Blog Topic: Breaking News

In the Loop: Opposition to Selig Is Growing

By Blake Aued | June 30, 2013 2:47pm

What used to be the Beltline rail spur. [credit: Larry Tenner]

Local activists are hard at work organizing last minute opposition to the downtown Selig development based on former commissioner Carl Jordan's revelations about an old rail spur through the Armstrong & Dobbs property. But it looks like the Athens-Clarke County Commission is moving full speed ahead on rubber-stamping the development Tuesday night.

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In the Loop: Athens Celebrates DOMA Ruling

By Blake Aued | June 26, 2013 8:04am

The Supreme Court struck down the Defense of Marriage Act, and more than 50 people gathered earlier this evening to celebrate at the UGA Episcopal Student Center. One activist, Ricky Roberts (pictured above), even broke out into song.

"I believe in my heart we will have marriage equality in the state of Georgia," said Melinda Sheldon, deputy director of Georgia Equality.

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In the Loop: UGA Foundation Won't Fund Domestic Partner Benefits

By Blake Aued | June 24, 2013 4:36pm

In last week's Flagpole, we told you about LGBT University of Georgia employees who hoped that the UGA Foundation would cover health insurance expenses for their domestic partners, as straight employees' spouses are covered.

No dice. The university announced today that the foundation board won't provide funding for domestic partner benefits.

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Grub Notes: Farm 255 to Close July 19

By Hillary Brown | June 24, 2013 10:11am

Despite recent assurances to the contrary, Farm 255 will indeed close and reopen as a new business. Juan and Vanessa Molina, of Broad Street Coffee, have bought the space and will be moving their vegan restaurant to 255 W. Washington St. Chef Whitney Otawka, as already reported, is moving on to other ventures, and Farm Cart (sniff) will be no more.

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Culture Briefs: The Onion May Have Just Punked Athens

By Blake Aued | June 19, 2013 4:25pm

The Classic Center sent Flagpole an announcement this morning that beloved fake newspaper The Onion was bringing some kind of show to Athens Oct. 6.

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In the Loop: Committee Votes Against Public Curfew

By Blake Aued | June 18, 2013 9:14pm

Athens doesn't need a curfew for public spaces like the City Hall and courthouse grounds, say four commissioners who serve on a committee that's been discussing the proposed law.

The Legislative Review Committee—chairman Kelly Girtz, Allison Wright, George Maxwell and Doug Lowry—voted unanimously to send the proposal on to the full commission, along with a recommendation that their colleagues not pass it.

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Grub Notes: Five Star Day Cafe Has Closed

By Hillary Brown | June 18, 2013 4:44pm

Photo via Athens Food Tours

Word was spreading around Athens yesterday that Five Star Day Cafe, longtime peddler of biscuits and meatloaf downtown and at times elsewhere, was no more, but confirmation came today from onetime owner and franchise manager Diana Fairbairn.

An Eastside location closed a few years ago, and a potential outpost on Milledge never materialized. Fairbairn posted a gracious statement on the restaurant's website thanking its many patrons and employees over the past 15 years and expanded further to Flagpole in an email:

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In the Loop: Downtown Master Plan Meeting Tonight

By Blake Aued | June 18, 2013 4:16pm

Apologies for the late notice, but People for a Better Athens is sponsoring a meeting on the downtown master plan at 6:30 p.m. today at Transmetropolitan.

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Homedrone: R.I.P. Athens Musician Herb Guthrie

By Gabe Vodicka | June 17, 2013 5:00pm

Photo Credit: Stefan Eberhard

Herb Guthrie

Multiple sources report that Herb Guthrie, an Athens drummer known primarily for his work with the Michael Guthrie Band, has died.

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In the Loop: Giant Kroger Coming to Eastside

By Blake Aued | June 13, 2013 4:41pm

Do you like to shop at grocery stores that are visible from space? Well, you're in luck. Kroger is building gigantic new stores all over Athens.

Kroger has already expanded its Alps Road store and is building a new 123,000 square foot store on Highway 29 near Madison County. Now, it's filed plans to replace its store at the corner of Barnett Shoals and College Station roads with one that's twice as large.

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