CLASSIC CITY NEWS

By Joe Johnson Two people were reported to have been injured this afternoon in a house fire in western Athens-Clarke County. Firefighters were dispatched at 2:15 p.m. to the fire at 261 Rhodes Drive, in a subdivision off of Timothy Road. Details are not yet in, but Fire Marshal Kevin Kearney said that it was an intense blaze that spread to a neighboring residence. National EMS transported two victims with minor injuries to the hospital, Kearney said.

The following was released by The Interfaith Clergy Partnership of Greater Athens A coalition of Athens-area religious groups held an interfaith candlelight vigil on Sunday in support of immigrants and others affected by mass detentions, deportations and the violent actions of poorly-trained Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. “We’re here to bear witness to the lives lost due to ICE actions, their broken-hearted loved ones, to the children and families separat

By Joe Johnson In the early morning hours of February 18th Athens police responded to a report of someone threatening to commit suicide in the parking lot of Walmart on Lexington Road. Upon arrival officers found a 32-year-old homeless man holding a gas canister who had called a suicide crisis line and said he planned to kill himself by inhaling helium. After police established rapport with the man he willingly surrendered the tank of gas to them and he was transported to an

By Joe Johnson A user of the deadly drug fentanyl owes her life to an Athens-Clarke County police officer. On the evening of February 7th police responded to a report of an unconscious drug overdose victim at QuikTrip on Lexington Road. Upon arrival officers found the 37-year-old woman on the floor of the restroom, not breathing and her lips turning blue. Beside her were burnt foil and a cut straw that the officers knew to be evidence of fentanyl use. Officer Benjamin Benedic

Released by Ray Smith’s campaign: Athens, GA – A large crowd of friends, family and supporters gathered to cheer Ray Smith on Saturday at the official launch of his campaign for Georgia Senate District 46. “I intend to be the voice that we have been lacking for decades,” Smith told them. “We need housing that is affordable. We need healthcare that is available without it being the No. 1 cause of bankruptcy. We need a full Medicaid expansion to close the coverage gap for hund

Athens-Clarke County is expected to experience cold temperatures in the coming days. A number of ongoing emergency resources and shelters are listed below, along with temporary resources. Temporary additional emergency shelter resources or warming stations at private locations or Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) facilities may be added during severe weather. For updates before, during, and after severe weather, visit www.accgov.com/weather . For updates abo

Released by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office A cocaine overdose of a 4 year old child led our investigators to execute a search warrant on February 20th, 2026 in Jefferson. Sheena Dawn Shumake, 35, and Joshua Tyler Shumake, 33, were arrested and booked into the Jackson County Jail for Cruelty to Children First Degree. Thank you Georgia State Patrol, West Jackson Fire Department, Georgia Division of Family & Children Services, and Children's Healthcare of Atlanta for your a

In 1961, William Lederer published “A Nation of Sheep” in which he described average Americans; uninformed, lied to and misled by their own government, and disinterested in politics and foreign affairs if it did not concern them personally. He also mentioned our uninformed political leaders. Neither has changed since 1961. Few remember, for example, that just short of 60,000 American soldiers were killed in Vietnam in a war that our “leaders” knew we couldn’t win and were los

Western Judicial Circuit District Attorney Kalki Yalamanchili today issued the following A jury of Athens-Clarke County residents returned a guilty verdict on February 17th, 2026, holding Edrick Lamont Faust accountable for his murder and sexual assault of Tara Baker on January 19th, 2001. The jury found the defendant guilty of Malice Murder, Felony Murder, Rape, Aggravated Sodomy, Burglary, Aggravated Assault, Arson, and Possession of a Knife During Commission of a Felony.

Released by the Gwinnett County Police Department (Dacula, Ga., Feb. 20, 2026) – Gwinnett County Police detectives have charged the mother of a four-year-old who got ahold on a gun and shot himself in the hand. On February 18, officers responded to 3470 Braselton Highway in reference to a four-year-old that had been shot. When officers arrived, they met with Nicole Johnson (29, Winder) who said she was in a parking lot eating breakfast with her son in the car. She told off

By Joe Johnson Angus Stewart Moller, 61, of Double Bridges Crossing in Winterville, was arrested on the afternoon of February 16th after crashing his pickup truck into the BP gas station on Lexington Road, Police said that he appeared to be under the influence of drugs and that he failed drug impairment testing at the scene. In addition to his truck crashing into another vehicle at the gas station it struck the building, according to the police report. An officer stated in th

The following was released today by the Gwinnett County Police Department Lawrenceville, Ga., Feb. 20, 2026) – Gwinnett County Police arrested a juvenile following an investigation into threats made against a victim through online platforms. On January 16, 2025, Gwinnett County Police received information regarding a victim who reported receiving threatening and harassing messages from a person she met through Roblox. After the victim ended communication, the juvenile posted

From Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Celebrate the incredible contributions of women in science at our upcoming event at the Nature Center! Join us for an inspiring program that highlights the stories and achievements of women who have shaped the fields of biology, ecology, astronomy, and beyond. This event is an opportunity for learners of all ages to discover, explore, and be inspired by the trailblazing women who continue to make a difference in science today. This f

By Joe Johnson Authorities are investigating the death of a 68-year-old woman whose body was discovered hanging in her home on Towns Walk Drive Wednesday night. Responding to a call from a relative, police officers found the woman hanging in the living room from a rope tied to a second-floor balcony. Police said that the woman had left a suicide note on a counter. Detectives continue to investigate the matter.

Cole By Joe Johnson Two players with the University of Georgia football team were arrested Wednesday night after they were caught allegedly driving recklessly on the Athens Perimeter. Linebacker Darren Ikinnagbon and linebacker Christopher Cole were reportedly observed by police driving on the highway at over 100 mph near Olympic Drive, The Georgia Bulldogs were booked into the county jail on charges of speeding and reckless driving. Ikinnagbon was additionally charged with

From Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services The Leisure Services Department invites the Athens community to the third annual Flight of the Fireflies Lantern Parade on Saturday, March 7 at Dudley Park. Participants will gather in Dudley Park starting at 6:00 p.m. with the parade stepping off just after 7:00 p.m. Find out more information and meet one’s friends and families at any of the four color-coded entry points at www.accgov.com/lanternparade The community is invite

From Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Football season is not over. It is just beginning with the Leisure Services Department's Youth Flag Football Leagu e. The program focus on teaching fundamental flag football skills, team work, sportsmanship, leadership, and enhancing the mental and physical development of each participant. The purpose of the youth flag football league is to encourage young male and female athletes ages 5 to 14 to learn about the sport, develop thei

By Joe Johnson A former University of Georgia student has pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the reported rape of a freshman in a UGA dorm room two years ago. According to a plea agreement filed in Superior Court on February 12th, 20-year-old Theodore Bennett Angell pleaded guilty to charges of aggravated assault, sexual battery, and battery in return for dismissal of the rape charge. According to court documents, Angell had choked, slapped and bit the 18-year-old victi

By Joe Johnson A former FedEx employee who was arrested last year for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars of items from a company distribution center in Athens now faces charges for the armed robbery of a convenience store in Oglethorpe County. Kendrick Tyree Walter, 32, of Lexington, was arrested on February 5th for a holdup that occurred two months earlier at Peach Express in Crawford. At the time, he was free on bond from his arrest last summer in Athens when

Issued this afternoon by the Gwinnett County Police Department Update: (Hoschton, Ga., Feb. 17, 2026) – Investigators have been able to obtain a photo and have identified the suspect vehicle as a Buick Encore GX. If anyone has any information to share in this case, please contact GCPD at 678.442.5653. Original: (Hoschton, Ga., Feb. 17, 2026) – Gwinnett County Police Department is seeking the public’s help in locating a vehicle involved in a hit and run of a juvenile on a sc