Independent audit wanted of assessors office

Hall County Commissioner Deborah Mack said Thursday that she wants to see the appointed board of tax assessors expanded from three members to five and have an independent audit of the tax assessors office in light of recent accusations of possible financial improprieties.

Let the shopping begin: Some retailers open in Forsyth’s outdoor mall

When they held the grand opening for Chocolaterie last week, co-founders Elizabeth and Michael Ashworth thought they would have plenty of promotional truffles for what they anticipated would be a small crowd. After all, The Avenue Forsyth's grand opening isn't until May 17. "We only opened with about 10 other stores," Michael Ashworth said. "It has been going very well, and we're very fortunate to be in The Avenue community." ...

Gainesville presents balanced budget for 2008-09

A slowing economy and rising health insurance costs have pounded Gainesville's budget, but residents may not feel the hurt in their tax bills.

Oldest bowler, 106, dies

In 2007, at 106 years old, Bill Hargrove was honored by the U.S. Bowling Congress as the oldest active bowler in the history of the game. Despite suffering from deteriorating eyesight, he continued participating in the sport he loved. Hargrove of Clermont kept bowling up until last week, just before he was hospitalized and died Monday of congestive heart failure at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Today would have been Hargrove's ...

City could begin saying ‘yes’ to developers

The city of Gainesville will resume issuing water availability letters to developers after a suggestion from the city's utilities director that some restrictions could be eased.

Post office to fight hunger

The National Association of Letter Carriers will conduct its 16th annual nationwide Stamp Out Hunger! food drive Saturday. The program is the nation's largest single-day food drive and has netted more than 836 million pounds of food since 1992.

Hall County administrator to resign

Hall County Administrator Jim Shuler is resigning his post effective June 30 after reaching an agreement to cut short his current one-year contract by three months, officials announced during a regular county commission meeting Thursday.

Chunks of the past: Murrayville man seeks new home for old cannonball

He's not positive exactly what it is, but John McCracken of Murrayville knows he wants to get rid of it. He hopes his junk is indeed another man's treasure.

Jogger stable after being struck by car

A Gainesville youth minister was in critical but stable condition Thursday after being struck by a drunken driver while jogging, officials and family members said. Vester Lewis, 56, was jogging north alongside Tanners Mill Road off the roadway near its intersection with Jones Lane shortly before 1:30 p.m. Wednesday when he was struck by a southbound 1996 Pontiac Trans Am driven by 46-year-old Annette Jackson of Gainesville, the Georgia State ...

20 rabies cases now confirmed in Hall County

The number of confirmed rabies cases in Hall County has increased to 20.

Wal-Mart sweetens drug plan

Every cloud has a silver lining.

Search to resume Friday for possible drowning victim

Authorities have suspended the search for a man believed to have drowned Sunday and will resume searching Lake Lanier on Friday.

The Medical Center Auxiliary honors volunteers

The Medical Center Auxiliary Inc. honored three long-time volunteers at its annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner Wednesday.

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 ...

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.

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.