Athens

Four Georgia mayors challenge Kemp on mask mandates

The Democratic mayors of four Georgia cities are asking Gov. Brian Kemp to impose a mask mandate inside state buildings to show he is interested in the health of Georgians as well as the economy. An open letter sent to the Republican governor Friday by Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, Augusta Mayor Hardie Davis, Savannah Mayor Van Johnson and Athens Mayor Kelly Girtz came one day after Kemp issued an executive order prohibiting local governments from imposing any restrictions related to COVID-19. Kemp cited the need to protect small businesses from government interference. “As mayors representing nearly 10% of Georgia’s…

Athens police kill armed carjacking suspect

A 38-year-old carjacking suspect was shot and killed by police Sunday morning in Athens. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, preliminary information indicates that at about 10:40 a.m., Athens-Clarke County police officers responded to multiple 911 calls about a man with a gun at Walker Park. Responding officers were told that a man, later identified as Juan Joseph Daniele Castellano, of Athens, had allegedly carjacked a person at gunpoint inside Walker Park. Officers located the stolen vehicle. Officers say Castellano got out of the vehicle with a long gun and began shouting demands at officers. Officers gave numerous commands…

Did a Georgia Congressman claim Capitol insurrectionists were just tourists?

A Georgia Congressman is under fire this week from both Republicans and Democrats after his remarks at a Congressional hearing, where he claimed that the insurrectionists who invaded the U.S. Capitol Jan. 6 were normal tourists. The Congressman: The Congressman who made the claims is Republican Andrew Clyde. He represents Georgia's 9th Congressional District and is from Athens. Who does he represent: The 9th district runs from Athens to much of Northeast Georgia. If you live in Catoosa, Dade, Dawson, Fannin, Gilmer, Habersham, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Murray, Pickens,Union, White, Walker, and Whitfield counties, Clyde represents you. If you live in…

10 Ways UGA is helping save honeybees from the brink of extinction

University of Georgia faculty and students are working to better understand pollinators and the threats they face. Pollinating bees are vital to healthy crops and a thriving ecosystem, but are under threat of extinction from disease, pollution and other factors. Here are 10 ways UGA is working to help pollinators. 1. Teaching future veterinarians At the College of Veterinary Medicine, fourth-year students are learning how to care for bees and beehives. Launched in 2020 with the UGA Honey Bee Institute, the elective course teaches students how to handle bees, open hives, places queens in new hives and more. The course is a…

GBI: Athens man shot to death during road rage incident

On Saturday, May 1, 2021, at 1:00 a.m., the GBI Regional Investigative Office in Athens was requested by the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office to assist with a death investigation. Barrow County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call of a potential road rage incident. The incident was located on the westbound side of GA Highway 316 near its intersection with Jackson Trail Road. Upon their arrival, they discovered two men had been shot. Ketravian Tyvon Cole, 20, of Athens, was pronounced dead on the scene from apparent gunshot wounds. Another Athens man was injured by gunfire and taken to a…

UGA employee charged with child molestation

ATHENS -- A maintenance worker at the University of Georgia has been arrested and charged with two counts of child molestation. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation arrested 26-year-old Obadiah Lindsey, of Monroe, on two counts of child molestation Monday. According to the GBI, information was discovered during a separate investigation that indicated Lindsey had been having sexual contact with a juvenile in Athens-Clarke County. GBI agents say they learned that Lindsey was employed with the grounds and facilities department at the University of Georgia as a maintenance worker. The UGA Police Department assisted with locating and arresting Lindsey without incident.…

Police chase with stolen vehicle turns deadly in Athens

ATHENS -- A 37-year-old man is dead after a police chase Thursday morning ended in gunshots. According to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, preliminary information indicates that at about 9:17 a.m., Athens-Clarke County Police officers attempted to stop a vehicle believed to be stolen out of Jackson County. Officers followed the vehicle until the driver, identified as Timothy Daniel Statham drove into a ditch in the area of Newton Bridge Road and Fritz Mar Lane in Athens. Police say Statham exited the vehicle and fled on foot into the nearby wooded area. There were no other occupants in the vehicle.…

13-year-old girl missing in Athens

Athens-Clarke County police and fire officials are searching for a 13-year-old girl. Officials sent an alert about the missing girl, Leyanna Reynolds, at about 5:30 a.m. Tuesday. Leyanna was last seen in the area of Highland Park Drive in East Athens. If you have seen Leyanna or know her location, please notify the Athens-Clarke Co Police Department by dialing 9-1-1.

GoFundMe page set up for 12-year-old boy who lost his family in a fire

The Athens-Clarke County community is rallying around 12-year-old Taeden Johnson, who lost his family in a fatal house fire last week. Fire crews were dispatched to the fire on Spring Valley Road after a neighbor had called 911 and said the home next to his was on fire. Crews arrived on the scene and found the home fully-involved with fire. As crews were working to get the fire under control, they received reports from a neighbor that Taeden had escaped from the fire and said there were other family members inside the home. Taeden sustained some burns to his shoulder…

Three dead after early morning house fire in Athens

ATHENS -- Three people are dead after an early morning house fire in Athens, fire officials say. Fire crews were dispatched to a reported structure fire on Spring Valley Road at 3:27 a.m. Wednesday. A neighbor had called 911 and said the home next to his was on fire. Crews arrived on the scene at 3:33 a.m. and found the home fully-involved with fire. Due to the extent of fire involvement, crews deployed hose lines for a defensive fire attack. As crews were working to get the fire under control, they received reports from a neighbor that a juvenile had…

Missing 12-year-old Athens boy found

Police in Athens say they have found a 12-year-old boy who went missing Monday evening. Police and Fire units were searching for 12-year-old Justin Porter, in the area of Big Oak Circle in southeast Athens. Residents of Athens-Clarke County were notified of Justin's disappearance at about 9 p.m. Monday. The child was found at about 11:38 p.m.

Athens police search for missing 12-year-old boy

Update: According to police, Justin Porter has been found. The original story is below. Police and Fire units are searching for 12-year-old Justin Porter, who is described as a black male, in the area of Big Oak Circle in southeast Athens. According to officials, Justin was last seen wearing a black hat, all dark blue clothing, and red tennis shoes. If you have seen Justin or know his location, please notify the Athens-Clarke Co Police Department by dialing 9-1-1.

ByoPlanet expansion to bring 250 jobs to Athens

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp today announced that ByoPlanet International, a leading producer of electrostatic spray technology, is investing nearly $7 million in expanding its Georgia manufacturing operations, delivering 250 jobs to Athens-Clarke County. “It’s a pleasure to see ByoPlanet International continue to grow their footprint in Athens,” Kemp said. “With a spray system born from innovative studies conducted at the University of Georgia, ByoPlanet International is continuing to play a critical role in keeping schools, airlines, hospitals, and many other indoor spaces safe and sanitized so we can keep our economy open and protect lives and livelihoods as we fight…

Missing 2-year-old and 5-year-old found, police still searching for suspect

UPDATE: According to the Athens-Clarke County Police Dept., the two missing children have been found. Police are still searching for the suspect and the vehicle. The original story is below. ATHENS -- The Athens-Clarke County Police Department is asking for the public's help finding two missing children. The children are a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old believed to be traveling in a 2018 black Nissan Sentra with Ga. tag RKV2856. The 2-year-old is a black male last seen in a red jacket and gray sweatpants. The 5-year-old is a black male last seen in all green camouflage . If you see…

News Blog: Athens-Clarke County settles mask lawsuit

The Mayor and Commission held a Special Called Session on Friday, August 14 at 8:15 a.m. to approve a settlement with plaintiffs related to the recent mask ordinance requirement for public and commercial spaces and an ordinance changing the hours of alcohol sales and closing times for retail by the drink licensees. With the support of Western Judicial Circuit Superior Court Chief Judge Eric Norris, the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) and plaintiffs negotiated this settlement. The Athens-Clarke County mask ordinance requiring masks in public places and commercial establishments will remain in place in full force as adopted on August 4, 2020. …