Good morning, Gainesville.

Three Gainesville mothers introduced the outdoor play program Sticks & Sprouts at the United Methodist Church at 404 Washington St NW on Saturday, Aug.

22, offering children a chance to spend less time online and more time playing outside.

Foxfire Museum returns to Northeast Georgia History Center on Sept.

15, offering live demonstrations of traditional crafts (blacksmithing, flint knapping, woodworking, and wool dying) that celebrate Appalachian heritage in Gainesville.

A UGA study shows that Georgia ports support over 605,000 jobs and yield $44 billion in income—with nearly one in eight jobs tied to port activity—while the Gainesville Inland Port, operational since May with 20 employees, is set to expand as it becomes fully active.

In August, the city approved over 160 building permits for commercial & residential projects worth more than $18 million, including four for new commercial construction and eleven for new single-family homes.

The Hall County Commission will review proposals to rezone a 22-acre mixed-use site on Barker Road and nearly ten acres for an outdoor storage facility by Matthew Pridmore at the Sept.

22 meeting.

A 23-home subdivision is proposed off Gainesville Highway in South Hall (from Buford planning documents) and could add new housing options along the busy road.

High school softball region play saw North Hall dominate Chestatee while Cherokee Bluff picked up a win over East Hall.

On Aug. 28, Flowery Branch's junior linebacker Ryland Garrison made key stops and plays during a Falcons rivalry win that earned him Defensive Player of the Week plus boosted the team's drive in the contest.

Gainesville High kicker Dwayne Carter, son of hip-hop legend Lil Wayne, made two field goals on Aug.

22 at Phillip Beard Stadium in Buford and attracted college interest. His strong performance has boosted his profile among recruiters.

After a historic playoff run last season, Gainesville High's Red Elephants will face a long drive for Friday's game against Illinois powerhouse East St. Louis & the trip is expected to test the team's strength.