Northeast Georgia News
Reporting from Barrow, Clarke, Jackson, Madison, Oconee and surrounding counties.
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Rezone Withdrawn from Bishop Town Council Agenda
A request to rezone six acres on High Shoals Road for a special event venue was withdrawn from the December Bishop Town Council agenda. The Oconee County Planning Commission in November recommended denial of the rezone for the property adjacent to the planned location of St. Aelred Catholic Church, according…
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Hope Behind Bars: How Clarke County Jail’s Re-Entry Program Is Changing Lives
When Cheyenne walked into the Clarke County Jail four and a half months ago, she thought she was stepping into another setback. Instead, she was greeted with a support system, new connections and eventually a diploma. On Oct. 16, 22-year-old Cheyenne became the second jail resident and first female to…
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On 50th Anniversary, Lay Park Playground Faces Possible Changes
City officials and residents are split over a redevelopment plan of 295 E. Dougherty Street, where supporters expressed excitement for new parking, student housing and urbanization while others warned the project may disrupt community services, limit access to Lay Park Community Center and overlook housing needs. Lay Park Community Center…
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How Autumn Olive is Being Removed from Heritage Park to Help Native Species
At Heritage Park in Oconee County, an invasive plant species called the “autumn olive” is continuing to grow and cause harm to native plants found in the park. Cindy Pritchard, executive director of the Keep Oconee County Beautiful Commission, is holding bi-monthly removal days, through February 2026, to help keep…
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Athens Nonprofits Cope with Post-Shutdown SNAP Demand
Local nonprofits in Athens are continuing to feel the effects of the longest government shutdown in U.S history. “Until something gets taken away, you don’t really realize how much of a gift it is,” said Cole Phillips, CEO and Medical Director of Mercy Health Center, reflecting on the challenges faced…
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A Punch a Day Keeps the Doctor Away: Woman Gains Strength While Boxing Through Parkinson’s
Rolling hills, wandering deer and quaint towns slip past the clear windows of Marcy Floyd’s car as “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” drifts out of the speakers. Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, Floyd makes the hour-and-a-half commute from her house in Lake Oconee to the X3 gym off Milledge…
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‘Toughness Doesn’t Have a Gender’: Jefferson Going All-In on Girls Wrestling
Ava Catledge, Paola Swancey, Peyton Hawkins, Anna Ramirez and Kyndal Brown go through drills as coach Nick White calls them out. (Photo/Lily Grace Kilgore) The sound of sneakers squeaking on mats echoes through Jefferson High School’s wrestling room as a dozen girls warm up for practice. Sweat drips, laughter…
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West Broad Complex Coverage: Clarke County School District Outlines Redevelopment Plans
Reporting II students have covered the discussions and decisions throughout fall 2025 around the Clarke County School District’s plans to repurpose and redevelop the West Broad Street School site. Nearly 80 students researched and reported on this high-interest issue in Athens. See a few of their stories below. Click the…
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Athens-Clarke County Commission Delays Vote on Homewood Hills Redevelopment Plan
Jack Murphy, chief investment officer with development group Carter, presents updated details of the Homewood Hills redevelopment plan to Athens-Clarke County Commissioners on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. Murphy outlined the proposed residential buildings, commercial renovations and amenity areas with updates since the company’s previous proposal. (Photo/Hollis Turner) The Athens-Clarke…
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Lasting Impact of Virtual Learning: How Georgia Schools Are Confronting Learning Disabilities, Developmental Delays
As classrooms across Georgia return to full-time, in-person learning, educators and families are grappling with a challenge that has only grown in recent years following the COVID-19 pandemic: a noticeable rise in learning disabilities, particularly in early readers and students with developmental delays and disabilities. Nationwide, approximately 7.5 million students…