Parents wonder: Is any toy safe?

This Christmas shopping season, some parents and grandparents could be seen nervously perusing the toy aisles, picking up boxes and looking for the country of origin. If they saw the words "Made in China," the box went back on the shelf.

Mobile home fire considered ‘suspicious’

Hall County Fire Services is investigating a fire that destroyed a mobile home early Friday.

Holiday movie goers may see disaster ads

After the gifts have been opened and dinner has been eaten, there's not much to do on Christmas except go to the movies. That's what the Georgia Department of Human Resources is counting on.

Man strings lights despite blindness

After dark, anyone driving down Lights Ferry Road in Flowery Branch can see the 'Merry Christmas' message beaming from Tommy Tallent's yard. It took Tallent two full days to craft the 25-foot-long message out of white Christmas lights and neatly border the nearly 6-foot-high letters standing against his fence with red bulbs.

Better not pout, because Santa's already in town

GAINESVILLE - Hang your stockings and say your prayers, because Santa Claus comes tonight. But the jolly old elf already has been spotted in town, as Gainesville's real Santa has been making numerous visits in Northeast Georgia and has seen hundreds of children. He took a few minutes from visiting with children Friday at Peach State Bank in Gainesville to give The Times some insight into the life of Santa.

Last-minute shoppers flock to Flowery Branch

FLOWERY BRANCH - As children are shuffled between choir practice and Santa's lap, many shoppers scramble for last-minute gifts at the new Stonebridge Village shopping center. The November opening of Kohl's department store and The Home Depot has provided local procrastinators a little more convenience this year. Many shoppers have foregone a trip to the Mall of Georgia in Buford and instead have found gifts at the new development.

Homeless pets get a little holiday love

Days before Christmas, homeless animals were treated to a little holiday cheer Saturday at the Hall County Humane Society. Andrea Chandler and Christina Jones, employees at the Gainesville office of A.G. Edwards & Sons Inc., treated the pets to play time and toys with the help of other volunteers. Chandler and Jones both said they are animal lovers and felt that those at the Humane Society deserved a Christmas treat as well.

County’s trash sites to open on Christmas

If you dump your garbage outside a Hall County compactor site on Christmas morning, not only will Santa put you on his naughty list for next year, you also may get a ticket.

’Tis the season to play it safe

Gainesville Police Sgt. Dean Staples calls December "the deadliest time of the year" on local roads. It's a time when holiday parties and their festivities can mean more drunk driving accidents, more injuries and more deaths than any other time, officials say.

Derrer: Bird's-eye view of change

In 1980, Doug Derrer was driving down U.S. 129 in Hall County when he looked to his right and saw a field blanketed with freshly fallen snow. The young Miami-Dade police officer pulled his car to the highway shoulder and stepped out onto the icy asphalt. "I had never seen snow falling," Derrer said, "and I pulled off and thought, 'This is where I want to be.'"

‘I’m like the guy who used to make wagon wheels’

When Jack Hoffman joined the Air Force in 1958, he was assigned to a unit which maintained electronic navigation equipment. It was an ironic assignment for a young man who grew up in a rural Rabun County home where electricity was not available. For the past half-century, he has worked on a wide array of electronic devices, from antennas to Christmas tree angels.

Flowery Branch’s finest walk a store beat

Saturday, some South Hall officers made Christmas a little brighter for the kids in their jurisdiction. The Flowery Branch Police Department held its first "Shop with a Cop" event at the Wal-Mart in Oakwood.

City leaders push to keep Mike Evans on DOT board

Some state officials may be on the road to booting Mike Evans from his post on the Georgia Department of Transportation board, but the Gainesville City Council wants to push them down a different path. Earlier this month, the City Council sent a letter to all members of Hall County's state legislative delegation voicing support for Evans' re-appointment to the DOT board.

Specialist expands treatment options at cancer center

People who are diagnosed with a malignant tumor can generally expect to be referred to at least two specialists: a surgeon, who will try to remove the tumor, and a medical oncologist, who will administer chemotherapy. But women who have cancers of the reproductive organs sometimes see only one doctor: a gynecologic oncologist, who performs both surgery and chemo. There are only about 650 gynecologic oncologists practicing in ...

White County man killed in wreck

A Cleveland man was killed Friday in a car crash on Ga. 11 just north of Cleveland, Georgia State Patrol officials said. Michael Bailey, 26, was driving his Ford F-150 pickup truck northbound on the highway just north of High Meadow Trail when he attempted to pass a Jeep Wrangler driven by 31-year-old Jennifer Crews of Gainesville, officials said. Due to oncoming traffic ...

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.