The new facility will feature fully electronic detention management systems and provide increased security and efficiency for the county. The 27,000 -square-foot facility, being built with SPLOST funds, will also have a special transitional housing unit for the new Re-entry Accountability Court Transition (REACT) program. It will also continue to house inmates used for inmate work details throughout the county. In 2013, these details provided over $2.5 million in free labor to the county.

"We are very pleased the Commissioners approved this project, and we are finally able to begin construction on a new facility which has been sorely needed for several years," said Hall County C.I. Warden Walt Davis.

  

The Hall County Elections Office is preparing for the Georgia General Primary, scheduled for May 20.  Polls will be open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. on election day. 

  

Early voting will run through May 16th and can be done Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, May 10th from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Hall County Board of Elections and Registrars Office, located at 2875 Browns Bridge Road in Gainesville.   Voters may request an absentee ballot by mail beginning 180 days prior to any election, however, the last day an absentee ballot can be mailed is Friday, May 16.

  

Candidates/issues to be voted on include United States Senate, United States Representative, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Attorney General, District Attorney, Superior Court Judges, State Court Judges, County Commission (Districts 1 and 3) and several Hall County Board of Education seats.  Click here for more information. 

  

Ribbon cutting at Fire Station 3

The Hall County Board of Commissioners hosted two ribbon-cutting ceremonies last month to celebrate the opening of the two newest fire stations in Hall County.

The first was held Monday, April 28 at Station 3, located at 4660 Ledan Extension in Gainesville. The ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the completion of Station 16, located at 4209 Shirley Road in Gainesville, was held Tuesday, April 29.

The new locations will improve response times for a number of nearby properties and will also lower home insurance premiums for some homes in the immediate area.
  

  

 Forty-three dogs of all shapes and sizes will be leaving the Hall County Animal Shelter Wednesday evening to find loving homes at an adoption event in New York.

The dogs will be taken to the ''NY Pet Super Adoption'' event in White Plains, N.Y. as part of the Hall County Animal Shelter's Transport Program. The program provides a way for homeless animals in Hall County to be transported to areas of the country (usually New England) where there is a shortage of adoptable animals. This will be the eighth large-sized trip for the transport program, which usually makes between three and four trips each year.

Hall County Animal Shelter Veterinarian Dr. Meghan Seabolt said the 43 dogs transported from Hall County will be among 700 pets up for adoption during the weekend event, hosted by the Best Friends Animal Society.

Brenau University's finished recycling can

  

The Hall County Public Works Department has been hard at work this spring on a number of projects.  The following are just a few of the department's major undertakings:

  

- Completion of two new fire stations

 - Construction has begun on the new Hall County Correctional Institution

- Design for a new headquarters for the Hall County Sheriff's Office has begun

- Renovations are underway at the former Development Services facility on Prior Street for use by Health Department

- Spout Springs Water Reclamation Facility Creek discharge has been released by the Environmental Protection Division and spray field application will cease on May 5

- 2013 road resurfacing complete

- 2014 road resurfacing out for bid in May

 

summons was not fulfilled and that a potential warrant for the resident's arrest is in process. The individual provides accurate information on our local judges and personal information on the telephoned recipient.

 

The caller advises that money will have to be sent through a "Green Dot" card service in order for the warrant to be dismissed. The recipient on the phone is advised to go to the local Rite Aid to obtain the card and further instruction is given in order to "wire" the money to the assumed Sheriff's Office.

 

Officials with the Hall County Sheriff's Office and/or the Hall County Courthouse will never contact individuals by phone, requesting money in lieu of dismissing a warrant. If you find yourself receiving a phone call of this nature, please notify your local law enforcement agency. The Hall County Sheriff's

Office is aware of the scheme and is working to identify the suspect(s) involved.

  

- The Hall County Sheriff's Office collected 110 pounds of prescription drugs during the DEA's National Take Back Initiative last month.  

  

 "Winning the war on drug abuse begins within our own medicine cabinets," Sheriff Gerald Couch said.  "In addition, improper disposal of certain medications can result in a dangerous discovery by a small child.  Whenever you conduct your spring cleaning this year, don't forget to check all the nooks and crannies around your home. Then drop off any expired or unused prescription medications at the Hall County Sheriff's Office at 610 Main Street in Gainesville for proper disposal."  

 

 - Sheriff Gerald Couch and the School Resource Officers in the ADVANCE Unit with the Hall County Sheriff's Office have been enjoying a round of graduation ceremonies recently.  Fun-filled mornings with the students and faculty of schools across Hall County are capped off with awards and certificates to congratulate them on their journey into healthy habits and personal growth.  The Hall County Sheriff's Office's ADVANCE Unit offers proactive strategies to enhance protective factors for young people. Sheriff Couch dedicates five deputies to facilitate the A.D.V.A.N.C.E. (Avoiding Drugs, Violence, and Negative Choices Early) program to fifth graders at the County's 20 elementary schools each year.

  

  

The Hall County Board of Commissioners has hired former Habersham County Clerk Lisa Ritchie as the new commission clerk for Hall County. Ritchie began work with Hall County on April 7.

The commission clerk directs the activities necessary to prepare for Board of Commissioners meetings and dispenses information regarding decisions and actions of the Commission. She prepares the agenda and minutes for meetings, maintains permanent county records, and serves as the Board's intermediary with the public, other elected officials and departments.  Read more here.

  

A babysitter safety training class for tweens and teens (ages 11-17) is being offered Saturday, May 10 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Hall County Emergency Services Center, located at 470 Crescent Drive in Gainesville.  Topics will include fire safety, planning for emergencies, poison prevention, CPR/First Aid and more!  The cost is $10 per participant.  Click on the link below to register.

  

Super Sitter Registration Form 

  

Camp Lifesavers is sponsored by Hall County Fire Services in collaboration with Hall County Parks and Leisure Services.  The one-day safety camp is for boys and girls ages 6-11.  Topics include water safety, fire safety, sports safety, animal safety, electrical safety and much more!  Camp Lifesavers will be held July 8 at Mulberry Creek Community Center, July 9 at East Hall Community Center and July 10 at North Hall Community Center from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m..  To register, fill out the form found at www.hallcountyfire.org and fax is to 770-531-6845 or email it to fireprevention@hallcounty.org    Call 770-531-6838 for more information.

  

 

Hall County Government is utilizing Twitter to communicate with citizens.  Follow us at @hallcountygovfor all of the latest news and information you need to know about your local government!