Gainesville
Morning News
Friday, September 12th, 2025
Good morning, Gainesville. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 12th of September.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ On the 24th anniversary of 9/11, Community Service Officers Mike Burgamy and Chuck Poteet of the Hall County Sheriff’s Office accepted a commemorative American flag from Rick and Patti Hardin—its red stripes list the 2,977 names of victims including Gainesville native Edna Stephens who died at the Pentagon after 34 years as a budget analyst. The Deaton Creek Military Support Club also gave a certificate to honor all first responders in the community. 97.5 Glory
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Local fall festivals in northeast Georgia are set to begin soon and will celebrate apples, gold, moonshine, chickens, and mule camps. Gainesville will host its Chicken Festival on October 19 and its Mule Camp Market on October 10 while Flowery Branch will start its Fall Festival on Sept. 21 with a preview car show — other events include Ellijay’s Apple Festival on Oct. 11, Dahlonega’s Gold Rush Days on Oct. 18, and Dawsonville’s Moonshine Festival on Oct. 24. 97.5 Glory
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Flowery Branch High School experienced a brief lockdown Thursday morning after staff repeatedly activated the panic button during a student’s medical emergency. The Gainesville Times
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ Drought conditions are expanding in Georgia and have returned to Hall County near Gainesville after a period of improvement. The US Drought Monitor reports that drought now covers 28 percent of the state+ dry weather is expected to continue over the next week due to little chance of rain. 97.5 Glory
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ An audit found $2M in unpaid school property taxes in Hall County after hundreds of homeowners received improper senior homestead exemptions, according to Tax Commissioner Darla Eden. Officials will soon decide if they will try to collect the missing revenue—no collection steps have been announced yet. The Gainesville Times
- ➤ The Hall County Commission approved a 3.227 General Fund millage rate on Thursday as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget—this move provides tax relief by rolling back nearly a decade of rate increases. The new rate and local homestead exemption under House Bill 1268 will lower property tax bills for most homesteaded property owners. 97.5 Glory
- ➤ The HallCounty Sheriff’s Office launched a scam prevention video today—funded by the Cresswind Lake Lanier Community Fund—to help citizens, especially seniors, avoid fraud. Sheriff Gerald Couch said the video is now used at community meetings and available to everyone who wants to learn how to avoid scams. 97.5 Glory
- ➤ Former State Sen. Butch Miller of Gainesville was named to the Board of Governors of the World Congress Center Authority as announced Thursday by Gov. Brian Kemp—Miller left his senate seat in 2022 after serving as Senate President Pro Tempore and now co-owns Milton Martin Honda. 97.5 Glory
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Georgia High School Association was asked to create new rules for high school sports reclassifications when a committee met Wednesday to set up a framework for appeals by schools asking to move down classes due to sports performance—some people want the rules to consider factors beyond enrollment. The new framework may lead to further changes in how schools are classified in future seasons. 97.5 Glory
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Latino Fest Gainesville
3-9 p.m. — Midland Greenway — Free entry — Celebrate Latin American culture with live music, delicious food, and vibrant performances.
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GRITS 2025 — GeorgiaFIRST Robotics
5 PM – 5 PM — Riverside Preparatory Academy — Registration required — Compete in the exciting off-season robotics tournament and showcase.
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Larry Fleet Concert
8:00 – 9:30 PM — Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy the soulful sounds of Tennessee-born troubadour Larry Fleet inspired by legendary artists.
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