Athens-Clarke County in Georgia is widely described as a sanctuary city, leading to increased scrutiny from Republicans after an illegal immigrant was accused of killing university student Laken Riley there last week.
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South Korean company Duckshin Housing announced this week it will invest more than $15 million to establish its first U.S. manufacturing presence in Athens.
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In his capacity as a private citizen, the mayor of the town of Athens spoke out against a “pride month” display at the town’s library, eventually leading to the display being taken down.
Athens Mayor Steven Sherlin and Vice Mayor Larry Eaton demanded that the display at the E.G. Fisher Library be taken down at a Tuesday city council, according to the Chattanooga Times Free Press.
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McMinn County Sheriff Joe Guy is warning residents of a scam call that was recently reported to the sheriff’s office. The caller targeting McMinn County residents alleges he or she is from the McMinn County Sheriff’s Office Warrant Department and demands money in order to “avoid jail time.”
Scammers use this type of technique to target local residents as a phishing scam to extort money.
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The La Vergne Public Library in Murfreesboro and E.G. Fisher Public Library in Athens both recently received grants administered by the Tennessee State Library & Archives. The Tennessee State Library & Archives is a division of the Department of State.
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Kayleigh McEnany, former White House Press Secretary under President Trump and current co-host of ‘Outnumbered’ on the Fox News Channel, is scheduled to speak in Athens this Saturday, June 25th, at the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce 15th Annual Benefit.
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Families are able to enjoy two events – the National MooFest festival and Sounds of Summer music festival – this Saturday, June 4th, in downtown Athens. Both events are pet-friendly and free to the public.
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The Tennessee Wesleyan University Board of Trustees announced Thursday that Dr. Tyler Forrest will become the next President of the University on July 1st, 2022. Dr. Forrest is currently the Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
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On Friday, officers with the Athens Police Department responded to a residence on Sweetfield Valley Road “in reference to a subject with a firearm threatening to harm people at the residence,” according to a press release by the department.
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Athens-Clarke County officials use taxpayer money to lure in greater and greater numbers of homeless people from around Georgia, but the consequences to the county and to the University of Georgia (UGA) are too great to ignore. This, according to two Athens residents who said they have observed the city’s homeless epidemic up close.
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Members of one Athens church fear for their safety after they said homeless people — many of whom they suspect aren’t even from that city — have harassed and threatened them on church grounds. Luis Ortiz, senior pastor of the Athens’ Young Harris Memorial United Methodist Church, said his complaints to Athens-Clarke County officials go mostly ignored. He and other city residents told The Georgia Star News they believe Athens’ officials are using a $60 million federal grant to bestow upon homeless people. Consequently, homeless people from other areas of the state are relocating to Athens.
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ATHENS, Georgia – Representative Jody Hice (R-GA-10), currently running to replace Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, launched a statewide tour in Athens on Tuesday to address Georgia’s election integrity issues. And, during the stop, Jessica Fore, a Democrat running for Hice’s 10th Congressional seat, challenged Hice on Georgia’s 2020 presidential election.
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A proposal to more than double Athens-Clarke County commissioners’ salaries from $15,000 per year to $31,000 could discourage good candidates — especially those who are not wealthy — from seeking that office. This, according to County Commissioner Allison Wright.
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Six of the 10 Athens-Clarke County (ACC), Georgia commissioners have proposed an ordinance that, if enacted into law, would more than double their salaries from $15,000 per year to $31,000. County Mayor Kelly Girtz, under this proposal, would enjoy a pay increase as well, but only a small one, from $57,399 to $62,000.
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Federal officials have charged 13 people in or near Athens as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged drug traffickers and violent offenders with ties to Metro Atlanta. An FBI Safe Streets Gang Task Force oversaw the arrests.
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A former University of Georgia (UGA) professor who admitted to authorities that he possessed hundreds of images of child pornography was sentenced to federal prison and will have to register as a sex offender for life. This, according to a press release that the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Georgia published this week.
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Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp this week signed House Bill 286, which prohibits local governments in Georgia from defunding the police. Georgia State Rep. Houston Gaines (R-Athens) sponsored the legislation.
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