College students, judge debate impact of 'Jena Six' protests

Gainesville State College students discussed the parameters of a 2006 racially charged incident in Jena, La., inviting municipal court Judge Hammond Law to participate Wednesday.

Cold weather, economic woes hit residents with double-barrel winter blast

When temperatures across Northeast Georgia dropped into the teens shortly after New Year's Day and again last weekend, residents had little choice but to run their furnaces almost nonstop.

Poultry industry shows off research, technology to customers at expo

ATLANTA - For the poultry industry, this is the big one: acres of equipment that handle everything from eggs to processed chickens and everything in between. The 60th annual International Poultry Expo may not be the biggest show held at the Georgia World Congress Center, but for the poultry industry, this is the granddaddy of them all. It's three days of meeting face to face with customers ...

School funding from state is ‘going backward’

ATLANTA - An education advocacy group released its top 10 issues for 2008 on Wednesday, giving no issue any particular priority. But it was clear from the discussions that followed with education reporters statewide that how to pay for education will get a lot of legislative attention this year. The issue surfaced time and again in the second annual media symposium sponsored by the Georgia Partnership for ...

Two Lanier Tech projects included in governor's proposed spending plan

ATLANTA - The agency that oversees Georgia's technical colleges presented its $387 million budget request Wednesday to a joint meeting of the House and Senate appropriations committees. The 2009 budget package includes funds for an expansion of Lanier Technical College's campus in Cumming and a new building for the college in Dawsonville. The funds for both projects were approved by the House and Senate in the current ...

Smoke inhalation killed woman in New Holland fire

Authorities have narrowed the cause of a fire that claimed the life of a Gainesville woman Tuesday night to two possibilities: smoking or candles. Diane Vinson, 55, died in the fire on East Main Street in a neighborhood of mill houses in the New Holland area of Gainesville, according to Hall County Coroner Marion Merck. An autopsy conducted Wednesday concluded that Vinson died from smoke inhalation, Merck said. <font ...

Doctor's old-fashioned medical care starts with a $1,600 price tag

Imagine having a doctor who's available by cell phone 24 hours a day, who handles your care personally if you're hospitalized, who doesn't rush through your appointment so he can see his next patient.

Gainesville school board can't decide on permanent chairman

The Gainesville school board voted Tuesday night to keep a chairman-of-the-month rotation through June, but, on the advice of board attorney Phil Hartley, selected an acting chairman to sign legal documents.

Man accused of practicing law without license

Finees Casado looked the part of a lawyer and acted the part, but lacked the credentials, authorities say. Casado, who operates Casado's Associates LLC, a storefront office on Jesse Jewell Parkway offering assistance in immigration and tax matters, faces possible grand jury indictment after being charged with felony theft by deception last month. The arrest serves to underscore a more disturbing trend of people providing legal services without ...

Warmer weather coming this week

Despite the freezing rain that fell on Hall County for part of Tuesday, it seemed that few problems lingered into the evening. That's likely a welcome relief to local folks and officials who spent the end of last week and the weekend dealing with almost back-to-back weather events that dumped snow and a bit of ice across the region.

Power wheelchair soccer team carries the legacy of its founder in North Georgia

At about 5 p.m. every Wednesday, the North Georgia Screamin Eagles start gearing up to practice one of the rarest sports in the state of Georgia. Unlike other sports teams, the Screamin Eagles have no need for special shoes that make them run faster or jump higher. They only need eight guys, a soccer ball, charged batteries and a guard.

Go Fish could lure big bucks ($17 million a year) in economic impact for Hall

The Hall County Commission reviewed Gov. Sonny Perdue's Go Fish Georgia Initiative at a work session Tuesday, and will consider approving the engineering contract for related construction at Laurel Park at a Thursday meeting.

Woman killed in fire

Authorities have not yet determined the cause of a fire that claimed the life of woman in the New Holland neighborhood Tuesday night. Hall County Fire Marshal Scott Cagle described the victim as a middle-aged woman who was the only resident of one unit of a mill house converted into a duplex on Main Street, located off Limestone Parkway.

Developments would bring more shoppers to Ga. 365

BALDWIN - Retailers along Ga. 365 are extending a hearty welcome to talk of additional shopping venues along the corridor. This follows a rezoning approval for a major residential development, which will have a shopping component, and an application for a major regional shopping center, both on Ga. 365 in Hall County. Carrie Wilder and her husband, Clint, own a 20,000-square-foot store in Baldwin that carries goods ...

Oakwood planning board meets Tuesday night

Monday's Oakwood Planning Board meeting has been rescheduled for 7 tonight. The meeting will be held at Oakwood City Hall at 4035 Walnut Circle.

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