and revenues at $49.6 million.

Hearing set for proposed drug-testing expansion

A public hearing is set for 7 p.m. May 19 on a proposal plans to expand the Hall County school system's random drug-testing program.

Hikers want to recognize Appalachian Trail with new car tag

If you're a bicyclist in Georgia, you can get a license plate for your car reminding others to "Share the road." You can also get specialty plates proclaiming your love for NASCAR or for your alma mater. But if you're a hiker, there is no plate that depicts your favorite pastime. That could soon change, however.

Hall's future life aquatic coming via Frances Meadows Center

It won't be long before the Frances Meadows Center will be all wet.

Sergeant wants to help other Hispanic people to achieve

Sgt. Jose Rogerio Tapia quietly made history last month. Tapia, an 18-year veteran of the Hall County Sheriff's Office, became the first person of Hispanic ethnicity to reach the rank of sergeant in local law enforcement history. Neither the sheriff's office nor Gainesville Police Department has had a Latino reach that supervisory rank before. As Hall County's booming Hispanic population continues to grow, Tapia hopes his will be ...

Developer, residents gearing up for final fight over gas station

In what may be the final round between an Atlanta developer and the residents from a community for those 55 and older, the Gainesville City Council is set to decide if it is appropriate to allow a RaceTrac gas station on the edge of a neighborhood that originally barred all auto-related businesses.

Georgia aims to defend drought plan against Florida's attacks

The director of the state Environmental Protection Division said Tuesday that the state is readying a response to Florida's allegations that Georgia is using more than its fair share of water from the Chattahoochee River.

Some speak out against development at Hall planning meeting

A developer's proposal to construct nine office warehouses on Old Winder Highway drew about 20 protesters to the Hall County Planning Commission meeting Monday. The voices of opposition succeeded in convincing the planning commission to recommend Hall County Commissioners deny the developers' rezoning request when it comes before the commission on May 22 for final action. Before Monday's meeting, the planning commission had delayed the developer's rezoning request ...

Gainesville votes for RaceTrac gas station; resident says they were betrayed by City Council, mayor

Seasons on Lanier residents won the first battle against the Atlanta developer trying to change their neighborhood, but it was Easlan Capital of Atlanta Inc. who won the war.

GHS 9th-graders get new principal

Gainesville High School's Freshman Academy has a new principal.

Colleges, hospital team up to train lab techs

Most people have heard that Georgia needs more doctors and nurses. But they may not be aware that there's also a serious shortage of allied health workers.

Hall sets public hearing on school drug tests

A public hearing is set for 7 p.m. May 19 on a proposal plans to expand the Hall County school system's random drug-testing program.

Flood damage costs start to emerge

Flowery Branch officials are estimating $1.4 million in expenses related to Sunday's historic rainfall, and so far it appears that most of the financial burden is falling on the beleaguered South Hall city.

Norfolk Southern says heavy rains overwhelmed Flowery Branch culverts

Norfolk Southern officials said Tuesday that culverts in Flowery Branch were overwhelmed Sunday by the heavy rains that fell overnight.

Local efforts gather help for Oklahoma tornado victims

Syfan Logistics is working to do its part to help victims of the tornadoes in Oklahoma.

Flood causes sewer spill into Flowery Branch Creek

Sunday's historic flood in Flowery Branch has produced another problem for the beleaguered South Hall city - a 200,000-gallon sewer spill into Flowery Branch Creek.

Ridgewood Avenue to close at 9 p.m.

Ridgewood Avenue will be closed at 9 tonight until 4 a.m. Wednesday while Georgia Power does work in the area.

The Local Agenda: Germans to come to Hall to study immigration

A group from Germany will be visiting Hall County on Wednesday, looking to learn about American cultural life and political issues but particularly immigration.

Longstreet Clinic moves into expanded office in Oakwood

The staff at The Longstreet Clinic Family Medicine practice in Oakwood hurried to move into its renovated site Monday, hoping to begin working from it today.

Hall County sheriff proposes buying 12-14 patrol cars

To update its aging fleet, the Hall County Sheriff's Office is looking at spending $550,000 to buy 12-14 new patrol cars and refurbish another four or five.

Crews busy fixing roads after floods

Under sunny skies and no trace of rain, area governments worked Monday to fix roads that had been damaged, some seriously, by fierce storms overnight Sunday.

Despite road closures, kids get to school

Though severe weather Saturday night washed out roadways in Flowery Branch, most students in the area made it to school Monday morning.

Business owners slogging through flood damage

Outside The Tire Store and Lakeview Automotive Group on Atlanta Highway in Flowery Branch, workers hauled equipment to dry areas and washed sheets of mud off the pavement.

Hall schools board discusses options to balance budget

The Hall County Board of Education grappled with "philosophical issues" as it discussed ways to continue to function with a tight budget next year.

Fair Street students may use tablet computers next fall

Gainesville's technology director gave City Board of Education members a Kuno tablet computer to play with briefly Monday night.

McEver still closed, fire official reports

Under sunny skies and no trace of rain, area governments worked Monday to fix roads that had been damaged, some seriously, by fierce storms overnight Sunday.

Atheists to put books next to Bibles in state parks