As Iowa votes, Georgia waits

When Georgia voters go to the polls on Feb. 5, the field of candidates could be smaller, following tonight's Iowa caucus and the first in the nation primary in New Hampshire on Tuesday. "I expect some candidates aren't going to make it much past Iowa," said Charles Bullock, a political science professor at the University of Georgia. "Those people who don't make it probably didn't have much support in Georgia." ...

Median barriers to line I-985

After four children died along a stretch of Interstate 85 in Jackson County last July in a head-on collision, state transportation officials pushed a safety initiative delayed by budgetary restraints back to the forefront.

Kids at Elachee winter camp go wild over snakes, fuzzy things, bugs

Elachee Nature Science Center opened its doors Wednesday for its winter holiday camp.

Two new faces join Flowery Branch City Council

The new year ushered in two new Flowery Branch city councilmen.

A look ahead: Critics doubt water plan

A look ahead In a series that runs through Saturday, The Times will explore issues and trends that could shape our lives and key areas of the community during 2008. Georgia's drought was the biggest story of 2007, so it's not surprising that managing Georgia's water is expected be a key issue in 2008. A comprehensive statewide ...

Holiday wrecks claim 14 lives

This year's 102-hour New Year's holiday travel period, which ended at midnight, kept the Georgia State Patrol busy.

Come on in, the water's very cold

Forty-three people took the plunge Tuesday into a chilly Lake Lanier for the Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club's 11th annual Polar Bear Swim.

A look ahead: Police hope to see plans for upgraded facility

In 2007, Hall County Sheriff's officials finally got their big building built and opened. In 2008, Gainesville Police hope to get a much-needed new facility off the drawing board.

Happy birthday, Bonnie!

GAINESVILLE - Northeast Georgia Medical Center is showering a Toccoa couple with gifts for having delivered the hospital's first baby of 2008.

A look ahead: New fire stations bring long-term building project to end

An ambitious building project that began in 1999 may be coming to a close this year for Hall County Fire Services, an agency that has seen tremendous growth in the new century and that may have its last planned fire station operational by the end of 2008. And what began as a sales tax-funded plan to provide a station within five miles of all residential structures could also see the county's ...

New mayor to be sworn in

GAINESVILLE - It's a new year and a new term for most of the members of the Gainesville City Council. More than half of the Gainesville City Council will kick off another term of city service at the council's first meeting of 2008.

Kid-friendly festivities ring in 2008

Youngsters partied all day Monday aboard a plane at the Interactive Neighborhood for Kids and sipped sparkling grape juice at the Gainesville Bowling Center to ring in the new year.

Turn on the heat; frigid temperatures expected tonight

On Wednesday, you won't need to look at a calendar to know that January has arrived. All you'll have to do is step outside. A monstrous cold front will move through the region today, bringing the most frigid temperatures Georgia has seen since last January. Nighttime lows will drop to 20 degrees or lower tonight and Wednesday night in Gainesville, while the mountain counties could see temperatures as low as ...

Road checks slow down night drivers

A little side street off U.S. 129 was hopping with law enforcement activity Monday night, part of the annual ritual of the New Year's Eve road check. This year, about 20 Hall County sheriff's deputies descended on Chestnut Street, a narrow blacktop between the Pilgrims Pride poultry plant and the Featherbone Center, checking each motorist who passed through for valid licenses, insurance and any infractions that might warrant an order ...

A look ahead: Hall makes plans to support growth

A look ahead

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.

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 ...