Independent audit wanted of assessors office

Hall County Commissioner Deborah Mack said Thursday that she wants to see the appointed board of tax assessors expanded from three members to five and have an independent audit of the tax assessors office in light of recent accusations of possible financial improprieties.

Let the shopping begin: Some retailers open in Forsyth’s outdoor mall

When they held the grand opening for Chocolaterie last week, co-founders Elizabeth and Michael Ashworth thought they would have plenty of promotional truffles for what they anticipated would be a small crowd. After all, The Avenue Forsyth's grand opening isn't until May 17. "We only opened with about 10 other stores," Michael Ashworth said. "It has been going very well, and we're very fortunate to be in The Avenue community." ...

Gainesville presents balanced budget for 2008-09

A slowing economy and rising health insurance costs have pounded Gainesville's budget, but residents may not feel the hurt in their tax bills.

Oldest bowler, 106, dies

In 2007, at 106 years old, Bill Hargrove was honored by the U.S. Bowling Congress as the oldest active bowler in the history of the game. Despite suffering from deteriorating eyesight, he continued participating in the sport he loved. Hargrove of Clermont kept bowling up until last week, just before he was hospitalized and died Monday of congestive heart failure at Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Today would have been Hargrove's ...

City could begin saying ‘yes’ to developers

The city of Gainesville will resume issuing water availability letters to developers after a suggestion from the city's utilities director that some restrictions could be eased.

Post office to fight hunger

The National Association of Letter Carriers will conduct its 16th annual nationwide Stamp Out Hunger! food drive Saturday. The program is the nation's largest single-day food drive and has netted more than 836 million pounds of food since 1992.

Hall County administrator to resign

Hall County Administrator Jim Shuler is resigning his post effective June 30 after reaching an agreement to cut short his current one-year contract by three months, officials announced during a regular county commission meeting Thursday.

Chunks of the past: Murrayville man seeks new home for old cannonball

He's not positive exactly what it is, but John McCracken of Murrayville knows he wants to get rid of it. He hopes his junk is indeed another man's treasure.

Jogger stable after being struck by car

A Gainesville youth minister was in critical but stable condition Thursday after being struck by a drunken driver while jogging, officials and family members said. Vester Lewis, 56, was jogging north alongside Tanners Mill Road off the roadway near its intersection with Jones Lane shortly before 1:30 p.m. Wednesday when he was struck by a southbound 1996 Pontiac Trans Am driven by 46-year-old Annette Jackson of Gainesville, the Georgia State ...

20 rabies cases now confirmed in Hall County

The number of confirmed rabies cases in Hall County has increased to 20.

Wal-Mart sweetens drug plan

Every cloud has a silver lining.

Search to resume Friday for possible drowning victim

Authorities have suspended the search for a man believed to have drowned Sunday and will resume searching Lake Lanier on Friday.

The Medical Center Auxiliary honors volunteers

The Medical Center Auxiliary Inc. honored three long-time volunteers at its annual Volunteer Appreciation Dinner Wednesday.

Area schools outperform state on graduation tests

Area high school juniors have outperformed the state on the 2008 Georgia High School Graduation Tests.

Flowery Branch's downtown revitalization project is still on

The Flowery Branch Historic Preservation Commission approved plans for a $15 million mixed-use development Wednesday that seeks to revitalize the city's historic downtown. The commission's approval is the first step in the process toward constructing the commercial and residential venture Hortman and Dobbs Developers LLC are planning to build. Hortman and Dobbs Developers, owned by Flowery Branch residents Marty Hortman and Kellin Dobbs, is planning a 2.5-acre, mixed-use ...

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.

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.