Habersham schools OK Robert Costley as new chief

The Habersham County Board of Education voted Monday night to officially approve Robert Costley as its new superintendent starting July 1. He has an initial three-year contract that includes an annual salary of $120,000.

Warmer temperatures keep crops safe overnight

Warmer than expected temperatures had growers with tender fruit crops breathing a sigh of relief on Wednesday. A freeze warning had been issued for most of the Northern half of the state for 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. Wednesday. However, the low temperature at Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport in Gainesville was 39 degrees at 6 a.m. By 9 a.m., the temperature had risen to 51 degrees, the same temperature recorded at midnight.

Oakwood receives transportation funds

The Georgia Department of Transportation awarded the city of Oakwood $100,000 for phase two of its downtown sidewalk improvement program.

Georgia poultry plants not among those raided

Nearly 300 people were arrested Wednesday in immigration and identity theft raids at Pilgrim's Pride poultry plants in five states.

Apartment fire victims still critical

A young girl and her 61-year-old grandfather remained in critical condition Tuesday at an Atlanta hospital, more than a day after being severely burned in a fire at Spring Street Apartments, a fire official said.

Sheriff says competition, inmate transfers will curb revenues from Hall County Jail

Bed space, bodies and some unwanted competition may lead Hall County Sheriff's officials to revise their initial revenue estimates for the new $54 million jail.

Homeowners unhurt in Flowery Branch blaze

A log cabin near Flowery Branch was destroyed after a fire broke out at about 8 a.m. Tuesday. No one was hurt.

One year after Va. Tech massacre, local campuses have improved security

With the shock not completely worn off, colleges nationwide are operating or putting in place security measures to help prevent a repeat of the Virginia Tech massacre, which happened a year ago today.

Man gets 7 years for exploitation

A 49-year-old man who sexually exploited his teenage wife must serve seven years in prison and can't contact her when he gets out, a Hall County judge ruled Tuesday.

Advocates encourage reporting of elder abuse

In observance of National Victims' Rights Week, the Georgia Department of Human Resources is urging people to report suspected cases of elder abuse.

North Hall soccer teams escape injury in I-85 bus wreck; games canceled

No one was injured aboard a Hall County school bus that was involved in a wreck on Interstate 85 while carrying members of the North Hall High School boys and girls soccer teams, officials said.

Heart surgery on Iraqi boy called a success

The open-heart surgery on a 5-year-old Iraqi boy ended Tuesday and officials at the Medical University of South Carolina are calling the four-hour operation a success. Ammar Muhammad was breathing on his own in a surgical recovery room at the Charleston hospital. He was born with a condition called tetralogy of Fallot, which is normally treated when the child is an infant. However, the surgical procedure to correct the condition ...

Corps issues new water plan

WASHINGTON - The Corps of Engineers on Tuesday proposed a new southeastern water-sharing plan that would allow lower river flows into Florida's Apalachicola Bay during extreme drought - a move that the Corps acknowledged is likely to harm threatened species there.

Tax day brings protesters and procrastinators, but post office lines are shorter

It's the day that many dread. The scramble for lost forms, the need to write a check to the government and just plain old procrastination are the reasons many taxpayers give for waiting until the final hours of the final day to file their annual state and federal returns.

Ex-Delta pilots say Northwest merger is necessary, but won't be easy

Two Gainesville residents who spent decades working as pilots for Delta Air Lines say the merger with Northwest Airlines is necessary for the survival of the airline industry, but they say the creation of the "mega-airline" will definitely take a good bit of tweaking.

Shred Away Cancer event set for today

The Times and Document Destruction Services Inc. are teaming up for a document shredding event today to benefit Relay for Life.

Ridgewood, Green Street intersection to close today

Ridgewood Avenue will be closed at its intersection with Green Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.

Aguilar sentenced to 25 years in prison

A Gainesville man was sentenced Wednesday in Hall County Superior Court to 25 years in prison by Judge Andrew Fuller.

Ridgewood, Green Street intersection will be closed Thursday

Ridgewood Avenue will be closed at its intersection with Green Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. today.

Dawson County tax official arrested on drug charges

Braselton hospital on pace to open in spring 2015

FLOWERY BRANCH - The beam from Anthony Williamson's laser pointer danced across a map of the planned Northeast Georgia Medical Center Braselton and the area beyond.

Class Notes: Focus group meeting to help find Dyer’s replacement

A focus group composed mostly of community members met Tuesday to talk about what the Gainesville school system should look for in its next superintendent.

Two picked for Florida A&M scholarships

A difficult decision of choosing the right college might be a little bit easier for two Gainesville High School students.

Rained-out First Friday concert rescheduled

The Southern Gentlemen Dixieland Jazz Band will perform a free concert Friday on the downtown square in Gainesville from 5-9 p.m.

Open house set at Gainesville water treatment plant Friday

The Gainesville Public Utilities Department will host an open house Friday from noon to 4 p.m. at Riverside Water Treatment Plant.

Man charged with felony murder in fatal wreck

A Gainesville man has been charged with felony murder in connection with his alleged role in a car crash that left a woman and toddler dead.

Man killed while crossing Ga. 53 on four-wheeler

A 73-year-old Dawson County man was killed Tuesday afternoon when he attempted to cross Ga. 53 on a four-wheeler and was hit by an oncoming pickup truck near Perimeter Road.

City to take over Red Rabbit bus service July 1

The Gainesville City Council unanimously approved Tuesday taking over the Red Rabbit fixed-route bus service starting July 1, while expressing disappointment with Hall County commissioners for putting it in that position.

Man in custody after police standoff at Motel 6 off US 129

A Tuesday standoff with police at the Motel 6 off U.S. 129 attracted dozens of law enforcement responders and bystanders but ended peacefully after about three hours.

New scores released for area schools

School leaders said they are glad more factors are being considered in rating schools, but the scores released Tuesday still don't paint an accurate picture of what's going on in schools with high numbers of students learning the English language.