CLASSIC CITY NEWS

By Joe Johnson Athens police this month arrested two men who exposed themselves to women and masturbated in front of them. The first incident happened on the morning of May 3rd at a mental health clinic on Mitchell Bridge Road where 36-year-old Kierre Shamar Ramsey masturbated in front of a woman at the reception deck. After the police were called to the scene it was learned that he had done the same thing to a nurse there and also made sexual comments to her. Ramsey was arre

From the Barrow County Fire Department: Barrow County Fire Department A-Shift recently responded to a residential structure fire with heavy smoke and fire showing from the residence upon arrival. Crews immediately initiated an aggressive interior fire attack and worked quickly to bring the fire under control. During firefighting operations, crews were advised that pets were possibly still inside the home. Firefighters conducted a search and located two cats in critical condit

From ACC Leisure Services Step into the story of how Elvis Presley became a global phenomenon in The Ultimate Elvis Concert: Rise Of An Icon This show is scheduled for Friday, May 29 at 7:30 p.m. at the historic Morton Theatre. This electrifying live show celebrates the music, the moments, and the unstoppable rise of the King of Rock and Roll. Ultimate Elvis Champion, Cote Deonath, and World Champion, Riley Jenkins, unite on stage for a high-energy journey through Elvis’ mos

By Joe Johnson Julio Cesar Hernandez, 56, of Cherokee Road in Winterville, was arrested early the morning of May 10th after he reportedly stabbed another man outside of Tropical Bar on West Clayton Street, According to police, he stabbed 21-year-old Nelson Gomez of Smokey Road during a brawl between two groups of men outside the bar and tried several times to shoot another man but his gun failed to fire. Hernandez fled the scene but was arrested shortly afterwards after poli

From ACC Leisure Services Join ACT for its inaugural Shakespeare in the Park performance. This production of "A Midsummers Night’s Dream" leans into the feeling of summer—its warmth, freedom, and possibility—while embracing the realities of outdoor performance. With lightweight costuming and an airy aesthetic, the world of the play comes to life in a 1920s seaside setting, a time of transformation and rebellion. That lens highlights the journeys of its characters: strong, de

By Joe Johnson Sandy Nashalle Franklin, 45, of Broadacres Court, was arrested last week after she set a fire inside Piedmont Athens Regional that caused extensive damage. According to police, the incident occurred shortly after 10 pm May 8th in a room near the ambulance entrance where Franklin set a trash can fire that burned for about 10 minutes before the sprinkler system was activated. The sprinkler system extinguished the fire but it also flooded the Emergency Department,

From ACC Leisure Services Come gather ‘round the fire with your instrument and play along to campfire classics at this casual open jam session. All skill levels and abilities are welcome, whether you want to sing, play, or just clap along to the music! The next Sandy Creek Park Hootenanny is scheduled for Sunday, May 17 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. The program is free, however, the $2 per person park admission fee is still required. For more information, please call 706-613-3631.

By Joe Johnson Three members of the street gang known as Sex, Murder, Money have been indicted for an armed robbery earlier this year at a westside Athens apartment complex. Bobby Skii Coleman, 19, Tyshawn Matthew Chatman, 19, and Jaden Orion Wise, 18, were each charged with armed robbery, aggravated assault, and criminal street gang activity, according to the indictment filed in Superior Court on Tuesday, Chatman was additionally charged with possession of a firearm during t

From ACC Leisure Services Memorial Day Weekend Leisure Services Department pools open Memorial Day weekend on Saturday, May 23 and will close for the season on July 26. The 2026 extended season will include Bishop Park Pool and Walker Park Splash Pad operating daily until August 4 as Clarke County Schools start, then move to weekend only operations through September 7. All pools and splash pads are closed on Mondays for maintenance. Free pool pass opportunities are available

Released today by the Rock Lobsters announce move ATHENS, GA (May 13th, 2026) The Athens Rock Lobsters today announced a historic milestone in the franchise’s young but rapidly growing history, confirming that the organization will officially transition to the SPHL beginning with the 2026–27 season. The team will continue to call Akins Ford Arena home, maintaining the downtown venue that has quickly become one of the most vibrant and electric environments for professional hoc

By Joe Johnson In the early morning of May 8th, Deandre and Jamarcus Grisson west to pick up their sister from her job at Pilgrim’s Pride. When they got there Jamaya Grisson climbed into the car to join her brothers and Makai Tucker, her boyfriend who went along for the ride. Jakel Arnold then arrived in a car with his cousin and upon getting out he tried talking to Jamaya, but she refused to speak with him. When he persisted the brothers intervened and an argument broke out

By Joe Johnson A flower shop that has been a longtime fixture on Prince Avenue is up for sale, Classic City News has learned. A listing for Flowerland recently appeared with a local real estate agent. A family-owned business for nearly 50 years, Flowerland is known and beloved for humorous messages on its sign out front that always seem to change with the seasons. L

The following were released by the Athena-Clarke County Police Department and Georgia Bureau of Investigation: On May 12, 2026, at approximately 12:43 AM, Athens-Clarke County Police Officers responded to the 1000 block of Hull Road regarding a call about a disturbance involving a male with a gun. Initial call information indicated that more than one gunshot had been fired prior to the officers' arrival. At the scene, officers encountered a male subject who brandished a firea

From the Gwinnett County Police Department: (Lawrenceville, Ga., May 11, 2026) – The Gwinnett County Police Department is requesting the public’s assistance in locating a missing 47-year-old from Snellville. Victor Bai was last seen by his family on March 31. He is five foot two inches tall and weighs 135 pounds. He has black hair and brown eyes. Anyone with information on Victor’s whereabouts is urged to contact GCPD detectives at 770.513.5300.

By Joe Johnson Kevin Adonay Castro, a ranking member of the 18th Street gang in Athens, has been sentenced to 10 straight years in prison after he pleaded guilty to trafficking methamphetamine. The plea was made in Superior Court last month as part of a negotiated agreement with the District Attorney’s Office. In return for pleading guilty to the trafficking charge and two counts of possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime, the DA’s office dismissed felony po

By Joe Johnson A woman was fatally shot Sunday afternoon in what police said was the second murder in Athens within two days. Latisha Andrews, 34, was killed during a domestic violence incident at the Arbor Ridge apartment complex on Chateau Terrace and 52-year-.old Sharod Pontes Greene of the same address was charged with her murder. Greene Two days earlier, 17-year-old Deandre Grisson was killed and his sister was wounded in a double shooting on Rowe Road. Jakel Arnold, 22,

Released by Athens community leader Fred Smith Sr. Athens S&DC Host Stamp Dedication to Celebrate the Works of Quilter Harriet Powers What: The U.S. Postal Service will host a stamp dedication ceremony for quiltmaker Harriet Powers (1837–1910) with four new stamps. Powers was a formerly enslaved woman born Oct. 29, 1837, on a plantation near Athens, GA. Her stitched works are celebrated as masterpieces of American folk art and storytelling. The ceremony for the stamps is free

Released by the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office: Yesterday, Barrow County Sheriff’s Office along with Statham Police Department and other personnel from multiple agencies worked together to locate and apprehend rape suspect Brandon Wells. Assisting agencies included Georgia State Patrol Aviation, the BCSO Drone Task Force, and K9 teams from the Barrow County Sheriff’s Office, Auburn Police Department, Lawrenceville Police Department, and Walton County Sheriff’s Office. Through

By Joe Johnson An Athens teenager died and his sister is hospitalized following a double shooting early Friday morning. The gunman was quickly identified by police and arrested. Athens-Clarke County police responded to reports of gunfire in the area of Rowe Road at approximately 5:49 am. Almost simultaneously, the hospital reported that two victims had arrived with gunshot wounds. Deandre Grisson, 17, died, and 18-year-old Jamya Grisson was treated for non- life threatening i

Released by the Gwinnett County Police Department: (Snellville, Ga., May. 8, 2026) – Gwinnett County Police SVU detectives have arrested four people in an unlicensed personal care home investigation. On April 30, SVU detectives with assistance from the Behavioral Health Unit, Uniform Division, Crime Scene Unit, Gwinnett County Fire Department, Department of Community Health, Adult Protective Services, and other state agencies executed two search warrants at 4022 and 4032 Pond