Brenau hosts famed children’s author

Book author and storyteller Carmen Agra Deedy will be featured in a Saturday evening program at Brenau University.

Hall commissioners OK Hagen Creek development

Hall County Commission gave the final approval for a 2,736-home North Hall subdivision Thursday that will include a 20-acre school site, 1,000,000 square feet of commercial space and possibly an 18-hole golf course.

Hall, Gainesville school boards set for retreats

GAINESVILLE - The Gainesville City and Hall County boards of education plan to meet separately Saturday for annual retreats, a time when board members typically focus on big-picture issues. The Gainesville board will talk about its "mission, visions and beliefs," and Hall County will conduct Georgia School Boards Association training. Both also will have hot- button issues to discuss. The Gainesville school board plans to ...

Officials: Hilton was in Gainesville on night Emerson abducted

Gary Michael Hilton was at a Gainesville ATM trying to use a bank card belonging to Meredith Emerson the night she was abducted, officials said. Hilton is believed to have spent about 20 minutes at a Bank of America ATM in Gainesville around 9:30 p.m. on Jan. 1, Forsyth County Sheriff Ted Paxton said this week, citing information provided to him by agents with the Georgia ...

Cold to move in, rain to move out

Don't expect a return of balmy temperatures any time soon. The rain and fog that hovered over Hall County is going to be followed this weekend by cold weather, according to the National Weather Service. "(Say) goodbye to the spring-type temperatures," said Shirley Lamback, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Peachtree City. Expect today's high only to hit the lower 50s, with Saturday's warm and sunny ...

'You can’t pledge to a flag when you don’t have a flag'

GAINESVILLE - All East Hall High School students now have a flag to salute when they say the Pledge of Allegiance in the morning. "When I taught here, everybody had a flag in their room. But, for whatever reason through time, the (flags) kind of dwindled away," said principal Jeff Cooper. He and school resource officer Earl Roach went class to class Thursday morning, pushing a metal ...

Hall County to lift burn ban

The longest outdoor burning ban in recent Hall County history will be lifted today, though it may be back in effect again soon, officials said. Hall County Fire Marshal Scott Cagle said beginning today, residential burning of small tree limbs and leaves and land clearing burns of natural debris will be allowed with a permit. It will be the first time since March 31 that the outdoor burns have been ...

Lights on! Switch for Communiversity sign flipped

County and city officials joined educators amidst a cloud of fog Thursday morning for a ceremonial lighting of the sign at Featherbone Communiversity.

Quadruple murder defendants plead not guilty

Two of the three defendants charged in a March 2006 massacre at a Forsyth County farmhouse entered formal not guilty pleas in a Thursday court appearance. The arraignment of Jason McGhee, 27, and Marcin Sosniak, 23, was held in front of Bell-Forsyth Superior Court Judge David Dickinson. The two men did not speak. Their pleas were entered by their attorneys, Josh Moore of the Georgia Office of the Capital Defender ...

COMING SUNDAY: The Best of 2007

During 2007, our reporters and photographers produced great stories and pictures about the people and events of Northeast Georgia. Sunday, The Times will reprint a few of our favorite stories in a special keepsake edition called "The Best of 2007."

Florida officials preparing to charge Hilton with murder

A Florida prosecutor says he has enough evidence to charge Meredith Emerson's accused killer with a murder in that state.

Man stabbed to death

Karaoke night turned deadly at a Helen bar early Thursday morning, where a man was stabbed to death in the town's first murder in years.

City discusses mutual aid agreement with county

GAINESVILLE - The Gainesville City Council met with the city's fire chief Thursday to discuss the parameters of an expanded agreement that would mean city and county fire departments would share each others' burdens. Hall County Fire Services and the Gainesville Fire Department have been hammering out changes to a 10-year-old mutual aid agreement. Though local fire officials have discussed expanding the agreement over the years, it has not ...

Shuler reappointed as Hall administrator

A Hall County commissioner tried unsuccessfully Thursday to seek a separate vote on the reappointment of Hall County Administrator Jim Shuler.

Emerson memorial: 'Meredith's love shines down on you today'

ATHENS -- The church pews couldn't hold everyone who came to pay respects to Meredith Emerson on Friday.

Dawson County chief tax assessor facing drug charges

Dawson County's chief tax appraiser was arrested at his office Tuesday afternoon on misdemeanor drug charges.

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.