🌱 Gainesville Man Sentenced For Life + Space Pioneer In Hall Of Fame

Hello, everybody! It's Saturday in Gainesville and I'm back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in town. Today you'll find news about...

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 82 Low: 64.
• Sunday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 88 Low: 66.

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Here are the top three stories today in Gainesville:

1. A Gainesville man was sentenced to life in prison after playing a role in a 2021 kidnapping. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Juan Ayala-Rodriguez pleaded guilty to kidnapping, concealing the death of another, aggravated battery, and violation of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. He was one of nine people who pleaded guilty in the case. (Gainesville Times)
2. The Georgia Port Authority has received approval to develop an inland terminal near Gainesville. MARAD awarded the GPA a grant of up to $46.8 million to build a new inland container port along the I-85/I-985 corridor. Work is slated to begin as soon as July, with terminal construction beginning in January 2024. (Port Technology)
3. Two space pioneers were inducted into this year's U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida. One of those pioneers was former astronaut Roy D. Bridges Jr., a Gainesville (Georgia) native and distinguished U.S. Air Force Academy graduate. Both recipients received an official medal before being inducted. (Aero Tech News)

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Today and tomorrow in Gainesville:

Saturday, May 13

• North Georgia Chamber Symphony Concert At The Arts Council Smithgall Arts Center (4:00 PM)

Sunday, May 14

• Beauty & The Beast At Chestatee High School (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Due to renovations, the Black Shear Library will be closed until further notice. Passports will be accepted at the Gainesville Branch by appointment only while Black Shear is closed. (Hall County Library System via Facebook)
• Visit the National Playgroup Rockstars Adoption event from 12:00 - 6:00 p.m. on May 12 for the chance to meet your forever friend. The event offers a flash adoption fee reduction of $0 for all available rockstars. (Humane Society of Northeast Georgia via Facebook)
• This year's Hall County School Nurse of the Year goes to Jennifer Smallwood from North Hall High School. With a positive spirit, infectious energy, and extensive clinical knowledge, Smallwood made the perfect candidate. (Hall County School District via Facebook)

Now you're in the loop and ready to start this Saturday off right. 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.