Good morning, Athens.

Jarchariah Hodge, 50, of East Meadow Drive was indicted on Tuesday in Superior Court for driving over and damaging several grave sites at East Lawn Cemetery last year while intoxicated—he faces charges of second-degree criminal damage to property, driving under the influence, and possession of marijuana with bail set at $20,000 and arraignment scheduled on July 15th.

Since the start of 2025, over 40 people across Georgia have reported seeing strange UFOs in places such as Alpharetta, Athens, Atlanta, Covington, Pine Mountain, Rome, and Valdosta.

Witnesses described a 14‑foot green boomerang in Alpharetta on May 16 at 9:13 p.m. and a silent platinum disk in Valdosta on May 15—details that have heightened local interest in these unusual sightings.

Linnentown – The Musical, written by Athens resident Hattie Thomas Whitehead, returns to the Classic Center Theatre this September to honor the erased Black history of Linnentown, a community removed in the 1960s.

An educational preview for middle and high school students is set for Sept. 11 at 11 a.m. and public shows will be held on Sept. 12 at 7 p.m., Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. and Sept. 14 at 3 p.m. – proceeds will fund the new Black history center at the Classic Center and clear bags are required.

Residents in Athens will see most banks and the U.S. Postal Service closed on Juneteenth on Thursday, June 19 while Capital One Cafe and FedEx Office remain open—trash pickup may be delayed depending on local service.

This federal holiday is observed by the Federal Reserve and affects routine financial and mail services.

Former NFL wide receiver Chris Conley retired after a 10-year career and will enroll at UGA film school to study filmmaking—he directed a Star Wars fan film as a Georgia student—and plans to transition into a film-making career.

Shawn Mullins Live at The Foundry

8-10 p.m. — The Foundry — Ticket prices not listed — Experience a captivating evening with the acclaimed singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins.

Hot Corner Celebration & Soul Food Festival

6:00 PM — Hot Corner Celebration And Soul Food Feast — Free entry — Celebrate the African-American business community with food, music, and history in Athens.

Bad Movie Night

8-10 p.m. — Ciné — Free entry — Enjoy a quirky film about love and suspicion with a twist of bad movie charm.

Athfest 2025

Various times — Downtown Athens — Free entry — Celebrate an unforgettable weekend of live music, art, and community in the vibrant city of Athens, GA.

Country River Band Performance

7-11 p.m. — VFW Post 2872 — $10 — Enjoy classic western and honky-tonk music with line dancing during band breaks.

pondgorl at Athfest Club Crawl 2025

7-11 p.m. — Hendershot's — Fundraiser for local music and arts education — Enjoy live music while supporting K-12 education in Athens.

Classic City Trail Ride

12 p.m. – 6 p.m. — Athens Fairgrounds — Family-friendly activities — Saddle up for a delightful four-day trail ride event full of fun for everyone.

Motown, R&B & Soul Night with The Original Splitz Band

7-10 p.m. — The Foundry — $10 adv (+tax/fees) — Dance the night away to the iconic sounds of Motown, R&B, and Soul classics.

Homebuyer Education Workshop

9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. — Athens Land Trust — $10 — Learn essential home-buying skills through this HUD-certified course for first-time homeowners in Georgia.

Band of Horses Concert

6-10 p.m. — Georgia Theatre — $40+ — Experience the emotionally charged sound of Band of Horses as they perform their latest album and classic hits.