Hall outperforms state on writing test

The Hall County school system outperformed the state in eighth-grade writing scores, Superintendent Will Schofield said Thursday.

Gainesville home invasion shows need for prevention measures

A home invasion robbery this week in which two women were forced into a closet at gunpoint isn't a common occurrence in Gainesville, but it illustrates the need for common-sense safety measures, police say.

Obesity tests could weigh down schools

Last week, the Georgia Senate passed a bill that would require elementary school students to be screened for obesity. School nurses say it would promote better health, but concerns have been raised about privacy and about how the mandate would be implemented.

Former DA pleads guilty, sentenced to 6 years in prison

HOMER - As district attorney of Northeast Georgia's Piedmont Judicial Circuit for 24 years, Tim Madison spent many hours prosecuting cases in the wood-paneled second-floor courtroom of the Banks County courthouse. On Tuesday, Madison was the one being prosecuted, as the disgraced former DA for Banks, Jackson and Barrow counties pleaded guilty to stealing taxpayer money and was sentenced to six years in prison.

Dahlonega robbery suspect pleads guilty

The second of two suspects in an armed robbery and assault at a Dahlonega convenience store pleaded guilty this week, officials said. Robert Jacob Mallard, 28, pleaded guilty to armed robbery in Lumpkin County Superior Court and was sentenced to 10 years in prison, Lumpkin County Sheriff's Capt. Jason Stover said.

Southern Catholic names new board member

DAWSONVILLE - Southern Catholic College's Board of Trustees has a new member.

UGA honors one of its own, ‘Whispering Bill’ Anderson

A half century ago, a country singer wannabe went into an unfinished recording studio at the University of Georgia, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Gainesville Fire Chief Jon Canada sworn in

GAINESVILLE - New Gainesville Fire Chief Jon Canada swore to serve the residents of Gainesville with compassion, courage and integrity to the best of his ability Tuesday.

Wanna fish? Don’t count on buying a license at local bait shops

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is getting out of the business of issuing hunting and fishing licenses and boat registrations. That job is being outsourced to a private, out-of-state company, and many people aren't happy about it.

Gainesville schools human resources chief gets 15 percent raise, new title

The human resources director for the Gainesville school system is receiving a 15 percent raise, along with a new job title.

Move to change recording of minutes triggers debate in Flowery Branch

Flowery Branch City Council will consider an ordinance this morning that could revamp the style of City Council meetings.

Coming Sunday: In the Eye of the Storm

Ten years ago Thursday, a predawn storm shattered the lives of Northeast Georgian families and took the lives of 12 of our neighbors. On the morning of March 20, 1998, a tornado ripped through North Hall County and continued into White and Habersham counties. Eleven people were killed in Hall, one in White, and dozens more were left homeless. Lanier Elementary School and North Hall High were damaged by the twister, which caused millions in damages.

Mixup results in new White County STAR student

CLEVELAND - A banquet was given in Bethany Caywood's honor for being named White County High School's STAR student, an honor that's reserved for the very brightest.

Barnes & Noble to take over Brenau University bookstore

Brenau University has contracted with Barnes & Noble College Booksellers to manage the bookstore on the Gainesville campus and provide broader service to the university's other campuses and online studies program.

Pendergrass officer investigated on false arrest charge

PENDERGRASS - A police officer in northeast Georgia is suspended without pay as authorities investigate a complaint that he falsely arrested a man during a traffic stop. Pendergrass Police Chief Rob Russell says Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents are examining evidence against Officer Bill Garner. Russell says the officer is accused of arresting a passenger in a car for having an open container of alcohol when no open container was present.

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

Organizations looking for volunteers to make sandwiches

Making a sandwich is easy: two slices of bread, some meat and cheese, and voila.

Hall native studying oyster population

A Hall County native is at the forefront of research into oyster populations, a touchy subject for some Lake Lanier advocates who fret over water releases to protect endangered species in the Gulf of Mexico.