Pumped up: Surging fuel prices trickle down to form higher costs for just about everything

When gasoline prices first began to climb about three years ago, people were mainly concerned about the cost of driving. They compensated by eliminating unnecessary trips or switching to more fuel-efficient cars.

Former parks director's job reviews were good until 2007

Annual job performance reviews dating back to 2003 indicate that Deborah Mockus, former director of Hall County Parks and Leisure Services, generally performed well as a department head until 2007. Mockus said she left her position with Hall County in March after Jim Shuler, county administrator, suggested she "look for a job" elsewhere. But Shuler said he recommended Mockus explore her job options in January due to her poor job ...

Dahlonega congregation celebrates donation of Torah

DAHLONEGA - The blowing of a ram's horn heralded the arrival of a milestone in the seven-year history of Dahlonega's Shalom B'harim Jewish congregation Saturday.

Helen fire chief indicted

Helen Fire Chief Bert Smith was indicted by the White County grand jury earlier this week on charges of reckless driving and failure to obey an authorized person directing traffic.

Trojan Trot to raise money for CASA, drama club

A benefit run will be held April 27 at North Hall High School, with proceeds going to the Court Appointed Special Advocate Program and the North Hall Drama Boosters' Club.

The Times honored by the Associated Press

The Times' ongoing coverage of the drought has won first place for community service in the Georgia Associated Press Association awards competition, one of 16 awards won by the newspaper. The Times took home more awards than any newspaper of any size in Georgia, including six first-place awards for writing and photography. The winners were honored Saturday at a luncheon in Atlanta.

Free estimates for book repairs will be given at library next week

Book lovers who want to bring new life to their favorite dog-eared copies can get free estimates for repairs at Bible and Old Book Repair Day set for Tuesday at the Hall County Library System's headquarters.

Neighbor: Elderly neglect reported

A neighbor and a relative of Gladys Smallwood both insist they called social service agencies to get help for the 79-year-old woman prior to her death from suspected neglect, but officials with both the state Division of Family and Children Services and Division of Aging Services say they could find no record of those calls.

Stray Pet Strut is Sunday

The Humane Society of Hall County presents its 17th annual Stray Pet Strut and 5K Run on Sunday, with all of the proceeds going to benefit the organization.

GSC pays tribute to students and faculty at Honors Day

At its annual Honors Day event Wednesday, Gainesville State College honored more than 200 students who were nominated for various academic and service awards.

National Geographic travel magazine to publish maps of North Georgia driving tours

SAUTEE - State and regional officials unveiled a collection of specialized maps for self-guided driving tours of mountain and regional destinations.

Saving the environment via the Bible

Do we have a moral obligation to protect the Earth?

Storm rips roof off of mobile home

A line of strong storms that moved across Hall County at about 8 p.m. ripped the roof off a mobile home on Clarks Bridge Road and knocked down trees in several areas.

Woman injured in grease fire

A Buford woman was airlifted to an Atlanta hospital Friday with serious burns after a grease fire erupted at her home on Thompson Mill Road.

Forsyth woman killed in collision with logging truck

CUMMING - Authorities are still trying to determine what caused a log truck to collide with a pickup Thursday in Dawson County, killing a 33-year-old Forsyth County woman.

Hall schools launch new summer reading initiatives

Even though children aren't going to be able to visit their school library over the summer, there are still plenty of opportunities to hone their reading skills.

City schools present budget figures at hearings

The few people who showed at the hearings got to see the thinking behind the math in the Gainesville school system's crafting a budget for fiscal 2013-14.

Man sentenced to life in prison in home invasions

A man was sentenced to life in prison without parole Tuesday after a jury convicted him on Monday of several violent felonies and property crimes, the Northeastern Judicial Circuit's district attorney's office said.

Alleged election violations won't be referred to attorney general

The Georgia State Election Board declined to send alleged election violations by Hall County to the state Attorney General's Office Tuesday.

3 students suspected in Gainesville High graffiti incident

Gainesville school officials said Tuesday that three students are responsible for overnight vandalism at Gainesville High School.

11-year-old hurt in four-wheeler accident identified

The Georgia State Patrol has identified the 11-year-old boy who was injured Sunday afternoon in a four-wheeler accident in West Hall as Lanny Charles Dunagan.

Historic Clermont library renovation on track

Volunteers at the Historic Clermont DIP Library opened its one-room library in the town's gym last year, but soon there will be more room to spread out.

Olympic venue group gets update

The Gainesville/Hall '96 Foundation's next life was started Monday, 17 years after playing a large role in creating the 1996 Lake Lanier Olympic Center and maintaining the site's legacy.

Corps hopes to keep dock permit process going

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers hopes to forge ahead this spring and summer with issuing dock permits, and not resort to moving employees assigned to that task to covering parks, as it had to do last year.

The Local Agenda: Gainesville to hold focus group meeting on Wednesday

A 10-member focus group giving input to Gainesville's transportation master plan is set to meet at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Fair Street Neighborhood Center, 715 Fair St.

Barn destroyed, horse killed at Coker Road fire

A horse barn was destroyed and one horse killed in a fire Monday afternoon in East Hall County.

Hall school board discusses maintaining morale with tight budget

The Hall County Board of Education discussed ways to maintain employee morale while working within next year's tight budget.

Oakwood looking at sewer project at apartments

Oakwood City Council voted Monday night to apply for a grant to help pay for a sewer system that would serve an apartment complex where a septic drain field has been failing for years.

Ga. 369 closed in Forsyth after striping truck overturns

Organizations looking for volunteers to make sandwiches

Making a sandwich is easy: two slices of bread, some meat and cheese, and voila.