Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a Hall County investigator allegedly misused Flock 250 times

And on the Gainesville Patch calendar - Full Service K9 Handler Course

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Friday August 28th Patch AM
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Hey hey Gainesville! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a Hall County investigator allegedly misused Flock 250 times
  • Why a veteran Hall County lieutenant resigned during a misconduct probe
  • What investigators say really caused Gainesville's deadly poultry plant nitrogen disaster.

Also on today's calendar: Full Service K9 Handler Course and 9 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the tree say when Spring arrived? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Friday: Humid with a heavy t-storm, with a high of 87 and low of 69 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
  • Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 86, low: 69.
  • Sunday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 84 and low of 71 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Fired Hall County investigator used Flock about 250 times for personal reasons (nowgeorgia.com) — Hall County officials in Gainesville say an internal audit found former investigator Justin Brown accessed the Flock license plate reader system about 250 times for personal reasons over several months, leading to his firing. The case has been referred to the GBI, internal affairs files remain partially sealed, and another investigator was also terminated after the broader Flock review.
   

2. Hall County lieutenant resigns amid accusations of on-duty misconduct, resource misuse (nowgeorgia.com) — A longtime Hall County Sheriff's Office lieutenant based in Gainesville resigned while under internal investigation into alleged on-duty misconduct and misuse of county resources, including visits to a woman's home while clocked in. Investigators say GPS and time records conflicted with his explanations, and the case has been forwarded to Georgia POST, which could review his law enforcement certification.
   

3. Fatal Gville poultry plant accident subject of new chemical safety video (wgtjradio.com) — A new federal safety video revisits the deadly 2021 liquid nitrogen release at Gainesville's Foundation Food Group poultry plant, which killed six workers and seriously injured three others. The CSB animation explains how equipment failure and poor ventilation created a lethal vapor cloud, offering lessons aimed at preventing similar tragedies in Gainesville's key poultry industry.
   

4. Students named to NGTC President's List and Honor Roll for Summer Semester 2026 (wnegradio.com) — Several Hall County students, including two from Gainesville, earned spots on North Georgia Technical College's Summer 2026 President's List and Honor Roll. Gainesville's Mercy Woodall and Haden Brock were recognized for strong work in early childhood education and electrical lineworker training, highlighting local residents' success in high-demand technical fields.
   

5. Students shine in Pathway to Med School (ung.edu) — A Gainesville chemistry major is excelling in UNG's Pathway to Med School program, balancing research, a 4.0 GPA, and leadership while preparing for an OB-GYN career. Another Hall County student from Flowery Branch is also highlighted, and locals interested in the 2027 cohort can attend an information session this November at UNG's Gainesville campus.
   

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Flower for a child.
    I love to crochet. I was at the doctor office with my lady I care for. I always travel with yarn and crochet hook. There was an adorable little girl… (Nextdoor Gaines Mill)
  • Another one of a kind flower and pot Crocheted project finished.
    Crocheted and lights added. Operates with batteries. I made a case for the battery container as well so it does not show. Batteries as requested… (Nextdoor Gaines Mill)
  • Brunswick Corporation posted a job opening for Seasonal Dock Hand at Gainesville, GA (April through October) in Gainesville. Apply here.
  • Chick-fil-A posted a job opening for Front of House Team Member - Part Time 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: What a re-leaf! (Thank you Flo G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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