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🌱 Patch AM: Will Prince Avenue’s historic President’s House become a much larger hotel?

Be sure to catch KACCB Bring One for the Chipper Christmas Tree Recycling on the Athens Patch calendar

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Coffee in hand, Athens? We've got the latest town updates for you. Keep reading to stay in the loop. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • Will Prince Avenue’s historic President’s House become a much larger hotel?
  • Why UGA’s Trial Gardens are raving about this tiny pink petunia
  • What will the Tara Baker trial reveal after 25 years?

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 got fired from the M&M factory. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

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

  • Saturday: Rain and a thunderstorm, with a high of 55 and low of 37 degrees.
  • Sunday: Mostly sunny and nice, temps: high: 61, low: 40.
  • Monday: Nice with plenty of sun, with a high of 61 and low of 41 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Group in Athens expresses concern over President's House hotel plans (onlineathens.com) — A neighborhood group called Keep Athens Local is pushing back against revised plans for a large hotel at the historic President’s House site on Prince Avenue, saying the project is still too big and lacks strong protections for the property. The proposal, which affects a five-acre site on the National Register of Historic Places, goes before the Athens-Clarke County Planning Commission on Jan. 8.
   

2. Small, mighty and pink: A new petunia variety earns high praise (savannahnow.com) — Gardeners in Athens can take pride that the University of Georgia Trial Gardens in town have named the new Supertunia Mini Vista Pink Cloud petunia a Plant of Distinction for 2026. The compact, heat-tough variety is praised for thriving in Georgia summers and shining in containers, baskets, and beds, with tips on soil, sun, and feeding to keep it blooming strong.
   

3. Major cases expected to go to trial in 2026 in metro Atlanta, North Georgia (fox5atlanta.com) — A long-delayed murder case involving UGA law student Tara Baker is finally set for trial in Athens-Clarke County on January 26, potentially bringing long-awaited answers for her family and the community. Her case is one of several major violent-crime trials across metro Atlanta and North Georgia expected to move forward in 2026, ranging from school shootings to domestic homicides.
   

4. Poll: Biggest upset win in Gamecock football history (on3.com) — A South Carolina fan looks back at several of the Gamecocks’ biggest football upsets, including their 2019 shocker in Athens over a highly ranked Georgia team. The post invites readers to vote on which historic win was the greatest, comparing that Sanford Stadium stunner with landmark victories over Alabama, Tennessee, and Georgia in Columbia.
   

📸 Around Athens

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Athens

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🗓 Events Nearby

    Saturday January 3
  • Loop Around the Lake
    Fort Yargo State Park , 210 South Broad Street , Winder
    9:00 am
  • Hike by the Light of the Moon
    Fort Yargo State Park , 210 South Broad Street , Winder
    7:00 pm
    • Tuesday January 6
  • Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting Johnny's New York Style Pizza
    Johnny's New York Style Pizza , 3955 Highway 53 , Hoschton
    10:30 am
    • Thursday January 8
  • Grand Opening & Ribbon Cutting NuWave Health & Wellness
    NuWave Health & Wellness , 5391 Hwy 53 Suite 108 , Braselton
    3:00 pm

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

  • LOST DOG ALERT!
    Have you seen this pet? Odin was lost on August 04, 2025 and was last seen near Athens, GA If you have information on their location, please reach… (Nextdoor Hwy 441)
  • Please be careful neighbors if you take your dogs to the dog park at SE Clarke if you see a Carmel colored pit with white face markings and a tall young man with dark shaggy short hair.
    His dog is aggressive and quick to bite. He stalked my dog several times and made several aggressive moves before Banjo gave him the “back off” growl… (Nextdoor Cedar Creek/Pointe/Civitan Club)
  • Five Below, Inc. posted a job opening for Freight Crew Seasonal Part Time- Oconee Connector- Athens, Ga in Athens. Apply here.
  • University of Georgia posted a job opening for 4-H Environmental Educator – Wahse 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 kept throwing out all the W’s.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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