🌱 Patch AM: Will this scaled-back Prince Avenue hotel satisfy wary Athens neighbors?

Hi there, Athens! We've got your morning read ready! Read on to stay connected. ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Will this scaled-back Prince Avenue hotel satisfy wary Athens neighbors?
• How regional police tracked down a suspect in an Athens shooting
• How a wrong-way driver turned Athens’ Inner Loop deadly overnight

Also on today's calendar: KACCB Bring One for the Chipper Christmas Tree Recycling and 2 more events.

Today's riddle: What did the windowsill say to the glass? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Monday: Partly sunny, with a high of 58 and low of 43 degrees.
• Tuesday: Partly sunny and pleasant, temps: high: 64, low: 51.
• Wednesday: Partly sunny and warmer, with a high of 75 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Plans Released for Smaller Hotel at UGA President's House (flagpole.com) — Neighbors on Prince Avenue are weighing in on a downsized hotel proposal behind the former UGA President’s House that’s now about half its original size but still far above Athens-Clarke County’s zoning limits. Developer Capstone says the 70-room Graduate-branded hotel preserves the historic house, while groups like Keep Athens Local and Historic Athens warn about traffic, noise, and long-term neighborhood impacts. The Planning Commission will review the plan Jan. 8.
   

2. Athens murder suspect arrested in Newton County (covnews.com) — A man has been charged in connection with a deadly shooting in Athens after police say a 26-year-old victim was found in a local roadway and later died. Athens-Clarke County Police quickly identified a suspect, secured warrants, and worked with multiple neighboring agencies to arrest him in Newton County. Authorities say the charges include felony murder and several firearm offenses.
   

3. Wrong-way driver kills two in multi-vehicle crash on Athens Inner Loop (fox5atlanta.com) — Two people were killed and two others critically injured when a wrong-way driver in a Kia Seltos caused a chain-reaction crash on the Georgia Highway 10 Inner Loop in Athens early Saturday. Athens-Clarke County police say the Kia hit multiple vehicles before a fiery head-on collision with a Toyota Camry, marking the county’s eighth fatal crash this year. Investigators are still determining why the car entered the loop going the wrong way.
   

4. The Cost of Stress (morningagclips.com) — From right here in Athens, University of Georgia experts are spotlighting how financial stress is driving a mental health crisis for farmers across Georgia and rural America. New UGA research links chronic money worries to higher suicide risk, especially among younger and women farmers, and calls for pairing financial education with mental health support through Extension programs and community partners.
   

📸 Around Athens

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Athens

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday December 23

• HPC- Education Committee
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 120 West Dougherty Street , Athens
  4:00 pm

Wednesday December 24

• Public Safety Civilian Oversight Board Meeting - CANCELED
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 120 West Dougherty Street , Athens
  5:30 pm

Saturday December 27

• "Athens Farmers Market" at Bishop Park
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 705 Sunset Drive , Athens
  8:00 am

Monday December 29

• "Happy Holidaze" Day off School Program at Lay Park Begins
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 297 Hoyt St. , Athens
  9:00 am

Saturday January 3

• KACCB Bring One for the Chipper Christmas Tree Recycling
  Various
  9:00 am

📣 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

Tuesday December 23

• JV/G Wrestling @ Walt Hennenbal Inv Mountain View -Time TBD
  Oglethorpe County Lexington, GA 30648
• Downtown Development Authority
  Jefferson, GA Calendar , Jefferson Station 1000 Washington Street , Jefferson
  6:00 pm
• Shih Tzu Not Trivia
  Wing House , 8727 US-29 , Hull
  7:00 pm

Thursday December 25

• Harvest Gala Fundraiser 2025
  138 Park Ave Business Suites , 138 Park Avenue , Winder
  5:00 pm

Friday December 26

• Community Campfire & S'mores on the House!
  Fort Yargo State Park , 210 South Broad Street , Winder
  7:00 pm

Saturday December 27

• Loop Around the Lake
  Fort Yargo State Park , 210 South Broad Street , Winder
  9:00 am
• Dueling Pianos in Winder!
  Finished Goods Brew Werks , 56 E Candler St , Winder
  7:00 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Found dog in Greystone subdivision in Athens.
  Currently closed up in my garage. We'll take him to Athens-Clarke animal services tomorrow. Does anyone recognize him? (Nextdoor Green Acres-Crestwood Cooperative)
• Belgian Malanois running down Barnett shoals past Brookstone towards Whit Davis.
  Orange reflective collar. I have seen posts of this dog loose before. Seemed friendly but skittish… I couldn’t get it in the car with me to keep safe. (Nextdoor E Athens/Sorenson Ridge)

• The Guitar Center posted a job opening for Music Teacher Store 767 in Athens. Apply here.
• Independence Corrugated posted a job opening for Machine Operator - 2nd 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 feel your pane.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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