🌱 Grant Funds For Athens St. Trail + Woman Charged With False Report

Hey, everybody! I'm back in your inbox this morning with everything you need to know about what's happening locally.

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Sun mixing with clouds. High: 80 Low: 59.
• Friday: Times of clouds and sun. High: 74 Low: 56.

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Here are the top three stories today in Gainesville:

1. Gainesville and Hall County have been named as recipients of $4.4 million in grant funding from the state of Georgia. The funds will be used to replace sidewalks along Athens Street near Ridge Road with a 10-foot, multi-use trail. City officials are also planning for a plant buffer along Athens Street and a new curb and gutter. These improvements are part of the Athens Street Corridor Master Plan, which aims to restore the area and enhance walkability. (Yahoo! News)
2. A woman has been charged by the Gainesville Police for allegedly making false kidnapping claims. On May 18, Anja Nicole Koseki, 35, claimed to have escaped from kidnappers at the Downtown Square. After reviewing security cameras and other digital evidence, investigators say that Koseki's claim was allegedly false and, “brought forth false public fear and panic.” Koseki has been charged with two felonies as well as making a false report of a crime. (WSBTV)
3. A Gainesville high school teacher was awarded $5.6 million by a Hall County jury in a dog mauling case. Attorneys for Stacy Finelli, who was attacked by her neighbor's dog in March 2022, say it is one of the biggest amounts ever awarded in the county for a dog bite case. Finelli has undergone five operations with two more to go and remains in physical therapy. (Yahoo! News)

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Today and tomorrow in Gainesville:

Thursday, May 25

• Wine Bottle Art Workshop At Hall County Library Downtown (5:30 PM)
• Live Music: Luke Latimer At Pelican Pete's Tiki Bar And Grill (6:00 PM)

Friday, May 26

• Paper Airplane Craft Week At INK - Interactive Neighborhood For Kids (All Day)
• Stand-Up Comedy At Blue Door Gainesville (7:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• To celebrate Historic Preservation Month, Explore Gainesville has announced a new Historic Green Street Walking Tour. They will be highlighting a different home along Green Street every day this month, such as the Finger House at 439 Green Street which was originally built in 1900. Learn more about the house here. (Explore Gainesville via Facebook)
• Downtown Gainesville has announced an upcoming event called The Star Trek: A Downtown Discovery Day! On Jun. 10, there will be a solar system walking tour from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., and from 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., adults can enjoy specialty drinks and live music. Click here for more information. (Downtown Gainesville via Facebook)
• Camps begin next week with Gainesville Parks and Recreation! There are several options, including day camps, sports camps, and travel camps. Click here to learn more. (Gainesville Parks & Recreation via Facebook)

Alrighty, you're all good for today! I'll see you around.

— 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.