Head Start programs meet federal compliance

The Head Start and Early Head Start programs in 20 North Georgia counties have met full compliance from the federal Office of Head Start in Washington.

Technology fair set for Saturday at Lakeview Academy

About 100 students from five area schools are set to compete Saturday in the Lanier Regional Technology Fair at Lakeview Academy.

Residents say no to proposed retail center in South Hall

A developer's rezoning request for a nearly 10-acre shopping center proposed on Old Winder Highway in South Hall ignited tensions between Hall County residents and developers at a Hall County Planning Commission meeting Monday evening. The applicant, Dunhill Developers LLC, asked the Hall County Planning Commission to consider rezoning 9.9 acres of property adjacent to Mulberry River at the intersection of Old Winder Highway and Howington Road from agriculture and ...

Pieces of peace: Flag display sparks ‘season of nonviolence’

As presidential candidates debate the politics of the war in Iraq, local schools, churches and senior communities have contributed to a display of peace at Lakeshore Mall that is part of a national project called The Peace Quilt. More than 50 people ranging in age from preschoolers to senior citizens helped to create more than 100 squares that were sewn together to make roughly 40 flags declaring a statement for ...

Expert: Flu pandemic looks likely

The likelihood of an influenza pandemic within the next five to 10 years is "very high," according to an expert with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "We have already seen cases of human-to-human transmission (of avian flu). We're one step from a pandemic," Dr. Sureyya Hornston told the Gainesville Rotary Club Monday. "I hate to sound pessimistic, but I have to tell you the truth." Hornston ...

Remains of missing hiker found in N.C.

BREVARD, N.C. - A body found in western North Carolina is a missing hiker believed to be a victim of a man who pleaded guilty to murdering a hiker in Georgia, authorities said Monday. The skeletal remains found Saturday by a hunter in Macon County were identified as belonging to John Bryant, who disappeared in October with his wife, Irene, while they were hiking in the Pisgah National Forest, ...

District may wait to build sixth elementary school

GAINESVILLE - A "shaky economy" and ownership issues has Gainesville city schools looking at putting off construction of its sixth elementary school, Mundy Mill Academy. The district had considered opening the school in the fall of 2009, with construction to start this year.

Miami, Mableton men charged in jewelry theft

Police have charged two Miami men and a Mableton man in the Thursday burglary of Gainesville Jewelry that resulted in the theft of more than $200,000 in merchandise.

Men arrested in meth bust in Buford

BUFORD - Three Mableton men face drug trafficking charges after they were arrested while delivering 11 ounces of methamphetamine to a parking lot in an undercover buy-bust operation Monday, authorities said.

Cancer center offers patients free art therapy

Treating cancer patients requires addressing the needs of body, mind and soul. As part of a more holistic approach, the Cancer Center at the Longstreet Clinic is offering free art therapy sessions to cancer patients and survivors on Thursday and again on Feb. 21.

Sheriff's officers complete immigration enforcement training

Nine Hall County Sheriff's officers were among 38 local law enforcement officers from around the nation now authorized to enforce federal immigration laws.

Vietnamese community wishes for blessing, success, life in new year

More than 150 people gathered at the Georgia Mountains Center arena Sunday afternoon to ring in the Vietnamese New Year with firecrackers, dragon dances and live music. The Vietnamese New Year, known as Tet Nguyen Dan, marks the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar and the beginning of spring.

Violent crime down in Gainesville

The city of Gainesville's crime statistics stayed about the same in 2007 as the previous year, with a low overall violent crime rate and a rise in business burglaries the only significant spike.

Friends celebrate Super Bowl Sunday in different ways and at various venues

As the New England Patriots battled the New York Giants in the Arizona desert Sunday evening, some Gainesville residents hashed it out in front yards and area parks while others watched Super Bowl XLII on a 111-inch screen at Sweet Magnolia's on Main Street. Rebecca Clanton, who co-owns Sweet Magnolia's, said she expected more than 100 people to show up for the restaurant's family-friendly Super Bowl party. Party-goers enjoyed chili, ...

Fair Street music instructor to receive arts honor

GAINESVILLE - An area school music instructor and choral music director is being honored in Atlanta Saturday as one of the Woodruff Salutes Georgia Arts in Education Leaders. Ellen Leamon of Fair Street International Baccalaureate World School also works with the Gainesville High School band, holds community performances with Fair Street's fourth- and fifth-grade choruses and prepares middle and high school students for auditions. "We are very ...

Gateway Domestic Violence Center inches closer to new apartments

More women and children fleeing domestic violence will be able to find refuge in the coming months thanks to several community organizations.

Convicted child abuser sentenced to life in prison

A Gainesville man received two life in prison sentences Friday afternoon in Hall County Superior Court after he was found guilty by a jury in April on all but one of more than 20 counts in a child sexual abuse trial.

Farms growing bigger profits

Entrepreneurs in agriculture are finding new ways to grow their businesses and profit, said Earl Gohl, federal co-chairman of the Appalachian Regional Commission, a regional economic development agency of federal, state and local government partners.

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.