Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What led to a man’s fatal encounter with a train in east Athens?
And check out KACCB Bring One for the Chipper Christmas Tree Recycling on the Athens Patch calendar
Hey hey Athens! Your one-stop source for local news is here. Continue reading for all the updates. ☀️
In today's newsletter:
- What led to a man’s fatal encounter with a train in east Athens?
- How an Athens family found life-saving care 800 miles away
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.
Find out what's happening in Athensfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Thursday: Nice with plenty of sunshine, with a high of 60 and low of 38 degrees.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy, temps: high: 60, low: 48.
- Saturday: Periods of rain, with a high of 55 and low of 42 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
• Athens-Clarke police investigating death of man on train track (onlineathens.com) — Athens-Clarke police are investigating after a man was fatally struck by a train early Tuesday on the tracks behind Athens Technical College in east Athens. Officers are still working to confirm the victim’s identity, using information from a nearby homeless camp, while the train conductor reported calling 911 after spotting someone lying on the rails. 
• Fort Worth doctor saves the life of baby with rare heart defect (fox4news.com) — An Athens couple credits a Fort Worth pediatric heart surgeon with saving their newborn daughter after specialists in Georgia couldn’t handle her rare heart defect combined with Turner syndrome. Their baby, Anna Claire, is now thriving at home in Athens after a five-hour surgery the day after birth, though she’ll need at least one more operation between ages 3 and 5.
📸 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
- Bring One for the Chipper Christmas Tree Recycling Event
Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar Athens, GA 30601
9:00 am - KACCB Bring One for the Chipper Christmas Tree Recycling
Various
9:00 am - "Pickleball" at Heard Park
Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 400 McKinley Dr. , Athens
8:00 am - Meet Us in the Lobby
Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 124 E Hancock Ave , Athens
9:00 am - HPC- Designation Committee
Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 120 West Dougherty Street , Athens
12:00 pm - "Get Fit" at Lay Park
Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 297 Hoyt St. , Athens
1:00 pm - "Get Fit" at Lay Park Begins
Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , Lay Park 297 Hoyt St , Athens
1:00 pm - Mayor & Commission Regular Session
City Hall , 301 College Avenue , Athens
6:00 pm - "Pickleball" at Heard Park
Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 400 McKinley Dr. , Athens
8:00 am
Saturday January 3
Monday January 5
Tuesday January 6
Wednesday January 7
📣 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
- First Day Hike 2026
Fort Yargo State Park , 210 South Broad Street , Winder
9:00 am - Fully Accessible First Day Hike
Fort Yargo State Park , 210 South Broad Street , Winder
12:00 pm - Business over Breakfast
Barrow County Chamber of Commerce , #6 Porter Street , Winder
9:00 am - Network Barrow
Barrow County Chamber of Commerce , #6 Porter St. , Winder
9:00 am
Thursday January 1
Friday January 2
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!
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- For those in Winterville who are concerned for the Great Pyrenees wandering the area, Animal Control will be out to locate her and take her to the warm shelter.
If necessary, they will set a trap. If you see her, email animalservices@accgov.com or call 706-613-3540 and press the number 3 extension for an… (Nextdoor Bar H) - Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
Luna was LOST on December 29, 2025 in Athens, GA 30607 near Acadia dr Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the owner,… (Nextdoor Hwy 441)
- Taco Bell posted a job opening for Team Member in Athens. Apply here.
- University of Georgia posted a job opening for Housekeeper in Athens. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Athens here.
🗞 Nearby News
Watkinsville
- U.S. cybersecurity experts plead guilty for ransomware attacks, face 20 years in prison each — group demanded up to $10 million from each victim (tomshardware.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 just heard a golfer say he had four strokes on the first hole!
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!
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