So you think you can fight fires? Take county fire services’ new classes

Always wanted to hold a high-pressure fire hose, ride in a fire engine or try a rescue in a smoke-filled building? The Hall County Fire Services' new Citizens Fire Academy might just be your thing.

Beulah Rucker museum, foundation moving forward

A forum Tuesday at the Northeast Georgia History Center will feature an update on the Beulah Rucker Museum and Foundation, and its executive director said the museum plans are going very well.

Caring voices needed: Rape Response volunteers give survivors support

GAINESVILLE - Deidra Randolph is a former licensed practical nurse. About eight years ago, she saw an advertisement for volunteer advocate training at Rape Response Inc. in Gainesville. "I was no longer in the medical profession at the time ... and I just saw it as an opportunity to ... be that voice again for caring," Randolph said. Since then, she has taken calls two nights a ...

Unfinished house burns; 14 brush fires plague area

Fire officials said high winds reaching 31 mph and low humidity are to blame for the rash of small fires that broke out Sunday afternoon in Northeast Georgia. As a result of weather conditions, the Georgia Forestry Commission issued a red flag fire warning that remained in effect for parts of North Georgia until 9 p.m. Sunday.

Northeast Georgia Medical Center's open MRI is new and improved

Given the choice, most patients would rather undergo an "open" MRI test rather than be encased in the narrow cylinder of traditional MRI machines.

Study to evaluate water, sewer rate hike in Flowery Branch

Flowery Branch City Council has approved a nearly $3,000 study to determine when and by how much city sewer and water rates should be raised to meet the costs of the city's sewer and water treatment plant, which loses money. The council approved the study last Wednesday after auditor Dan Walker briefed the City Council and staff on the past fiscal year's budget. According to Flowery Branch City ...

Annual tech fair shows the kids are all right

Computer savvy students from across North Georgia gathered Saturday at Lakeview Academy to compete in the annual Lanier Regional Technology Fair.

Internet hot spots get boost on campus

DAHLONEGA - North Georgia College & State University plans to expand its wireless network during the next several months. The work, expected to be completed in the fall, will provide most of the campus with wireless coverage, said Bryson Payne, chief information officer.

It's all about chicken and community fun

Clyde Frederick squeezed his long-legged frame onto the small, round seat of the elementary school cafeteria table and dug into a dinner of chicken pie, slaw, green beans, cranberry sauce and roll, his grown son and four granddaughters seated beside him.

Drought repercussion: Lake Lanier Islands might limit swimming in the lake

Gov. Sonny Perdue's announcement that the state would allow limited filling of outdoor swimming pools was good news for Grier Todd.

Clergy appreciation event honors leaders

A Gainesville civic club paused Thursday to thank religious leaders in the community for their efforts. The Lanierland Civitan Club held a Clergy Appreciation Day, which coincides with a weeklong observance honoring those in the ministry.

East Hall High instructor shows others the way

GAINESVILLE - For two hours Thursday, East Hall High School biology teacher Heather Barrett's classroom doubled as a production studio.

Georgia says Gainesville High is a school of character

Gainesville High School has been named a 2008 State School of Character.

Gainesville City Council talks about priorities, finances at retreat

YOUNG HARRIS - In the first day of its planning retreat, the Gainesville City Council discussed the priorities and financial challenges the city faces in the next fiscal year.

After two-day weather delay, schools complete statewide tornado drill

With nary a cloud in the sky, Friday morning's tornado drill went off as planned.

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.

Hall native studying oyster population

A Hall County native is at the forefront of research into oyster populations, a touchy subject for some Lake Lanier advocates who fret over water releases to protect endangered species in the Gulf of Mexico.

Glades funding application places project cost at $130M

Hall County expects to learn the results of its application to the Governor's Water Supply Program for funding the Glades Reservoir later this year.

Mann settling into role as sheriff’s community service officer

Since taking the helm of the Hall County Sheriff's Office, Gerald Couch has instituted changes both structurally and cosmetically, from streamlined command staff to refurbished patrol cars.

Tri-state water feud plays out in Congress

ATLANTA - The water dispute between Alabama, Florida and Georgia is provoking hardball politics in Congress, where Georgia lawmakers derailed a proposal that could restrict metro Atlanta's water supply.