Good morning, Gainesville.

The Ivester Foundation invested $300,000 in the HALLmark initiative to boost community development in Gainesville and Hall County — its donation brings total pledges to $2.2 million toward a $2.9 million goal for leadership, education, and workforce efforts.

Doug Ivester, a Gainesville native and UGA BBA ’69 graduate, received an honorary doctorate at UGA’s Fall Commencement for 60 years of local support that includes major scholarship contributions (over $1M donated).

He will serve as fall 2026 commencement speaker, urging graduates to keep dreaming.

Brenau University President David L.

Barnett was affirmed as chair of the SACSCOC board at the annual meeting on Dec. 9 in Nashville, Tennessee. He succeeds Blaine Hanson & will use his five-year board experience to guide the accrediting body.

A high school basketball preview highlights the top-ranked Gainesville team + back-to-back champion Cherokee Bluff as favorites for the county championship, setting the stage for a competitive local matchup.

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.