Good morning, Gainesville.

Lawson Air Conditioning & Plumbing broke ground on its new 64,000 sqft headquarters in Gainesville 85 Business Park.

The facility will house corporate offices + training rooms and include 20,000 sqft for lease, with construction scheduled to finish in Fall 2026.

Quinlan Visual Arts Center is hosting its winter exhibition featuring four northeast Georgia artists whose work ranges from everyday realism to abstract art with religious themes.

The exhibit will run through the season at the Quinlan facility.

Riverside Preparatory Academy and UNG signed a revised memorandum this week to guarantee preferred admissions and award a $3,500 leadership scholarship to up to five qualifying Riverside cadets.

The deal builds on partnerships with military-friendly colleges (Brenau, The Citadel, and others).

The Melvin Douglas and Victoria Kay Ivester Foundation donated $1.1 million to create the M.

Douglas Ivester Scholar at UGA School of Medicine — a new scholarship program for future medical students.

The Hall County School Board voted Monday night to extend its ban on electronic device use at school to include grades 9-12, with the policy confirmed Tuesday morning.

It limits device use during class to reduce distractions and boost academic focus.

The Hall County Board of Education approved a policy that bans cell phones and devices from kindergarten through eighth grade classrooms starting in the 2026 school year.

Older students may use devices for field trips, pep rallies, and approved events (with exceptions for students with IEPs).

Teachers of the Year for Gainesville and Hall County were named Tuesday at Lanier College Career Academy (LCCA) when Emily Allison of Cherokee Bluff Middle and Chandler Reed of Enota Elementary were honored; the Gainesville School System also recognized 2024 TOTY Amanda Secund at a luncheon provided by LCCA students.

Jackson EMC (JEMC) has announced $16 million in refunds to about 237,000 current and former members based on their past electricity payments from 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2024.

Checks are being mailed in December and the total refund has reached $236 million since 1938.

Red Cross is hosting five blood and platelet drives in Hall County through Dec.

30, with drives at Gainesville Civic Center on Dec. 17 and Dec. 26 (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.). The drives aim to help with holiday donation shortages.

USPA Tested and Open Winter Classic 2

11 a.m. – 8 p.m. — The Beast Sports Center, LLC — No refunds — Experience thrilling powerlifting competition with categories for all skill levels.

BloodLust Live Performance

8:00–9:30 p.m. — Blackstrap Rock Hall — Tickets start at $74 — Experience an unforgettable night with BloodLust in Gainesville, GA.