Athens-Clarke County government
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Athens-Clarke County
Athens’ De-Icing Chemicals Raise Waterway Concerns
Winter storms bring more to Athens-Clarke County than snow and ice. After the slush melts, salt crystals and sand linger on streets and sidewalks until the next rainstorm washes those materials toward storm drains, ditches and nearby waterways. During the two winter storms in Athens during 2026, Athens-Clarke County Emergency…
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Athens-Clarke County
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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Athens-Clarke County
Athens Considers Next Steps After Closure of First Step Encampment
First Step, a government-sanctioned homeless encampment that opened in early 2022, will close on Dec. 31 of this year. Athens-Clarke County government is closing the encampment while it looks to find a more permanent solution to homelessness. As a result of the closure, unhoused individuals cannot stay at the encampment…
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2022 Election
‘Queer People Shake $#*! Up’: LGBTQ Representation in Government and the Driving Force Behind It
The LGBTQ Victory Fund, founded in 1991, is the only national organization dedicated to electing openly LGBTQ people to all levels of government in an effort to “achieve and sustain equality.” The Victory Fund provides campaign, communications and fundraising support to LGBTQ candidates nationwide, while its sister organization, the LGBTQ…
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Athens-Clarke County
Spread of Sustainable Restaurants in Athens: How Composting Is Making Local Restaurants Greener
The last Maepole customer stands from their table and makes their way to a compost bin on the verge of overflow from the day’s diners. After another bustling dinner service, staff began their nightly routine of scrubbing down the kitchen, breaking down seating, sanitizing equipment and taking out the compost;…
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Athens-Clarke County
Athens-Clarke County Government Creates Hotline for Questions
Your COVID-19 ordinance questions have answers. The Athens-Clarke County government has created a hotline where real human beings will pick up the phone to answer your questions from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. If you call after business hours, leave a message, and they’ll contact you the…
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Athens-Clarke County
Student, Teacher, Rapper, Politician: UGA Student Mariah Parker Does it All
Twenty-six-year-old Mariah Parker spends her days pursuing a doctorate degree in Language and Literacy Education from the University of Georgia. Plus, she teaches undergraduate classes. And, she performs as a rapper. Then there’s the job of representing District 2 on the Athens-Clarke County Commission. Not the normal life of a…