🌱 Patch AM: What really happened during those holiday disputes at Wire Park?

Morning Watkinsville! We've got the scoop on the latest happenings in town. Read on to get looped in. ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

• What really happened during those holiday disputes at Wire Park?
• Why is a Watkinsville man tied to a major ransomware scheme?

Today's riddle: I think I’ll wear only one boot today. 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Wednesday: Plenty of sunshine, with a high of 51 and low of 35 degrees.
• Thursday: Plenty of sunshine, temps: high: 57, low: 36.
• Friday: Mostly cloudy, with a high of 59 and low of 49 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

• Oconee Blotter: Pickup stolen while man eats meal at steakhouse (onlineathens.com) — Several recent Oconee County sheriff’s reports involve Watkinsville residents, including disputes at Wire Park where multiple people were cited or arrested and banned from the property. The blotter also details a stolen pickup at Texas Roadhouse, a school‑zone speeding arrest, a scooter theft tied to holiday hardship, and a DUI case in Bishop.
   

• U.S. cybersecurity experts plead guilty for ransomware attacks, face 20 years in prison each — group demanded up to $10 million from each victim (tomshardware.com subscription) — A Watkinsville man has pleaded guilty in a federal case accusing former cybersecurity professionals of running ransomware attacks that tried to extort up to $10 million from U.S. companies. Prosecutors say the group used the BlackCat ransomware platform, targeted firms in several states, and laundered Bitcoin proceeds, with sentencing that could reach 20 years in prison.
   

📸 Around Watkinsville

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📣 Watkinsville Shout Outs!

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🗓 Events Nearby

Wednesday December 31

• New Year's EVE At Noon 5K
  Sandy Creek Park , 400 Bob Holman Rd , Athens
  12:00 pm
• Blackberry Smoke
  The Classic Center , 300 N Thomas St , Athens
  7:00 pm
• Athens Goth Night Dance Party
  Ciné , 234 W Hancock Ave , Athens
  9:30 pm

Thursday January 1

• Audit Committee Meeting
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 301 College Avenue , Athens
  10:30 am
• "First Day Hike" at Ben Burton Park
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 616 Mitchell Bridge Rd , Athens
  2:00 pm

Saturday January 3

• Bring One for the Chipper Christmas Tree Recycling Event
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar Athens, GA 30601
  9:00 am

Monday January 5

• "Pickleball" at Heard Park
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 400 McKinley Dr. , Athens
  8:00 am

Tuesday January 6

• Meet Us in the Lobby
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 124 E Hancock Ave , Athens
  9:00 am
• HPC- Designation Committee
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 120 West Dougherty Street , Athens
  12:00 pm
• "Get Fit" at Lay Park Begins
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , Lay Park 297 Hoyt St , Athens
  1:00 pm
• "Get Fit" at Lay Park
  Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar , 297 Hoyt St. , Athens
  1:00 pm
• Mayor & Commission Regular Session
  City Hall , 301 College Avenue , Athens
  6:00 pm

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

Thank you 👏👏👏 to the local businesses for making Watkinsville PatchAM possible:

• Mindsee.it — (646) 663-8317
  Teach your kids they can achieve the impossible!

Click here to show your appreciation! 💚

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

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Copied from another site.
  Weekly Food Distribution: Athens Emergency Food Bank When: Monday-Friday, 9am-12:30pm Where: 640 Barber St, Athens, GA 30601 Info: Referral Required… (Nextdoor Coventry)
• Shout out to Lynch Aquatic Landscaping!
  They design and build custom koi ponds. Give Kevin a call 404-392-8940 (Nextdoor Flat Rock)

• Domino's Pizza posted a job opening for Domino's Assistant Manager (04179) in Watkinsville. Apply here.
• Dunkin' posted a job opening for Baker/Opener in Watkinsville. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Watkinsville here.

🗞 Nearby News

Athens

• Death of 2-year-old child in Athens remains under investigation (onlineathens.com)
• Ole Miss star ‘perfectly fine,' overcoming shoulder injury to face Georgia in Sugar Bowl (dawgnation.com)
• Buddhist monks persist in peace walk despite injuries as thousands follow them on social media (ksgf.com)

Bogart

• Cheapest gas stations in Athens (wfxg.com)

Ok Watkinsville! 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 heard there’s only a 50 percent chance of snow.
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Send it to us!

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