Good morning, Athens.

On June 12th, early in the morning at Piedmont Athens Medical Center’s HR building on Prince Ave, Athens police responded to find 51-year-old security supervisor Kevin Gordon unresponsive with signs of an overdose — his desk held white powder and paraphernalia that raised questions over controlled narcotics.

On June 21, ACCPD responded to thefts when a handgun and wallet were taken from an unlocked car on Robert Hardeman Road, a 2010 Toyota Rav4 was recovered and towed after being stolen from Ruth Street, and a white 2017 GMC Yukon went missing after leaving Parkview Homes—no arrests have been made.

A 49-year-old woman was assaulted and robbed at the Howard Johnson hotel on West Broad Street when she was pushed from behind and hit her head on the door while looking for her room key amid a darkened hallway due to a power outage—police said the thief stole $340 in cash and could not review surveillance footage.

The Athfest Music and Arts Festival featured over fifty bands performing on three outdoor stages and more than fifty-five visual artists showcasing their work at the Artist Market—proceeds benefit AthFest Educates, which raised over $100,000 last year for K-12 arts education in Athens-Clarke County.

AthFest 2025 showcased diverse fashion on June 21 in downtown Athens where local artists exhibited experimental looks—ranging from Victorian goth to tactical and kitschy punk rock styles.

Participants like Natalie Peulen and Maddie Bramer used personal flair to highlight the creative spirit of the event.

Mayor Kelly Girtz announced Robert Cowell Jr. as the sole finalist for the ACCGov Manager position after a nationwide recruitment effort that included interviews in Athens on June 11-12.

The Commission will consider his appointment on July 15 — he is expected to begin work on July 28.

A judge denied Vulcan Materials’ appeal to overturn Jackson County Board of Commissioners’ decision to deny rezoning for a nearly 900-acre tract near Center just off U.S. Highway 441 that borders the North Oconee River and Sandy Creek Park.

The commission voted 5–1 on each parcel after a public hearing where locals raised concerns about water quality, traffic, and the area’s rural character, and quarry opponents expect Vulcan to appeal to a higher court.

The complete 12—week football schedules for 18 Athens area high school programs have been finalized with each team’s opponents and bye weeks detailed, and most will start play Friday, Aug.

15. The schedules also set playoff and championship dates across different leagues that will run into November and December.

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.

Turkish Mosaic Lamp Workshop

10 a.m. — SpringHill Suites Athens Downtown/University Area — Book Now on Eventbrite! — Explore ancient techniques to create stunning mosaic lamps while enjoying Turkish delights.

Vern Daysel & The Burning Breeze

9:30 p.m. — Nowhere Bar — Check for entry cost — Enjoy captivating hooks and stellar songwriting from Vern Daysel and his band.

Brad Williams Stand-Up Comedy Show

7-11 p.m. — The Classic Center — $26.00-$121.50 — Experience the hilarious high-energy performance of comedian Brad Williams, famous for his sharp and inspiring humor.

Cottage Charity Golf Tournament

7:30 AM - 1:30 PM — UGA Boyd Golf Center — Support a good cause while enjoying a round of golf for charity.

Athens Restaurant Week

Various times — Restaurants around Athens — Special pricing — Indulge in delicious prix fixe meals and local culinary delights during this week-long food celebration.

34th IAEE Southeastern Classic

8 AM - 12 PM — The Classic Center — $200-$650 — Celebrate 34 years of networking and education in the events industry with industry experts.