Men arrested in meth bust in Buford

BUFORD - Three Mableton men face drug trafficking charges after they were arrested while delivering 11 ounces of methamphetamine to a parking lot in an undercover buy-bust operation Monday, authorities said.

Cancer center offers patients free art therapy

Treating cancer patients requires addressing the needs of body, mind and soul. As part of a more holistic approach, the Cancer Center at the Longstreet Clinic is offering free art therapy sessions to cancer patients and survivors on Thursday and again on Feb. 21.

Sheriff's officers complete immigration enforcement training

Nine Hall County Sheriff's officers were among 38 local law enforcement officers from around the nation now authorized to enforce federal immigration laws.

Vietnamese community wishes for blessing, success, life in new year

More than 150 people gathered at the Georgia Mountains Center arena Sunday afternoon to ring in the Vietnamese New Year with firecrackers, dragon dances and live music. The Vietnamese New Year, known as Tet Nguyen Dan, marks the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar and the beginning of spring.

Violent crime down in Gainesville

The city of Gainesville's crime statistics stayed about the same in 2007 as the previous year, with a low overall violent crime rate and a rise in business burglaries the only significant spike.

Friends celebrate Super Bowl Sunday in different ways and at various venues

As the New England Patriots battled the New York Giants in the Arizona desert Sunday evening, some Gainesville residents hashed it out in front yards and area parks while others watched Super Bowl XLII on a 111-inch screen at Sweet Magnolia's on Main Street. Rebecca Clanton, who co-owns Sweet Magnolia's, said she expected more than 100 people to show up for the restaurant's family-friendly Super Bowl party. Party-goers enjoyed chili, ...

Fair Street music instructor to receive arts honor

GAINESVILLE - An area school music instructor and choral music director is being honored in Atlanta Saturday as one of the Woodruff Salutes Georgia Arts in Education Leaders. Ellen Leamon of Fair Street International Baccalaureate World School also works with the Gainesville High School band, holds community performances with Fair Street's fourth- and fifth-grade choruses and prepares middle and high school students for auditions. "We are very ...

Gainesville students may help to name streets at new middle school campus

GAINESVILLE - Elementary and middle school students in Gainesville city schools may have a say in naming streets on the new Gainesville Middle School campus. Superintendent Steven Ballowe has recommended to the City Board of Education that students would be asked to submit the names to their principal by Feb. 28. The principal, in turn, would forward the suggestions to Gainesville City Manager Bryan Shuler. The topic ...

Lanier still waiting for water

First, the good news about Lake Lanier's water level: It's not dropping.

Wauka Mountain gets ready for Chicken Pie Supper

On Saturday, Wauka Mountain Elementary got ready for next weekend's annual Chicken Pie Supper with a day of chicken pickin'.

Old water habits return with the rains

North Georgians may be forgetting about conservation after seeing a little rain recently, as a few area utilities report water usage went up in January.

Political fix to water crisis remains elusive

While water, and the lack of it, has been a hot topic for Georgia lawmakers in both Atlanta and Washington, they admit that there is not much they can do to alleviate the current situation.

Murrayville couple floored by amount of calling cards sent for soldiers

Many U.S. troops are stationed in Baghdad with only one way to hear the voice of loved ones - through the telephone.

Jury to decide if suspect stands trial

A Hall County jury could be empaneled this spring to decide whether a man facing the possibility of the death penalty is competent to stand trial.

A lawman’s final farewell

GAINESVILLE - With her right hand on her father's flag-draped casket, Michelle Thrasher started singing what she said was her daddy's favorite song. Thrasher, daughter of former Hall County Sheriff Edward "Ed" Lee England, never faltered as she sang, without music, "How Great Thou Art." When she finished singing, Thrasher blew a kiss to the sky and waved goodbye. The song was the beginning of ...

Lake level holds up Hall County culvert project

A full Lake Lanier has put the brakes on a major culvert repair project in West Hall.

Most drownings can be silent and difficult to notice

Like the undisturbed surface of Lake Lanier, sometimes drowning can be calm and quiet.

Gainesville OKs reducing required notifications of annexation

Gainesville City Council unanimously approved amending land development code at a called council meeting Thursday morning.

Hall County formally presents 2014 budget

Hall County formally presented its proposed budget at Thursday's board of commissioners meeting.

Local student wins scholarship to study abroad

In the heat of the summer, 17-year-old Kelsey Kirkpatrick hangs out in the living room with her cat, Rosie.

17-year-old arrested after Wednesday crash in Forsyth County

Strong storms fell trees, knock out power in North Ga.

A strong line of thunderstorms that moved through Northeast Georgia on Thursday evening left about 8,000 homes without power.

Teen injured after being hit by vehicle while jogging

A teenager who jogged into the path of an automobile Thursday morning in Clermont was treated at Northeast Georgia Medical Center and released, authorities said.

Gainesville forms nonprofit to promote city

Gainesville City Council members heard a presentation on the Hotel Motel Tax Fund and information on forming a nonprofit corporation at their Thursday work session.

Rain threat moves Arts Council concert indoors

Tonight's planned concert at the Smithgall Arts Center has been moved inside due to a forecast of rain, and the "Top Gun" movie screening has been canceled.

Schools look to renovate, build as local population grows

Local school systems were no different than many businesses during the economic sluggishness over the recession.

Hundreds swabbed at Be The Match donor drive

More than 400 people swabbed their cheeks Wednesday at East Hall High School during the Be The Match donor drive for Kelsey Bishop, 23, who has acute myeloid leukemia.

Car crashes after going airborne in Forsyth County

Deputies are looking for at least two people who were believed to be in a Saturn Aura that crashed on Sanders Road sometime after 6 p.m. on Wednesday.

Area Southern Baptists agree with church's denouncement of new Scouts policy

Delegates at the Southern Baptist Convention approved a resolution Wednesday opposing a new Boy Scouts of America policy to allow gay youths to join the troops.

Elderly beating the heat with fans

With temperatures climbing to the low 90s Wednesday and a heat index reaching the mid-90s, it appears it is officially that time of year again in Northeast Georgia, when sweltering heat and high humidity are the norm. Until recently, soaring temperatures have been kept at bay thanks to the area's surplus of steady rain and overcast skies.