Northeast Georgia News
Reporting from Barrow, Clarke, Jackson, Madison, Oconee and surrounding counties.
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Oconee County Schools Adjust as PSR Takes over Playoff Path
Georgia high school teams no longer know their postseason path before the season begins. After two years of use for smaller schools, the Georgia High School Association’s Post Season Ranking formula, or PSR, now sets playoff brackets in all seven classifications. Oconee County High School already has some experience with…
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If Athens’ Landfill Turns Methane Gas Into Energy, Why Compost?
Beneath mounds of waste at the Athens-Clarke County Landfill, dozens of wells drilled into the ground collect energy from the methane gas created by decomposing organic waste. The gas is filtered through pipes to a small plant on landfill property where it is converted into usable energy. Plant operator Corey…
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Is Athens on Track to Meet its Clean-Energy Goal for 2035?
Seven solar trackers move with the sun in the parking lot of the Athens-Clarke County Library, providing shade for patrons while generating electricity for the building. For library manager Niké Shimobi-Obijuru, the trackers are also a visible example of how the county is implementing renewable energy in its public facilities. “They’re…
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Jackson County Schools Bring Experience to Statewide Sports Rankings Change
When the Georgia High School Association took its Post Season Ranking formula statewide this fall, three of Jackson County’s four high schools had already played under a version of it. Commerce, East Jackson and Jefferson competed in Classes A Division I, 2A and 3A in 2025-26, the classifications that used…
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Rewearing the ‘G’
Saturdays in Athens bring high energy, barking and red-and-black outfits that fill the streets. Matching sets and Georgia apparel are found at any given space from the tailgates on North Campus to Milledge Avenue, purchasing them for the occasion online or from a boutique. For some, however, the search for…
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Beyond the Trash Can: What Happens to Leftover Food after Sporting Events
After thousands of fans leave a University of Georgia sporting event, the waste left behind is more than empty cups and food wrappers. Leftover food that is not thrown away can become meals for people in need instead of ending up in a landfill and contributing to methane emissions. In…
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Clarke County Schools to Make $1 Million-Plus IRS Rebate Payment
The Clarke County School District Board of Education approved Thursday a payment of more than $1.18 million to the IRS to return excess investment earnings from the district’s 2022 bond issue. The full rebate totals $1.3 million, with $1.18 million due by Oct. 31. Chief Financial Officer Chris Griner…
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AthHalf Director Offers Tips, Advice for Half Marathon Runners
Participants preparing for the 2026 AthHalf Half Marathon faced the challenge of balancing their training goals with the intense Georgia heat and humidity. The half marathon is scheduled for Oct. 11. Race organizers faced their own challenge as a storm front is headed to the region, but organizers said Thursday…
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Rural Oconee County Residents Concerned About Frequent Power Outages
Repeated power outages in the town of North High Shoals and nearby communities in western Oconee County have left residents questioning the reliability of their electricity provider and seeking answers about when the outages will be addressed. “Sometimes it is seven, eight times in a month,” said Joy Sizemore, a…
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Barrow County Teams Navigate New Post Season Ranking System
Two of Barrow County’s high school teams face a new path to the playoffs this fall. The Georgia High School Association’s Post Season Ranking formula (PSR) now applies to every classification, including Class 5A, where Winder-Barrow competes, and Class 6A, where Apalachee competes. A team’s winning percentage accounts for 35%…