Good morning, Gainesville.

Hall County Park & Leisure Services will host a ribbon cutting ceremony today at 5:00 at Laurel Park to mark the groundbreaking for a special playground.

Brenau University honored seven North Georgia educators with the annual Masters in Teaching award in partnership with Featherbone Communiversity—recognizing their dedication to education in the Gainesville-Hall County community.

Holly Witcher, 2025 Georgia Teacher of the Year, spoke at the event.

In March, Gainesville had temperatures nearly 4 degrees above normal with an average of 56.8°F and 2.5 inches less rain, the biggest change among nine stations under the National Weather Service Peachtree City office.

Macon had almost normal weather with just a half degree above average and a small increase in rain.

The IRS reminds individuals and businesses in disaster areas — including those in Georgia — that their 2024 federal income tax returns and payments are due on May 1, not April 15.

Taxpayers needing extra filing time can request an extension, though it does not extend the time to pay.

Hall County will hold a ribbon cutting ceremony on April 22 to officially complete the Friendship Road sewer project that added 5.2 miles of sewer lines for the Mitchell Creek Basin.

District 1 Commissioner Kathy Cooper said the project, started in April 2023 and budgeted at $13.9 million (funded with SPLOST and ARPA dollars), includes 3.2 miles of gravity lines and 2 miles of force main lines (the ceremony at 6166 Blackjack Road will offer shuttle service) to support local growth.

Flowery Branch Spring Festival

10 a.m. – 4 p.m. — Flowery Branch Amphitheater — Free entry — Enjoy a day of fun with food trucks, live music, and family-friendly activities.

Cresswind’s Electronics Recycling Drive

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Cresswind at Lake Lanier | Clubhouse — $20 per flat-screen TV — Safely dispose of your unwanted electronics while supporting sustainability.

Parents Workshop – The Path to College

10-11 p.m. — Brenau’s Banks Recital Hall — Free entry — Learn about the college application process and scholarship opportunities in Spanish.

Southeastern Championship Bull Riding

6 PM — Chicopee Woods Agricultural Center — Ticket cost unknown — Experience thrilling bull riding action at this regional championship event.

Spring Preview Day 2025

9 a.m. – 12 p.m. — John S. Burd Performing Arts Center — Free entry — Explore potential opportunities at Brenau University and learn more about what they offer.

Edgar Allan Poe Speakeasy in Gainesville

10:00 p.m. – 1:30 a.m. — 3263 Tanners Mill Rd, Gainesville, GA — Ticketed event — Dive into the chilling tales of Poe while enjoying themed cocktails crafted for each story.

Lanier Technical College Foundation 5K

9:30 AM – 1:30 PM — Lanier Technical College — $TBA — Participate in a lively 5K run sponsored by Kings Hawaiian to support local education.

Watering Can Workshop

6-7:30 p.m. — Hall County Library Blackshear Place — $4.99 — Unleash your creativity by painting a charming spring watering can.

Public Art: block pARTy FUNdraiser

6-10 p.m. — Roosevelt Square — $60 — A vibrant celebration uniting artists and art lovers for a cause in public art.