Good morning, Gainesville.

In White County, state troopers said Brian Wallace, 51 from Clermont, died in a Tuesday crash on SR 11 near Albert Reid Rd when the driver of a Kia Forte crossed into oncoming traffic and hit another car—while in Banks County, the driver of a 1997 Dodge 1500 was not identified after his car went off Rock Springs Road and caught fire.

Yesterday—Sept. 3—a groundbreaking ceremony was held in South Hall for the new Kroger Marketplace with Kroger executive Victor Smith addressing the event.

Kroger has not yet disclosed how many people will be hired for the project.

Bend Bioscience will invest $20 million in its Gainesville facility to expand manufacturing space by 20% and increase its workforce, with the expanded site expected to be operational in early 2027—supporting local advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing and a new apprenticeship program in partnership with Lanier Tech. This move follows a previous upgrade that added commercial-scale equipment to the 120,000-square-foot site.

Gainesville City Board of Education approved a spending resolution for September that limits spending to roughly $11 million—one-twelfth of the previous fiscal year’s budget—after delays in receiving the FY2026 digest.

The board will adopt the new FY2026 budget on Sept. 15 at the Gainesville City Public Safety Complex.

The state Board of Education recently authorized $19.3 million for student mental health services today including $80,000 for the Gainesville City School System and $340,000 for the Hall County School District.

The board also approved certification reimbursement grants for paraprofessionals to earn teaching certification—though neither school received funds for that program.

The FDA approved COVID-19 vaccines for people over 65 and set rules so that younger residents must have certain health problems to be eligible.

CVS now requires prescriptions and Walgreens needs appointments in Georgia — the state health department has its own rules for giving out the shots.

Gainesville senior Kadin Fossung — a 6-foot-3, 220-pound player — recorded six solo tackles, including three for loss and two sacks, and forced a fumble with a recovery in the 42-14 win over Westlake last Friday at City Park Stadium.

28th Annual Atlanta Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival

7 a.m. - 5 p.m. — Lake Lanier Olympic Park — Free entry — Experience thrilling dragon boat races and vibrant cultural festivities at this annual celebration.

HOT RAM Live Concert

8 PM – 2 AM — Blackstrap Rock Hall — Tickets available — Experience the heavy sounds of Atlanta's HOT RAM as they rock the night away.

Lee Greenwood Concert

5-9 p.m. — Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers — Ticket prices vary — Experience the legendary sounds of Lee Greenwood, an icon in country music with chart-topping hits.

Sammy Kershaw Concert

7:30-9:00 p.m. — Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers — Check venue for pricing — Enjoy an evening with iconic country artist Sammy Kershaw and his timeless hits.

Paint By Numbers Workshop

5:30-7:30 p.m. — Hall County Library Downtown — $9.74 — Create beautiful flower vase designs in a fun, guided setting.

Power of the Purse Fashion Show Fundraiser

5-8 p.m. — Ramsey Conference Center — Support WomenSource — Celebrate mentorship and community impact through fashion and storytelling.

Terri Clark Concert

7-9 p.m. — Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers — Check for ticket prices — Experience the unforgettable legacy of a Canadian country music icon.

Sara Evans Concert

7-9:30 p.m. — Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a night with multi-platinum country star Sara Evans performing her top hits.

Latino Fest Gainesville

3-9 p.m. — Midland Greenway — Free entry — Celebrate Latin American culture with live music, delicious food, and vibrant performances.

GRITS 2025 — GeorgiaFIRST Robotics

5 PM – 5 PM — Riverside Preparatory Academy — Registration required — Compete in the exciting off-season robotics tournament and showcase.