Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What led to the swift arrest after the downtown Athens shooting?

Coming up on the Athens Patch calendar: Jorge Torres-Torres presents "A Peculiar Noise" W/ Jim Willingham & Cocomokaze

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Hey there, Athens! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

  • What led to the swift arrest after the downtown Athens shooting?
  • How Athens still shapes Drive-By Truckers’ next big musical chapter
  • How one Athens artist became a pastor feeding neighbors in need

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 the clock say when it ran out of batteries? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Friday: Partly sunny and warm, with a high of 72 and low of 57 degrees.
  • Saturday: Partly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 74, low: 56.
  • Sunday: Mostly cloudy and warm, with a high of 70 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. 22-year-old arrested for murder in downtown Athens (wsbtv.com) — Athens-Clarke County police say a 22-year-old from Madison has been arrested in connection with a fatal Dec. 18 shooting at W. Broad and Pulaski streets in downtown Athens. Investigators report the victim later died at the hospital and multiple agencies helped locate the suspect in Newton County, with the case still under active investigation.
   

2. Georgia Today: Patterson Hood of Drive-By Truckers on 'Decoration Day'; Reuniting with Jason Isbell (gpb.org) — Athens music fans get a deep dive into Drive-By Truckers’ history as co-founder Patterson Hood reflects on how two decades in Athens shaped him and the band. He talks about the new “Decoration Day” box set, reuniting with Jason Isbell on national TV, and plans to start recording the Truckers’ next album back in Athens this February.
   

3. Athens author and former pastor founded ministry to help the homeless (onlineathens.com) — An 83-year-old Athens minister and author, Dr. Patricia Mann, spent decades feeding and supporting unhoused and low-income neighbors through the Bread of Life ministry she co-founded downtown. After moving to Athens in 1989, she built a small street outreach into a lasting congregation and later counseled clients at Sparrow’s Nest, experiences she recounts in her new spiritual memoir.
   

4. What every Auburn basketball fan wants from Santa this Christmas (al.com) — Auburn’s men’s basketball team will open SEC play on the road in Athens against the Georgia Bulldogs after a shaky 8-4 nonconference start and key injury concerns. The Tigers’ frontcourt rebounding issues and star guard Tahaad Pettiford’s ankle will shape how dangerous they look when they visit Stegeman Coliseum.
   

📸 Around Athens

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Loose dog on Riverbend Parkway approx 10:45 AM Dec 25.
    Unfixed tan male with green collar. Last seen running off Riverbend into the Woodstone Park complex. Was friendly but would not let me get close… (Nextdoor University Gardens)
  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
    Levi was LOST on December 18, 2025 in Athens, GA 30606 near Off Whitehead Road and Bel Air (west side Athens) Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest… (Nextdoor Hwy 441)
  • BOS Staffing posted a job opening for Press Operator in Athens. Apply here.
  • Pilgrim's posted a job opening for Production Supervisor Rapids- 1st shift 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 out of time.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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