Good morning Athens! Your connection to what's happening around town is here. Take a sip of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: DanceATHENS 2026 and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: Why did the cookie go to the hospital? 🤔 (Answer below!)
1. Dirty Dawgs to keep selling hot dogs as street vendor change approved (wuga.org) — Downtown Athens hot dog favorite Dirty Dawgs will stay on the corner of Clayton and College Avenue after commissioners unanimously revised the street vending ordinance. The change lets long-time vendors near the revamped College Square keep operating, while blocking new on-site cooking permits there to protect the renovated space from damage like grease dumping.
2. Athens City Commission approves changes to camping ordinance, bans sleeping under bridges, prowling (wsbtv.com) — Athens-Clarke County commissioners have approved a new camping and prowling ordinance that will ban sleeping or setting up makeshift camps in public spaces, including under bridges, starting January 6, 2027. Residents should expect warnings for first offenses, possible citations and property confiscation for repeat violations, and a new focus on emergency housing and a downtown-based behavioral health co-responder unit.
3. St. Mary's Health Care System opens new facility (redandblack.com) — A new St. Mary's medical office has opened on Hog Mountain Road in Watkinsville, bringing Endocrine Specialists of Athens and other practices together in one expanded facility for Athens-area patients. Leaders say it's part of a $100 million investment to improve access to care in Northeast Georgia, and the new location is already accepting appointments from new patients.
4. Woman who injured 5 after crashing into Athens Kroger sentenced to 12 years in prison: records (11alive.com) — A driver who crashed into the Kroger on Alps Road in Athens, injuring five people including an employee with a fractured skull, has been sentenced to 15 years in prison, with 12 to serve. Police say her car suddenly accelerated from the parking lot into the store, and she later told reporters she never intended to hurt anyone and apologized to the victims.
5. Where is Hurricane Isaias now? See watches, warnings issued in Georgia (savannahnow.com) — Athens is under a high wind watch this weekend as Hurricane Isaias pushes into the Southeast, bringing the potential for 39–57 mph gusts, flooding rains, and possible tornadoes across north Georgia. While the storm's exact track is uncertain, forecasters say residents should prepare for strong winds, heavy rain from Friday through early Sunday, and rapidly changing conditions.
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Ok Athens! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "Why did the cookie go to the hospital?" — Because he felt crummy. (Thank you Sanda J. for sending it in!)
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