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.

Traveling flag will welcome submarine home

All 159 of Georgia's counties are playing a part in rolling out the welcome mat for the return of the USS Georgia to state waters in March. U.S. Navy representatives are collaborating with multiple Georgia Regional Development Centers to plan a statewide Georgia Flag Project that takes the state flag on a trip through each county where local government officials sign a document verifying its visit to the county. ...

Newest members of the Gainesville Board of Education get to work

GAINESVILLE - No time to bask in becoming Gainesville City Board of Education's newest members Monday night. Maria Calkins and Sammy Smith jumped right into a critical issue, the school system's application for charter system status.

Police search for suspect in Waffle House stabbing

The Gainesville Police Department is currently investigating an aggravated assault that occurred Sunday morning at about 3:12 a.m. at the Waffle House located at 2507 Pentee Drive.

GBI: Suspect led us to Emerson's body in Dawson forest area

DAWSONVILLE - The prime suspect in the case of a missing Buford woman led investigators from Dawson County and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation to the woman's remains in the Dawson Forest Wildlife Management Area, south of Dawsonville, Monday night.

Authorities probe possible connection in hiking case, N.C. presumed killing

ATLANTA - Authorities are exploring a possible link between the disappearance of a female hiker and the presumed killing of an elderly couple from North Carolina last October.

A perfect fit: Playhouse grants wish

Joshua Robbins was one of thousands of people who dropped a raffle ticket into a bucket outside several playhouses displayed on the Gainesville square at Mule Camp Market in October. Local high school construction students spent months carefully crafting each playhouse to be raffled off to benefit Habitat for Humanity, and raised a total of $17,000 for the home-building agency. Students built playhouses inspired by the television ...

County school officials rethink ‘block schedule’

GAINESVILLE - Hall County schools' teachers and administrators are looking at revising the "block schedule," with changes to come possibly as early as next school year. The block schedule initially was put in place "to get kids to more courses, or at least the opportunity to take more courses," said Sally Krisel, the district's assistant director of teaching and learning. However, "we have discovered over the years ...

Annual service honors Confederate Lt. Gen. Longstreet

The life and death of Alta Vista Cemetery's most renowned figure was honored Sunday afternoon with a three-volley rifle salute by Confederate re-enactors.

Gateway Domestic Violence Center inches closer to new apartments

More women and children fleeing domestic violence will be able to find refuge in the coming months thanks to several community organizations.

Convicted child abuser sentenced to life in prison

A Gainesville man received two life in prison sentences Friday afternoon in Hall County Superior Court after he was found guilty by a jury in April on all but one of more than 20 counts in a child sexual abuse trial.

Farms growing bigger profits

Entrepreneurs in agriculture are finding new ways to grow their businesses and profit, said Earl Gohl, federal co-chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission, a regional economic development agency of federal, state and local government partners.

First Friday gets downtown swinging

The First Friday events in downtown Gainesville have started up again and are expected to bring more vistors to the shops and restaurants around the square.

Robbery suspect turns himself in after Thursday search

A robbery suspect turned himself in Thursday night after four Gainesville schools were locked down that afternoon when police tried to serve a warrant for his arrest.

Dial-A-Ride bus system serves county residents

Gainesville resident Gloria Carruth depends on the Dial-A-Ride bus service since she nearly severed her ankle three years ago.

Gala honors business leaders

In order to develop and strengthen the local economy, businesses and the community work together for the benefit of each other.

Officials warn motorcyclists to be wary as weather warms

As part of efforts to keep drivers and motorcyclists safe, law enforcement officials and highway safety advocates gathered Thursday in Buford to promote motorcycle safety awareness.

Rabies clinic set for 9 a.m. on Saturday

The Humane Society of Northeast Georgia is putting on a rabies clinic Saturday at the Gainesville Walmart.

Enota named family-friendly school

Enota Multiple Intelligences Academy has been named a winner of the state Department of Education's Family-Friendly School Partnership School Award.

The Times raises $2,158 for Relay for Life

The Times held a fundraising event Thursday in Gainesville where community members were welcomed to bring documents to shred, with all proceeds benefiting Relay for Life. The "Team Times" Relay for Life Committee collected $2,158 Thursday for the fight against cancer. In addition to people bringing documents to shred, hamburgers and hot dogs were on sale to benefit the cause.

Kids learn lake safety tips before summer ‘trauma season’ begins

Four children sat in a boat on their school's gym floor Thursday as Department of Natural Resources officers shook it and a crowd of their classmates loudly counted down.

4 Gainesville schools went on lockdown Thursday afternoon

Four Gainesville City schools were temporarily locked down Thursday afternoon.

2 Forsyth men charged in $1.6 million theft of 91-year-old

Recharged waters threat to low lying areas during upcoming hurricane season

The rain has been good, but the approaching hurricane season could put Georgia at risk for flooding and other trouble if it continues to rain, weather experts say.