Northeast Georgia News
Reporting from Barrow, Clarke, Jackson, Madison, Oconee and surrounding counties.
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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…
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Oconee County Board of Commissioners Votes to Amend Alcoholic Beverages Ordinance
The Oconee County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted Tuesday to amend the Alcoholic Beverages Ordinance distance requirement from any location to a school and/or church from 600 feet to 300 feet. The change follows the county’s decision to deny renewing Costa Alegre Seafood and Grill’s liquor license. The new amendment…
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Social Circle Wrestling Adapts as GHSA Changes Classifications Again
Randy Prater, right, congratulates James Sievers, left, after his win at the Archer Tiger Rumble tournament in Lawrenceville, Georgia, Nov. 9, 2025. Sievers won by fall over Jaxon Grant from Heritage-Catoosa. (Photo/Sydney Jarrard) Social Circle’s wrestling team is a powerhouse that has historically dominated in both team and individual state competitions. In…
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Nicholson City Council Fails to Agree on Water Board Nominee
The Nicholson City Council failed to appoint a member to the Nicholson Water Authority board at its meeting last week, with three separate motions dying for the lack of a second. Council members considered nominees Roger Brock, Larry Turner and Walter Barnett during their Dec. 1 meeting, but none of…
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Despite New Funding, Clarke County Jail Faces Ongoing Deputy Shortages
As Clarke County Jail’s inmate population continues to rise, the sheriff’s office is facing a widening gap between the number of inmates and deputies on staff. Four inmates have died in custody since April 2025. In a press conference held in July, Clarke County Sheriff John Q. Williams attributed some…