Gainesville
Morning News
Friday, October 31st, 2025
Good morning, Gainesville. Here's your local news at a glance for Friday, the 31st of October.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ The City of Gainesville will host Trick or Treat on the Square today from 3 to 6 p.m. in the historic square, where local businesses and community groups will offer free candy stops and downtown streets (Main, Bradford, Spring, Washington) will be closed from noon for vendor setup at 1 p.m. 97.5 Glory
- ➤ A new shelter opened along Dorsey Street on Oct. 17 to help Gainesville’s growing homeless population after the city cleared a large camp for sewer maintenance and stream restoration. The shelter offers hope to residents like Rob Wilbanks—who spent nearly 20 years as a forensic engineer before facing job loss, a cancer diagnosis, and the end of his 13-year marriage—now struggling with homelessness. The Gainesville Times
BUSINESS NEWS
- ➤ Benjie and Marsha Hopkins of Hopkins Associates were named the Chamber’s Small Business of the Month. Their company has worked for nearly 10 years—serving 13 counties by teaming with the Georgia Mountains Regional Commission to run the Georgia Mountains One-Stop Career Center in Gainesville, offering GED training, job listings, and resume help. AccessWDUN
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Gainesville’s own Peyton Kyle advanced to the next round of The Voice — he now competes on Team Reba led by country music icon Reba McEntire. The Gainesville Times
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ The Hall County Board of Education approved $1.4 million to replace bleachers at four high schools—funds that will be used for new seating—ensuring updated facilities for students. WSB-TV
ENVIRONMENT NEWS
- ➤ The past week brought improved drought conditions in parts of Georgia—Gainesville area counties Dawson, Lumpkin, White, and Habersham are now free of drought and 8.5% of the state is drought-free compared to 3% last week, while Lake Lanier remained at 1066.0 and drought worsened in parts of south and west Georgia. 97.5 Glory
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Gainesville City Council dedicated the C. Danny Dunagan, Jr. Ballroom at the Lake Lanier Boathouse to the late councilman and former mayor Danny Dunagan on Oct 30—honoring his public service and legacy. The Gainesville Times
REAL ESTATE NEWS
- ➤ Construction has begun on a new 71,500 square foot Residence Inn by Marriott in Gainesville. Ecker Construction and Capstone Property Group are building the five-story, 99-room hotel off White Sulphur Road to serve extended stays near Interstate 985 — Lake Lanier Olympic Park and the Cooper Youth Athletic Complex. AccessWDUN
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ The Cherokee Bluff softball team won 7 to 2 in the quarterfinals on October 30 and will play Lafayette in the state semifinal game today at 5 p.m. North Hall lost 8 to 1 on Thursday and will face Pickens in an elimination game on Friday morning. 97.5 Glory
- ➤ North Hall lost to Lafayette in the opening game of the Class 3A softball state tournament. The Lady Trojans will play in an elimination game today against Pickens. The Gainesville Times
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SkynFolks - Lynyrd Skynyrd Tribute
7:30-9 p.m. — Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers — $15+ — Experience the authentic sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd performed live by tribute band SkynFolks.
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Bob Ross Paint Party
2-4 p.m. — Hall County Library Blackshear Place — Free participation — Create your own Bob Ross landscape painting in a relaxed, guided setting.
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Dueling Pianos Friendsgiving Celebration
7:30-9:00 p.m. — Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers — $20 — Enjoy a night of high-energy music and festive fun with the Andrews Brothers' dueling pianos show.
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Rodney Atkins Live Performance
7-9:30 p.m. — Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy an evening filled with heartfelt country music and stories from Rodney Atkins.
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Ryan Montgomery Concert
6:00 – 9:30 p.m. — Boot Barn Hall at Bourbon Brothers — Ticketed event — Enjoy an evening of country music with rising star Ryan Montgomery.
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PiCATso Paint Workshop
5:30-7:30 p.m. — Hall County Library Downtown — $10 supply fee — Unleash your creativity with a cat-themed paint workshop in celebration of National Cat week.
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Watercolor Workshop with Vicki Paulus
10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. — Hall County Library North Hall Technology Center — $2.94 — Unleash your creativity at this engaging watercolor workshop.
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The Carole King & James Taylor Story - Tribute Show
7:30-9:30 p.m. — The Hall at Bourbon Brothers — $ — Experience the musical journey of two legends through a critically acclaimed tribute show.
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That Arena Rock Show
8:00-9:30 p.m. — The Hall at Bourbon Brothers — Cost varies — Experience high-energy classic rock anthems from the 70s and 80s performed live.
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Turkey Trot 5K/10K/Half Marathon
7:45-11:45 a.m. — Riverside Track — Registration fee applies — A fun-filled Thanksgiving morning run for all fitness levels.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
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No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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Reveal the authorAbout Gainesville Morning News
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