Engineering team invited to national contest in D.C.

FLOWERY BRANCH - A Flowery Branch High School engineering team has been named as one of six national finalists in the Junior Engineering Technical Society's National Engineering Design Challenge set for Feb. 14-16 in Washington, D.C.

Isakson says U.S. troop surge making a difference in Iraq

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., said the U.S.-led surge is bringing positive results in Iraq. The junior senator made his comments Wednesday in a speech to the Dahlonega-Lumpkin County Chamber of Commerce.

Sheriff’s office honored for reducing injuries, deaths

GAINESVILLE - The Hall County Sheriff's Office, in conjunction with Safe Kids Gainesville-Hall County and the Gainesville Police Department, has been recognized for working to reduce injuries and fatalities on rural Northeast Georgia roads.

Animal tested positive for rabies in Gainesville

The Gainesville-Hall Animal Control Department reported Wednesday that a skunk, captured and shipped to the Georgia Public Health Lab in Decatur, has tested positive for rabies.

Gainesville State to get parking deck

ATLANTA - The Georgia Board of Regents gave its go-ahead Tuesday on design and construction of a 300-vehicle parking deck at Gainesville State College in Oakwood.

Lanier Tech enrolls more than 3,300 students

OAKWOOD - Lanier Technical College's enrollment has reached a record high.

Winter storm: Weather-related closings and delays in North Georgia

The following schools will be closed or delayed on Thursday, Jan. 17, 2008 (unless otherwise noted):

Gainesville Parks to hold several summer job fairs

Gainesville Parks and Recreation will be holding summer job fairs at the Gainesville Civic Center on the following dates:

Former Carter aide to speak at GSC in Oconee

WATKINSVILLE - A retired U.S. diplomat and former program director of The Carter Center is set to speak at noon Feb. 6 at Gainesville State College's Oconee County campus.

Norton to present 2008 business forecast tonight

Frank Norton Jr., a Gainesville real estate executive who monitors real estate and economic trends, will present his annual business forecast tonight at 6 p.m. at the Georgia Mountains Center.

The storm in photos: Scenes from Times photographers

Times staff photographers didn't get a snow day because of the winter weather. Instead, they've been taking pictures from around the community. Check back here to see more pictures as photographers Tom Reed, Scott Rogers and Robin Michener Nathan file their photo reports throughout the day.

Jackson EMC offers student scholarships

JEFFERSON - Jackson EMC is taking applications for three scholarship awards based on academic ability, faculty recommendations and financial need. Winners will be chosen by a scholarship committee, which will review each application in search of the most qualified applicants.

Winter weather: Rain today; freezing rain still possible

This article will be updated as developments warrant. It wasn't that bad, after all.

Brenau schedules fifth annual online summit

Some 60 Brenau University instructors who teach at least part of their classes online are gathering this week for the college's annual Online Facilitator Summit.

Greater Hall chamber backs Evans on DOT board

The Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce is asking the Hall County legislative delegation to re-elect Mike Evans to the State Transportation Board.

Class Notes: Hall County Schools office event puts focus on prescription drugs

Prescription drug addiction will be the topic of the night at a presentation Thursday at the Hall County Schools office.

Hall schools launch new summer reading initiatives

Even though children aren't going to be able to visit their school library over the summer, there are still plenty of opportunities to hone their reading skills.

City schools present budget figures at hearings

The few people who showed at the hearings got to see the thinking behind the math in the Gainesville school system's crafting a budget for fiscal 2013-14.

Man sentenced to life in prison in home invasions

A man was sentenced to life in prison without parole Tuesday after a jury convicted him on Monday of several violent felonies and property crimes, the Northeastern Judicial Circuit's district attorney's office said.

Alleged election violations won't be referred to attorney general

The Georgia State Election Board declined to send alleged election violations by Hall County to the state Attorney General's Office Tuesday.

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