Q&As
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District Advances Infrastructure Plan, Committee to Revitalize West Broad Campus
The Clarke County School District announced Tuesday that it will move forward with the long-delayed revitalization of the historic West Broad School campus, beginning with hiring a structural engineer and forming a building committee that includes residents in January. The plan outlines repurposing the vacant campus for Athens Community Career…
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West Broad Street School Redevelopment to Honor Community’s History
Jennifer Scott presents new updates on the West Broad Street School redevelopment at the Clarke County Board of Education West Broad Street School public information session on Dec. 2, 2025. Scott addressed upcoming career pathways through the Athens Community Career Academy, including construction and welding. (Photo/Clarice Henry) The Clarke…
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Q&As Provide Look Into Lives of Public Representatives, Servants
Reporting I students each semester learn more about their beats — a special topic area of focus — by conducting research and interviews with community and student leaders, entrepreneurs, musicians, professors, performers and others. The nearly 80 students in the course conducted an interview on their beat in September. This…
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Q&A: Executive Assistant to Athens Mayor Has Inside View to Government for 30 Years
Editor’s Note: Shortly after this interview, Christine Howard was promoted to the Clerk of Commission after the previous clerk retired after 51 years in that role. Christine Howard is the executive assistant to Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz, and her role consists of performing numerous daily tasks such as…
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Q&A: Transparency Guides Adam Hammond on Oconee Board of Education
Adam Hammond, who serves as the Post 4 representative on the Oconee County Board of Education, is the executive director of the Georgia 4-H Foundation and is a three-time Emmy Award winner in journalism. Q: What inspired you to run for the Oconee School Board? A: I grew up in…
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Q&A: Leopold’s Ice Cream Travels to Shaky Knees
Leopold’s Ice Cream has expanded to three locations in Savannah, Georgia, and now vends at events as far away as Atlanta, including Shaky Knees in September. Graham Lanceford is director of operations and Christopher Shimp is catering assistant manager for Leopold’s, which was founded in 1919. Q: Can you tell…
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Q&A: College Republicans Leader Sees Rising Interest Following Charlie Kirk’s Death
Carter Sampson is the membership director of the College Republicans at UGA, which has seen increasing involvement in response to a tense political climate. Q: In the wake of all the violence with Charlie Kirk, do you feel like it’s inspired more conservatives in our generation? As the membership chair…
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Q&A: BOE Member LaKeisha Gantt Sees Mayoral Run as ‘Next Step’
LaKeisha Gantt, Clarke County Board of Education former president and current member, is campaigning in the 2026 Athens-Clarke County mayoral election. Q: As someone who has lived in Athens your whole life, what inspired you to run for mayor? A: It wasn’t really one single moment or turning point. It’s…
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Q&A: Athens-Clarke Mayor Wants Opportunities to Be His Lasting Impact
Kelly Girtz is in his final term as mayor of Athens-Clarke County, which has more than 128,000 residents. Q: Alright, so you’ve had a long history of working in the Athens community, from education to District 9 commissioner. What inspired you to become the mayor? A: I really wanted to…
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Q&As Reveal Community’s Sense of Hope, Worries for 2025 and Beyond
Reporting I students set out to learn more about Athens-Clarke County and their beats — business and consumer news, city-county government, diversity, local music, sustainability — by conducting research and interviews with business owners, community officials, advocates, musicians and students. The nearly 180 students in the course, which consists of…