Good morning, Gainesville.

Hopes for Hall released the design for an Inclusive Playground at Spout Springs Elementary School.

The plan will include a three-story accessible tower — a volo aire tower —, a merry-go-round, and outdoor instruments, with a $150K board contribution secured while $100K remains to be raised.

Hall County Animal Shelter and Laurel Park Dog Park have installed new microchip scanning stations to reunite lost pets with their families + offer $20 chip insertions for pets without a microchip.

The tool will help update owner contact info as needed.

Lanier Islands Resort will host the Concerts for a Cause series next Sunday (gates open 6:00, band starts 7:30 p.m.) at Peachtree Pointe Amphitheater, where Lost in Paradise will perform tribute music with $15 tickets and a celebration discount, benefiting Georgia Mountain Food Bank and Lake Lanier Association.

Gas prices in Gainesville dropped further today to $3.49; the state average fell seven cents and the national price dropped from $4.04 last week to $3.92, easing travel costs before the July 4 holiday.

Spout Springs Elementary will soon get an inclusive playground built by Hope for Hall as the school prepares a space for all children.

The project has received a $150,000 contribution from the county board and still needs $100,000 in community donations.

Brenau University signed an affiliate agreement with Young Harris College to allow students and alumni easier access to graduate programs.

The partnership offers fee waivers and a one-time $200 tuition scholarship (applicants must meet Brenau’s GPA, coursework, and deadline requirements).

The Hall County Sheriff's Office and local public safety agencies will conduct daily training exercises this week at East Hall High School (8 a.m. to 4 p.m.), with the campus closed to the public and residents advised to expect a visible police and fire safety presence.

Storybook & Sensory Bin Experience

10 a.m. – 12 p.m. — Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville — Free entry — Dive into storytelling and sensory exploration for little ones in a lush garden setting.

Flag Painting Workshop

5:30-7:30 p.m. — Hall County Library Downtown — Free entry — Celebrate America creatively at this Americana-style flag painting workshop with refreshments.

Dueling Pianos with The Andrews Brothers

7:30-10:30 p.m. — The Hall at Bourbon Brothers — VIP packages available — Enjoy a lively night of dueling pianos featuring The Andrews Brothers.

62nd Annual Independence Day Celebration

— Time not specified — Laurel Park — Free entry — Celebrate Independence Day with family-friendly festivities at Hall County's annual event.

Syfan Supports 5K and Fun Run

5-9 p.m. — Midland Greenway — Registration fees apply — Enjoy a community 5K with options for runners of all ages and abilities.

Eggy Concert

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Smithgall Arts Center — Price TBA — Experience the modern jam band vibe with rich songwriting and improvisation from the Connecticut-based quartet.

Summer Clay Camp

Mon-Fri, Jul 20-24 — Quinlan Visual Arts Center — Pricing available upon inquiry — A creative space for all skill levels to explore working with clay.

Tracy Byrd Live Concert

7:30-10:30 p.m. — The Hall at Bourbon Brothers — Check venue for ticket prices — Don’t miss Tracy Byrd live—classic hits, incredible voice, and unforgettable country energy await.