CLASSIC CITY NEWS

By Joe Johnson The Georgia Bureau of Investigation has identified the man killed this month during a confrontation with police in Athens as 33-year-old Joe Baythavong.of Hoschton. The incident happened on May 12 in the 1000 block of Hull Road when Athens police officers responded to reports of a man shooting a gun. Upon arrival they encountered Baythavong brandishing the weapon and ordered him to put it down, according to the GBI. “(Baythavong) then pointed the gun to his he

Released today by the Gwinnett County Police Department (Norcross, Ga., May 20, 2026) – Gwinnett County Police are asking for the public’s assistance in locating Bernardo Antonio Romero-Linarte, who is wanted on multiple felony warrants related to crimes against a child. The warrants obtained for Romero-Linarte include kidnapping, false imprisonment, aggravated sodomy, aggravated child molestation, sexual battery, and child molestation. Romero-Linarte’s current whereabouts ar

By Joe Johnson An attorney representing a man accused of murdering two people in downtown Athens has filed a motion that seeks to have his client released from jail on bail. Mark Anthony DeSousa is facing murder charges for fatally shooting Dylan Bentley and Clayton Adams last March in a parking lot off North Jackson Street. A third victim, Landon Skinner, survived being shot in the face. According to court filings, Bentley was killed execution style when Desousa walked up fr

The following was released today by the Clarke County School District Athens, Georgia — The Clarke County School District is pleased to announce valedictorians and salutatorians for the 2026 graduating classes of Cedar Shoals, Clarke Central, and Classic City high schools. These students finished their high school careers with the highest and second-highest grade-point averages, respectively, in their graduating classes. CEDAR SHOALS HIGH SCHOOL Valedictorian – Christopher Ko

graphic illustration By Joe Johnson A University of Georgia student reported that someone tried entering her home this week while she was in the shower. The young woman told police that she was showering at about 10:45 pm on May 7th in her unit at Riverbend Club Apartments when she heard a commotion in the bedroom. She said that upon seeing a pair of hands pushing up the window she let out a scream that scared off the intruder. A witness related that he saw a younger white ma

Cassidy By Joe Johnson A 24-year-old Madison County man was charged with murder this week after he fatally shot his roommate at their home in Comer. According to a sheriff’s office incident report, on the morning of May 18th Jacob Richard Allen Cassidy shot 46-year-.old Billy Jack Swafford during an argument in their home on Osley Mill Road. The victim reportedly had been shot multiple times by Cassidy, who then fled from the scene. When located, Cassidy claimed that he had

Released this afternoon by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department On May 16, at approximately 1:55 PM, the Athens-Clarke County Police Department responded to a single-vehicle dirt bike crash near the intersection of Whit Davis Road and Pettit Lane. When ACCPD arrived, the operator of the dirt bike, Worley Lorenzo Robinson, a 28-year-old male from Elberton, Georgia, was located in the roadway with critical injuries. ACCPD’s initial investigation indicated that Robinson wa

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 On the afternoon of May 10th Sharod Pontes Greene called 911 to say that he had just shot his girlfriend. When officers arrived at the man’s home at Arbor Ridge apartments they found 34-year-old Latisha Andrews dead from gunshot wounds to her chest and head, according to a police report released today. Police have not released a motive for the shooting, but jail records indicate that the 52-year-.old killer was charged under the Georgia Family Violence Act with

From ACC Leisure Services Athens Creative Theatre (ACT) presents "A Midsummers Night’s Dream" on Thursday, May 14 and Friday, May 15 at 5:30 p.m. and Saturday, May 16 and 11:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. in Dudley Park. These performances are free of charge and will take place in the amphitheater at Dudley Park near the pavilion. Parking information is available at www.accgov.com/dudley Attendees are encouraged to bring a lawn chair and enjoy the show! Join ACT for its inaugural

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