🌱 Driver Crashes Into Preschool + Gainesville Library Free Meals

Good morning, hello! I'm back with your new copy of the Gainesville Patch newsletter. Here's all the local news you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Showers and a heavier t-storm. High: 82 Low: 65.
• Wednesday: Partly sunny. High: 81 Low: 60.

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Here are the top three stories in Gainesville today:

1. A drunk driver plowed over a light pole and smashed into a Gainesville preschool, according to police. The incident took place early Saturday morning when the driver lost control of their vehicle, hitting a flagpole and crashing into the side of Primrose School; fortunately, the preschool was closed, and no one was in the building at the time. Gainesville resident Jeremiah Mitchell, 38, has been charged with driving under the influence in Saturday's crash. (WSB Atlanta)
2. The Gainesville Library, in collaboration with Hall County Schools, will serve as a lunch meal site for children under 18 this summer. Every Thursday from Jun. 8-Jul. 20, any child — regardless of their school enrollment — can stop by the library between 11:45 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. for a free meal. Families are also welcome to partake in storytime before lunch and enrichment activities afterward; meals for caregivers are available for a small fee. (Hall County Library System via Facebook)
3. If you're planning to travel outside the metro during the week of Memorial Day (May 25-30), AAA suggests leaving early and avoiding the eastbound route from Atlanta to Augusta on Interstate 20. This year's Memorial Day travel is expected to be the third busiest in a decade, with around 42.3 million Americans hitting the road. Due to lower gas prices, long delays are expected — especially in major cities where regular commuters mix with holiday travelers —according to transportation analyst Bob Pishue. (Patch)

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Today and tomorrow in Gainesville:

Tuesday, May 16

• Women's Sewing Group At The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints (9:00 AM)

Wednesday, May 17

• Kid's Morning Out At Chick-Fil-A Gainesville West (9:00 AM)
• Trivia Night At Locos Grill And Pub (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Lee Giler Memorial Airport has announced temporary runway closures starting at the end of the month. Closures will begin on May 30 and run through June to accommodate the Runway 5-23 Rehabilitation Project. (City of Gainesville, Georgia via Facebook)
• Downtown Gainesville's Blue Sky Concerts resume tomorrow (Wednesday, May 17) at the Historic Downtown Square. The community is invited to enjoy the musical stylings of Eli Hannon, grab some lunch in the area, and purchase Gainesville merch at the Main Street both. (Downtown Gainesville via Facebook)
• Boot Barn Hall's grand opening weekend is scheduled for Jul. 7-8, with a performance by Josh Turner. Tickets go on pre-sale tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. and can be purchased here. (Explore Gainesville via Facebook)

That's it for today. I'll catch up with you bright and early soon with your next update!

— 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.