School news

Amanda Lathem of Gainesville recently graduated summa cum laude from Young Harris College in Young Harris. She is the daughter of Deborah and Charlie Lathem of Gainesville.

Good news

Hall County 4-H Horse Club members recently participated in the state 4-H Horse Judging contest. The contest, held May 3, was at the University of Georgia Animal Science Instruction Arena. Participants included Bethany Cantrell, Courtney Woodard, Alyssa Ransom, Haley Woodard and coach Tanya Woodard.

Good news

Anna Ruby Falls Scenic Area celebrated Smokey Bear's 64th birthday Aug. 9. The program included a visit from Smokey Bear, nature programs and a fire program by Georgia Forestry Commission staff. Staff from the Cradle of Forestry Interpretive Association, U.S. Forest Service and Georgia Forestry Commission were in attendance along with many visitors.

School news

Kevin Taylor of Flowery Branch has been named to the dean's list at Auburn University in Auburn, Ala. To be named to the dean's list, students must have a 4.0 grade-point average.

School news

Instructors and students from Lanier Technical College participated in the Annual Great Strides 4.8 kilometer for Cystic Fibrosis Walk in May at Georgia Tech. The school was a Kilometer Sponsor and the Student Government Association contributed $1,500 toward the effort to find a cure.

Good news

Boys become Eagle Scouts Four members of Boy Scout Troop 16 obtained the rank of Eagle Scout on July 17: Jack Hortenstine, son of Jay and Sharon Hortenstine; Robert Harste son of Richard and Margaret Harste; Jeremy L. Van Alstine son of Jeffery J. and Theresa S. Van Alstine; and Brad Coker, son of Rick and Brenda Coker. Troop 16's Scoutmaster is Robert Bruner. For his eagle project, Hortenstine built a deck for a cabin ...

School news

Tricia Dial and Lauren Carey, fifth-graders at Mount Vernon Elementary, recently participated in the Georgia State Social Studies Fair at Clayton State University in Morrow. They won the Best in Class I Economics Award with their project, "Man vs. Mussels: Who Needs Lake Lanier's Water More?" They were honored at the Luncheon Meeting of the Georgia Council On Economic Education in May. They interviewed Kelley Randall, director of Gainesville's Public Utilities, as well as Kit ...

School news

Hunter Martin, an eighth-grader at Davis Middle School, spent three weeks of this summer vacation studying robotics at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. The program, offered through Duke University's Talent Identification Program, is open to students in grades seventh through 10th. Once accepted, students must further qualify with high scores on the SAT or ACT. Martin took the ACT in the seventh grade and scored an 18 out of a possible 36 on ...

School news

Second-grade teacher Jacquie Parker was awarded the second annual Clarity Award in honor of her outstanding achievements in the classroom. This award is voted on by the staff at Jones Elementary and is sponsored by Jones' Partner in Education, Clarity. Parker received a certificate of recognition and check for $500 from Clarity.

Uniform news

Second Lt. Troy Loewen, who graduated from North Georgia College & State University in May 2007 with a degree in criminal justice, was deployed in April to Iraq with the 4th Battalion 27th Field Artillery Regiment Iron Thunder supporting the 2nd Brigade, 1st Armored Division. Loewen worked one summer as an intern with the Hall County Sheriff's Office and was assigned to Baumholder, Germany, in December 2007. Loewen and his family moved to Gainesville in ...

Good news

The Spirit of Joy Church in Flowery Branch has been awarded a $2,500 grant by the Jackson EMC Foundation for its food pantry. The food pantry served more than 1,400 people in 2006 and nearly 1,600 in 2007. Grant funds will be used to purchase food.

Uniform news

The following soldiers have graduated from the Infantryman One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning in Columbus:

School news

Kyle Chewning has been named to the dean's list for the spring semester at Maryville College in Maryville, Tenn. Chewning is the son of Wayne and Kimberly Chewning of Gainesville.

Good news

The estate of the late Leta Green Braselton has donated $7,800 to the Friends of the Braselton-West Jackson Library. The money will fund an endowment, with the proceeds used to support the Braselton Library's summer reading program in memory of Braselton.

Uniform news

Midshipman Tyler Dunagan graduated cum laude from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., with a bachelor of science degree in logistics and intermodal transportation. He was also sworn in as a reserve officer in the U.S. Navy and received his U.S. Merchant Marine Officer License. Dunagan was selected by the academy to receive this year's Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges award. U.S. Navy Adm. James Stavridis, commander of ...

Girl Scouts collect food for project

School News

Chestatee Middle schooler earns community award

Good News

Local Elks recognize public safety officers