Hall County court clerk legally pockets passport fees

When Hall County Clerk of Court Dwight Wood began processing passport applications in his office in 1991, they came trickling in a few per week, offering a modest supplement to his regular salary from fees of $7.50 each he kept as personal compensation.

Service means a great deal

It was a great day for Hall County on Saturday when the First United Methodist Church held its second annual Great Day of Service. Lynda Askew and Letrell Simpson, who served as co-chairwomen for the event, planned more than 40 community projects for 843 volunteers. Askew said that the day was a tremendous success.

Woman saves children from burning mobile home

A woman rescued two children from her burning mobile home Friday afternoon, braving heavy smoke to pull them from harm, Hall County fire officials said. The woman was in the yard of 103 Second St. when she noticed smoke coming from the windows of the 12-foot-by-60-foot mobile home about 2 p.m. Friday, Hall County Fire Chief David Kimbrell said.

An hour of darkness for Earth’s good

Could you get along without electric lights for one hour? Here's your opportunity to find out.

Landscapers fix up Sonrise Camp

Area landscapers have donated their time and materials to fix up areas at Sonrise Camp in North Hall County, not just to make it look better, but also to make areas more accessible and educational. Members of the North Georgia Chapter of the Metro Atlanta Landscape and Turf Association started working on the camp for special needs children and adults about six weeks ago, according to Steve Murray, president of ...

Fair Street gets new neighborhood center

On Sunday, Gainesville Parks and Recreation will celebrate the opening of its Fair Street Neighborhood Center, which offers just another site in Gainesville where residents can let the good times roll. "We've had the Georgia Mountains Center and the Gainesville Civic Center, and now we have the Fair Street Neighborhood Center," said Brenda Martin, manager of the Gainesville Civic Center. The community center will be available for public ...

Citizens take concerns to officials

A community park for Gainesville's south side has been pursued for at least four years, but has gotten nowhere so far because county officials haven't found adequate land, a group of residents was told Saturday. Hall County Commissioner Deborah Mack said that in order for residents who live in the neighborhood running along the Athens Street corridor to have an adequate park, a minimum of 10 acres would be needed. ...

Brenau announces plans to expand

Brenau is poised to embark upon a 15-year strategic plan that, upon completion, school officials hope will make it one of the pre-eminent universities on the East Coast.

Flowery Branch City Council just trying to get along

The five members of the Flowery Branch City Council attended a two-day team-building retreat with city staff members at Lake Lanier Islands this weekend in an effort to improve communication among members of the council. Flowery Branch Mayor Diane Hirling said the retreat is "well-timed," due to recent disagreements that have arisen between members of the council regarding the minutes of a Feb. 6 city council meeting. At ...

Humane Society to hold another rabies clinic

Due to the recent outbreak of confirmed rabies cases in Hall County, the Humane Society of Hall County will be holding another rabies vaccination clinic on April 19 at the shelter.

Jaycees name young woman, man of the year

Larry Baldwin and Jennifer Willers Gottsman may be best known in Gainesville through their professions, but it was their selfless volunteer work for the children of Hall County that won them recognition Saturday as the Gainesville Jaycees' Young Man and Young Woman of the year. Baldwin, Hall County's solicitor-general since 2004, chairs the Boys and Girls Clubs' "duck derby" fundraiser, reads to children and donates books. He also serves on ...

Sardis Elementary could seek charter status

Sardis Elementary School is looking at possibly pursuing charter status as an "enrichment model" school, said Hall County schools Superintendent Will Schofield.

Just plain ol' Knucksie

At the beginning of the speech he gave while being inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, former Atlanta Braves' pitcher and current Flowery Branch resident Phil Niekro used a telling quote: "If you see a turtle sitting on a fence post, you know it didn't get there by itself."

Columbus shooting puts focus on hospital security

In the wake of a fatal shooting Thursday at a Columbus hospital, many Georgia hospitals are reassessing their own security procedures.

Technology hang-up delays immigration enforcement

When nine Hall County deputies graduated from a federal immigration enforcement training course on Feb. 4, local officials believed it would only be a few weeks at most before they would begin processing for deportation all illegal immigrants booked into the Hall County jail.

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.

New scores released for area schools

School leaders said they are glad more factors are being considered in rating schools, but the scores released Tuesday still don't paint an accurate picture of what's going on in schools with high numbers of students learning the English language.

Mayor: Ban on left turns could be good for Green Street

Gainesville Mayor Danny Dunagan said Tuesday he wants the Georgia Department of Transportation to look at banning left turns on Green Street.

Man killed crossing Ga. 53 on 4-wheeler

Arrest made in Oakwood rape case

A Gainesville man was arrested Friday on rape charges by Oakwood police.

The Local Agenda: Gainesville to hold budget hearing for 2014

The Gainesville City Council is scheduled to hold a hearing on its 2014 proposed budget during tonight's City Council meeting.

Frozen food giveaway happening Wednesday

Caring Hands Ministries will hold a frozen food give away Wednesday in Clermont.

Gainesville City Schools projects increases in both revenue, spending

The Gainesville City School Board heard the final departmental budget presentations for fiscal year 2014 at its work session Monday night.