Demorest: College’s business school gets national accreditation

Piedmont College's Walker School of Business Administration has received national accreditation from the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs after a two-year review.

Gainesville schools seek charter status

GAINESVILLE - Gainesville city schools is one of several school districts statewide so far that is pursuing a status that would give them more freedom to reform without stiff state regulations.

Students give food for a cause

Courtney Cantrell, 4, loads canned food into the back of a truck on Monday afternoon. Cantrell and her classmates in Brittanie Holcombe's after-school class at Little House Academy in Murrayville collected the food to help the less fortunate at nearby Lanier Elementary School. Eventually, the idea spread from the after-school group of 15 kids, ages 5-12, to other classes at the day care facility. When school counselor Rochelle Edmonds came by to ...

Two cities plan ways to keep storm water clean

Flowery Branch and Oakwood are currently in the process of establishing a five-year storm water management plan to meet the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency's Clean Water Act. Since 2003, numerous cities with a population of less than 100,000 have been required to take painstaking measures to ensure that commercial and residential operations do not contaminate water resources by way of natural or man-made storm water. "It's ...

Drought can’t stop annual winter plunge in lake

The first day of the new year means one thing for dozens of local residents - it's time to put on swimming trunks. Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club, a nonprofit organization for Olympic flat water canoe and kayak hopefuls, will hold its 11th Annual Polar Bear Swim on Jan. 1 at the former Olympic venue at Clarks Bridge Park. Each New Year's Day for the past 10 years, nearly 100 ...

New era, same DOT, some say

In 1975, the Rev. Gene Brooks officiated at the funeral for legendary state highway commissioner "Mr. Jim" Gillis.

Cold front slams door on warmth

Last week's record-setting heat wave came to an end Saturday with a cold front that brought with it more than rain.

Buford woman dies in wreck

A 62-year-old Buford woman was killed in an accident at 3:40 p.m. on Sunday, state patrol officials said. Earnestine Barrett Daniel was a passenger in a vehicle on Ga. 332 when the driver of a 2004 Chevrolet Trailblazer failed to maintain the lane on a curve, overcorrected, and the vehicle left the roadway and overturned, officials said.

Day of music marks advent for church

Dozens of families remembered the reason for Christmas Sunday as they attended St. Paul United Methodist Church's annual Christmas Concert Sunday The Summit Street church kicked off the Advent season with the concert that featured a handful of different musical groups.

City school board to discuss calendars

GAINESVILLE - The Gainesville City Board of Education plans to talk Monday about its calendars for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 school years. Shirley Whitaker, assistant superintendent, is set to seek the board's approval for the 2008-09 calendar and present a draft of the 2009-10 calendar. Also on the agenda: discussion of a charter system application the district plans to file with the state, the agenda for a ...

Long arm of the law lends a helping hand

Hall County's men and women who wear the badge took a break Saturday from patrolling their beats to patrol the aisles at a local store. Any would-be shoplifter would have seen that the Target department store on Shallowford Road was not the place to be Saturday morning, when several dozen area law enforcement officers met up with low-income families for the annual "Shop with A Cop" program. The program is ...

State’s GOP heavyweights in DOT duel

A seat on the State Transportation Board is one of the most unique appointments in all of state government.

University selection 101:Deadlines looming for college-bound seniors

GAINESVILLE - Crunch time is here for college-bound high school seniors. Many major colleges have early January application deadlines, so it's decision central in many area households.

A dry county? Habersham faces water crisis

Almost every county in North Georgia is at risk of running dry if the historic drought continues through next year. But Habersham County has more reason to worry than most.

Winter set for a comeback this weekend

If you've been basking in this week's warm weather as you've been doing your Christmas shopping, get ready to bundle up again.

Gainesville parole office not among those closing in state

Georgia is pioneering a new strategy to eliminate parole offices, an effort officials say allows the officers to spend more time working with people in the community and also saves money.

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