🌱 Main Street Gains Accreditation + Hall County Schools Upgrades

Hello again, everybody! It's me, Lauren Kubiak, your host of the Patch newsletter. Let's get this Monday started off right, with a quick guide to everything you need to know about what's happening these days in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Monday: Partly sunny, breezy and cool. High: 65 Low: 47.
• Tuesday: Mostly sunny, breezy and cool. High: 65 Low: 45.

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Here are the top three stories in Gainesville today:

1. The University of North Georgia's president, Bonita Jackson, gifted the rowing team a new boat. The boat made its maiden voyage at the Lake Lanier Olympic Park in Hall County. The boat was named "Truth and Wisdom-Bonita Jacobs," giving appreciation to the president, who is set to retire this June. (WGAU Radio)
2. Main Street Gainesville has been designated as an Accredited Main Street America program for its exceptional commitment to preservation-based economic development and community revitalization through the Main Street Approach. In 2022, Main Street America programs generated $6.2 billion in local reinvestment, helped open 7,657 net new businesses, facilitated the creation of 29,174 net new jobs, catalyzed the rehabilitation of 10,688 historic buildings, and leveraged over 1.5 million volunteer hours. Main Street Gainesville saw 25 new, expanded, or relocated businesses that opened within the vibrant historic business district, which includes downtown, Midland and Historic Green Street areas of Gainesville, and several public improvement projects completed this past year. (City of Gainesville)
3. The Hall County school board has approved $2.28 million for projects at eight schools, including converting the stage in the gym at East Hall Middle School into a weight room, adding a security vestibule to the West Hall High performing arts center, and building a door and window at Chestatee Academy to connect the construction lab with the construction classroom. All projects are scheduled for completion in August before the start of the new school year. The remaining schools, Friendship Elementary School, North Hall Middle School, Flowery Branch High, Spout Springs Elementary, and Ivester Early College will receive additional paving, sidewalks, renovations, or phone and intercom upgrades.(Subscription: Gainesville Times)

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Today in and around Gainesville:

• Book Sale Clean Up - Gainesville Branch Library (10:00 AM)
• Trivia Night - Branch House Tavern, Flowery Branch (7:30 PM)

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From my notebook:

• Are you looking for great finds at discounted prices? This weekend the City of Gainesville is hosting its Downtown Yard Sale outside of historic Gainesville from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. (City of Gainesville, Georgia via Facebook)
• Thinking of starting a new home project this spring in Gainesville? Georgia law requires you to call GA811 for safe digging protocols to prevent damage to Georgia's underground utilities and promote public safety. (City of Gainesville, Georgia via Facebook)
• Are you looking to fill your social calendar this week? Check out the list of events happening in and around Gainesville this week at the link! (Explore Gainesville)

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Featured events:

• BINGO-Family Fun Night (May 1)
• Add your event

Thanks for following along and staying informed. I'll see you soon!

— Lauren Kubiak

About me: Lauren is an Editor for Lightning Media Partners. She graduated from Rowan University with a Bachelor’s in journalism. She was previously a full-time editor at an association management firm, editing peer-reviewed nursing journals, textbooks, and newsletters.