Forum on HOPE set for tonight

A forum on changes made last year in HOPE scholarship grade-point average calculations is set for 7 tonight at the Hall County school system offices at 711 Green St. Daniel McGrail, a Johnson High School senior, has organized the meeting with help from school system officials. McGrail, the Student Teacher Achievement Recognition student at Johnson this year, has invited officials from the ...

Gainesville braces for less money in budget

GAINESVILLE - The city of Gainesville may be running on a slimmer budget in the coming fiscal year than in years past. A lag in construction and an uncertain economy has Gainesville's financial experts projecting revenues for this fiscal year to be less than had been expected. But Gainesville City Manager Brian Shuler insists the outlook is not so grim. "I don't think there's any department in ...

14 arrested for underage drinking at Buford party

Two Buford residents have been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor and keeping a disorderly house after 14 teenagers were arrested for underage drinking at their home early Sunday morning.

Sardis Elementary examines whether charter school status could help close academic achievement gap

Principal Jan Hughes sees a wide academic achievement gap between "children of poverty and children of wealth" at Sardis Elementary School.

Fair Street center's grand opening gives Southside a boost

The Fair Street Neighborhood Center officially opened for business Sunday with a dedication ceremony and ribbon-cutting.

Kidney transplant patient rides his bike for charity

Peter Kite has battled adversity since the day he was born. But now the Dawsonville resident is focused on making life easier for others. Kite, 39, has endured two consecutive kidney transplants. A congenital defect caused his kidneys to fail by the time he was 13, when he received a living donor transplant from his mother.

Lawyers sponsor run for a good cause: helping those in the court system to recover

As a run up to Law Day, Gainesville lawyers are running for a cause.

Shearing day gets woolly

Despite gray skies and chilling temperatures, more than 300 people flocked to Wauka Valley Farm near Cleveland on Saturday and Sunday to celebrate the spring shearing of Lynn Johnson's 59 sheep. For the seventh year, Johnson invited the public to her 40-acre farm that rests under the steadfast watch of Wauka Mountain.

Hall County court clerk legally pockets passport fees

When Hall County Clerk of Court Dwight Wood began processing passport applications in his office in 1991, they came trickling in a few per week, offering a modest supplement to his regular salary from fees of $7.50 each he kept as personal compensation.

Service means a great deal

It was a great day for Hall County on Saturday when the First United Methodist Church held its second annual Great Day of Service. Lynda Askew and Letrell Simpson, who served as co-chairwomen for the event, planned more than 40 community projects for 843 volunteers. Askew said that the day was a tremendous success.

Woman saves children from burning mobile home

A woman rescued two children from her burning mobile home Friday afternoon, braving heavy smoke to pull them from harm, Hall County fire officials said. The woman was in the yard of 103 Second St. when she noticed smoke coming from the windows of the 12-foot-by-60-foot mobile home about 2 p.m. Friday, Hall County Fire Chief David Kimbrell said.

An hour of darkness for Earth’s good

Could you get along without electric lights for one hour? Here's your opportunity to find out.

Landscapers fix up Sonrise Camp

Area landscapers have donated their time and materials to fix up areas at Sonrise Camp in North Hall County, not just to make it look better, but also to make areas more accessible and educational. Members of the North Georgia Chapter of the Metro Atlanta Landscape and Turf Association started working on the camp for special needs children and adults about six weeks ago, according to Steve Murray, president of ...

Fair Street gets new neighborhood center

On Sunday, Gainesville Parks and Recreation will celebrate the opening of its Fair Street Neighborhood Center, which offers just another site in Gainesville where residents can let the good times roll. "We've had the Georgia Mountains Center and the Gainesville Civic Center, and now we have the Fair Street Neighborhood Center," said Brenda Martin, manager of the Gainesville Civic Center. The community center will be available for public ...

Citizens take concerns to officials

A community park for Gainesville's south side has been pursued for at least four years, but has gotten nowhere so far because county officials haven't found adequate land, a group of residents was told Saturday. Hall County Commissioner Deborah Mack said that in order for residents who live in the neighborhood running along the Athens Street corridor to have an adequate park, a minimum of 10 acres would be needed. ...

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.

Mayor: Ban on left turns could be good for Green Street

Gainesville Mayor Danny Dunagan said Tuesday he wants the Georgia Department of Transportation to look at banning left turns on Green Street.

Man killed crossing Ga. 53 on 4-wheeler

Arrest made in Oakwood rape case

A Gainesville man was arrested Friday on rape charges by Oakwood police.

The Local Agenda: Gainesville to hold budget hearing for 2014

The Gainesville City Council is scheduled to hold a hearing on its 2014 proposed budget during tonight's City Council meeting.

Frozen food giveaway happening Wednesday

Caring Hands Ministries will hold a frozen food give away Wednesday in Clermont.

Gainesville City Schools projects increases in both revenue, spending

The Gainesville City School Board heard the final departmental budget presentations for fiscal year 2014 at its work session Monday night.

Hall planning board members narrowly deny commercial zoning request

Hall County commissioners will determine the ability of LL Farms to use its barn for special events after Hall County Planning Commission members narrowly denied the commercial zoning request.