Good morning, Athens.

Due to high public demand, the Bishop Park pool at 705 Sunset Dr. will stay open an extra week until Saturday, August 2 at 5:30 PM, and the Lay Park pool will open on Saturday, August 2 from 2:00 to 5:00 PM for its 50th Anniversary Celebration.

Department pools at Heard, Lay, Memorial and Howard parks will close on Sunday, July 27 at 5:30 PM while the Walker Park Splash Pad at 200 Trail Creek St will run on weekends through August 31 — admission is $1 per person.

Sheriff John Q. Williams said fentanyl was linked to four recent ACC Jail incidents, including the July 8 death of a 31-year-old man and two nonfatal overdoses, while he said a source of smuggled drugs and a chronic staffing shortage made it hard for officials to control contraband and autopsies remain pending.

Athens Technical College announced that Dr. Reginald Woods became board chair on July 1—he brings more than 20 years of work and academic experience to the role.

The college also named Mr. Phil Bettendorf as vice chair—he is a senior bank leader from Watkinsville active in local groups.

Former Chief Justice Norman Fletcher served from 2001 to 2005 and was honored Monday night in Athens by the Georgia Public Defender Council + for his work reforming the justice system and helping pass the Georgia Indigent Defense Act in 2003.

Now 91, he was recognized for his efforts to improve legal defense for low-income defendants.

The FDA has recalled over 100,000 Rich Ice Cream Co bars for possible listeria contamination, affecting consumers in Georgia and 22 other states.

The recall covers lot numbers 24351 through 25156 — including several flavors such as Chocolate Crunch Cake Bar and Strawberry Shortcake Bar — and anyone with these products should discard them immediately.

On July 22 at 9:55 a.m., Biscuit Belly owner Lauren Coulter joined Alyse Eady in the Good Day kitchen to share biscuit dishes made with peaches.

The segment (recorded in a local studio) offered a fresh look at creative recipes (highlighting a tasty twist on a classic favorite).

Georgia football holds the nation’s longest home winning streak at 31 games, and the Bulldogs will host Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas at Sanford Stadium this season as they look to extend their record and vie for an SEC championship.

Coach Kirby Smart and his team stressed the need to defend their home turf—this advantage has long boosted their championship chances.

At ACC media days in Charlotte — Mark Richt joked that he earned about $1 million less than Carson Beck, whose NIL deals at Miami boosted his earnings, after Beck recalled discussions about Georgia reapproaching him for a return in 2025.

Beck expressed gratitude for his time at Georgia and is now focused on starting his new chapter at Miami.

Nick Smith - New South Tour

8:00 – 9:30 PM — Georgia Theatre — $35+ — Experience a high-octane performance by Nashville's rising country star with a fresh take on modern Southern sound.

Athens Food Truck Event

7-8:30 a.m. — Hilsman Middle School — Free entry — Distributing 30,000 lbs of food to support those in need in the Athens community.

80s Night with Atlanta Vice

8:00–10:30 p.m. — The Foundry — Tickets available — Atlanta Vice returns to jam with the best tunes from the 80s!

Classic City Sprint, Duathlon and Aquabike

7 AM – 2 PM — Sandy Creek Park — Registration fee required — Compete in swim, bike, and run events tailored for athletes of all levels.

The WannaBeatles Concert

7-11 p.m. — The Foundry — $25-30 — Experience spot on covers of Beatles classics and '60s hits with Grammy finalists The WannaBeatles.

AJJ Live Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — 40 Watt Club — Tickets available — Experience the vibrant sounds of AJJ, a band from Phoenix, Arizona.

Leanne Morgan: Just Getting Started Tour

7:00-8:30 p.m. — The Classic Center — Cost info not provided — Enjoy an evening of laughter with beloved Southern comedian Leanne Morgan, known for her charming and relatable storytelling.

Them Dirty Roses Concert

7-8:30 p.m. — 40 Watt Club — Tickets available — Experience southern rock from the heart of Georgia with Them Dirty Roses.

Cosmic Charlie Concert

8:00 – 9:30 p.m. — Georgia Theatre — $28+ — Experience a fresh, high-energy take on the Grateful Dead catalog with Athens' own Cosmic Charlie.