Ex-coach gets 8 years for molestation

A former youth soccer coach pleaded guilty Wednesday to molesting two teenage girls and received an eight-year prison sentence, Banks County prosecutors said. Matthew Allen Wyrick, 23, was a coach with the North Georgia Soccer Association when he molested one of the victims he was coaching at the time, said Piedmont Judicial Circuit District Attorney Rick Bridgeman. He was arrested at his home in Habersham County in August ...

Challenged Child plans learning program for summer

A group of Challenged Child supporters gathered Wednesday to discuss Summer Sensations, a summer program put on by Challenged Child. The women's advocacy group for Challenged Child has grown from 15 to 100 members during its first four months of existence and is ready to make an impact on the community.

Toccoa flood sparked safety measures for dams

The Safe Dams Program, which regulates dams like the one at Lake Wendy in White County, came about as a result of one of the worst dam breaks in Georgia history.

Birds beware: Scarecrows are invading

HOSCHTON - Come September, there won't be a crow for miles around Hoschton.

DOT board meeting is first since chairman’s departure

The State Transportation Board meets today for the first time since resolving the controversy over Department of Transportation Commissioner Gena Abraham and her relationship with former 9th District board member Mike Evans.

Planning and Appeals hears feud over fence

A granted request to build a decorative iron fence one inch from a woman's Park Hill Drive neighbor has created a barrier in the two neighbors' friendship.

Hole in dam worries White County residents

Residents of the Jenny's Creek and Town Creek area of White County endured a tense night late Tuesday and early today as the possibility of flooding from both creeks remained unknown. This morning, however, with a flash flood warning canceled, the immediate threat seems to have passed. Officials in White County said there was no flooding overnight and no one was evacuated from their homes.

Mills ‘disappointed’ by Perdue veto

Gov. Sonny Perdue has vetoed a bill by Rep. James Mills, R-Chestnut Mountain, which was intended to require authorities to seize vehicles of people who are in the country illegally and are involved in a traffic accident. A watered-down version of the bill was offered in the Senate and subsequently passed by the House. It allowed law enforcement officers to impound a vehicle of a person who does not have ...

Packed shelters reflect slow economy

It's getting to be a common sight in some Georgia communities: A home gets foreclosed on and the family moves out in a hurry, leaving a stack of their belongings at the curb. And occasionally they leave their pets behind, too. Authorities in some metro Atlanta counties have reported finding dogs or cats trapped inside abandoned homes, deprived of food and water. Fortunately, there haven't yet been any ...

Health system gets Tricare contract

Northeast Georgia Health System has signed an agreement with Tricare, the federal government's health insurance program for military personnel.

Auto dealer, community leader Harold DeLong dies

Harold DeLong, a former Gainesville city commissioner and auto dealer, has died after an extended illness. He was 86. DeLong was the youngest son of a pioneering auto dealer, Frank W. DeLong Sr., who opened a Hudson-Essex-Terraplane dealership on Main Street in 1921.

Perdue permits guns in restaurants, MARTA

ATLANTA - Governor Sonny Perdue on Wednesday signed legislation allowing guns in restaurants, on public transportation and in parks.

Number 21: Another case of rabies reported in Hall

Hall County's tally of rabies cases this year has increased to 21. The most recent incident occurred Sunday on Green Drive, off Clarks Bridge Road in North Hall. Mike Ledford, director of Hall County Animal Control, said a skunk came into contact with a domestic dog. "The dog actually grabbed the skunk and tossed it around a bit," he said. Authorities sent the ...

Agency to offer foreclosure seminar

The pummelled economy has been a dark cloud for many involved in the buying and selling of real estate. However, Gainesville real estate executive Frank Norton Jr. said Tuesday that the glut of foreclosures hitting the market may actually be more of a silver lining than one would think.

Oakwood discusses road expansion, sewer rates

Engineering and design plans for the Thurmond Tanner Parkway extension are in the final stages of approval.

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.

Standoff suspect makes first appearance in court

A Gainesville man charged with terroristic threats, criminal damage to property and reckless conduct had his first appearance before a Hall County magistrate judge on Wednesday.

State to privatize its lodge parks by July 1

The Georgia Department of Natural Resources is moving to privatize lodge parks in the state, as part of fulfilling a state mandate to become, among other things, more self-sufficient.

Red Rabbit to continue operating

The saga of the Red Rabbit fixed-route bus service ended Wednesday with the Hall County Board of Commissioners approving an agreement with Gainesville, but it didn't end quietly.

Army Rangers in training perform safety exercises on Lake Lanier

About 100 Rangers in training from Camp Frank D. Merrill in Dahlonega parachuted into Lake Lanier at War Hill Park in Dawsonville on Wednesday.

Residents speak out against city’s at-large voting system during council meeting

Two Gainesville residents spoke against the city's at-large voting system at Tuesday's City Council meeting.

City holds first transportation public meeting

Upon moving to Gainesville in February, Tricia Terrell soon discovered that in-town travel - at least by foot or bicycle - was more than a little tricky.

Lumpkin County Superintendent: Prayer encouraged as long as it doesn’t disrupt class

A week after a student-led prayer resulted in more than 50 Lumpkin County High School students skipping classes, the system's superintendent said no action will be taken other than working to educate teachers and students about the law pertaining to prayer in school.

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.