Area schools outperform state on graduation tests

Area high school juniors have outperformed the state on the 2008 Georgia High School Graduation Tests.

Flowery Branch's downtown revitalization project is still on

The Flowery Branch Historic Preservation Commission approved plans for a $15 million mixed-use development Wednesday that seeks to revitalize the city's historic downtown. The commission's approval is the first step in the process toward constructing the commercial and residential venture Hortman and Dobbs Developers LLC are planning to build. Hortman and Dobbs Developers, owned by Flowery Branch residents Marty Hortman and Kellin Dobbs, is planning a 2.5-acre, mixed-use ...

Blue Sky series gets off to a swinging start

The King Daddy Polecats had the square jumping at noon Wednesday for a rollicking kick off to the Blue Sky Concert series. Young and old alike were tapping their toes to a blend of rockabilly and swing - with a little blues and honky tonk thrown in for good measure - pumped out by the King Daddy Polecats. Members of the three-piece band, based in Gainesville, ...

No students injured in S. Hall bus wreck

No students were injured in a minor school bus wreck at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Parks Road and Atlanta Highway in Flowery Branch. The seven Martin Elementary students aboard the bus were transferred to another bus and were on their way home, said Jewel Armour, executive director of transportation for the Hall County school system. As bus driver Tom Lehmer pulled out onto Atlanta ...

Cleveland teen killed in wreck

A Cleveland teenager was killed Tuesday night when the truck he was riding in overturned several times on Ga. 60 in Murrayville and came to rest on a guardrail. According to Hall County deputy coroner John Abernathy, Adam Blake Anderson, 18, of Cleveland was dead at the scene of a wreck, which happened shortly before 8 p.m.

Cagle won’t stand in way of statewide vote on Sunday alcohol sales

There is an exchange program of sorts that takes place on either side of the Chattahoochee River at Columbus.

Former student gets 15 years in prison for molestation

A Dahlonega man who was charged with molesting a 4-year-old girl when he was a student at North Hall High School was sentenced to 15 years in prison Wednesday. Christopher Hughes, 20, was convicted of aggravated child molestation by a Hall County Superior Court jury following a three-day trial, District Attorney Lee Darragh said.

Public Utilities plans appreciation lunch for customers

Imagine a world where the hot dogs flow like water from a river and you just might find yourself having lunch at the Public Utilities Department on Friday. After a tough year of enduring watering restrictions and facing the prospect of higher rates, Gainesville's nearly 45,000 water customers now have the chance to have a lunch of hot dogs, chips, cookies and popcorn on the Public Utilities Department. <font ...

North Hall teacher gets state honor

North Hall High School agriculture teacher Johnny Sutton has been named outstanding agriculture instructor by the Georgia FFA (Future Farmers of America) Alumni Association.

Volunteers at hospice honored

Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center staff honored the hospice's volunteers Wednesday, April 30 with a Volunteer Appreciation Brunch at Luna's in downtown Gainesville.

Discounts offered for garden’s anniversary

May 2008 marks the Freedom Garden at the Northeast Georgia History Center's first anniversary.

Search resumes for man missing in Lanier

After a second full day of searching proved fruitless, officials will resume recovery operations at 7 a.m. Wednesday in an attempt to locate the body of an Ellenwood man presumed drowned in Lake Lanier after falling from a personal watercraft Sunday.

Slaying suspect served time for other burglaries

The man charged in the shooting death of a West Hall retiree during a suspected burglary served time in prison for other burglaries and was jailed last year for violating his probation.

Brad Morris reappointed as chief public defender

Brad Morris, the attorney who has headed up the public defender office for Hall and Dawson counties since it opened in January 2005, has been reappointed to serve a full four-year term ending in 2012. The vote for the reappointment was made during a Friday public meeting of the Public Defender Selection Committee of the Northeastern Judicial Circuit, the committee's chairman, J. Douglas Stewart said. Committee member Tom Bishop made ...

19th case of rabies confirmed in Hall County

The number of confirmed rabies cases in Hall County has increased to 19.

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.

Standoff suspect makes first appearance in court

A Gainesville man charged with terroristic threats, criminal damage to property and reckless conduct had his first appearance before a Hall County magistrate judge on Wednesday.

State to privatize its lodge parks by July 1

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is moving to privatize lodge parks in the state, as part of fulfilling a state mandate to become, among other things, more self-sufficient.