CLASSIC CITY NEWS

By Joe Johnson Following a full week of testimony, the trial of the man accused of murdering University of Georgia law student Tara Baker came to a halt after the wife of the defense attorney was reportedly hospitalized. The prosecution rested its case on Wednesday and the wife of attorney Ahmad Crews was hospitalized as he was preparing to present his case in defense of Edrick Faust.

The following was released by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department On January 28, 2026, at approximately 7:35 p.m., ACCPD officers responded to a single-vehicle crash in the 300 block of Peabody Street. The investigation determined that a 2018 Toyota Tundra was parked along Peabody Street while the driver, George Whittenburg, a 21-year-old UGA studen of Austin, Texas, was standing outside the driver’s door. The vehicle began rolling in reverse, striking and rolling over

The following was released this afternoon by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department On January 28, 2026, at approximately 7:35 p.m., ACCPD officers responded to a single-vehicle crash in the 300 block of Peabody Street. The investigation determined that a 2018 Toyota Tundra was parked along Peabody Street while the driver, George Whittenburg, a 21-year-old UGA studen of Austin, Texas, was standing outside the driver’s door. The vehicle began rolling in reverse, striking a

By Joe Johnson Kappa Sigma has come under investigation for allegedly having students perform potentially dangerous and demeaning acts as a price of admission to the University of Georgia fraternity. According to court documents, the investigation began in September when University of Georgia Director of Greek Life Joshua Welch notified police that he was concerned about the health of a student because of things he had been coerced into doing by members of Kappa Sigma that ma

By Joe Johnson Kappa Sigma has come under investigation for allegedly having students perform potentially dangerous and demeaning acts as a price of admission to the University of Georgia fraternity. According to court documents, the investigation began in September when University of Georgia Director of Greek Life Joshua Welch notified police that he was concerned about the health of a student because of things he had been coerced into doing by members of Kappa Sigma that ma

By Joe Johnson Kappa Sigma has come under investigation for allegedly having students perform potentially dangerous and demeaning acts as a price of admission to the University of Georgia fraternity. According to court documents, the investigation began in September when University of Georgia Director of Greek Life Joshua Welch notified police that he was concerned about the health of a student because of things he had been coerced into doing by members of Kappa Sigma that ma

The following was released today by the University of Georgia Michael F. Adams, University of Georgia president emeritus, died on Jan. 25, 2026, following a brief illness. He was 77 years old. He is survived by his wife, Mary Lynn Ethridge Adams and their sons, David Adams and Taylor Adams (Carrie), as well as three granddaughters, Campbell, Tucker and Lawson Adams. Adams, who served as the university’s 21st president from 1997 to 2013, led the university to national prominen

The following was released by the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center UGA Presents is proud to present Drum Tao,   a spectacular fusion of traditional Japanese drumming, contemporary performance, and athletic theatricality, Friday, February 6, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. in Hodgson Concert Hall at the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center.   Renowned worldwide for their explosive energy and precision, Drum Tao   has redefined the art of wadaiko  (traditional Japanese dr

By Joe Johnson A defense motion to remove the judge presiding over the trial of the man accused of killing University of Georgia law student Tara Baker was denied Wednesday during a hearing in Superior Court. The motion had been filed by the attorney representing Edrick Faust, who is charged with murdering the 23-year-old student in January 2001 during a burglary of Baker’s apartment. In addition to murder, Faust is charged in a 12-count indictment with aggravated assault, r

By Joe Johnson With the Tara Baker murder trial just a week away, an attorney for the accused killer has provided the most detailed account to date of the UGA law school student’s death 25 years ago. The details are meant to contrast the slaying with an assault that Edrick Faust was previously convicted of committing that the prosecution plans to present as evidence in the trial that had been scheduled to start on January 26th. Faust was convicted of aggravated assault for an

Faust By Joe Johnson With the Tara Baker murder trial just a week away, an attorney for the accused killer has provided the most detailed account to date of the UGA law school student’s death 25 years ago. The details are meant to contrast the slaying with an assault that Edrick Faust was previously convicted of committing that the prosecution plans to present as evidence in the trial that’s scheduled to start next Monday. Faust was convicted of aggravated assault for an inci

By Joe Johnson An   Oconee County teenager was recently arrested after he led police on a chase that began in downtown Athens and ended on the front lawn of a University of Georgia sorority house. The incident began at around 2:30 a.m. on December 13th when a bicycle cop was flagged down about a possible fight in the area of Jackson and South streets. When the officer arrived in the area he saw a car that appeared to be driving straight towards him. “Even as the proximity be

By Joe Johnson A man was seriously injured recently when he fell from a building in College Square across from the University of Georgia, The incident happened early in the morning of December 7th when 24-year-old Brandon Alexander-Raynor of Augusta fell into an alleyway outside the building at the corner of East Broad Street and College Avenue.. A witness told police that when he heard a noise he looked out the window of his apartment and saw Alexander-Raynor climb off a se

From UGA Today The newly constructed track and field complex on South Milledge Avenue, set to be officially dedicated and open on Feb. 18, will be a boon for both the campus and the community. The 34,700-square-foot venue replaces the former South Lumpkin Street location, offering an expanded track and modern upgrades while preserving its role as a shared gathering place and a valuable resource for athletes, neighbors and the Athens community. “We are excited about the oppor

By Joe Johnson A 20-year-old University of Georgia student was hospitalized earlier this month after attempting suicide by overdosing on pills. When emergency responders arrived at her off-campus apartment the student admitted to taking multiple muscle relaxers “because she was sad and feeling down,”‘according to a police report. Prior to being transported by ambulance to the hospital the student began to vomit and became too sluggish to speak anymore. Allso this month a 19-

By Joe Johnson A 19-year-old University of Georgia student last week died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Ryan Victor Snyder reportedly shot himself on December 4th with a gun he rented at the Athens Gun Club off Atlanta Highway. He died the following day in his home town of St. Louis, Missouri. Ryan was a business student at UGA and in high school had played basketball and volleyball, and also wrestled. He was a National Honor Society member and his obituary said that R

By UGA Today Just over a decade ago, the University of Georgia’s West Campus was characterized by aging mid-century residence halls and underutilized student amenities, long past their prime and in clear need of revival. Today, this central area of campus — home to more than 4,500 first-year students — has been transformed through a series of noteworthy renovation projects and new facilities, with more enhancements coming next fall. “Everything we do is with the quality of th

By Joe Johnson The police department is investigating a shooting that happened this morning on Baxter Street. Details are not yet available from the police. ”This is still a very active investigation at this time,” police spokesperson Lt. Katie Jenkins said. “Officers are still on scene investigating. Once the scene has been cleared, I will try to get you as much information as I can. “ According to a University of Georgia campus safety alert, the incident happened at McRae

The University of Georgia released the following this morning: UGA Police Community Notification December 1, 2025 7:45 a.m. The Athens-Clarke County Police Department is currently investigating a shooting incident that occurred off-campus during the early morning hours of December 1, 2025 at McCrae Dental located at 995 Baxter Street. Traffic in the area of South Milledge Avenue at Baxter Street is likely to be impacted for the duration of the investigation. We would like to

By James Hataway/UGA Today Hairy Dawg was born in a basement, and he was delivered in a hurry. Three weeks before Georgia’s showdown against Notre Dame in the 1981 Sugar Bowl, Tom Sapp  BFA ’69 showed coach Vince Dooley some sketches for an idea he had.  They depicted a broad-shouldered, tough-looking figure with a bulldog’s head, oversized paws, and a football player’s body. Dooley liked the idea and said Sapp could build the costume—but only if he could have it ready in ti