Good morning, Gainesville.

Marvin Chris Mangum—a Lula man wanted on charges from Hall County—was arrested after a chase in southern Habersham County on May 9 when he ran stop signs on Ivie Street, crashed his Ford Ranger in a parking lot by jumping a ditch and hitting a sheriff's vehicle, then fled on foot until a K-9 caught him near The Lord's Help Soup Kitchen.

Ishmael Marsh, 19, is accused of punching a teenage girl in the jaw at Little River Park after his girlfriend was hit in the forehead by an unknown object – testimony and video evidence detailed the incident as he appeared in Magistrate Court on May 9.

Between 2020 and 2024, Gainesville added 66 retail establishments—a 10.9% increase—and grew retail employment by 730 workers, ranking it as the 11th fastest growing small metro in the nation.

On Friday, 364 graduates walked through Lanier Tech's College Hall Campus Quad to receive a certificate, diploma, or degree from President Tim McDonald.

The school said the Class of 2025 includes 1,677 graduates — a record total from last fall's enrollment of 6,929 — with an average GPA of 3.39 and an age range of 15 to 68.

Gainesville High School will confer three honorary diplomas (in its 131st graduation commencement) on Friday, May 16.

The Gainesville City Council voted 4-1 on May 6 to rezone 134 acres off Athens Highway for a landfill and composting operation despite strong opposition from local residents.

City officials said planning will soon begin for the site—residents raised concerns at the meeting—while appeals may still be considered.

Gainesville’s trolley system returns today with expanded routes offering free service through stops including Dixon Drive, the Midland area, Glenwood, Riverside Drive and the Chattahoochee Golf Club.

Hall Area Transit added a new Fair Street route and will run the service weekly from Thursday through Saturday until Sept. 6 — all with varying times for each route.

Governor Brian Kemp signed a bill on Friday, May 9 that will allocate funds to build inclusive playgrounds across Georgia.

House Representative Matt Dubnik said the bill was inspired by Hope for Hall and requires that new elementary school playgrounds built after July 2027 include a unitary surface and metal roller slides.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed a bill into law Friday — the law was spurred by a Hall County mother's advocacy and requires all public elementary schools built after July 1, 2027 to have inclusive playgrounds.

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.

The Venue Jazz Orchestra Performance

8 PM — Smithgall Arts Center — Check for ticket prices — Experience the energetic sounds of a modern big band featuring top local musicians.

Ultimate Music Wave Festival

4:45-10:30 p.m. — Smithgall Arts Center — Tickets available — Celebrate the 25th Anniversary of 'Sittin at a Bar' with live performances from Rehab and Mickey Avalon.

Midland Music Fest

5-10 p.m. — Midland Greenway — Free entry — Experience a vibrant evening filled with music and community fun at the Midland Music Fest.

Forge Your Own Path: Tiger TTRPG Camp

10 a.m. – 3 p.m. — Brenau Trustee Library — $250 with early bird rate — Unleash creativity in a camp that blends storytelling and tabletop role-playing games.

USPA The Iron Beast Powerlifting Meet

All day — The Beast Sports Center, LLC — Registration required — Compete in various lifting categories and aim for the best lifter award in this prestigious powerlifting event.

Diamond Art Painting Workshop

6:00-7:30 p.m. — Hall County Library Blackshear Place — $5 supply fee — Create beautiful diamond artwork in a relaxed environment.