Text of President Bush's 2008 State of the Union address

BEGIN 9:09 P.M. EST

Church embraces future: Pastor’s retirement coincides with opening new sanctuary

Jeff Parks was 5 years old when he first met the Rev. Gerald Jordan at Calvary Temple Assembly of God. Thirty-four years later, Parks attended Jordan's retirement party Sunday, which celebrated Jordan's 50 years of Christian ministry. Parks was one of more than 200 people who showed up to honor Jordan. Members of many local Assembly of God churches attended the event and credited Jordan with helping the denomination open ...

After proposal on bended knee, he goes to bridal expo with wife-to-be

After three years of dating, Clay Carlyle got down on bended knee, looked deep into girlfriend Jennifer Reece's eyes and asked for her hand in marriage.

UGA scholarship to celebrate memory of slain hiker

A fund is being set up at the University of Georgia in memory of Meredith Emerson, the 24-year-old hiker who disappeared New Year's Day after hiking on a Union County trail and was later found slain. When fully endowed, the Meredith Hope Emerson Memorial Fund for Study Abroad will be given to a UGA student each year for study in a French-speaking country, with preference given to current and former ...

Stress-relief for a good cause

Some three dozen people spent their Saturday morning not only getting a bit of stress relief, but helping out a local woman.

Road racing goes green

It's not every day that an environmental official asks for a round of applause for an auto racing series.

Chamber marks 100 years of building Hall

Gainesville wasn't exactly a boom town in 1908.

Murrayville wreck kills two

BY STEPHEN GURR sgurr@gainesvilletimes.com Two people died after a head-on collision Saturday morning in Murrayville, the Georgia State Patrol said. Hall County Coroner Marion Merck said he could not release the identities of the wreck victims pending notification of next of kin. State patrol officials said the male driver of a 1995 Ford Escort was northbound on Ga. 60 near Bark Camp ...

‘Camp Invention’ set for summer at S. Hall school

Spout Springs Elementary School is planning "Camp Invention," which provides science enrichment through hands-on activities, for June 9-13.

Brenau grant will boost financial aid, endowment

Brenau University has received a $30,500 grant from the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Foundation to be used for financial aid for students and to increase the university's endowment.

Health report: Grown-ups need vaccinations as well

When you were a kid, you dreaded going to the doctor because you were afraid you'd have to get a shot. Now, you don't have to worry about that anymore. But medical experts say maybe you should.

Murrayville fire may have been started by wood-burning stove

From staff reports A fire officials believe was started by a wood-burning stove caused about $100,000 in damage Friday morning to a mechanic's workshop in Murrayville. No one was hurt. Hall County Fire Marshal Scott Cagle said the 30-foot-by-48-foot workshop at 5434 Marlowe Road was owned by Jack Gilreath. A fire call came in at 11:15 a.m. When Hall County firefighters arrived, heavy smoke was ...

NGCSU Professor awarded Fulbright

DAHLONEGA - An English professor at North Georgia College & State University has been awarded a Fulbright grant to travel to Ukraine in April to teach a seminar on American literature.

Gainesville's plan to link parks under way

GAINESVILLE -- Step by step, Gainesville is gaining ground on becoming a more pedestrian-friendly community.

Mountain Judicial Circuit gets new DA

Brian M. Rickman was sworn in Jan. 2 as the new district attorney for the Mountain Judicial Circuit by Gov. Sonny Perdue at the Capitol in Atlanta. Rickman replaced Michael H. Crawford, who retired at the end of 2007. "I am honored and thrilled to be allowed the opportunity to succeed Mike Crawford in this position and work for the citizens of the Mountain Judicial Circuit," ...

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

Boil water advisories still in effect for some

A boil water advisory is in effect for those served by Flowery Branch along with 18 homes at the end of Trudy Drive served by Gainesville.

Eyes on the Road: More feet added to Ga. 53 fix in Dawson County

An additional 500 feet of Thompson Road will be closed as part of a Georgia Department of Transportation project to rebuild the road's intersection at Ga. 53 in Dawson County.

New law to help vets get into workforce

Retired Hall County military veterans Stephen McGruder and Johnny Varner hope a new Georgia law will aid them in helping vets seamlessly transition into the civilian workforce.

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.