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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From Load-In to Lights-Out: What It Takes to Keep Athens’ Iconic Sound Alive
Long before the first chord rings through the Georgia Theatre and hours after the last fan files out of downtown Athens, Colm O’Reilly is still working — loading out gear, wrapping cords and preparing for tomorrow’s show. He’s been there since 7 a.m. “When people think of Athens’ music scene,…
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Fresh Food, Fresh Start: How Athens FARMRx Connects Health, Local Produce
With a bag of leafy greens in one hand and fresh tomatoes in the other, Maya Alandete sees more than produce changing hands. She sees confidence, connection and a chance at better health. That’s the mission behind FARMRx, a food-as-medicine program helping bridge the gap between healthcare and healthy eating…
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Voices That Shaped The South: Legacy of Georgia’s Female Writers
Georgia’s women writers — from Margaret Mitchell’s “Gone with the Wind” to Flannery O’Connor’s haunting Southern Gothic tales — have played a key role in shaping and redefining the landscape of Southern literature. At the Richard B. Russell Special Collections Library in Athens, the archives reveal the legacies of these…
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Get to Know: Gym Owner Caroline Ward
After feeling a call to leave her career in accounting and pursue what she loves, UGA gymnastics alumna Caroline Ward opened a gym and wellness program in the basement of her home. Since then, TransFit Athens has outgrown her home and become a staple in Five Points as a strong…
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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…