🌱 Woman Charged In Fatal Crash + New Public Works Director

Morning, neighbors. I'm back with your new edition of the Gainesville Patch newsletter, fresh off the presses. Here's everything you need to know about what's happening in town.

But first, your local weather:

• Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m.. High: 90 Low: 71.
• Sunday: Humid with clouds and sun. High: 86 Low: 69.

Here are the top three stories in Gainesville today:

1. Authorities in Forsyth County are conducting an investigation into a fatal collision that occurred on Parks Road. The incident involved a red Dodge Ram 2500 truck driven by Yamilet Sanchez Pagan, 24, of Gainesville, who was traveling westbound and crossed into the eastbound lane, resulting in a head-on collision with a gray F-150. The driver of the F-150, Salvador Cervantes Bernal, 48, was towing a landscaping trailer and was pronounced dead at the scene, while the Dodge Ram driver, who was under the influence of drugs, was hospitalized. Charges will be filed once she is released. The investigation is ongoing. (WSB Atlanta)
2. The City of Gainesville celebrated the swearing-in of Chris Rotalsky, public works director, as he was appointed by Gov. Brian Kemp to serve on the Georgia Public Service Commission Advisory Committee. Kemp had previously announced Rotalsky's appointment, along with others, in May. Rotalsky's valuable contributions and dedication were acknowledged, and the city expressed its pride and gratitude for having him as part of its team. (City of Gainesville, Georgia via Facebook)
3. Gainesville-based contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO), Societal CDMO, has announced the recruitment of new employees to fill various positions within the company. As part of the hiring process, the compensation committee of Societal CDMO's board of directors approved inducement stock option grants, totaling 54,910 shares of the company's common stock. These grants were offered to incentivize the new hires and were awarded in accordance with NASDAQ Listing Rule 5635(c)(4). (GlobeNewswire)

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Today and tomorrow in Gainesville:

Saturday, July 8

• Frog Feeding At Atlanta Botanical Garden, Gainesville (10:00 AM)
• Ricky Skaggs At Boot Barn Hall At Bourbon Brothers (7:00 PM)

Sunday, July 9

• Live Music - Jim Stapley At Pelican Pete's Tiki Bar And Grill (1:00 PM)
• Sunday Makebreak: Sunshine Wood Frame At McEver's Corner (2:00 PM)

From my notebook:

• Are you looking for a new family member with four paws? Check out the list of adoption-ready pets in the Gainesville area at the link! (Gainesville Patch)
• Let's help the Humane Society of Northeast Georgia empty the shelters! Reduced adoption fees for animals will be present from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Learn more at the link. (Humane Society of Northeast Georgia via Facebook)
• Take advantage of the Gainesville Trolley! Check out the downtown schedule at the link. (City of Gainesville, Georgia via Facebook)

You're all caught up for today! I'll be back in your inbox 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.