Flowery Branch News

The smoke may be clearing from a population explosion in the south end of Hall County.

While some traditional fireworks displays in Georgia are being cancelled this year because of economics, the tradition will continue in many places.

Flowery Branch City Council could vote today to add a $15-per-month surcharge for commercial sewer users to help pay for testing and inspections.

In an age when everyone seems to be clamoring for the newest model of gizmo or gadget, there are still people clinging to good old-fashioned fun.

As soon as the news broke on Thursday about Michael Jackson's death, the singer's fans started pouring into local shops to buy his music.

Andy Watkins of Flowery Branch thought the $150,000 in retirement money he sank into Cornerstone Ministries Investment's bonds was "building old folks homes and churches and helping churches out." Instead, his money was going to fund risky second mortgages, investments in low-income housing, retirement homes and housing developments.

Six Hall County teens are among 197 youth set to graduate for the Fort Stewart Youth Challenge program on Saturday, June 20, 2009, at 3:00 p.m. at the Macon City Auditorium located at 415 First Street in Macon.

The First Annual Elsie Conde Memorial Sports Camp is July 20-24 at the Field Dreams at Alberta Banks Park in Flowery Branch.

"Rather than spraying it on fields, it's treated to the highest levels and we send it back into the landscaping areas," Hall County Commission Chairman Tom Oliver said.

An Oakwood man was arrested on charges of manufacturing methamphetamine after authorities got a tip that the man was buying unusual amounts of ingredients that can be used to make meth.

Troopers with the Georgia State Patrol's Athens post still are investigating what caused a motorcycle to crash Saturday afternoon in Jackson County, killing a Flowery Branch man.

Was George Washington in the audience during Council's voting session Tuesday at the Georgia Mountains Center? No, it was Roscoe McMillan of Flowery Branch of the Sons of the American Revolution.

A crash on the Commerce bypass killed a Hall County man and left two others with serious injuries.

Could high-speed rail really be within the grasp of automobile-loving Southerners? Georgians seem to favor the four-wheeled metal box as they travel country back roads or descend on Sanford Stadium in Athens on fall Saturdays.

" A Flowery Branch child is in critical condition after being found unconscious in a pool on Saturday evening.

GAINESVILLE a ' Former Flowery Branch and Gainesville High baseball standout Robbie Hefflinger was selected by the Atlanta Braves Wednesday in the seventh round of the 2009 Major League Draft.

Five Hall County high school seniors are named Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholars for 2009.

The Robert Sapp baseball camp for ages 7-17 is June 22-26 at the Hog Mountain Sports Complex in Flowery Branch.

" Paul Menk, Wachovia's business banking division manager for greater Georgia, has named J.D. Mealor market president for Gainesville, providing leadership to the business banking teams in the area "J.D.'s experience in community and business banking make him the ideal choice for this role," said Menk.

Flowery Branch City Council Wednesday now has a false alarm ordinance on the books, with several changes.