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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Waste Not, Want Not: Athens-Clarke County Waste Management Tackles New Challenges
Suki Janssen’s phone constantly lights up with notifications, a sign that even though it’s 2 p.m. on a Friday, her day is far from over. She occasionally pauses to reply to messages and emails that demand her attention as the director of the Athens-Clarke County Solid Waste Department. As the…
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24 Years After Death of Edward Wright, What Does Public Think of Police Now?
Nearly a quarter century ago, Edward Wright, a 20-year-old unarmed black man, was shot and killed by police in Athens-Clarke County. His crime? Indecent exposure. Police officials were called after Wright was seen nude around Martin Circle in East Athens, which then led to a brawl and ultimately six shots…
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Local Efforts to Preserve Gentle Giants: Classic City Clydesdale Works to Sustain the Breed
The sound of crunching gravel under the car’s tires interrupts the quiet. The 18-hand high gentle giants lightly munching on grass in the paddocks don’t seem to even notice. Patches of Georgia’s notorious red clay peek through parts of the paddocks. As the windows roll down, the smell of cut…
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Rising Girlbosses in Athens: Number of Local, Female Entrepreneurs Growing
Around her sixth birthday, Jasmyn Reddicks had her life all figured out. Reddicks grew up in a small rural town where those who attended college experienced an extra dash of social expectations. But instead of becoming a lawyer, doctor or veterinarian, Reddicks opted for an occupation a little bit sweeter.…
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Challenging the School-to-Prison Pipeline for Athens-Clarke Youth
Mokah-Jasmine Johnson wears many hats. She teaches GED courses, hosts a podcast and speaks at public events. She is also an outspoken activist and co-founder/president of the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM). Much of Johnson’s work centers on combating discrimination and dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline. The school-to-prison pipeline refers to the…
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Clarke County School District Accumulates Late Fees on Credit Cards
The Clarke County School District has continued to pay a series of late fees and finance charges in the past year on one credit card issued to Superintendent Dr. Demond Means and another card allocated to Board of Education members, according to an analysis of statements. An open records…
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Georgia Hate Crimes Legislation Stalls in Senate, Proponents Hope for Passage in 2020
The state’s first hate crimes bill, HB 426, passed the Georgia House but stalled in the Senate and will not be taken up until the next Georgia state legislative session in 2020. Dacula Republican Rep. Chuck Efstration sponsored House Bill 426 in the most recent 2019 legislative session. HB 426…
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Georgia Supreme Court Changes How Breath Tests Are Used As DUI Evidence
Prosecutors are changing how they approach DUI cases after the Georgia Supreme Court declared a key piece of evidence inadmissible. The court ruled that the refusal to submit to a breath test cannot be used against a defendant because it violates protections against self-incrimination. How the Case Affects…
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Sustainable Agriculture as Welfare and Healthcare
When the sun rises and many people are still fast asleep, Matthew Schneider and the other employees of the Hickory Hill Farm are already awake and working in the fields. From 7 a.m. to noon or later, Schneider harvests produce that he will later sell at the Athens Farmers Market.…
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Out of the Clinic and into the Ring: Local Veterinarian is Also a Boxer
Philip Brooke works a normal job as a small-animal veterinarian. But after hours, he heads to the Ramsey Student Center, plugs in his playlist and slips on a pair of boxing gloves. “Cuddling puppies during the day and punching people in the face at night,” Brooke said. “It’s a good…