Blog Topic: Breaking News

Homedrone: Brandi Carlile Cancels Tour Dates, Including Georgia Theatre Show

By Gabe Vodicka | August 30, 2016 2:05pm

Photo Credit: David McClister

Americana mainstay Brandi Carlile has canceled a run of tour dates next month in order to undergo a surgical procedure to address endometriosis-related back and pelvis problems. Among the shows that got the axe was her Sept. 8 appearance at the Georgia Theatre.

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In the Loop: Mayor Denson Won't Let the Commission Vote on the Anti-Discrimination Ordinance Next Week

By Blake Aued | August 30, 2016 11:40am

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones/file

Mokah Jasmine Johnson speaks about the anti-discrimination ordinance at the commission's Aug. 16 agenda-setting meeting.

The Athens-Clarke County Commission won’t vote on a proposed anti-discrimination ordinance at its Sept. 6 meeting.

Mayor Nancy Denson told the Athens Banner-Herald that she supports the ordinance as written, but she took it off the agenda because she’s concerned that some commissioners will try to include restaurants in the ordinance, which currently would only cover bars.

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In the Loop: ACC Names Drew Raessler Transportation Director

By Blake Aued | August 29, 2016 5:09pm

A Cobb County engineer and UGA graduate will take over as director Athens-Clarke County's Transportation and Public Works Department, ACC Manager Blaine Williams announced today.

Raessler replaces David Clark, who took a job as head of Fulton County's transportation department in May.

"I am excited that Drew will be coming to our dynamic government and community," Williams said in a news release. "He brings technical expertise, excellent communication skills and a natural affinity for building and maintaining multi-modal transportation systems. I am looking forward to Drew having a long and productive career here."

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Grub Notes: Ex-Terrapin CEO Buys Asheville Brewery

By Blake Aued | August 19, 2016 11:21am

Just weeks after selling the Athens brewery he founded to an international conglomerate and leaving the company, ex-Terrapin CEO John Cochran has bought an Asheville, NC brewery, according to the Asheville Citizen-Times.

Cochran is taking over Altamont Brewing and changing its name to UpCountry Brewing. The purchase also includes a restaurant Altamont owns called Nona Mia, which will now be UpCountry Eatery.

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In the Loop: Police Identify 'Person of Interest' in Downtown Athens Shooting

By Blake Aued | August 18, 2016 5:14pm

Photo Credit: Blake Aued

Police Chief Scott Freeman (right) speaks to downtown business owners Wednesday at the Classic Center as Capt. Jerry Saulters looks on.

Athens-Clarke County police have identified a “person of interest” in the murder of 28-year-old Daniel Macias downtown early Saturday morning, they said Wednesday.

Police met with downtown business owners and the media Wednesday evening to update them on the investigation into the shooting of Macias, a Riverbend Parkway resident and Agua Linda server, near the ACC Courthouse at the intersection of Hancock Avenue and Jackson Street.

Eight Athens-Clarke County police detectives and a Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent are working 16-hour days reviewing video, interviewing potential witnesses and canvassing downtown apartment buildings to solve the murder of 28-year-old Daniel Macias downtown early Saturday morning, they said

“We’ve got folks looking at every angle of this,” said Capt. Jerry Saulters, head of the department’s Criminal Investigations Division.

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In the Loop: Green Party Presidential Nominee Jill Stein Probably Won't Be on the Ballot in Georgia

By Blake Aued | August 17, 2016 12:32pm

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones/file

Jill Stein speaks at UGA in June.

Sorry, Berners: Looks like it’s Hillary or bust.

Even though a recent court ruling drastically lowered the number of signatures required to get on the ballot in Georgia, Green Party presidential nominee Jill Stein’s campaign failed to gather enough by the deadline, Secretary of State Brian Kemp said Tuesday.

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In the Loop: Activists Push to Add Civil Rights Committee to Anti-Discrimination Law

By Blake Aued | August 15, 2016 12:34pm

Photo Credit: Joshua L. Jones/file

An MLK Day march in January.

Athens for Everyone and the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement—two groups that have been a big part of the push for a local anti-discrimination ordinance—say they will oppose the ordinance unless the Athens-Clarke County Commission includes a civil rights committee.

As proposed, the ordinance would allow city officials to suspend or revoke the alcohol licenses of bars that discriminate against certain patrons, but would not protect minorities from discrimination at any other local businesses.

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Homedrone: Daniel Johnston's Popfest Performance Is Canceled

By Gabe Vodicka | August 13, 2016 2:25pm

Photo Credit: Peter Juhl

Daniel Johnston's headlining appearance at Saturday's Athens Popfest show at the Georgia Theatre has been canceled, according to posts on the singer's social media channels.

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In the Loop: Oconee County Tried to Buy Sewer Treatment from Athens

By Lee Becker | August 11, 2016 10:08am

Photo Credit: Lee Becker

Oconee County Administrator Jeff Benko.

Oconee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis and county Administrative Officer Jeff Benko met with their counterparts in Athens-Clarke County in late June to discuss possible collaboration in wastewater treatment.

Benko described the session as “a short meeting with no meaningful results.”

Benko said no materials were exchanged and no notes were taken, and he said he didn’t even send notes to the commissioners about the discussions.

Benko said Oconee County initiated the meeting, which took place in Mayor Nancy Denson’s office in Athens.

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In the Loop: University System Chancellor Hank Huckaby Is Resigning

By Blake Aued | August 10, 2016 1:33pm

Oconee County resident and former UGA administrator Hank Huckaby is resigning as chancellor of the University System of Georgia at the end of the year, he announced at a Board of Regents meeting today.

“Public higher education touches all aspects of our society. It is the fabric that holds us together and is an investment that pays dividends for life,” Huckaby said in a news release. “The University System is one of the great strengths of Georgia, and I am grateful to have been able to serve with the faculty and staff who bring it to life every day to serve our students. The University System holds an incredibly bright future for the next generation.”

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