CLASSIC CITY NEWS

The View at NoDa By Joe Johnson When The View at NoDa apartment complex opened north of downtown in May it took the place of a crime-ridden complex known as Bethel Midtown Village. The main reason for the high crime was because of gang activity in the complex that the Bloods street gang claimed as their territory. When 22-year-old Antino Jewell was killed at the new apartment complex on November 6th police said that he was fatally shot during a gang-related armed robbery. On

Released today by the county government: The annual Athens-Clarke County Downtown Parade of Lights is scheduled for Thursday, December 4 starting at 7:00 p.m. This year’s theme is “Cooking up a Great Holiday.”   Performing units will be judged during the parade as they arrive at the receiving stage next to the community tree.    Float entries will compete for such prizes as “Most Original Float,” “Best Use of Theme,” and “Best Use of Lights.”  The best overall float will rece

By Joe Johnson The county government has announced that Municipal Court would be closed Thursday and Friday due to bedbug infestation, This makes the third time since July 2024 that the courthouse on East Washington Street has experienced closures for bedbug extermination. Last year, the entire building was closed by anemergency order by Western Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Lisa Lott to provide the necessary multi-day measures to treat the infestation. Bed bugs are small,

By Greg Trevor/UGA Today Nearly two hours before sunrise on a Saturday in October, four UGA Police commanders painstakingly install the first of several hydraulic traffic barricades around Sanford Stadium — a task they perform every game day. “This shows the standard that we expect from all of our officers,” Deputy Chief Derrick Gregory said. Two miles away, UGA bus drivers begin the first transit runs that will carry thousands of football fans to and from the stadium through

By Joe Johnson Whitney Dustin Beck was arrested in the afternoon of October 25th after he chased a University of Georgia student while wielding a knife on the North Oconee River Greenway. The 55-year-old homeless man had a crack pipe and open whiskey bottle when police located him. The incident was at around 3:20 p.m. when the 20-year-old student was walking on the trail between Inglewood and Old Winterville roads when Beck accosted and began chasing him while swinging a knif

Released by the city of Winder: Kick off the holiday season with the Winder Tree Lighting at Jug Tavern Park on Thursday, Nov. 20, from 6–8 p.m. Gather with family and friends to watch the tree light up at 6:30 p.m., then enjoy photos with Santa, free crafts, and s’more roasting by the fire pits (while supplies last). Celebrate the magic of the season with a cozy night in the park!  “It’s one of Winder’s most magical nights,” said Talore Ruedt, Director of Events. “We’re ex

By Joe Johnson Whitney Dustin Beck was arrested in the afternoon of October 25th after he chased a University of Georgia student while wielding a knife on the North Oconee River Greenway. The 55-year-old homeless man had a crack pipe and open whiskey bottle when police located him. The incident was at around 3:20 p.m. when the 20-year-old student was walking on the trail between Inglewood and Old Winterville roads when Beck accosted and began chasing him while swinging a knif

By Joe Johnson Alumdre Lekeith Larkin was recently arrested in downtown Athens where he was threatening pedestrians and then fought with police officers. The 31-year-old homeless man reportedly had been shouting obscenities at pedestrians and threatening them at the intersection of College Avenue and East Clayton Street at about 7 p.m. on October 24th. He threatened to fight the police officers who approached him about his behavior and when they tried to arrest him a struggl

By Caroline Paczkowski/UGA Today The University of Georgia’s School of Public and International Affairs has been selected to join the Service to Service initiative. This program, sponsored by the Volcker Alliance and We the Veterans and Military Families, helps veterans and military families build careers in state and local government through graduate study in public service. Launched in October 2024, the Service to Service initiative brings together a pioneering cohort of pu

Antonio Jewell By Joe Johnson Antonio Jewell was murdered last week during what police said was a gang-related armed robbery. The 22-year-old graduate of Clarke Central High School was found dead Friday night on a sidewalk at the rear of The View at NODA apartment complex north of downtown Athens. The Athens-Clarke County Police Department on Monday announced that three gang members had been arrested and charged with murder. They were identified as Samtavious Keyshun Clark, 2

Antonio Jewell By Joe Johnson Antonio Jewell was murdered last week during what police said was a gang-related armed robbery. The 22-year-old graduate of Clarke Central High School was found dead Friday night on a sidewalk at the rear of The View at NODA apartment complex north of downtown Athens. The Athens-Clarke County Police Department on Monday announced that three gang members had been arrested and charged with murder. They were identified as Samtavious Keyshun Clark, 2

Antonio “A.J.” Jewell The following was released today by the Athens-Clarke County Police Department: ACCPD has arrested three individuals in connection to Antonio Jewell’s death on November 6, 2025. Samtavious Clark (23, Athens), Jeremiah Gresham (18, Athens), and Dion Nesbitt (18, Athens) were charged with Murder/Malice Murder, Armed Robbery, Possession of a Firearm During Commission of/Attempt to Commit Certain Felonies, and Criminal Street Gang charges. Upon investigation

The following was released today by the candidate: Longtime Athens resident and community advocate Zander Mason today announced his candidacy for the Athens-Clarke County Commission in District 5. Mason, who was born at St. Mary’s Hospital and raised in a family deeply rooted in Athens, lives in the Homewood Hills neighborhood with his wife Avery. In addition to Homewood Hills, District 5 encompasses neighborhoods including Forest Heights, Moss Side, and Country Club Estates.

Released today by the candidate: Veteran Athens broadcaster Kris “KJ Allen” Kendrick announced his candidacy for Georgia’s State House District 120 on Monday morning. Kendrick made his announcement on Georgia’s Morning News with Tim Bryant. Kendrick stated that the reason that he is running is to continue to super-serve the 120th District just as Houston Gaines has done for over six years, stating that he is the candidate that “can carry on the great work that Houston has don

By Joe Johnson An attorney who is a former Athens prosecutor recently received threatening mail in the form of a glitter bomb that was accompanied by a famous picture of singer Johnny Cash. The attorney was opening an envelope that came in the mail when glitter exploded from it and was spread all over her vehicle, according to police. In the envelope was a picture of Johnny Cash giving the middle finger to the warden when he performed in San Quentin Prison. There was also a

By Joe Johnson A group of burglars last week broke into Variety Mart on Hawthorne Avenue and stole two safes, a cash register and thousand of dollars worth of merchandise. The commercial burglary happened at around 4:40 a.m. Wednesday when the thieves arrived in a dark-colored Kia Telluride and used a pry bar to open the locked front door. Dressed all jn black and with hoods pulled over their heads, they went to work removing the safes and register to the SUV, along with cart

By Joe Johnson University of Georgia players and coaches alike are mourning the recent death of a beloved worker at their facility. They even dedicated their win on Saturday against Mississippi State to Kimberly Allen, who died in her Athens home on November 5th. “We dedicated this win to Ms. Kim Allen, who’s a co-worker of ours, worked in our facility,” said Coach Kirby Smart. “She was an incredible lady.” Running back Nate Frazier has fond memories of the 45-year-.old UGA

By Joe Johnson Osvaldo Zacaria Torres, 22, of Hull was arrested early in the morning of November 1st after he allegedly raped a 24-year-old woman in the Gatewood neighborhood of northwestern Athens-Clarke County. The person who called police said he was wakened by the victim yelling and responding officers had a difficult time waking up Torres, who was intoxicated, He reportedly told police that he had been with the victim downtown and after taking an Uber to her home she was

By Joe Johnson Deadria Shanta Story, 29, of Towne View Place, was arrested Wednesday night for assaulting her girlfriend during a dispute over rent money. According to police, she hit the 21-year-old victim in the head with a bottle of Patron tequila, placed a power drill against the side of her head and activated it, and pushed her down onto the bed and struck her. Story also used the other woman’s phone to send herself $100 via Cash App without permission and cracked the p

Photo by the Georgia Department of Corrections By Joe Johnson A former police officer with the Athens-Clarke County Police Department has apparently ended his campaign for a seat on the county commission. Only a day after Classic City News published a story about his candidacy the campaign website for 37-year-old Kristin Matthew Ward went dark. The Flagpole has reported that Ward issued a statement confirming that he had dropped out of the race to represent District 5 on th