🌱 Patch AM: How new two-hour limits will change downtown Gainesville parking next week

Good day Gainesville! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• How new two-hour limits will change downtown Gainesville parking next week
• See what’s inside Lakeview Academy’s revamped Innovation and Technology Wing.
• Which Gainesville leader just earned a top Girl Scouts honor?

Also on today's calendar: Homeschool Day: Appalachian Christmas and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: Jimmy, did you crash on your bike again? You’ve lost a tooth! 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
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Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Mostly sunny; breezy, cooler, with a high of 45 and low of 21 degrees.
• Monday: Chilly with plenty of sun, temps: high: 43, low: 28.
• Tuesday: Sunny to partly cloudy, with a high of 56 and low of 33 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Main Street parking deck in Gainesville to limit lower-level spaces to two hours (accesswdun.com) — Downtown drivers should expect new two-hour limits on 62 lower-level spaces in Gainesville’s Main Street parking deck starting the week of Dec. 15. The city says reserving these spots for short-term downtown customers should boost turnover, help merchants, and make it easier for older residents and quick errand-runners to find convenient parking near the square.
   

2. Lakeview Academy unveils renovated Innovation and Technology Wing (accesswdun.com) — Lakeview Academy in Gainesville has opened a newly renovated Innovation and Technology Wing, giving local students expanded space for robotics, esports, and hands-on design work. Funded by donors and community partners, the high-tech upgrade adds tools like industrial laser cutters and advanced 3D printers, aiming to better prepare Gainesville students for future careers in innovative, collaborative fields.
   

3. Girl Scouts names 2026 Gainesville Woman of Distinction (accesswdun.com) — Kelly Anne Miles has been named the 2026 Gainesville Woman of Distinction, honoring her decades of legal advocacy and deep service to the Gainesville-Hall County community. The Girl Scouts of Historic Georgia will recognize her at a March 11, 2026 luncheon, highlighting her leadership with groups like WomenSource, United Way of Hall County, and Elachee Nature Science Center.
   

4. National economic headwinds blow through Georgia, though job outlook steady for now (thecurrentga.org) — Gainesville’s food and machinery plants are feeling the squeeze from national trade tensions, as a new University of Georgia forecast warns the state’s export‑reliant industrial hubs face elevated recession risks. While Georgia’s job market is stable but sluggish, higher tariffs, tight housing, and immigration limits are expected to keep pressure on North Georgia manufacturers and keep homebuilding in a localized slump into 2026.
   

📸 Around Gainesville

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Gainesville

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday December 16

• Mayor/Council Meeting
  Gainesville, GA Calendar , 701 Queen City Parkway , Gainesville
  5:30 pm

Thursday December 18

• Homeschool Day: Appalachian Christmas
  322 Academy St NE , Gainesville
  10:00 am

Friday December 19

• Drop-In Garden Tours
  Atlanta Botanical Garden , 1345 Piedmont Ave NE , Atlanta
  1:30 pm
• Southern Stone Rock and Roll Band (Every Third Friday of the Month)
  American Legion, 2343 Riverside Dr, Gainesville, GA, 30501
  7:00 pm

Saturday December 20

• Frog Feeding
  Atlanta Botanical Garden , 1345 Piedmont Ave NE , Atlanta
  10:00 am
• Holiday Ride-on Train
  Atlanta Botanical Garden , 1345 Piedmont Ave NE , Atlanta
  10:00 am
• Botanical Santa
  Atlanta Botanical Garden , 1345 Piedmont Ave NE , Atlanta
  10:00 am
• Carols in the Garden
  Atlanta Botanical Garden , 1345 Piedmont Ave NE , Atlanta
  10:45 am

Sunday December 21

• Holiday Ride-on Train
  Atlanta Botanical Garden , 1345 Piedmont Ave NE , Atlanta
  10:00 am

Monday December 22

• Winter Wonderland Day Camps
  Atlanta Botanical Garden , 1345 Piedmont Ave NE , Atlanta

📣 Gainesville Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Sunday December 14

• Pinspiration: Christmas Cookie Decorating Class
  Pinspiration Northeast Georgia , 7380 Spout Springs Rd Suite #150 , Flowery Branch
  2:00 pm
• HWPA A Christmas Under The Sea – Showtimes Dec 14th – 5:30pm
  The Venue at Friendship Springs , LLC , Flowery Branch
  5:30 pm

Tuesday December 16

• JVB-BBALL (Away) AT East Forsyth
  East Forsyth High School , 8910 Jot Em Down Rd , Gainesville
  4:30 pm
• SENIOR NIGHT (Wrestling)
  Flowery Branch High FBHS
  4:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Gainesville PatchAM possible:

• Custom Canine Unlimited — (877) 799-4806
  Dog Training Near Gainesville GA

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• The Hall County Sheriff’s Office is joining in a statewide campaign to eliminate drunk driving ahead of the holiday season. #hallcounty #northgeorgia... (X: access_wdun)
• Move to 10-0 on the season with a 56-36 win over Pinson Valley in the @scoreatlanta Corky Dell + Dave Hunter Basketball Classic. Great day of games... (X: RedElephant_MBB)

• Government Jobs posted a job opening for P/T Recreation Manager on Duty in Gainesville. Apply here.
• MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Warehouse Team Member Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$36/Hr in Gainesville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Gainesville here.

Ok Gainesville! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: I didn’t lose a tooth, Mom. It’s right here in my pocket.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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