Hall County expects new state court judgeship to pay for itself

For the first 112 years of its existence, Hall County State Court needed one judge to oversee misdemeanor criminal, traffic and civil matters.

Man charged with operating meth lab

A Gainesville man faces charges of operating a clandestine methamphetamine lab near his Barrett Road home, authorities said.

Gainesville's plan to favor local contractors may not fly

Gainesville City Council members' plans to prefer local contractors on city construction jobs may take a back seat to state law, the city attorney told the council Thursday morning.

Fox tests positive for rabies

The Georgia Public Health Lab in Decatur confirmed Wednesday that a fox spotted in the Flat Creek Road area of South Hall County tested positive for rabies.

Southside community wants sidewalks, park

They want answers. Residents from the Southside neighborhood have called a special meeting to present their community's concerns to local officials.

U.S. 129 lanes will shift on Monday

Traffic will shift Monday on U.S. 129 from Ga. 330 to New Kings Bridge Road. From New Kings Bridge Road to Potter House Road, traffic will be routed to the northbound lanes while work is completed in the southbound lanes.

Gainesville police chief honored by Elks

Gainesville Police Chief Frank Hooper received the Public Safety Officer of the Year Award for 2007-2008 on Saturday from Gainesville Lodge No. 1126 Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks.

Gainesville responds to lawsuit: City didn't discriminate against group homes

Attorneys for Gainesville are fighting allegations that the city has discriminated against the owners and residents of two substance abuse recovery programs in the city.

2 injured, 1 seriously, in Hall bus wreck

GAINESVILLE - A Hall County school system bus was involved in a wreck on Gillsville Highway at Holly Springs Road in East Hall at about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday. No students were on the bus at the time, and the driver of bus 2711 was not injured other than suffering some pain in her knee, said Gordon Higgins, school system spokesman. The driver and the passenger of the ...

Record number of Hall students make Governor's Honors

GAINESVILLE - A record number of Hall County high school students have been selected to attend the Governor's Honors Program at Valdosta State University later this year.

Contractor pays fine for erosion control violation on Ga. 53

A contractor for the Georgia Department of Transportation has reached a $22,500 settlement with the Georgia Environmental Protection Division for erosion violations at a South Hall work site.

1 killed in Clermont collision

A man was killed in a two-car accident on Ga. 11 near Clermont on Tuesday morning when he turned into oncoming traffic while making a left turn, officials said. Lewis Buster Wigington, 63, died at the scene after a car struck the passenger-side front corner panel, the Georgia State Patrol said.

Oakwood City Hall to receive $900K expansion

As Oakwood's city limits expand, so will City Hall. Plans are under way for a 3,200-square-foot addition that will almost double the size of the current Oakwood City Hall on Walnut Circle.

Suspect in 4 deaths expected to enter plea April 17

JEFFERSON - The man accused of killing and burning his two children, their mother and grandmother in Hoschton is expected to enter a plea on April 17.

Lake boaters may need additional permits due to Clean Water Act

An obscure federal court ruling two years ago could end up having a big impact on boaters at Lake Lanier and throughout the country.

Hall County schools looking at new visitor identification system

Visitors to Hall County schools could have a new security checkpoint to go through beginning next school year.

German tourists learn about diversity

A Wednesday visit to Hall County by several German tourists served to illuminate a reality prominent in the U.S., and increasingly in the forefront of modern Europe - the tide of immigration.

Ex-bank manager from Murrayville charged in theft

Class Notes: Uzbekistanis visit Lanier Tech

A group of 11 Uzbekistanis, including farmers, businessmen and a representative of the country's Ministry of Agriculture and Water Management recently visited Lanier Technical College to learn about its refrigeration program.

Local political group protests IRS focus

Area residents took to the sidewalk in front of the local Internal Revenue Service office, waving signs and encouraging people driving by to honk in protest of the agency and revelations that some conservative groups have been targeted by IRS agents.

Graduation rates up in local schools

Hall County graduation rates increased in 2012 from 2011.

Fire destroys home; one treated for smoke inhalation

Gene Jones was outside his Commander Drive home cutting his grass when he saw smoke pouring out to the road.

Gainesville awards bid for convention center study

Gainesville City Council approved awarding the bid for the convention center and hotel feasibility study to consulting firms Key Advisors Inc. and the Bleakly Advisory Group on Tuesday evening.

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.