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🌱 Patch AM: Mom, Fetus Dead After Crash Kills Dad In Athens

Spotted on the Athens calendar: Friday Night Initiative

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Hello again Athens! We’re bringing you the latest town highlights. Don’t miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • Wrong-way GA-10 crash leaves Athens couple and unborn child dead
  • How new loitering rules and TSPLOST plans could reshape Athens streets
  • Will a smaller hotel plan satisfy Prince Avenue neighbors and planners?

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.

And lastly, we have a post from a neighbor, Colin W.!

Today's riddle: What did the little needle say to the mother needle when it brought home a failing report card? 🤔 (Answer below!)

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

Weather forecast:

  • Thursday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 73 and low of 56 degrees.
  • Friday: Warm with periods of sun, temps: high: 71, low: 58.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny and very warm, with a high of 74 and low of 56 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Mom, Fetus Dead After Crash Kills Dad In Athens (patch.com) — Athens-Clarke County police report that Sara Waldroup of Athens and her 15-week-old fetus have died after a wrong-way crash on the GA-10 Inner Loop that also killed her husband, Soonhoon Choi. The fiery collision near Chase Street and Oglethorpe Avenue involved multiple vehicles and marks the eighth fatal crash in Athens-Clarke County this year, with authorities seeking additional information from the public.
   

2. Commission Discusses Loitering Law, TSPLOST, Homewood Village Apartments (flagpole.com) — Athens-Clarke County commissioners are weighing stricter rules on blocking sidewalks and storing belongings in public spaces, with a vote expected next month that could affect how homelessness is managed downtown. They also debated the next TSPLOST project list, including greenway funding and Eastside road work, and wrestled with sewer-capacity concerns tied to the proposed Homewood Village apartments and broader apartment growth across Athens.
   

3. Developers release new plans for UGA President's House, face pushback (wuga.org) — Developers have scaled back their hotel plans behind UGA’s historic President’s House, but many Prince Avenue neighbors in Athens still say the project is too large and traffic-heavy for the area. Historic Athens has withheld its endorsement, and the rezoning request heads to the Athens-Clarke County Planning Commission on January 8, giving residents another chance to weigh in.
   

4. SEE IT: 14 new restaurants opened in the Athens area in 2025 (onlineathens.com) — Food lovers in Athens have plenty of new options, with 14 restaurants opening in 2025 across the city and nearby Watkinsville, from halal burgers on Baxter Street to steamed bagel sandwiches downtown. The photo roundup highlights spots like Tres Amigos, Sully’s Steamers, Pancho’s Tacos and Tequila, and more chains and independents expanding the local dining scene.
   

5. UGA researchers say hunting may be influencing turkey gender ratios (wsbradio.com) — Researchers based in Athens at the University of Georgia say hunting pressure may be shifting wild turkey populations toward more females across Georgia and neighboring states. Their three-year study links hunting during egg-laying season and removal of top male birds to stress, hormone changes, and tougher reproduction, raising questions for local hunters and wildlife managers ahead of the next turkey season.
   

📸 Around Athens

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📸 Memorial Park leaves hang on. —Colin W. Like

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Athens

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Any advice on keeping coyotes out of my yard?
    I have a fenced in yard, but I know coyotes can scale fences. I heard them this morning really close and I worry about my dogs, I only let them out… (Nextdoor Victory Estates)
  • Watch your receipt at Kroger and other stores.
    They are automatically rounding up to 5 cents. Take exact change. I’ve totally boggled 2 cashiers who told me there were no Pennie’s in the IS… (Nextdoor McNutts Creek)
  • Commercial Metals Company posted a job opening for Material Handler in Athens. Apply here.
  • University of Georgia posted a job opening for Associate Dean for Student Affairs 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 guess I’m not as sharp as I thought.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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