Good morning, Gainesville.

Barrow County Sheriff Jud Smith was named Sheriff of the Year by the Georgia Sheriffs Association for his leadership following the Apalachee school mass shooting.

A Gainesville couple is pleading with Congress and the FDA to restore a life-changing drug for their daughter Hope—while demonstrators in Cumming gathered on Friday to support veterans and protest policies.

At approximately 6:45 p.m. today, Hall County Fire Rescue responded to a residential fire on the 5200 block of Frazer Road in Buford after a lightning strike hit the home during a thunderstorm, and crews quickly contained the blaze.

A new report from stacker.com ranks the top 50 highest-paying jobs in Gainesville for high school graduates using Bureau of Labor Statistics data from May 2024—jobs include cement masons and concrete finishers at rank 50 and transportation, storage, and distribution managers at rank 1.

Collins Hill student Gavin Ownbey won first place in Georgia Tech’s Manufacture Your Music competition using the EarSketch platform to code a song with a rising bass line—he received a $500 Amazon gift card and visited the Guthman Music, Art and Technology Fair with his family.

Hall County Fire Rescue has named Bradley Martin and Bryan Cash as the new deputy fire chiefs effective June 16 — Martin will oversee administration while Cash will manage operations.

They bring nearly 60 years of combined service experience that is expected to enhance the department’s leadership.

Gainesville issued 210 building permits last month — 99 for commercial projects, including four new structures costing $738,500, and 111 for residential work with 58 new single-family homes estimated at $12.7 million.

On Saturday, June 7, a Hall County family petitioned the FDA after a letter issued on May 29 denied approval of elamipretide—a drug the family says helped stabilize their 4-year-old daughter Hope’s heart function—for treating her rare disease.

The family said Hope has shown more energy and improved quality of life and warned that their current four-month supply—administered in a nightly shot—may run out if the FDA decision is not reversed soon.

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.

Movies Under the Stars

7-10 p.m. — Braselton Town Green — Free entry — Enjoy a family-friendly movie under the stars while dining from local restaurants.

Quiet Riot Concert

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers — Check event page for cost — Enjoy legendary rock tunes from the band credited as the first heavy metal group to top the Billboard charts.

The Arts Council: Riverstreet Concert

8 PM – 12 AM — Smithgall Arts Center — Ticket information not provided — Get ready to dance to classic rock with the local band RIVERSTREET!

Virtual Tour of Assisted Living Community

9 AM – 7 PM — The Oaks - Scenic View (Assisted Living) — Free entry — Explore exceptional senior living with a focus on community, dining, and activities.

BROstock 2025

10 a.m. – 10 p.m. — Lake Lanier Olympic Park — Entry details not specified — Celebrate 20 years of BROstock with epic wakeboarding contests and live concerts.

Steve Earle Concert

5-9 p.m. — Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers — Check venue for ticket info — Experience an evening with one of the most acclaimed singer-songwriters of his generation.

First Friday Concert and Fireworks Show

7-10 p.m. — Midland Greenway — Free entry — Enjoy a festive evening of live music followed by a spectacular fireworks display.

Open Mic Night

8-11 p.m. — Blackstrap Rock Hall — Sign up online — Showcase your talent with live music performances from bands and solo acts.

Summer Tennis Camp: Week 3

9 AM – 3 PM — Brenau Tennis Courts — T-shirt included — A comprehensive tennis camp for kids ages 6-17 to develop their skills through drills and match play.