Good morning, Gainesville.

The Gainesville-based North Georgia Community Foundation will open its 2026 Community Grant Cycle on July 15, committing $1M to support local nonprofit organizations.

Applications will be accepted until Aug. 17 at 5:00 p.m., and a grant application class is set for July 16.

After 41 years in funeral service, Ben Mason and his wife are opening Mason Funeral Home & Cremation Services in the former Asbury Chapel on Main Street in Gainesville's Midland area, with operations expected to begin by July 31.

A massive industrial park is proposed near the inland port in northeast Hall County to boost local commerce, and planning details are expected soon.

Officials from the Lake Lanier Association worry USACE's study on restoring navigation on the Lower Chattahoochee may force larger water releases from Buford Dam, which could further lower Lake Lanier's level now at 1,066 feet amid drought.

USACE has not yet responded to inquiries.

Hall County Tax Commissioner Darla Eden secured over $124k in delinquent personal property taxes from Aeon Clinical Laboratories after the facility closed at Centennial Industrial Park.

The collection resolved four years of unpaid taxes, safeguarded $2.2 million in equipment & supported local schools and county operations.

The Gainesville-Hall County Community Service Center will open Café Joy on Aug.

1, offering free respite care services to residents with dementia & their caregivers. The program, supported by a $100,000 grant from the Alzheimer’s Association, will gradually add more service days.

The American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage after supplies dropped nearly 25% in June, urging local donors to visit designated donation sites in Hall County.

At The Beast Sports Center in Gainesville on Saturday, the Georgia Games powerlifting event saw past champions return from illness and injury.

Champion George Bradley (69) won the 65–69 bench-only class with a 130-pound lift and Ron Domanico (68) captured gold in his event.

Brenau University’s Ernest Ledford Grindle Athletics Department announced the hiring of new volleyball director Emily Kalmink & she previously coached the beach volleyball team at Tusculum University in Greenville, Tennessee.

This change supports Brenau’s long-standing indoor and newer beach volleyball programs.

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.

Back in Time - Tribute Concert

8-10 p.m. — Smithgall Arts Center — $25 individual, $35 table of eight — Enjoy classic hits spanning the '50s to '80s performed by North Georgia’s premier horn and show band.