Athens-Clarke County
Reporting about Clarke County, Georgia. Some stories will be republished in the Athens Banner-Herald as part of a news-academic partnership with Grady Newsource.
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Keeping Athens In Tune: How Two Venues Built a Music Legacy
Athens has long been a birthplace of musical innovation, launching acts like R.E.M., the B-52s and Widespread Panic. This project explores how two of its most iconic venues, the Georgia Theatre and the 40 Watt Club, collaborate to sustain the city’s vibrant music scene. Through interviews with venue staff, we…
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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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Priceless Connections: Inside Athens’ Really Really Free Market
No admission fees, no vendors shouting deals and no checkout lines on the second Saturday of every month at Reese Pope Park, just a few blocks from downtown Athens. Instead, a colorful sprawl of items cover the benches under the pavilion and hang from the fence — everything from books,…
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One in Many: How Paloma Park Stands Out in Downtown Athens
In a neighborhood packed with more than 340 businesses, standing out isn’t easy. Downtown Athens hums with the energy of students, residents and visitors alike — all drawn by the promise of food, drinks, music and charm. But in this fast-paced scene, one spot continues to make a lasting impression:…
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Athens Farmers Market Brings Fresh Food, Community to Creature Comforts
Every Wednesday evening, Creature Comforts transforms into a vibrant hub of local food, community connection and healthy living. The Athens Farmers Market isn’t just about produce, but about people too. Iwalani Falfour, owner and manager at Farm Cart, shares insights on sourcing local ingredients and building relationships with customers and…
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Making Space: Women Changing the Face of Fitness
When Aly McGuire first applied to work at Athens Health & Fitness, she didn’t expect to become one of the gym’s key leaders. Now, as a manager, McGuire has helped establish one of the few women-only fitness spaces in Athens, Georgia. Listen below as she shares how stepping into a…
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Family Business: Cedar Shoals’ Record-Breaking Scorer Works with Brother’s Clothing Brand
Cedar Shoals High School soccer players value that they aren’t just a team: they’re a family that works together toward a common goal — winning games. This past season, senior forward Damon Davis took working with his family a step further off the field by helping his older brother grow…
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Stretching Barriers: Yogis Making Yoga More Inclusive in Athens
Yoga is often praised as a practice for everyone, but in the U.S., accessibility and representation within the industry remain challenging. Despite its roots in South Asian culture, the modern yoga industry is overwhelmingly white. “People aren’t going to want to come to class or come to the studios if…
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Fighting Back: Athens Gyms Offer Specialized Classes for Those With Parkinson’s
At X3 Sports training gym off of Milledge Avenue, participants in the Knock Out Parkinson’s Disease (or KOPD) class started their workout by calling out words that sounded like they belonged in a planetarium instead of a boxing gym. “Evil aliens!” “Friendship 7!” “James Webb telescope!” “Lunar!” “Meteorite!” This exercise…
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‘Ticket to Ride’ Underscores Importance of Access, Equity to Trail, Green Spaces
Over 200 Athens-area cyclists participated in the Firefly Trail Ticket to Ride event to increase awareness on the importance of improving access to trail and green spaces. The 14th annual bike ride raised nearly $34,000 for the trail’s expansion, emphasizing efforts to connect residents. “The trail is breathing new life…