Criminal Justice
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Athens Mayor: No New Developments Regarding Drug-Related Inmate Deaths
There are no new developments in the investigations regarding the deaths of four inmates in the Athens-Clarke County Jail between April and July 2025, Mayor Kelly Girtz said Tuesday. Two of these inmates died of apparent drug overdoses. Before the death of the fourth inmate, Clarke County Sheriff John Williams…
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By Day She Coaches, By Night She Protects: Meet Madicyn Robinson
Jayda Shelton was close to giving up on throwing. The Clarke Central High School athlete didn’t see college track and field as a real option — until Madicyn Robinson started coaching the team. Robinson encouraged her to create a recruiting profile, and soon after, Shelton started hearing from college coaches. …
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Athens-Clarke County Jail Marks Graduation of 17 Inmates in Re-Entry Success Program
Thirteen inmates spent the afternoon getting ready in Unit 6 of the Athens-Clarke County Jail. They chose suits, donated by local churches, paired them with matching dress shoes, and readied themselves to celebrate their graduation from the Re-Entry Success Jail Resident Program. The program helps jail residents transition back into…
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Athens-Clarke Mayor Comments on Possible Immigration Crackdowns
Mayor Kelly Girtz said Athens-Clarke County is not a sanctuary city. “There isn’t even a formal definition of that term,” Girtz said on Monday. “Under Georgia law, cities and counties cannot legally function as sanctuary cities.” President Donald Trump’s administration has escalated its challenge against “sanctuary city” laws by threatening…
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Athens-Clarke County Police Internship Helps Local Youth
The Athens-Clarke County Police Department’s internship program aims to bring young people into public service and law enforcement. The program upgraded two years ago, which provides more positions for students. UGA student Kendra Hood is one of this years current interns working in Community Outreach intern. This role allows…
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UPDATE: Apalachee High School Community Responds to Shooting, Deaths
Four people were killed in a shooting at Apalachee High School in Winder, Georgia on Sept. 4. The suspected shooter, a 14-year-old student, is in custody. Officials explained what they know so far to the media at a press conference. The city of Winder came together at a vigil…
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From Incarcerated to Advocate: How One Man Uses His Experience to Help Individuals with Reentry
With Georgia placing among the top four states with the highest rates of incarceration, one advocate for criminal justice reform is using his personal experience to help other formerly incarcerated individuals reintegrate into their communities. For Tony Kitchens, Georgia Center for Opportunity’s (GCO) Field Director of Prison Fellowship and board…
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Breaking Chains: How One Georgia County Helps Inmates Get a Second Chance
It’s easy to make mistakes. It’s easy to falter under the weight of a wrong decision, and it’s easy to become burdened by the missed opportunities and the failures. In those moments, getting a second chance matters most, but if you’re an inmate, who has already been rebuked by…
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UGA Students Still Talking About Justice A Year After Arbery Death
The death of an unarmed Black man in Georgia, and other deaths like his, have provoked University of Georgia students to both mourn and protest in Athens. Although a year has passed since his death and the protest, the conversation about justice continues. On Feb. 23, 2020, while running on…
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Madison County Increases Pay For Sheriff’s Office Employees To Help Hire More Officers
The Madison County Board of Commissioners passed a funding budget that included allocations to increase pay for employees of the Madison County Sheriff’s Office on Jan. 25, and the effect of this extra money brings more than just cash value — it provides hope for the Madison County Sheriff’s Office…