Blog Topic: Breaking News

Culture Briefs: Sean Patton Cancels LaughFest Appearance; Clayton English to Headline

By Gabe Vodicka | June 17, 2014 1:58pm

Clayton English

Word comes down from organizer Chris Patton that Sean Patton (no relation), the Brooklyn-based comedian who was scheduled to headline Wednesday's LaughFest showcase at the Georgia Theatre, has dropped off the bill due to a scheduling conflict.

Taking his place is Clayton English, an Atlanta stand-up and actor who has been seen on shows like "Tyler Perry's House of Payne" and in films such as The Preacher’s Kid.

More below.

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In the Loop: UPDATE: Suspect Arrested in Bootlegger's Shooting

By Blake Aued | July 9, 2014 2:50pm

Athens-Clarke County police have identified a suspect in the May 10 shooting at the nightclub Bootlegger's that left one man dead and another seriously injuried.

Police and the Georgia Bureau of Investigation are looking for Corey Antwan Blount, 33, of Atlanta. He's described as 5 feet 11 inches tall, 210 pounds, with a tattoo on his left forearm.

Police say Blount shot and killed Derrick Merritt of Athens and shot and injured another man in the Bootlegger's parking lot after the club closed. "Information obtained clearly indicates that the victims in this senseless act of violence were innocent bystanders and played no role in triggering the assault," police said.

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Homedrone: OutKast Announce Atlanta Show (Finally)

By Gabe Vodicka | June 13, 2014 12:59pm

Welcome to Stankonia, the place from which all funky things come.

The epicenter of that collective "squeeee" you just heard sits just 70 miles west: After announcing a slew of festival dates and a national tour that included no appearances in the city of its birth (no, Counterpoint doesn't count; that shit is in Rome), beloved and reunitedAtlanta-based hip hop duo OutKast have finally revealed that they will headline a show in Centennial Olympic Park on Saturday, Sept. 27.

The date was announced via a cryptic full-page ad in this week's Creative Loafing:

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Homedrone: Georgia Theatre Owner: ABH Article Misleading, Sale Not Imminent

By Gabe Vodicka | June 6, 2014 12:24pm

Photo by Peter Frey

Last night, the Athens Banner-Herald posted a strangely written article alleging that Georgia Theatre owner Wilmot Green is currently in talks with a mysterious group of Atlanta investors with the (rather cartoonish) name Bravo Ventures to sell the beloved and historic venue.

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In the Loop: Ex-Bulldog Tray Matthews Says Talking in Class (Not Theft) Led to Dismissal

By Blake Aued | June 5, 2014 2:42pm

Tray Matthews may have tried to steal hundreds of dollars from the University of Georgia, but that's not why he was kicked off the team. According to Matthews, it was because he talked too loud in class.

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Homedrone: Local Musician Rick Fowler Recovering From Stroke

By Gabe Vodicka | June 5, 2014 11:35am

Local guitarist and songwriter Rick Fowler, the founder and frontman of blues-rock groupRick Fowler Band, tells Flagpole he has been forced to cancel all shows for the next several months—including a performance at this year's AthFest—due to a recent stroke.

Fowler says he faced health concerns for nearly two years while waiting for the Affordable Care Act to take effect. Still, he stresses that the end result could have been worse. As Fowler writes in an email, he is optimistic that he is now on the mend:

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In the Loop: Police Investigate Shooting on Westside

By Blake Aued | May 30, 2014 10:49am

Athens-Clarke County police responded to a call about shots fired on Westchester Circle, off Mitchell Bridge Road, at about 1 a.m. today. They found Jordanius Randolph, 18, of nearby Chalfont Lane, hidden in hedges near a residence.

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In the Loop: Another ARMC Administrator Has Resigned

By Blake Aued | May 29, 2014 6:21pm

Athens Regional Medical Center Chief Information Officer Gretchen Tegethoff resigned today in the wake of a scandal over the implementation of a new electronic medical records system.

Tegethoff's departure follows that of CEO Jamey Thaw, who resigned last Thursday, two days after more than 200 doctors affiliated with the hospital met and held a no-confidence vote on Thaw's leadership.

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In the Loop: UPDATE: ARMC CEO James Thaw Forced Out by Doctors' Coup

By Pete McCommons and Blake Aued | May 23, 2014 11:22am

Athens Regional Medical Center CEO James Thaw was forced out Thursday after doctors complained that a new computer system Thaw installed was hurting patients' care, according to several sources.

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Homedrone: UPDATE: New Earth, Landlord At Odds Over Lease Renewal

By Gabe Vodicka | May 20, 2014 6:22pm

Image via

Earlier today, a Craigslist ad began circulating on Facebook that reads:

Downtown Athens music venue for lease/sale. Available August 1, 2014. 227 Dougherty St. 4400 sq/ft building with stage, FOH sound booth, office, green room, side stage monitor booth, full bar, bathrooms. Also has outside deck overlooking courtyard area with stage. Triple net lease. Inquire for more details.

That music venue is New Earth Athens, the EDM/jam hotspot on the corner of Dougherty and Hull streets that was recently renovated and now boasts a popular outdoor stage and patio. Reached for comment, New Earth founder Adrian Zelski says he and the club's other employees were blindsided by the ad.

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