Gainesville to vote on annexing 'island' properties

Gainesville City Council plans to hold the second vote on annexing 115 "island" properties at a May 21 hearing. Islands are defined as unincorporated areas of the county that are surrounded by city property.

Victims of crimes honored at annual event

For those working in the Hall County court system, some cases really can stick with them, especially those involving young victims.

Lula to get public input on new zoning ordinance

Buoyed by economic prospects, Lula is rolling out a new zoning ordinance - its first major rewrite since 1994 - that City Manager Dennis Bergin believes will "attract better development."

Good News Clinics breaks ground on new expansion

With more than 1,000 patients walking through the doors of Good News Clinics in Gainesville each month, the clinic could use a little extra space.

Accuser testifies in Aguilar trial

The alleged victim testified Thursday in the trial of a Gainesville man accused of rape. Testimony also included therapists and the family of the alleged victim. Jose Luis Aguilar faces four counts of rape, two counts of aggravated child molestation, one count of aggravated sodomy and seven counts each of incest, aggravated sexual battery and child molestation. During testimony in Hall County Superior Court, the now 14-year-old alleged victim often covered her face with her ...

County says Gainesville has until May 10 to apply for bus funds

Richard Mecum, Hall County Board of Commissioners chairman, said the county won't lose the grant funds to operate the Red Rabbit fixed-route bus service if the Georgia Department of Transportation receives an application by May 10.

Commotion caused by bear in North Ga.

Georgia wildlife authorities are looking into reports that a large black bear is menacing at least one resident in the Dawsonville area in the foothills of the North Georgia mountains.

Hall takes prescription meds back this Saturday

Hall County will have three locations for the fifth National Prescription Drug Take-Back Day on Saturday.

Sen. Miller gives legislative overview

Sen. Butch Miller, R-Gainesville, wove jokes and entertaining remarks with serious answers on policy issues at Thursday's Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

Students rewarded with a show of strength

Students at Mount Vernon Exploratory School were rewarded Thursday for their efforts to encourage fitness at their school. A group of children did a run and a tennis shoe collection earlier in the school year and more recently the school raised money to buy an Xbox gaming system and games for the physical education department. The children gathered in the school's driveway for their reward - watching Greg Cochran pull a Ford F150 pickup along the pavement.

Deal signs 2nd part of criminal justice legislation

Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal signed the second edition of a criminal justice bill into law Thursday, calling the legislation another step toward making the state "smarter on crime."

Deal updates state immigration law

Gov. Nathan Deal signed a bill Wednesday that aims to fix some unintended consequences of the state's 2011 crackdown on illegal immigration.

Send us your summer events for Splash!

The Times' annual summer leisure guide, Splash!, will be published with the May 26 edition. It will include stories about summer fun on Lake Lanier and in Northeast Georgia, plus event calendars from Memorial Day through the end of August.

Bear causes commotion near Dawsonville

Commissioners won’t vote again on Red Rabbit funds

Hall County commissioners said Wednesday night they will not take a second vote to accept federal money to continue operating the Red Rabbit fixed-route bus service.

Kitchen Inspections for April 12-17

April 12

Mother’s Day has special meaning for women who struggle to conceive

Sometimes Allison Zafft said she thinks about the way her family and her life might have turned out if she'd never had her youngest daughter Aleah.

Deal praised for juvenile justice reform

Local legislators and juvenile stakeholders praised Gov. Nathan Deal's signing of a juvenile reform bill.

South Ga. water project could have impact on Lake Lanier

On the surface, it seems like an obscure water project in a far corner of the state with no impact on the Hall County area.

University of North Georgia holds Dahlonega commencement ceremony

Students at UNG's Dahlonega campus graduated this weekend, with colleges holding separate ceremonies between Friday and today. The College of Arts and Letters ceremony was held Friday night, the College of Science and Mathematics and the Mike Cottrell College of Business held ceremonies separately Saturday. Today, the College of Health Professions and College of Education students will earn their diplomas.

5K race to honor fallen hero raises funds for service members

LULA - Four years ago, Shannon Jenrette wanted to do something to give back to those in the military and honor the memory of her late husband, Maj. Kevin M. Jenrette, who was killed in action June 4, 2009, while serving in Afghanistan.

Nine volunteers cited for work on Linwood trails

Nine AmeriCorps volunteers were honored Saturday afternoon by grateful city groups and environmental conservationists at Linwood Nature Preserve in Gainesville.

Savannah Schneider | West Hall High School

Savannah Schneider, a senior at West Hall High School, has already taken a class to start college life at Georgia Tech.

Marett Peets | Lakeview Academy

When Marett Peets first heard about Scotland's University of St. Andrews at a seventh-grade college fair, she thought it would be an interesting place to study but an unlikely place for her to land.

Aaron Mullican | North Hall High School

Most mornings Aaron Mullican is on the lake before sunrise and returns as the day is ending.

Ariana Cervantes | Johnson High School

After two years of taking college-level, International Baccalaureate courses in high school, Ariana Cervantes is looking forward to spending a little time outside of the classroom.

Alex Longoria | Gainesville High School

The idea of pursuing a degree in mathematics at a school like Columbia University in New York is a big step for anyone.

Cassidy Webber | Habersham Central High School

If there's a criminal case to be solved, Cassidy Webber hopes to be the brains behind it.

Michael Sims | Riverside Military Academy

For a senior at Riverside Military Academy who enjoys history, there is no better place than the U.S. Military Academy.

Alex Hall | Chestatee High School

At the beginning of his high school career, Alex Hall switched from a focus on sports to a focus on learning guitar. Ever since he picked it up, the music has taken him places he never imagined he would be at graduation time.