Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What new felony charges follow the Athens Kroger crash?

Also, don't miss 123 Toddler & Me on the Athens Patch calendar

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Wednesday December 24th Patch AM
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Hi there, Athens! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What new felony charges follow the Athens Kroger crash?
  • How Weaver D’s turned one last Thanksgiving into a community feast
  • How a Georgia freshman gives back before returning to Athens playoff prep

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: I used to work in a doughnut shop. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Wednesday: Partly sunny and warmer, with a high of 77 and low of 54 degrees.
  • Thursday: Partly sunny and very warm, temps: high: 72, low: 57.
  • Friday: Partly sunny, nice and warm, with a high of 69 and low of 58 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Woman who injured 5 after crashing car into Kroger in Athens arrested, charged with felony (11alive.com) — A driver has been arrested after crashing into the Alps Road Kroger in Athens, injuring five people, including an employee who suffered a fractured skull at the self-checkout area. Athens-Clarke County Police say the 40-year-old faces a felony serious-injury-by-vehicle charge plus DUI drugs and reckless driving, after surveillance video showed her car suddenly accelerating through the store’s glass front.
   

2. Thanksgiving at Weaver D's with Photo Gallery (flagpole.com) — An Athens soul food landmark, Weaver D’s, celebrated one of its final Thanksgivings by serving a free holiday meal to hungry and homeless neighbors from a nearby UGA fraternity house. With Athens police helping manage traffic, Dexter Weaver and volunteers cooked through the night, hosted a gospel service, and fed anyone who came, continuing his nearly 40-year tradition of community care.
   

3. Home for the holidays: Savannah's Elijah Griffin gives back amid Georgia playoff push (wjcl.com) — Georgia Bulldogs freshman Elijah Griffin is spending part of his holiday break visiting families at Savannah’s Ronald McDonald House before heading back to Athens for the team’s Sugar Bowl preparations. While the visit happened on the coast, his return to Athens underscores the city’s role as home base for Georgia’s playoff push and for this rising defensive lineman’s growing impact.
   

4. Dems pulls off 'stealth upset' in swing state (knewz.com) — A Georgia House seat that includes parts of Athens and Oconee County has flipped from Republican to Democrat, with Eric Gisler narrowly defeating Mack “Dutch” Guest IV in a special election. The upset, decided by fewer than 200 votes, is drawing national attention and boosting Democratic momentum ahead of the 2026 midterms, while both parties debate how to address costs and public safety.
   

📸 Around Athens

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Athens

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★ Featured events ★

    Thursday December 25
  • 123 Toddler & Me
    Lay Park Community Center, 297 Hoyt St, Athens
    10:00 am

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Help find my dog❗️❗️
    Took him out this afternoon and he has not returned. In the bogart area, around Caterpillar on Atl hwy. Please help us find him my kids are extremely… (Nextdoor Tallassee/Whitehead)
  • This is a long shot but had anyone on Pinterest ct received a package that was sent to Maegan Moose?
    Was delivered today but not where it was supposed to. (Nextdoor Vaughn)
  • Whataburger posted a job opening for Restaurant Porter - Unit 1298 in Athens. Apply here.
  • University of Georgia posted a job opening for Public Area Attendant - Temporary 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 got tired of the hole business.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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