Water war heats up over spending bill surprise

A U.S. senator from Alabama has successfully inserted language into a massive year-end spending bill that blocks the federal government from updating the operating manuals for two river systems at the heart of the 18-year tri-state water war. U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., wrote the prohibitive language into the bill during the summer; however, both of Georgia's U.S. senators expressed surprise that it survived in the final version that passed ...

Transcript of floor statements of U.S. Sens. Saxby Chambliss and Johnny Isakson

Mr. CHAMBLISS. Mr. President, I know many of my colleagues have become involved in issues in their States stemming from a shortage of water over the years. Sometimes these issues are intrastate, sometimes they are interstate. Regardless of the size or scope, they always get very complicated quickly. The water wars between Georgia, Florida, and Alabama that have been going on for decades are no different in that regard. They too get very complicated very ...

Trinity Day School helps food bank out a ton

What does a ton look like?

Two Gainesville men found dead in Louisiana

Louisiana detectives were in town this week to investigate the deaths of two Gainesville men whose bodies were found dumped off an interstate north of New Orleans last week.

United Way receives $165,000, largest gift ever from one person

The United Way of Hall County has been presented with an endowment from the estate of J. Cleon Nalley, a Gainesville attorney who died earlier this year. Jackie Wallace, president and chief professional officer of the organization, said the gift of $165,000 is the largest individual gift that the United Way of Hall County has received in its 60-year history. Nalley outlined in his will that ...

Hall teachers must get coffee makers, fridges, microwaves out of class

Hall County school system teachers will have to do more than unplug personal appliances, such as microwaves and mini-refrigerators, before they leave Friday for the two-week Christmas break.

The Rev. Robert Hopkins, 105, died Dec. 13; his memory lives

GAINESVILLE - The Rev. Robert Lee Hopkins lived through 18 U.S. presidents. He came before the world wars, and he stayed well past the turn of a century. And after 105 years of life, Hopkins' family and friends said goodbye Wednesday, sending him to his grave in a horse-drawn carriage. "We're going to take this man away with dignity," said the Rev. Darrell Watkins, who gave ...

Full-throttle class: Fifth-graders peek under hood of motor sports tech program

When veteran race car builder Bud Hughes fired up the engine of a high-horsepower stock car Wednesday morning, the subsequent window-rattling roar had most of the surrounding fifth-graders plugging their ears.

Cornelia to use grant money for improving water treatment plant

The city of Cornelia has received a $1 million grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration for its wastewater treatment plant. The federal grant, along with a grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission and the One Georgia fund, will pay for much of the $2.5 million cost.

Tips can prevent death from carbon monoxide

BUFORD - Six people narrowly escaped a "silent killer" Monday morning, when the occupants of a Buford mobile home were sickened by carbon monoxide poisoning.

Falcons’ Finneran well received

Nearly 300 C.W. Davis Middle School students got a big reward for their community service project. All 6 foot 5 inches of Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Brian Finneran visited the school Tuesday morning to congratulate the classes who collected the most cell phones for victims of domestic violence. Grouped by subject from each grade level, the sixth-and seventh-grade language arts classes as well as the eighth-grade social studies class gathered ...

Fatal fire sweeps 4 homes

A man is dead and three houses were destroyed after a fire spread through a Flowery Branch subdivision early Tuesday morning. Larry Cleveland, 61, of Flowery Branch died as a result of a fire that started in his home and spread to three other houses in the Madison Creek subdivision off Jim Crow Road.

Perdue: State beat goal in saving water

ATLANTA - Gov. Sonny Perdue announced Tuesday that the state reduced its water usage by 348 million gallons per day in November, exceeding the state's goal of 230 million. Perdue, at a news conference at the Capitol, said the reduction was enough water to supply 1.7 million households per day.

Woman dies after being hit by car in parking lot

An elderly Gainesville woman died as the result of injuries she sustained when she was struck by a car in a bank parking lot, police said Wednesday.

Citizen steamed over higher water prices

GAINESVILLE - One woman told Gainesville City Council members that after a rise in property taxes and gas prices, the new water rates are an unfair attempt at raising revenue. At Tuesday's Gainesville City Council meeting, Eileen Feeley, 5622 Nags Head Circle, said the tiered water rates, dubbed "conservation pricing," do not take into consideration households with larger families. "I just feel the tiered rates are unfair ...

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.