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.

School boards to talk money on Monday

With an eye toward the Gold Dome and growth in their backyards, the Gainesville and Hall County school systems are gearing up for budget season.

Cleveland photographer likely slipped to his death, authorities say

A Cleveland man who was reported missing by his wife Wednesday is believed to have fallen to his death at Glade Shoals near Ga. 52 east of Clermont, authorities said after recovering his body Thursday.

County approves South Hall development

Hall County Board of Commissioners approved a rezoning request Thursday for the construction of a 28-acre mixed-use development on the north side of Thompson Mill Road that will be part of a 67-acre lifestyles center straddling the Gwinnett County line.

Saturday will be ‘Great Day’ for hundreds

Early Saturday morning, about 850 people will gather at First United Methodist Church for meditation and communion. Then, wearing shirts emblazoned with "Great Day of Service," they will disperse across Hall County to perform community service projects that vary from painting a church to delivering chicken sandwiches. Saturday will be the second annual Great Day of Service, a community service event in which members of First United Methodist Church will ...

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

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.