Good morning, Gainesville.

An Alto woman, 24-year-old Brooke Morgan Bestpitch, is accused of giving a toddler marijuana and hogtying him at a Hall County residence as investigators uncovered graphic evidence from her cell phone and social media—she was arrested on April 11 and later released on an $11,200 bond.

A Hall County State Court judge agreed on Tuesday, April 15, to add 13 families to a lawsuit alleging that a North Hall daycare dosed children with Benadryl — court documents detail the decision.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed HB 112 Tuesday to give eligible taxpayers a one-time tax refund of $250 to $500 based on their 2023 filing status—full-year and part-year residents must file both 2023 and 2024 income tax returns on time to qualify, and refunds will be issued through direct deposit or by check.

Gainesville residents can now receive advanced care at NGMC Gainesville as the new epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) offers continuous video EEGs to record brain activity in a safe, controlled setting.

Patients referred by an epileptologist will typically stay for 3 to 5 days for monitoring and treatment planning.

Veterinary surgeons at the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia performed their 100,000th spay-and-neuter surgery and thanked a dedicated team—led by Dr. Michelle Cox—for their hard work in keeping pets healthier.

Officials said each surgery helps reduce the number of animals in shelters.

On Wednesday, Buford had the chance to clinch the Region 8-6A title with a win over Dacula at Gerald McQuaig Field.

Meanwhile, Habersham Central aimed to secure a playoff spot in Region 8-5A with a win over Alcovy while Gainesville started a three-game series with Johns Creek for a chance at the region title.

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.

AC/DC Tribute Concert in Gainesville

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers — Grab your tickets while they last — Experience high-voltage rock 'n' roll with an electrifying tribute to AC/DC.