🌱 Patch AM: How a 2:30 a.m. chase tore through Athens streets

Good day Athens! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• How a 2:30 a.m. chase tore through Athens streets
• Why Athens proudly displays a famously flawed Civil War cannon
• How big is Wednesday’s Ole Miss–Georgia showdown in Athens?

Today's riddle: I am on a seafood diet. 🤔 (Answer below!)

From our Partner
Today's Athens Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's best mobile network in the US, according to Ookla Speedtest. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Athens Patch AM possible.
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Weather forecast:

• Sunday: Mostly sunny; windy, cooler, with a high of 50 and low of 26 degrees.
• Monday: Sunny, temps: high: 51, low: 31.
• Tuesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 58 and low of 36 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Watkinsville teen's wild ride through Athens (classiccitynews.com) — A late-night police chase that started in downtown Athens ended on the lawn of a University of Georgia sorority house, where officers arrested a 17-year-old Watkinsville driver. Police say the teen sped through city streets, ignored commands to stop, and was later charged with multiple offenses after officers reported finding alcohol, fake IDs, and THC vape pens in the car.
   

• This Is a Double-Barrelled Cannon (neatorama.com) — An unusual double-barreled Civil War–era cannon, invented by carpenter John Gilleland in Athens was tested near town and used once in battle before Confederates withdrew. Decades later it resurfaced and, since 1957, has been displayed publicly in Athens as a quirky local landmark.
   

• Men's Basketball Secures Conference Win Against Missouri, 76-69 - Ole Miss Athletics (olemisssports.com) — Ole Miss men’s basketball just notched a conference win over Missouri and now heads to Athens for a road game against the No. 18 Georgia Bulldogs at Stegeman Coliseum this Wednesday. Local fans should expect national TV coverage and a strong opponent coming into town, adding extra buzz around the Bulldogs’ home court this week.
   

📸 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!

Monday January 12

• "Pickleball" at Heard Park
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 400 McKinley Dr. , Athens
  8:00 am
• "Bingo Bash" Therapeutic Program at Howard Park
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 291 Henderson Ext. , Athens
  10:30 am
• Newton Bridge Road TAD Advisory Committee Meeting-January 12, 2026
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 780 Barber Street , Athens
  3:15 pm

Tuesday January 13

• Mayor & Commission Work Session
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , Planning Auditorium 120 W. Dougherty Street , Athens
  1:00 pm
• "Get Fit" at Lay Park
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 297 Hoyt St. , Athens
  1:00 pm
• "Jumping Gym" at Howard Park
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 291 Henderson Ext. , Athens
  4:00 pm
• "Winter Sip and Paint" at Memorial Park
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 293 Gran Ellen Dr. , Athens
  6:00 pm
• "Line Dancing" at Howard Park
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 291 Henderson Ext. , Athens
  6:30 pm

📣 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

Sunday January 11

• Table Thai Massage CEUs for LMTs
  Oconee School of Therapeutic Massage - Student Clinic , 10 Simonton Bridge Rd Suite B - Clinic , Watkinsville
  9:00 am
• Mojo Confessional Songwriters Showcase
  No. 3 Railroad Street , 3 Railroad St , Arnoldsville
  6:00 pm

Monday January 12

• Dear Edwina Jr Classes Begin — The Stage Oconee
  The Stage Oconee , 560 Jerry Smith Dr , Watkinsville
  4:30 pm

Tuesday January 13

• Shih Tzu Not Trivia
  Wing House , 8727 US-29 , Hull
  7:00 pm

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

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Athens PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• A few days ago I got a call from an officer, saying that I failed to show up in court this morning and I had warrants because of it.
  That I was supposed to be a witness in a federal case. First, I have never had any legal issues so I'm kind of ignorant in that. They said they had… (Nextdoor The Woodlands)
• Does anyone have any recommendations for safe and compassionate rehoming of pets?
  We moved out of necessity (and few options) and our place does not allow pets over 60 lbs. Our parents are older and cannot take our amazing dog, Kai… (Nextdoor Heritage Sq/Park Place)

• Trinity Health Corporation posted a job opening for Area Cleaner - (Mid-shift 6p.m. - 2a.m.) in Athens. Apply here.
• BOS Staffing posted a job opening for Press Operator in Athens. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Athens here.

🗞 Nearby News

Watkinsville

• First woman elected to Congress had longtime Georgia connections (gpb.org)

Bogart

• Elite North Oconee WR commits to Georgia football (usatoday.com)

Jefferson

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 see food and I eat it.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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