About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 21, 2020)
Cherokee Bluff boys fall in second round of state playoffs. SPORTS, 1B FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21,2020 | $1.00 | GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA | gainesvilletimes.com Roads expected to be icy today No snow accumulation expected; Hall, Gainesville districts delay school start by 2 hours Times staff reports Roads were expected to be icy this morning as a cold, wet Thursday turned colder overnight. Katie Martin, meteorologist at the National Weather Service’s Peachtree City office, said temperatures were expected to fall to around 30 degrees by 5 a.m. Friday in Hall County. She said the weather should begin to move above freezing around 9-10 this morning. Georgia Department of Transporta tion maintenance workers were begin ning shifts at 7 p.m. Thursday, according to Katie Strickland, GDOT spokeswoman. “We’re (GDOT) activating half of maintenance forces to come into work, and we’re stocked up on our salt water solution,” she said Thursday. “They’ll spread salt or gravel, depending on what needs to be spread.” GDOT warned of the potential of black ice, which happens when residual water or slush freezes into a transparent coating of ice on the road. No snow accumulation was expected in Hall County, but areas farther north could have an accumulation of snow on roadways. The threat of icy roads forced many local schools to delay and some to close. Hall County and Gainesville districts delayed the start of school by two hours. Lynn Jones, Gainesville’s community and communications coordinator, said if condi tions worsen, an announcement will be made by the school system by 7 a.m. Friday. “The safety of our students and staff is our primary concern,” she stated. Closures and delays Visit gainesvilletimes.com for the latest announcement submitted to The Times. Child care centers YMCA Child Development Center, delayed three hours Colleges ■ Brenau University, delayed until 10:30 a.m. ■ Lanier Technical College, closed ■ University of North Georgia, delayed until 10 a.m. except for Oconee campus Schools ■ Forsyth County Schools, delayed two hours ■ Gainesville City Schools, delayed two hours ■ Habersham County Schools, closed ■ Hall County Schools, delayed two hours ■ Lakeview Academy, delayed until 10:30 a.m. ■ Lanier Christian Academy, delayed two hours ■ Lumpkin County Schools, closed ■ Riverside Military Academy, delayed one hour How to drive on black ice Remain calm and do as little as possible, allowing the car to pass over the ice. Avoid braking or pump the brakes and try to keep the steering wheel straight. Do not put your car in neutral. If you do start to slide, remove your foot from the accelerator, and avoid slamming on the brakes. Steer away from the skid and don’t oversteer. Source: DOT Local business is booming Chamber of Commerce hosts annual expo for regional companies Photos by SCOTT ROGERS I The Times Sarah Henderson of BGW Dental Group speaks with visitors to the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce’s annual Business Expo on Thursday, Feb. 20, at the Lanier Technical College Ramsey Conference Center. Left: Kate St. Clair, left, gets information about Fox Factory Holding Corp. from Zack White and LaDawn Johnson during the expo. Right: Medieval Times’ Timothy Whitmer, right, greets a youngster at the Medieval Times booth during the expo. Longtime principal Colston dies BY KELSEY P0D0 kpodo@gainesvilletimes.com Wayne Colston, the longtime principal who poured his heart into Mount Vernon Explor atory School, died Thursday, Feb. 20. A wave of somberness washed over the elementary school as staff caught word of Colston’s death, which fol lowed a two-year health battle. “There’s been a lot of tears shed here today,” Judy Bar rett, Mount Vernon’s secre tary, said. “Everyone that had ever worked for him is sad, ■ Please see COLSTON, 6A Colston Proposed apartments back on table BY JEFF GILL jgill@gainesvilletimes.com An apartment complex rejected in May 2019 by Flowery Branch is still in play off Spout Springs and Hog Mountain roads in South Hall. Getting sewer to the property is the issue. With revised development plans in hand, Cap stone Acquisition went before Flowery Branch City Council on Thursday, Feb. 20, asking for capacity that would serve a 304-unit complex, featuring 10 buildings and an amenity center with clubhouse, pool and fitness area spread across 36 acres. The sewer also would serve planned commer cial lots off Spout Springs and Hog Mountain and ■ Please see HOUSING, 5A INSIDE WEATHER 2A DEATHS 6A 0 40901 06835 Advice 6B Business 4B Calendar 2A Classified 8B Comics 7B Life 5B Lottery 2A Opinion 8A Sports 1B TV/puzzles 6B High Low ^ 46 27 Lake Lanier level: 1,076.65 feet Full pool 1,071. Up 0.22 feet in 24 hours Terrance Allen, 49 Ines Alfaro, 74 Carolyn Brown, 91 Nancy Brown, 67 Edna Chatham, 92 Robert Colston, 66 Doug Gunter, 64 Yacoub Henien, 91 Sandra Love, 52 Charles Lindsey, 94 Donny McAlister, 62 Thomas Peterson, 56 Andrew Smith, 71 HULSEY PLUMBING PLUMBING RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL -B SEPTIC Call us! We’ll be there! 770-536-1161 ***** WATER HEATERS DRAINS www.HulseyPlumbing.com
