Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: What’s next now that Georgia Square Mall’s big redo has collapsed?
Happening soon: Tanner Laws Band at NoWhere Bar in Athens, GA on the Athens Patch calendar
Good day Athens! We're here again with what you need to know today. Grab a cup of coffee and read on. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- What’s next now that Georgia Square Mall’s big redo has collapsed?
- How two disturbing animal cruelty cases are unfolding in Athens
- How a fake arrest warrant call cost one Athens resident thousands
Also on today's calendar: Pee Dee IceCats at Athens Rock Lobsters and 5 more events.
Find out what's happening in Athensfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Today's riddle: What did the shovel say to the dirt? 🤔 (Answer below!)
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Find out what's happening in Athensfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
- Friday: Warm with variable cloudiness, with a high of 72 and low of 59 degrees.
- Saturday: Heavy rain and a thunderstorm, temps: high: 69, low: 43.
- Sunday: Lots of sun; windy, cooler, with a high of 52 and low of 27 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Georgia Square Mall Redevelopment Plan Goes Back to Square One (flagpole.com) — Plans to redevelop Georgia Square Mall have stalled, with the developer telling Athens-Clarke County officials there’s no viable financing path under the existing tax allocation district deal. Local leaders now expect to reset the project using a new overlay zoning district, which will shape future uses, public benefits, and redevelopment options for this key Westside property. 
2. Athens woman faces animal cruelty charge at home with urine, feces on floor (onlineathens.com) — Police and animal control in Athens-Clarke County are pursuing charges in two separate animal cruelty investigations, including one involving multiple pets living in filthy conditions on Conrad Drive. Another case on Shumard Drive alleges a dog was left crated after an eviction and suffered permanent injuries. Both incidents highlight ongoing concerns about pet welfare in Athens neighborhoods.
3. 'Keep your guard up': Athens woman victimized in common arrest warrant scam (onlineathens.com) — An Athens woman recently lost thousands of dollars to a caller posing as law enforcement who claimed she’d missed a court summons, a scam Athens-Clarke police say is common locally. She later confirmed at the Athens courthouse there was no warrant and reported the fraud, sharing her story to urge neighbors—especially older residents—to stay skeptical of payment demands over the phone.
4. Deer Marks Leave Trees Glowing in the Dark— Scientists Say They're ‘Signposts' for Mates (greenmatters.com) — University of Georgia researchers working in Whitehall Forest, just south of downtown Athens, have discovered that deer rubs, scrapes, and even urine puddles glow under ultraviolet light, acting like neon signposts during mating season. Their late-2024 study suggests local whitetail deer may rely on both scent and these glowing visual cues to find mates, and future experiments could test how deer react to human-altered signals.
5. Georgia Makes Debut At No. 15 In PG Preseason Rankings, - University of Georgia Athletics (georgiadogs.com) — Athens-based Georgia baseball is opening 2026 with a No. 15 national preseason ranking and two newcomers already named Perfect Game preseason All-Americans. With several SEC powers visiting Foley Field and single-game nonconference tickets going on sale soon, local fans can expect another high-profile season after last year’s 43–17 run and NCAA Regional hosting duties.
📸 Around Athens
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🗓 Upcoming Events in Athens
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- Tanner Laws Band at NoWhere Bar in Athens, GA
Nowhere Bar, 240 N Lumpkin St, Athens
9:30 pm
Friday January 9
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- "Bring Back your Backyard: Invasives 101" at Ben Burton Park
Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 616 Mitchell Bridge Rd , Athens
10:00 am - "Critter Tales" at Sandy Creek Nature Center
Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 205 Old Commerce Rd , Athens
2:30 pm - Pee Dee IceCats at Athens Rock Lobsters
The Classic Center , 300 N Thomas St , Athens
7:05 pm - Klezmer Local 42 and Fawney Rig
The Foundry , 295 E Dougherty St , Athens
7:30 pm - Lower Wolves - REM Tribute
Hendershot's , 237 Prince Ave , Athens
8:00 pm - Annie Leeth, Dhemo, Little Mae
Ciné , 234 W Hancock Ave , Athens
8:00 pm - DON TOBERMAN: PING-PONG CHAMP
Canopy Studio , 160-6 Tracy St , Athens
8:00 pm
Saturday January 10
📣 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
- Adult Trips
Howard Park & Community Center , 291 Henderson Extension , Athens
9:00 am - Art in the Park
Sandy Creek Park , 400 Bob Holman Rd , Athens
10:00 am - Big Fish Auditions — The Stage Oconee
The Stage Oconee , 560 Jerry Smith Dr , Watkinsville
10:30 am - WonderLights Disco Nights
The State Botanical Garden of Georgia , 2450 S Milledge Ave , Athens
5:30 pm
Friday January 9
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
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💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Edit:: Unfortunately, Ryan is no longer with us.
Thank you to whoever moved him out of the road. Thank you everyone for the advice and well wishes. I wish I had a happier update. Asking my… (Nextdoor E Athens/Sorenson Ridge) - Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
Snowy was LOST on September 7, 2025 in Athens, GA 30601 near Athens Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact the owner,… (Nextdoor Hwy 441)
- Sam's Club posted a job opening for Cart Attendant in Athens. Apply here.
- Allied Universal posted a job opening for Security Officer - Dispatch Operations 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 really dig you!
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