Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: How a routine Kroger trip in Athens turned suddenly terrifying.

Spotted on the Athens calendar: The Holiday Hustle Club

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Thursday December 18th Patch AM
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Hey hey Athens! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • How a routine Kroger trip in Athens turned suddenly terrifying.
  • How a late-night Target heist turned into a multi-county chase
  • Could an Athens movie studio soon become a massive data center?

Also on today's calendar: Basketball Team Christmas Show! and 6 more events.

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

Today's riddle: My brother swallowed a box of firecrackers. - Is he all right now? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Thursday: Rain; breezy in the afternoon, with a high of 58 and low of 47 degrees.
  • Friday: Windy in the morning; sunny, temps: high: 56, low: 30.
  • Saturday: Sunny and pleasant, with a high of 61 and low of 38 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Driver pulled from car after plowing into Kroger in Athens near UGA campus; employee trapped, shoppers rush to help (13wmaz.com) — Shoppers and employees at the Kroger on Alps Road in Athens rushed to help after a car crashed through the front entrance into the self-checkout area, injuring four people. One employee was briefly pinned, bystanders pulled the driver from the car, and police are still investigating what caused the crash. All injured are expected to recover as repairs and the inquiry continue.
   

2. Group of teens commit brazen smash and grab in Athens Target (classiccitynews.com) — Police say teenagers smashed display cases at the Target on Atlanta Highway in Athens, stealing more than $16,000 in electronics before fleeing in a stolen car that later crashed after a multi-county chase. Four suspects, including two charged as adults, are in custody and the stolen merchandise has been recovered, while a fifth suspect remains at large.
   

3. Georgia movie studio may soon become a data center (wsbtv.com) — A major Athens film studio is weighing a pivot that could reshape local jobs and investment, as Athena Studios considers turning its 185,000-square-foot complex into a data center. With Georgia’s film work slowing after strikes and incentive shifts, the owner is exploring both keeping movie production alive and recruiting data tenants, while urging state leaders to strengthen film incentives.
   

4. UGA project ‘Skyfall Space' receives grant from NASA (wsbradio.com) — UGA engineering students in Athens are developing a small satellite project, Skyfall Space, to capture and safely deorbit dangerous space debris, backed by a second grant from NASA. Using a shoebox-sized satellite, a tethered net, and a drag sail, the team hopes to keep working on the technology after graduation and is seeking more funding.
   

📸 Around Athens

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • An overturned vehicle on SR 10 at Mabry Dr. has closed all lanes, with an estimated clear time of 3:30 PM.
    1:08PM on Dec 16: A crash on Lexington Road at Mabry Drive has blocked one eastbound and one westbound lane, and all lanes in both directions on SR… (Nextdoor )
  • Has anyone else experienced those random friendly text from unknown numbers?
    Such as…“Hi! How are you doing?”, “Are we still on for dinner tomorrow night?”, or “Have you tried the Italian restaurant nearby the office?” What is… (Nextdoor Belmont/Godfrey/Wolfskin)
  • The Scion Group posted a job opening for Porter, Full-Time in Athens. Apply here.
  • Wal-Mart posted a job opening for Stocking Team Associate 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 don’t know. I haven’t heard the last report.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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