Northeast Georgia News
Reporting from Barrow, Clarke, Jackson, Madison, Oconee and surrounding counties.
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Athens Mayoral Candidates Talk Issues in February Debate
Candidates for Athens mayor — Mara Zuniga, Tim Denson, Dexter Fisher and Lakeisha Gantt — faced off at a public forum at Ciné on Feb. 7. Immigration enforcement, rapid growth and homelessness emerged as key issues shaping the future of Athens. Hosted by AthChat podcast co-hosts Drew Abney and Russell…
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Bill Prioritizes AI Transparency by State Agencies, Teachers Retirement System
Georgia lawmakers are considering a bill that would require an annual report on the use of artificial intelligence by state agencies, such as the Teachers Retirement System of Georgia. “I think there’s a lot of thirst to use AI to help with productivity, but I think there’s a lot of…
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Athens-Clarke County Jail Population Increases
The average daily population at the Athens-Clarke County Jail has increased to well over 400 and has even peaked at more than 500 inmates over the past year, straining staffing and increasing costs for the county. The increase reflects a combination of bond policy changes, poverty, mental health challenges and…
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Oconee Commissioners Deny Special Use Permit on Jimmy Daniell Road
Oconee County commissioners voted 3-1 Tuesday to deny a special use permit for Oconee Medical Properties on Jimmy Daniell Road due to strong opposition from Silverleaf residents. The Silverleaf subdivision lies adjacent to the property. “I am terrified that someone will get seriously injured or killed just trying to get…
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Chasing Eight: Lauren Neace’s Perfect State Lineup
For Lauren Neace, “good enough” was never the goal. This season, the Cedar Shoals sophomore became the first swimmer in school history to qualify for all eight state events — a goal she announced during her freshman year, half-joking, half-daring herself to try. By the middle of this season, it…
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Winter Storm Shopping Reveals Recycling Confusion in Athens
Back-to-back winter storms in Athens exposed confusion about plastic recycling and highlighted a larger issue of everyday waste. The forecasts for these storms last month sent Athens residents rushing to grocery stores, where cases of bottled water and packaged goods disappeared within hours. Business surged as shoppers stocked up ahead…
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Young Gun Lockleer Leading Tigers in State Basketball Playoffs
Commerce High School basketball is seeing its greatest success in years, largely due to junior guard Essien Lockleer. Lockleer did not begin his basketball career until he entered high school, but this did not stop him. As a two-sport athlete and a wide receiver for Commerce football, Lockleer’s athleticism has translated seamlessly to the hardwood, bringing speed, strength and energy…
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Athens Mayor, Commissioners To Decide Future Of Data Center Moratorium After Public Input
The Athens-Clarke County Commissioners are expected to decide Tuesday whether to extend the moratorium on data centers as concerns over water, power use and rising utility costs have dominated the local conversation. Meanwhile, state lawmakers including Rep. Spencer Frye (D-Athens) are weighing legislation that could eliminate tax incentives for the industry.
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UGA Student DJ Russo Powers Athens Nightlife
Streams of neon lights flashed at downtown Athens bar Updawg on Feb. 7 as the crowd of more than 85 dance to the beats of Daniel “DJ” Russo. “Every time DJ Russo is at Updawg, his energy is right there,” said Chase Landmesser, an employee at Updawg. “He sets the…
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To this River Community, Hurricane Helene Dealt Existential Blow
CORRECTION & CLARIFICATION: This article has been updated for accuracy regarding the Narrows’ features and typos. The corrections have been made in the article below. The article has also been updated for clarity regarding the official founding of Bright Shadow. here are other places where the land is green, and…