Hospitals file suit, say rule change will cost them paying customers

Northeast Georgia Medical Center is among a group of 59 nonprofit hospitals that filed suit last week against the Georgia Department of Community Health, claiming that the agency illegally changed its certificate-of-need policy.

After hiker's death, residents say they are shocked, more cautious

A dark and heavy cloud hung over the city of Buford Tuesday as grim details kept emerging about the discovery of Meredith Hope Emerson's remains. Residents of the Atlanta suburb went about business as usual, but some of them said they will never look at their town the same after hearing of the 24-year-old hiker's death.

Suspect charged with murder in hiker case

On New Year's Day, 24-year-old hiker Meredith Emerson disappeared after setting out with her dog for a day of hiking near Union County's Vogel State Park. Three days later, a 61-year-old drifter seen talking to Emerson on the trails bludgeoned her to death, then decapitated her in remote woodlands 50 miles away in Dawson County, officials said Tuesday. What happened in those ...

Thompson Mill Road plans: Residents want more shopping, no more houses

An outdoor shopping mall accompanied by offices and homes is planned at the Village at Deaton Creek active adult community off Thompson Mill Road.

For runners, there is a free lunch, and a YMCA membership

To get people to participate in its March 20 "Get Fit Stay Fit" 5K run/walk, the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce is making an offer that's hard to refuse.

Language academy could be permanent home for much traveled South Hall students

A group of South Hall families who have seen their children moved in and out of three elementary districts over this decade could find a home in Hall County's new World Languages Academy.

New lanes opening on Dawsonville Highway may cause delays

Two new lanes on Dawsonville Highway are set to open today, according to an official from the Georgia Department of Transportation.

Boaters pay so ramp can open again

Lake Lanier's dwindling levels have left boaters with only a handful of operational ramps, but local fishermen and rowers alike have worked together to raise funds that will allow a ramp at Clarks Bridge Park to open on Sunday. On Monday, Lake Lanier Rowing Club donated $1,000 to a ramp extension fundraising effort initiated by bait and tackle store owner Kerry Hicks. Hicks, owner of Smokin' Fisherman near ...

Official touts future of South Hall sewage plant

Hall County officials presented their newest asset, the Spout Springs Reuse Facility, at a press conference Monday in South Hall.

Creative kids tour arts center as reward

GAINESVILLE - Some kids in Hall County took advantage of their last day of winter break by sleeping late and watching television. Others perused the art at the Quinlan Arts Center. On the day before their art debuts at the Lakeshore Mall, about 20 children from the Boys & Girls Clubs toured the Quinlan Arts Center, and some got their first taste of a real art exhibit. <font ...

Georgia may get first-ever water plan

Georgia would get its first statewide water management plan under a proposal approved Tuesday by the drought-stricken state's top environmental officials. The Georgia Water Council, a group of lawmakers and officials, unanimously adopted the plan after almost three years of wrangling over its specifics. But it must still be approved by Georgia's lawmakers before it can take effect, a process that promises more debate during the legislative session.

Hikers unsettled by Emerson's death

The disappearance of Meredith Emerson, the hiker who disappeared near Blood Mountain on New Year's Day and whose body was found Monday night, has been a hot topic of conversation in Georgia and throughout the nation.

Carville, Matalin to visit Brenau

Husband-and-wife political advisers James Carville and Mary Matalin, who worked for opposing presidential candidates in 1992, are scheduled to appear at Brenau University on April 18.

Police believe Friday assault was gang-related

GAINESVILLE - Gainesville Police Department is investigating an assault that involved a car chase Friday night at the La Flor De Jalisco restaurant at 425 Atlanta Highway. Odilon Valencia, 26, of Gainesville, reported to police that he and Elias Diaz, 30, of Gainesville, were leaving the restaurant at 10:07 p.m. when several Hispanic men attacked them, Gainesville police said. Valencia said Diaz was hit in the face and that ...

New lanes now open on Dawsonville Highway

Teri Pope with the Georgia Department of Transportation said that as of 11:35 this morning, new lanes on Dawsonville Highway north of Gainesville have been opened.

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 ...

Riverside Military Academy opens campus home for president

Riverside Military Academy welcomed a new addition to its campus Saturday, something it hasn't had since 2005: A home for the school president.

Powerball: Did these numbers change your life?

Winning numbers: 22-10-13-14-52

Groups gather at Lake Lanier to promote boating safety

In anticipation of the summertime increase in lake recreation, the Lake Lanier Association held a Boating Safety Awareness Day Saturday at Lake Lanier Islands resort.

Nonprofits, state agencies work to help victims of human trafficking

Jennifer Robson sits in front of her laptop computer and scrolls through a list of ads on an adult website, looking for a local woman to call.

Law agencies focus sharp eyes to spot victims

To spot victims of sex trafficking, it takes the keen eye of an expert - one like Brian Johnston, assistant special agent in charge of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation's Human Trafficking Unit.

Proposed left-turn ban on Green raises a stir

The potential for no left turns on Green Street has raised hackles along the busy, four-lane road, according to one of its most vocal business leaders.

Last school day a chance for partying, fun in Gainesville

With tears in her eyes, second-grade teacher Maria McConnell says goodbye to her class.

Judge to decide best tax distribution between cities and county based on filings

Hall County and Gainesville, on behalf of all the county's municipalities, each submitted their offers on the distribution of local option sales tax revenue Friday morning to visiting Superior Court Judge Frank Mills.