Rain can’t deter rubber ducks from raising funds at Derby

A day of rain might stop a lot of people from competing, but certainly not a rubber duck. Saturday's 15th annual Rubber Duck Derby was held as scheduled, though rain canceled the festival to be held afterward. Volunteers and spectators weathered the elements to see 16,000 rubber ducks take over Clarks Bridge Park on Lake Lanier. The event benefited the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hall County. Joyce Wilson, vice president of development and marketing ...

2 charged with fleeing scene of drug arrest

Two men were arrested Saturday and charged with fleeing a drug arrest by the Hall County Multi Agency Narcotics Squad, Lt. Scott Ware said in a news release.

The Guest House unveils its new home on Oak Street

A few hiccups are to be expected with any major relocation. The Guest House, a nonprofit adult day care facility, certainly had its share of challenges moving to its new location on Oak Street in Gainesville. But though the nonprofit had to leave its beloved hobby shop behind, two heating-air conditioning units broke on the first day and bad weather threatened to delay the move, everything has finally come together. Repairmen were busy working on ...

A soggy spring so far: Rainy, cool weekend looms

So where did spring go? So far, April showers have carried over into May, leaving us with a cool, wet weekend that may throw a damper on some outdoor plans. Friday, the National Weather Service issued a flood watch for Hall and surrounding counties. About a tenth of an inch of rain was measured by the NWS recording station at Gainesville's Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport. The heavy rains caused creeks and rivers to swell with ...

Political reports may put clerks on the spot

Gainesville City Clerk Denise Jordan said she is uncomfortable imposing and collecting fees from elected officials as part of the new reporting requirements that will take effect Jan. 1.

61 trucks of concrete poured at hospital’s new Braselton location

Construction workers at the Northeast Georgia Medical Center's new Braselton campus were busy at work in the early hours of Friday.

Gainesville High salutes theater director Pam Ware for 2012 Woodruff award

The atrium of Gainesville High School was filled with educators, students, and local supporters of the arts Friday night as they gathered to honor Pam Ware as the 2012 Woodruff Salutes Theatre Educator Honoree.

Speaker encourages Brenau graduates to chase their dreams at commencement ceremony

Brenau University Women's College celebrated its 134th commencement exercise Friday afternoon. A total of 171 students received their diplomas. The featured speaker was Princeton University professor Anne-Marie Slaughter, formerly the top official for policy and planning in the U.S. Department of State and recently named president of the New America Foundation. Slaughter urged graduates to "follow your heart" in making career and family choices. "It is up to us to make it a woman's world, ...

Taxes done? Now it’s time to shred — carefully

You've filed your taxes and had time to catch your breath from that, but now you may be wondering what to do with those documents.

County-church access road project moving forward

Hall County is moving forward on a road project that is geared to improving access to the Hall County Government Center and providing overflow parking for neighboring Free Chapel.

Waldrep retires for second time after 50 years in law enforcement

Buddy Waldrep is retiring - again - marking a career of more than 50 years in law enforcement.

National Day of Prayer focuses on nation's leaders

Instead of turning things over in your mind today, turn them over to God in prayer, said Hall County Sheriff Gerald Couch. God is always listening.

No tax hike for Gainesville residents

The city of Gainesville's budget for next year will not recommend a tax hike for residents.

Flowery Branch City Council OKs improvement district

Flowery Branch City Council gave its blessing Thursday night to the Lanier Islands Parkway Community Improvement District, a self-taxing district that would run along a western portion of Ga. 347 in South Hall County.

Forsyth County fatal fire probe awaiting GBI reports

Forsyth County authorities are still awaiting the results of a toxicology report for a woman found dead in a house fire Easter morning.

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.

Red Rabbit to continue operating

The saga of the Red Rabbit fixed-route bus service ended Wednesday with the Hall County Board of Commissioners approving an agreement with Gainesville, but it didn't end quietly.

Army Rangers in training perform safety exercises on Lake Lanier

About 100 Rangers in training from Camp Frank D. Merrill in Dahlonega parachuted into Lake Lanier at War Hill Park in Dawsonville on Wednesday.

Residents speak out against city’s at-large voting system during council meeting

Two Gainesville residents spoke against the city's at-large voting system at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

City holds first transportation public meeting

Upon moving to Gainesville in February, Tricia Terrell soon discovered that in-town travel - at least by foot or bicycle - was more than a little tricky.

Lumpkin County Superintendent: Prayer encouraged as long as it doesn’t disrupt class

A week after a student-led prayer resulted in more than 50 Lumpkin County High School students skipping classes, the system's superintendent said no action will be taken other than working to educate teachers and students about the law pertaining to prayer in school.