🌱 Gainesville Woman Guilty Of Killing Fiancé + Prank Wars In Schools

Hello there, Gainesville. I'm here in your inbox today to tell you everything you need to know about what's going on around town.

But first, your local weather:

• Tuesday: Times of sun and clouds. High: 60 Low: 41.
• Wednesday: Partly to mostly sunny. High: 65 Low: 46.

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Here are the top three stories in Gainesville today:

1. Tabitha Zelida Wood, 46, of Gainesville was found guilty of malice murder, two counts of felony murder, and other charges related to the killing and concealing of the death of her 82-year-old fiancé, Leroy Franklin Kramer Jr. The Hall County Sheriff’s Office found Kramer’s body in his home, where Wood had been living with the body for two months, and an autopsy revealed that he died from blunt and sharp force trauma. Wood's sentence has not yet been announced. (WSB-TV)
2. Hall County sheriff officials are urging parents to discourage their high school students from participating in prank wars between rival schools, as these incidents have escalated into criminal activities such as vandalism, property damage, and trespassing. The junior-senior wars have resulted in the destruction of property, including cars, homes, and landscapes, and several students were arrested in 2022. Officials emphasized that what may seem like harmless pranks to students, could be classified as criminal acts, and they urged anyone who needs assistance to call 911. (WSB-TV)
3. Dr. Steven-Kyle Jefferson has been announced as the new principal of Centennial Arts Academy beginning on Jul. 1, pending board approval. Dr. Jefferson brings a diverse range of leadership experience, including working as a special education teacher, music teacher, and principal. He currently serves as the principal of Betty Wheeler Classical Junior Academy in St. Louis, Missouri, and will be relocating to Georgia to join his family in the area. (Access WDUN)

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Today and tomorrow in Gainesville:

Tuesday, March 21

• Live Music - Chad Bowmar At Tino's Tex Mex Cantina (6:00 PM)

Wednesday, March 22

• Author Kimberly Brock Discussion & Book Signing At Brenau University's John W. Jacobs Jr. Building (1:00 PM)
• Painting In The Garden At Brenau University Garden (4:30 PM)

From my notebook:

• New homes have been listed for sale in the Gainesville area! Get all the property details at the link. (Gainesville Patch)
• K-9s in Flight will be attending Gainesville's Mutts on Main event this Saturday, Mar. 25, with three separate performances showcasing rescued or adopted pups who have toured with Animal Planet, the NFL Experience, and the Purina Incredible Dog Team. (Downtown Gainesville via Facebook)
• The Youth Advisory Council is now accepting online applications for teen volunteers, ages 14-18, for the summer season from now until Apr. 15. (Hall County Library System via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• "Game of Clue Scavenger Hunt"-Fun Family Day & Art Supply Yard Sale (11am-5pm) (March 25)
• Add your event

Now you're in the loop and ready to head out the door on this Tuesday! 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.