Blog Topic: Breaking News

In the Loop: ARMC Pursues Partnership With Piedmont Healthcare

By Pete McCommons and Blake Aued | December 9, 2015 9:33am

Photo Credit: Pete McCommons

Athens Regional Medical Center will pursue a partnership with Piedmont Healthcare.

The boards of ARMC, its parent company Athens Regional Health Services and the Hospital Authority of Clarke County voted unanimously in a closed-door meeting last night to pursue what the hospital described as “a strategic affiliation” with the Atlanta-based hospital chain, which also includes branches in Fayetteville, Stockbridge, Jasper, Newnan and Covington.

Administrators informed staff of the pending deal earlier this morning.

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Homedrone: Angel Olsen, Maserati, Bombino Announced for Slingshot 2016

By Gabe Vodicka | December 8, 2015 3:01pm

The first three headliners for the 2016 installment of the Slingshot Festival, which happens Mar. 31–Apr. 2, have been announced, and organizers say advance tickets will be available soon.

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In the Loop: Mark Richt Hired as Miami Coach

By Gabe Vodicka | December 2, 2015 9:52pm

The Mark Richt saga continues to develop: Just three days after he was fired as Georgia's head football coach, the AJC reports that Richt has accepted the same position at the University of Miami. Richt was a quarterback at Miami from 1979–82.

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In the Loop: Reports: Kirby Smart Hired as Georgia Coach

By Gabe Vodicka | December 1, 2015 10:31pm

Welp, that didn't take long: Multiple outlets are reporting that the University of Georgia will hire current Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart as its new head football coach.

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In the Loop: Shooting Death Reported Near Hawthorne Avenue

By Blake Aued | November 29, 2015 2:55pm

A Hartwell woman was killed during a gunfight Friday night in Athens’ Brooklyn neighborhood near Hawthorne Extension and Brooklyn Road.

The victim was Breana Jeree Blackwell, 23. She was in a parked vehicle dead of a gunshot wound when police arrived on the scene at 10:58 p.m.

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In the Loop: Mark Richt Is Stepping Down

By Blake Aued | November 29, 2015 1:21pm

"Catch you on the flip side."

After another disappointing season, Mark Richt is resigning as the Bulldogs’ head coach, the university announced today.

Athletic director Greg McGarity said in a news release that he met with Richt this morning, and they “ mutually agreed that he would step down as head coach and would have the opportunity to accept other duties and responsibilities at UGA following the bowl game."

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In the Loop: Attorney General, Ethics Watchdog Call for Investigation Into Former UGA Administrator

By Blake Aued | November 19, 2015 1:57pm

Photo Credit: UGA News Service

Deborah Dietzler.

The Georgia Attorney General’s office is calling for an investigation into accusations that a former UGA administrator falsified travel reimbursement forms and used state money to take personal trips, according to WSB-TV.

Underlings reported that former Director of Alumni Relations Deborah Dietzler skipped work regularly and forced her staff to find alumni to meet with her when she wanted to run marathons out of town so she could charge it to UGA, among other financial misdeeds.

An internal investigation in 2013 recommended that her contract not be renewed, but instead she was given another job for six months, until the University of Louisville hired her as associate vice president for alumni relations at a higher salary. She is now on leave as UL investigates the charges.

Senior Assistant Attorney General David McLaughlin told WSB that “this matter warrants further inquiry,” and he is concerned that no one ever reported it to his office. He has asked the University System Board of Regents to investigate.

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Homedrone: Eagles of Death Metal Release Statement on Paris Attack

By Blake Aued | November 18, 2015 3:36pm

Photo Credit: Sylvia McFadden/Flickr

Eagles of Death Metal, the band that was onstage at a Paris music venue when ISIS terrorists opened fire and includes former Athens resident Julian Dorio of The Whigs as its touring drummer, has issued a statement regarding the ordeal.

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In the Loop: Former UGA Administrator Accused of Fraud

By Blake Aued | November 17, 2015 11:41am

Photo Credit: UGA News Service

Deborah Dietzler in 2005.

A former University of Georgia fundraiser abused her position to skip work and run marathons at taxpayer expense, according to an investigation by WSB-TV and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

Deborah Dietzler was the director of alumni relations for UGA, a job requiring her to travel for alumni events. She often would book flights to and hotels in cities where she wanted to run marathons, then tell assistants to find her people to meet with so she could charge the trips to UGA. She also booked expensive hotels in violation of travel policies so she could earn points.

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Homedrone: Drummer With Athens Ties Safe in Paris Attack

By Blake Aued | November 13, 2015 8:28pm

Photo Credit: Scott Penner / Flickr

Julian Dorio.

As you’ve no doubt heard, terrorists opened fire in a Paris music venue tonight, killing at least 100 people and taking dozens of others hostage. On stage at Le Bataclan during the attack was Julian Dorio, the drummer for Eagles of Death Metal.

Dorio graduated from UGA, was a founding member of ex-Athens band The Whigs and handles their finances, according to his Wikipedia page. The band moved to Nashville, TN in 2011.

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