Here are some of the top stories you may have missed this weekend.
Hall County and Gainesville City schools follow statewide trend of higher graduation rates
The Georgia Department of Education reported a statewide increase in graduation rates for the 2019-20 school year. 83.8 percent of Georgia seniors graduated on time this spring, up from 82 percent last year.
The Hall County School District and Gainesville City School System both followed this upward trend and surpassed the state average. The HCSD reported a graduation rate of 88.9 percent, the highest on record for the district, while GCSS reported a graduation rate of 86.1 percent, a significant increase from 81.02 percent in 2019. READ MORE
Hall County ready to begin construction on new fire station in Gillsville area
Construction on Hall County Fire Station 1’s new location in Gillsville is set to begin this week. The new facility is being built with the help of SPLOST VII proceeds and is expected to be complete by fall 2021.
A groundbreaking ceremony will be held at 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov.17. The ceremony is not open to the public due to COVID-19 but will be streamed on the Hall County website for anyone to view. READ MORE
Free Thanksgiving meal set Nov. 26 at Cornelia Community House
The Cornelia Community House will offer its fourth annual free Thanksgiving meal on Thursday, Nov. 26. A traditional Thanksgiving dinner will be served from 11:30 a.m. until about 3 p.m., or until the food runs out.
Due to COVID-19, the event hours have been extended and limited on-site seating will be available outside on a first-come, first-served basis. READ MORE
Closure of Eaton plant in Toccoa will displace nearly 150 employees
The Eaton Corporation PLC plant in Stephens County is set to close by the end of the first quarter of 2021. Officials said the closure is due to a lack of growth and the impact that COVID-19 has had on the aerospace industry.
Nearly 150 employees stand to lose their jobs when the plant closes. All eligible employees will be offered an Eaton severance package, which includes outplacement services. In addition, the Georgia Department of Labor, Toccoa-Stephens County Chamber of Commerce and Stephens County Development Authority have pledged to offer aid to displaced workers. READ MORE
UNG breaks ground on new Cottrell Center
The University of North Georgia held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Cottrell Center for Business, Technology and Innovation on the Dahlonega campus on Monday, Nov. 9.
The Cottrell Center, which will be the new home of the Mike Cottrell College of Business, is set to open for classes in fall 2022. The new facility will house business and computer science programs with specialized labs, student engagement spaces and high technology classrooms to enhance student learning. READ MORE
