georgia
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Athens-Clarke County
Georgia Brewery Bill Takes Effect Sept. 1
Georgia’s Senate Bill 85 will go into effect on Friday, September 1. But what does Senate Bill 85 actually entail? Also referred to as the “Booze Bill,” Georgia SB 85 legislation will allow breweries and distilleries to sell alcoholic beverages directly to consumers, versus consumers purchasing “tours.” As a result,…
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Northeast Georgia News
Watkinsville Mayoral Candidate Running Unopposed
WATKINSVILLE, GA — Ashford Manor Bed & Breakfast co-owner Dave Shearon threw his name into the race for Watkinsville Mayor on Monday. As of 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, the deadline for Mayoral candidates to submit their applications, Shearon is running unopposed. It was a serendipitous moment for the 20-year-resident of Watkinsville.…
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Athens-Clarke County
Long-Awaited Firefly Trail Takes First Steps in Athens
After nearly seven years of planning, the much anticipated Firefly Trail is finally being built. The Firefly Trail, a proposed 39-mile rail-trail, will be constructed along the now abandoned historic route of the Georgia railroad running from Athens to Union Point. When finished, it will be the 3rd longest trail…
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Athens-Clarke County
Controversial Adoption Rules Blocked in Georgia
As the 2017 Legislative Session comes to an end, the LGBT Pride community celebrates Georgia lawmakers’ failure to pass adoption bill updates. The changes to House Bill 159 would have protected adoption agencies who do not wish to work with LGBT couples.This includes private adoption agencies that are funded by…
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Georgia Representatives Receive Backlash for Lack of Public Town Hall Meetings
Georgia senators Johnny Isakson, R-Ga, and David Perdue, R-Ga, as well as Georgia’s 10th District Representative Jody Hice are under fire from many constituents from their refusal to hold public, in person town hall meetings with their voters. Congressman Hice hasn’t hosted a town hall in Athens since his election…
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Athens-Clarke County
Athens Animal Workers Oppose Georgia Pet Bill
The Georgia House is considering a new law to regulate the sale of pets in retail stores. The bill, introduced by Rep. Earl Ehrhart, of District 36, would prohibit local governments from preventing the sale of dogs and cats from any pet store in the state of Georgia. HB 144…
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Northeast Georgia News
Parents Struggle to get Refund from Swim School
Some Oconee County parents want their money back from the Georgia Aquatic Center in Watkinsville. The parents say a disagreement that banned a coach from the swim center last month cost them the program and their money. Coach Sean Gillan ran “Sean Gillan Swim School” for a year and a…
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In-Depth
Campus Carry Bill Back on Agenda for 2017
Campus Carry, a bill that caused a lot of controversy last year, is back on the agenda for the 2017 Georgia legislative session. Supporters say it may pass with the Governor’s blessing, thanks to one difference from its predecessor—but legislators are running out of out of time to get it…
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Athens-Clarke County
Fighting the Drought: Area Makes New Plans for Water Recycling
New water recycling plans approved by the Athens-Clarke County Commission could potentially lower drought probability to almost 0% according to an assessment presented by the public works department in January. The assessment determined the existing drought resilience of Clarke County and created solutions for the county to become more water…
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Athens-Clarke County
‘Mimosa Mandate’ Could Extend Sunday Alcohol Sales
Sunday alcohol service could be extended if a proposed bill in the Georgia Senate becomes law. The bill would expand the hours restaurants can serve alcohol on Sunday mornings. State Senator Renee Unterman sponsored the bill she nicknamed the “Mimosa Mandate.” Unterman and local businesses say it’s a matter of…