🌱 New Charges For Former GPD Officer + Hall County 'Meeting In A Box'

Hello again, neighbors. Lauren Kubiak here with your Saturday edition of the Gainesville Patch newsletter, full of all the local information you need to know right now.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: A heavy t-storm in the p.m.. High: 78 Low: 63.
• Sunday: A couple of showers. High: 79 Low: 61.

Business owners and marketers in Gainesville: Do you want to build awareness with local customers? I have a limited number of sponsorships available to introduce our readers to local businesses they need to know. Click here to learn more.

Here are the top three stories today in Gainesville:

1. A former Gainesville police officer is facing new charges on top of the existing charges resulting from an off-duty crash last year. Tyler Scott McBee, 32, was previously charged with driving under the influence (less safe), failure to report accident, and failure to maintain lane. New charges for McBee now include reckless driving and driving under the influence. The charges were filed by Cherokee County Solicitor General Todd Hayes. Hall County State Court judges recused themselves from the case, and Senior Judge John F. Doran Jr. was selected last May to preside. (Yahoo! News)
2. Gainesville High School awarded three honorary diplomas during its commencement on Friday. Wyoma Newman, Michael Jackson, and Beverly Nordholz were all nominated by the community for the support they've shown to the school's mission and its students. Newman taught English and literature at the school for over 40 years, and Jackson was a counselor at Gainesville High School for 15 years. Nordholz worked in the school system for over 30 years in several different administrative roles. Gainesville High School was the first high school in the country to begin awarding honorary diplomas in 2009. (Yahoo! News)
3. If you weren't able to make it to one of the recent Hall County Comprehensive Plan Workshops, you can host your own meeting with the county's "Meeting in a Box" tool. The Meeting in a Box has everything you need to host your own meeting with your friends, family, or neighbors. This option is ideal for groups who would prefer to share their thoughts in a smaller setting or who want to focus on a specific planning topic. The Meeting in a Box tool will be available until Jul. 31, and you can click here to learn more. (Hall County Government via Facebook)

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Today and tomorrow in Gainesville:

Saturday, May 20

• Farm Animal Yoga At Elachee Nature Science Center (9:00 AM)
• Live Music: Craig Gleason At Pelican Pete's Tiki Bar And Grill (1:00 PM)

Sunday, May 21

• Draft Horse Spring Fun Show At Chicopee Woods Equestrian Center (10:00 AM)

From my notebook:

• The City of Gainesville Employee Yard Sale is happening today! Stop by Gainesville City Hall from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. and explore all the available treasures. (City of Gainesville, Georgia via Facebook)
• It's almost time to sign up for Summer Reading with the Hall County Public Library. On Monday, kids, teens, and adults can sign up to win prizes for reading. (Hall County Library System via Facebook)
• If you haven't been to Butler Park recently, now is a good time! There's a new playground, public art, and a pavilion. On May 27, the brand-new spray ground will be opening. (Hall County Parks and Leisure via Facebook)

More from our sponsors — thanks for supporting local news!

Featured events:

• Noche Caliente Latin Night Atlanta @ Tonys Johns Creek May 20, 2023 (May 20)
• Add your event

That's it for today. I'll catch up with you soon with a new 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.