Here’s what has been happening in Hall County:

1.      Gainesville's own Hudson Justus, just 13 years old, delivered a standout performance at the national finals of the Drive, Chip and Putt competition, held at the legendary Augusta National Golf Club. Competing in the 12–13 age group, the Lakeview Academy seventh grader clinched the title with two clutch putts on the famed 18th green—becoming only the eighth player in the event’s history to sink both final shots. His precision on the greens earned him the top score in putting and vaulted him into first place overall.

Already a rising star in junior golf, Hudson's latest triumph adds to an impressive résumé featuring national championships with Team Georgia, multiple Future Masters titles, and four US Kids World Championships.

2.      Navigating a medical emergency just got easier for Northeast Georgia residents. Northeast Georgia Health System (NGHS) has rolled out a new online feature that displays real-time wait times for its emergency rooms and urgent care centers. By visiting nghs.com and clicking "Emergency Dept. Wait Times" or "Urgent Care Wait Times" at the top right corner, patients can check estimated wait times for hospitals in Gainesville, Braselton, Barrow, Habersham, and Lumpkin, as well as 11 urgent care locations across the region.

This new tool empowers patients to make more informed decisions during critical moments, offering a clearer picture of how long they'll wait before seeing a doctor.

3.      A former employee of Gainesville-based custom homebuilder America’s Home Place is at the center of a major federal lawsuit after allegedly stealing a massive trove of proprietary data. Benjamin Clayton Toombs, 60, is accused of downloading around three terabytes—over 560,000 files and 3,600 home plan sets—valued at more than $14 million, shortly after resigning to join a competitor. While some data was recovered from his computer and external drives, the company claims that nearly half remains missing.

Toombs has denied any wrongdoing through his attorney, but he now faces criminal charges for theft of trade secrets and a civil lawsuit that includes allegations of breach of contract and copyright infringement. As of now, no court dates have been set for the civil case, but the accusations have sent shockwaves through the local business community.

4.      A proposed luxury camping – or “glamping” – project on Lake Lanier has sparked strong opposition from local residents. At a recent Hall County Planning Commission meeting, multiple speakers voiced concerns about a plan by Athens-based Koons Environmental Design Inc. to develop 47 acres of campsites off Yellow Creek Road near Murrayville. The project would require rezoning the land from vacation cottage use to planned commercial development to move forward.

While glamping aims to blend outdoor adventure with hotel-style comfort, critics fear the impact on the area’s rural character and environment. The planning board has recommended denying the rezoning request, but the final decision rests with the Hall County Board of Commissioners, who will hold a public hearing on the matter on May 8.

5.      The Burle family, parents of seven-year-old triplets including Max, who has cerebral palsy, were given the gift of a lifetime: an all-expenses-paid, VIP trip to Disney World through Bert’s Big Adventure. The nonprofit, founded by radio host Bert Weiss of Q99.7 FM, selects families of children with chronic or terminal illnesses for a magical experience focused on joy, connection and community. Initially nominated for Max alone, the Burles were thrilled when Weiss insisted the entire family be included—emphasizing that the trip is about family unity, not just individual diagnoses.

From a surprise sendoff party in Atlanta to a private charter flight and front-of-the-line access at Disney, the Burles were treated to five unforgettable days filled with care and celebration. Volunteers, medical professionals, and Weiss himself were hands-on every step of the way, creating a seamless and supportive journey. Abigail Burle, who also runs a nonprofit supporting families with medical needs, called the trip deeply moving: “What they’re doing is making a lifelong impact, not just creating a five-day vacation.”