Blog Topic: Breaking News

In the Loop: UGA Student Charged With MLC Threat

By Blake Aued | September 19, 2014 9:27pm

Photo Credit: Randy Schafer

UPDATE 1:18 p.m.: Police have given the "all clear." Go about your business. Police Chief Jimmy Williamson has scheduled a 2 p.m. news conference.

University of Georgia police are urging everyone to stay away from the Miller Learning Center due to a "threat of violence."

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In the Loop: Sunday Voting Under Consideration in Athens

By Blake Aued | September 18, 2014 11:07am

Photo Credit: Blake Aued

The Athens-Clarke County Board of Elections will consider holding early voting on a Sunday next month, according to Clarke County Democratic Committee Chairman Joe Wisenbaker.

DeKalb County kicked off the Sunday voting trend last week, scheduling early voting on Sundays in an effort to draw "souls to the polls"—African American churches busing their mostly Democratic congregants to voting booths. Since then, Fulton and Lowndes counties—both rich sources of Democratic votes—have followed suit.

Republicans have called the move "blatantly partisan" and vowed to put an end to Sunday voting during next year's legislative session. It's part of a larger battle in which Democrats are trying to register and turn out more voters, while the GOP is trying to block them.

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In the Loop: Paul Broun Is Under Investigation for... Something

By Blake Aued | September 16, 2014 4:38pm

Various news outlets are reporting that U.S. Rep. Paul Broun (R-Athens) is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee Office of Congressional Ethics.

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In the Loop: Jack Lumpkin Is Retiring as ACC Police Chief

By Blake Aued | September 12, 2014 7:08pm

Athens-Clarke County Police Chief Jack Lumpkin will retire by Jan. 18, he announced today.

But Lumpkin's career may not be over. He's one of the three finalists for the open police chief's position in Savannah, the Morning News reported.

Lumpkin explained his decision as a financial one: He has two grandchildren and wants to be able to send them to college. By retiring in Athens, he can draw his pension as well as a salary from another community.

His full statement is below:

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In the Loop: Atlanta Cabbies Are the Latest to Sue Uber

By Blake Aued | September 11, 2014 11:06am

Atlanta cab drivers are the latest to take the startup ride-sharing service Uber to court.According to Creative Loafing:

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Culture Briefs: Garrison Keillor Appearance Rescheduled for Jan. 26

By Gabe Vodicka | September 22, 2014 11:15am

Photo Credit: Trishhhh/Flickr

Humorist, radio host and author Garrison Keillor's Sept. 24 appearance at UGA's Hodgson Concert Hall has been postponed indefinitely, according to a news release. Keillor is reportedly set to undergo an unspecified medial procedure.

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In the Loop: The Episcopal Church Is Tearing Down a Lumpkin Street House

By Blake Aued | September 5, 2014 2:52pm

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The Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta filed for a permit Thursday to tear down its University of Georgia student center—known as the Hodgson House—at 980 South Lumpkin Street.

The diocese wants to build a new, larger student center with additional parking and dorm rooms, said Robert Salamone, the rector at Emanuel Episcopal Church.

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Homedrone: Deer Tick to Play Free Show at 40 Watt on Sept. 17

By Gabe Vodicka | September 3, 2014 3:15pm

Photo Credit: Anna Webber

Deer Tick

The 40 Watt Club has announced a big addition to its September calendar: On Wednesday, Sept. 17, Rhode Island alt-country act Deer Tick will perform a free show, with support from local troubadour T. Hardy Morris.

All that's required for entry to the show, which is sponsored by cable conglomerate Charter—and by the way, Charter, why the hell has my Internet been so spotty lately, like, it totally goes out for 10–15 minutes at a time, I mean, what is even going on with that—is an RSVP.

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In the Loop: Foundry Park Inn Is Becoming Graduate Athens

By Blake Aued | August 29, 2014 12:28pm

The Foundry Park Inn & Spa is being renovated into a boutique hotel and will be rechristened Graduate Athens in October, Chicago-based hospitality and real estate company AJ Capital Partners, which bought the property earlier this year, announced Thursday.

Music venue The Melting Point is being renamed the Foundry, and the Hoyt House has been converted into four suites.

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In the Loop: Uber Starts Athens Service

By Gabe Vodicka | August 28, 2014 2:05pm

A couple weeks back, we reported on rumors that Uber was making a foray into the Athens market. At the time, a company representative would only say Uber was "excited about the possibility," but now comes confirmation from the rideshare service.

Uber announced today it will begin operating in 24 new markets across the country, including Athens, as well as many other college towns: Oxford, MS, Tuscaloosa, AL and Bloomington, IN are all on the list. The additions bring the number of Uber-served cities to 205—or 55 percent of the U.S. population, according to the company:

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