CLASSIC CITY NEWS

The following was released this morning by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department: The victim in this case has been identified as Elmer Gualna-Mez, 22 of Athens, Georgia. On October 26th, at approximately 11:39 p.m., the Athens-Clarke County Police Department responded to a vehicle crash involving a pedestrian at the intersection of Highway 29 N and Highway 72. The initial investigation determined that the driver of a 2017 Nissan Versa, a 33-year-old male of Hull, GA, was

By Joe Johnson Wendy Elizabeth Gaina, 28, of Watkinsville, was arrested early Saturday morning after she fired a gun while arguing with a man on West Clayton Street. Police said that she may have thought that the gun wasn’t loaded while handling the weapon. No one was injured and police were unable to find anywhere that was struck by a bullet. Gaina appeared to be intoxicated while speaking to police, and neither she nor the man would talk about the incident without speaking

From McLeighton Funeral Service Tyler Lauren Hortman Parker, age 25, of Athens, passed away on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at Upson Regional Medical Center. A member of Musella Baptist Church, Tyler was known for her warm spirit, her love of learning, and her commitment to the farming community. She was deeply passionate about agricultural education and the outdoors. A proud graduate of the University of Georgia, Tyler earned her bachelor’s degree in agricultural education an

From McLeighton Funeral Service Tyler Lauren Hortman Parker, age 25, of Athens, passed away on Thursday, October 30, 2025, at Upson Regional Medical Center. A member of Musella Baptist Church, Tyler was known for her warm spirit, her love of learning, and her commitment to the farming community. She was deeply passionate about agricultural education and the outdoors. A proud graduate of the University of Georgia, Tyler earned her bachelor’s degree in agricultural education an

My name is Jonathan Gonzalez, and I served as the Security Site Supervisor at the Crisis Center for Advantage Behavioral in Athens, GA. I am writing to report a serious incident involving an on-duty assault and what I believe to be wrongful and retaliatory removal from my position afterward. On Thursday, October 23, at approximately 11:45 AM, while stationed in the Crisis Services Unit (CSU), I was preparing to escort patients outside for scheduled outdoor time. During this p

By Erik Hogan I’ve hiked along the Chattooga River and these mountains and valleys my entire life. The crystalline streams flow through my veins. Damp soil and underlying rock aggregate to form my bones. I feel my own pulse in this earth; in this ground that gives rise to the enveloping vivid red and yellow autumnal foliage of the trees. Stepping into this forest feels like a return home. Yet, can I really call this land my own? The land does not belong to me. Others have cal

By Joe Johnson David J. Stewart was found slain last February in woods behind his house on Double Bridges Road in Winterville. Authorities said at the time that the 69-year-old widower had suffered a violent death, but it was only last month that the shocking details of just how brutal his murder was were made public through a Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent’s affidavit that was filed in Superior Court. The agent stated that Stuart’s naked body had been covered with bru

By Joe Johnson A pair of would-be burglars tried breaking into an Athens convenience store through its wall but were thwarted by an immovable object. The incident happened on October 21st at Quick Pantry on Newton Bridge Road where the suspects used a sledgehammer to first destroy a surveillance camera and then smash through two layers of brick only to be stopped by a steel cooler. Policemen said they were able to get images of the suspects from footage recorded before the ca

By Joe Johnson A man who lives on Kentucky Circle reportedly has been using music amplified through a bullhorn to harass his neighbor. On the afternoon of October 12th police received a 911 call from the neighbor to complain about the harassment. “Dispatch stated that the noise was so loud that they were having difficulty hearing the caller over the phone,” the responding officer said in her report. The man playing the music has done it before but always turned off the music

From Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Step back in time with  "A Walk though Athens' Industrial Past" in Dudley Park.  Learn about the social, economic, and natural history of our public spaces. Park secrets will be revealed! This walk is scheduled for Saturday, November 8 from 2:00 - 4:30 p.m.. This free program is for ages 18 years and older. Online registration is underway. For more information, please call 706-613-3620.

Released by Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services When it comes to Nerf Wars, anything goes! Bring your best game face, your personal (single shot/non-auto) Nerf gun, and the whole family for a night of battling, challenge, and fun!  Bring your best game face and your personal (single shot/non-auto) Nerf gun. Price is per shooter. "Nerf Wars" Session 1  is for ages 5-8 years and will take place Thursday, November 6 from 6:00 - 6:45 p.m. at Lay Park The fee is $5 for ACC resid

By Joe Johnson Monika Patel, 31, of Oglethorpe Avenue, was recently arrested after creating a scene at her job in the downtown Waffle House on Clayton Street. The incident happened at about 8:15 p.m. on October 10th, when a supervisor called 911 to report a disorderly person, as Patel had been trying to pick fights with other employees and became enraged when the manager told her to leave and go home. Police arrived to hear Patel screaming “Fuck so loudly it caused her voice

Released by the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia The Food Bank of Northeast Georgia takes seriously the critical role the organization plays in food emergency response and disaster relief. Today, the Food Bank is in the wake of a new emergency. Normally, the organization adopts a mindset of abundance over scarcity. However, with impending delays in SNAP benefits in a matter of days, neighbors will very soon have insufficient food and will be looking to the Food Bank for solutio

Released by the University of Georgia Performing Arts Center UGA Presents welcomes the Branford Marsalis Quartet in its return to Hodgson Concert Hall Sunday, November 16, at 7:00 p.m. The concert is centered around Belonging , the group’s acclaimed new release on Blue Note Records. Saxophonist Branford Marsalis is one of the most influential and revered figures in contemporary music. The NEA Jazz Master, Grammy Award winner, and Tony and Emmy Award nominee moves effortlessly

By Joe Johnson Athens police recently arrested a man who allegedly transported children from Florida to work here in a fraudulent scheme to raise money for a nonexistent nonprofit organization. Jean Gilbert, 38, of Orlando, was charged last month with trafficking a person for labor servitude and multiple counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. According to reports, Gilbert was taken into custody at McDonald’s on Prince Avenue where the children were seen in surv

By Joe Johnson Athens police recently arrested a man who allegedly transported children from Florida to work here in a fraudulent scheme to raise money for a nonexistent nonprofit organization. Jean Gilbert, 38, of Orlando, was charged last month with trafficking a person for labor servitude and multiple counts of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. According to reports, Gilbert was taken into custody at McDonald’s on Prince Avenue where the children were seen in surv

By Joe Johnson A 37-year-old woman reported last week that she had been raped in an encampment off Old Hull Road. The assault happened inside a tent, she told police, where she “felt paralyzed and could not say no” to the suspect. The victim said that the suspect was smoking methamphetamine that he blew into her face, but she didn’t do any drugs. The woman’s allegations were referred to Criminal Investigations Division detectives.

By Joe Johnson Keinon Amari Hampton, 44, of Quailwood Drive, was indicted this week in connection with his arrest in July for allegedly assaulting his 11-year-old daughter in front of his three other children. He was charged with aggravated assault, first-degree cruelty to children, and three counts of third-degree cruelty to children, according to the indictment filed Tuesday in Superior Court. The indictment states that Hampton grabbed his daughter by the throat and pinned

By Joe Johnson A student at Clarke Central High School was suspended last week after she was found in possession of several knives and beer. After the 16-year-old girl was seen taking an open bottle of beer from her book bag she was taken to the office, where administrators searched the bag and found four multi-blade throwing knives, a pocketknife, razor blade, half a cigarette, and a partially-full bottle of flavored beer. Police conferred with the Department of Juvenile Jus

Released this afternoon by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department On October 26th, at approximately 11:39 p.m., the Athens-Clarke County Police Department responded to a vehicle crash involving a pedestrian at the intersection of Highway 29 N and Highway 72. The initial investigation determined that the driver of a 2017 Nissan Versa, a 33-year-old male of Hull, GA, was driving north on US Highway 29 when he struck a pedestrian crossing Highway 29. The pedestrian succumbed