CLASSIC CITY NEWS

We have long witnessed with deep concern ICE acting without due process against our immigrant neighbors across the country. In recent days, ICE has brought its unconstitutional and immoral actions to Athens: ● Both parents taken, their 11-year old daughter left to fend for herself. ● Workers taken from their job site. ● Disguised agents pounding on the door of homes while shouting “your car is on fire!,” then surrounding the homeowner when she rushes out. None of these indivi

Released by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Conyers, GA (July 23, 2026) - The GBI has arrested and charged Paige Forte, age 30, of Conyers, GA, with Misuse of a License Plate Reader System, following an investigation into the misuse of her access to the Flock Safety System. Forte is a dispatcher supervisor at the Conyers Police Department. On July 21, 2026, the Conyers Police Department requested the GBI to investigate following an internal audit of the Flock license plat

By Joe Johnson A Superior Court judge has dismissed charges against a 39-year-old Athens man who had been arrested for allegedly shooting another man four years ago. Antwon Maurice Dixon was arrested in 2024 for the shooting that occurred two years earlier in which police said he used a .380-caliber pistol to shoot Michael Sims three times in the lower abdomen during an incident on Lombardy Circle. He was charged and subsequently indicted for aggravated assault, possession of

Released by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department On the morning of July 24, 2026, the Northeast Georgia Regional Drug Task Force, with the assistance of the ACCPD Gang and K-9 Units, and FBI Safe Streets Task Force, executed multiple search warrants across Athens-Clarke County (Sayemore Drive, Massey Lane and Big Oak Circle). As a result, officers seized 12 grams of fentanyl, 24 grams of cocaine, 18 pounds of marijuana, four firearms, and $8,800 in U.S. currency. Brian

By Joe Johnson Timothy Chad Gurley, 23, of Hull, was arrested early in the morning of July 22nd for allegedly driving drunk on the wrong side of the Athens Perimeter. A police officer reported that he was patrolling the highway at around 2:15 a.m. when he saw Gurley’s car stopped in one of the northbound lanes. When the officer stopped to investigate Gurley turned the car around and began to drive south on the northbound side of the highway, according to the report. “As I a

By Joe Johnson A suspect in a Florida murder was arrested last weekend after his car was stopped in Athens for motor vehicle law violations. Officer Samuel Calderon stopped the car Sunday afternoon on Northcrest Drive for an illegal windshield tint and because the passenger wasn’t wearing a seatbelt. When checking the identities of the occupants the officer learned that the passenger was wanted for murder in Florida. Christian Tyler Edwards, 19, of West Palm Beach, had warra

Issued tonight by the Jackson County Emergency Management Agency: ‼️ MISSING ENDANGERED PERSON ‼️ Christopher Elliott, 36yo black male, bald, schizophrenic, weighing approximately 150 lbs with tattoos on forearms (wings, CASH LIFE) wearing white tank and black shorts. He was last seen at 2021 Archer Grove School Road on foot around 8:13 pm. If seen, please call 911 or 706-367-1911.

From the Athens-Clarke County government: Athens-Clarke County’s Capital Projects Department invites residents to provide general feedback on the exterior and interior design of the new Judicial Center, which will be located at 120 W. Dougherty Street in downtown Athens. An open-ended comment form, along with several design images for reference, is available at www.accgov.com/judicialcenter through Sunday, August 9. ACCGov is particularly interested in feedback related to th

From ACC Leisure Services Step away from the noise of everyday life and immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the forest during the Forest Bathing Experience program at Sandy Creek Park on Saturday, August 22, from 10:00 a.m. - noon. Forest bathing isn't about hiking or exercise; it's about intentionally slowing down and engaging your senses to experience the healing benefits of nature. This program is guided by Heather Matherly, a Master Naturalist and Certified Forest T

By Joe Johnson An Athens man has been indicted for murder in connection with a triple shooting in which a teenage boy was killed and two other victims were wounded. Jakel Javaunte Arnold, 23, of Mandy Drive, was charged with malice and felony murder, and four counts each of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm in the commission of a felony, according to the indictment filed in Superior Court last month. The shooting happened on May 8th outside the Pilgrims Pride po

Issued today by the Gwinnett County Police Department Buford, Ga., July 21, 2026) – Gwinnett County Police are requesting the public's assistance with locating missing person 29-year-old Justin Jones. Jones was last seen at his residence in the 1300 block of Hartford Run NE in Buford. Family members have not heard from him since June 25, and he left his cell phone behind. His current whereabouts are unknown, and there is no known clothing description available. Jones is descr

file photo of 300 Blackout By Joe Johnson Police have identified one of the weapons used in a recent shooting in downtown Athens as an AR-15 automatic assault rifle. A just-released police report of the July 5th incident documents witnesses describing an automatic rifle being fired on East Clayton Street. Nobody was struck by gunfire but several businesses were damaged by bullets. One suspect, 19-year-old Damian Swint was arrested later in the day and charged with aggravated

By Joe Johnson A 33-year-old woman was cleaning her home this weekend when struck by a bullet that punched through the door. The incident happened at about 2 a.m. July 19th at Rolling Ridge Apartments off Kathwood Drive and witnesses identified the shooter as a man from Oglethorpe County whose intended target was another man with whom he had an ongoing feud. The victim was injured when one of the bullets ricocheted and struck her in the leg near the ankle, according to polic

Ball By Joe Johnson Terry Bernard Ball, 38, of Simmons Street, was arrested early in the morning of July17th after he shot a man on The Block, a popular hangout in east Athens. The victim, 38-year-old Mario Orlando Baker of Ramble Hills Circle, was transported to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries to his buttocks and leg. The incident reportedly happened at around 12:30 a.m. when Ball shot Baker at the corner of Vine and Gressom streets, according to police. Alth

By Joe Johnson Sarina Avery McElreath, 28, of Jennings Mill Parkway, was arrested early in the morning of July 16th after she crashed her car while allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol. Police said they were summoned to the scene on Mathew Avenue at around 3 a.m. when the incident activated the crash detection feature of McElreath’s iPhone which automatically dialed 911. According to police, the woman’s SUV overturned upon striking a parked vehicle. The accident r

The Athens-Clarke County Unified Government (ACCGov) is seeking applications by Sunday, August 16 from 10th, 11th, and 12th grade students who are interested in taking part in the Mayor's Youth Council. Eligible students can attend public or private schools or be homeschooled, but must be Athens-Clarke County residents. Council members attend meetings twice per month and participate in periodic service activities, adding up to a time commitment of around six hours/month from

Collins By Joe Johnson A man and woman were arrested on the morning of July 12th at a hotel on Epps Bridge Road where they had sex in a hallway. The incident was reported at 11:21 a.m. by an employee of Fairfield Inn and Suites who told police that the suspects were “having sexual relations in the public areas of the hotel.” When reviewing surveillance camera footage police saw Amir Rashadee Haynes and Laura Michelle Collins having oral sex and intercourse in the hallway. Aft

By Joe Johnson Thomas Lawrence Fucci Jr., 53, of Segrest Circle, was arrested over the weekend in connection with a grass fire he allegedly caused by setting off fireworks. The incident happened late in the morning of July 3rd in a field next to Kroger on Barnett Shoals Road after he purchased Megabanger bottle rockets from a fireworks vendor in the parking lot and then set one off in the nearby field. The rocket ignited a fire and witnesses reported that Fucci got into his c

By Joe Johnson A Jackson County man reported that someone assaulted his daughter as they were trying to eat in the Waffle House on Atlanta Highway. The incident happened early in the morning of July 9th when the suspect accused the 44-year-old Jefferson man’s daughter of giving him “the stank eye,” called her a slut and then lunged at her. The suspect then threw a beverage on the man before leaving with a Waffle House employee who was later identified as his sister, according

Gresham By Joe Johnson The Athens police department has made another arrest in connection with young men shooting at each other early in the morning of July 5th on a crowded downtown street. Fortunately no one was injured although several businesses on East Clayton Street were damaged by gunfire. One eyewitness was working at one the bars where he claimed to have seen some of the suspects firing automatic weapons, including an AR-15. Swint The first suspect was arrested later