Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: 2 Dead, Multiple Injured In Fiery Wrong-Way GA Crash

Spotted on the Athens calendar: Candlelight Christmas Eve

Patch AM Team's profile picture
Patch AM Team, Patch StaffVerified Patch Staff Badge
Tuesday December 23rd Patch AM
Tuesday December 23rd Patch AM (Patch graphic)

Greetings Athens! We’re your go-to source for what’s happening in town. Read on to get plugged in! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Wrong-way GA-10 crash leaves Athens driver dead and wife critical
  • How will UGA’s new medical school building reshape health care in Athens?
  • What would renewing CCSD’s charter really mean for Athens students?

Also on today's calendar: KACCB Bring One for the Chipper Christmas Tree Recycling and 6 more events.

Find out what's happening in Athensfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

Today's riddle: What did one magnet say to the other magnet? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

Find out what's happening in Athensfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

  • Tuesday: Partly sunny and pleasant, with a high of 64 and low of 51 degrees.
  • Wednesday: Partly sunny and warmer, temps: high: 75, low: 49.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 77 and low of 53 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 2 Dead, Multiple Injured In Fiery Wrong-Way GA Crash (patch.com) — Athens-Clarke County police report that a wrong-way driver caused a four-vehicle crash on the GA-10 Inner Loop near Chase Street, killing two people and critically injuring two others, including a pregnant woman. The wreck, which left one vehicle in flames, marks the eighth fatal crash in Athens-Clarke County this year and has prompted a local GoFundMe effort to support the Athens victim’s family with medical and funeral expenses.
   

2. University of Georgia and Turner Celebrate School of Medicine Building Milestone (turnerconstruction.com) — A major new medical education and research building is rising on UGA’s Health Sciences Campus in Athens, with the final structural beam placed in late November. The 93,000‑square‑foot School of Medicine facility will house classrooms, labs, simulation spaces, and research areas, and is slated for completion in December 2026, strengthening local training for future health professionals.
   

3. CCSD Seeks Renewal of Charter District Status (flagpole.com) — Clarke County School District leaders are moving toward renewing the system’s charter status, a decision that will shape how Athens schools operate after the current charter expires in 2027. Board members are split, even as officials tout gains like doubled enrollment at Athens Community Career Academy, expanded career pathways, and increased support services while they refine how to measure success.
   

4. MLK Day of Service call for volunteers (classiccitynews.com) — Athens-Clarke County is recruiting volunteers now for its 2026 Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service, with a kickoff at Lay Park Gym and more than 30 local project sites. Online registration opens in late December, and early arrivals at the Jan. 19 kickoff can snag free T-shirts and refreshments.
   

5. UGA study finds nearly half of college students have tried CBD, many using it for anxiety and sleep. (wuga.org) — UGA researchers in Athens found that nearly half of surveyed undergraduates have tried CBD, with many using gummies and edibles to manage anxiety, stress, and sleep issues. About 29% use it monthly or more, and nearly one in five believe it improves their sleep, even as questions remain about safety and effectiveness of largely unregulated products.
   

📸 Around Athens

Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!

🗓 Upcoming Events in Athens

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

★ Featured events ★

Want to see your event featured? Click here!

Other local events

📣 Athens Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • The luminarias on Sandstone were great last night!
    Thanks to all the Cedar Creek residents who participated in Cedar Creek’s luminaria night. (Nextdoor Cedar Creek/Pointe/Civitan Club)
  • Hello.
    I hope everyone is well. I just wanted to say that something similar happened to me. A woman tried to enter my home using codes on the door, and when… (Nextdoor Watkinsville)
  • University of Georgia posted a job opening for Candler County Administrative Assistant in Athens. Apply here.
  • MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Shipping Receiving Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $18-$36/Hr in Athens. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Athens here.

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: I find you very attractive!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

👉 Help make Patch AM better

We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what’s happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

Share to NextDoor     Share to Facebook

Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

More from Athens