Good morning, Gainesville.

Ben Mason and his wife Laurie Segars Mason will soon open Mason Funeral Home & Cremation Services at 758 Main St. SW in Midtown, a site known as Asbury Chapel and formerly Ward’s Funeral Home.

United Way of Hall County and United Community are hosting a school supply drive that began on June 23 and ends on July 21 (donations at United Community locations will help students start the school year with needed supplies).

Hall County students set a district record for AP exam pass rate on Feb.

26, 2025 at the Hall County School District Central Office, with the record measuring the percentage of students scoring 3 or higher on a scale of 1 to 5.

Brenau University has named Emily Kalmink as its new director of volleyball; she will coach the indoor and beach teams to strengthen the university's competitive sports program.

A new list of Georgia’s top 30 public high schools was released July 14, showing which schools excel academically; local families may use the ranking to see how their schools compare + learn more about state education trends.

Facing a nearly 25% drop in blood supply and increased hospital need, the Red Cross has scheduled special blood donation drives with today’s event at Auburn Public Library and drives on July 17 and 24 at the Gainesville Civic Center — additional drives are planned in neighboring counties.

Health officials warned Gainesville residents today to wash produce thoroughly as a parasite that causes explosive diarrhea spreads through fruits and vegetables; they urge proper cleaning to help reduce infection risk.

Columnist Gwen Hawn explains that residents can preserve the summer abundance of local fruits and vegetables by canning (a healthy way to enjoy a rainbow of produce) from home gardens and farmers’ markets.

A national developer plans a 516-unit housing project with apartments and villas off Spout Springs Road in Flowery Branch.

The proposal remains under review for further development.

Local lifters competed on Saturday in the Georgia Games in Gainesville and earned top prizes across different age groups and weight classes — a strong display of local talent in weightlifting.

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.

The Brook and The Bluff Concert

8-10 p.m. — Smithgall Arts Center — $35 individual, $40 table of eight — Experience the captivating sounds of The Brook & The Bluff as they promote their new album.