November 14th Podcast

Hello and welcome to the Athens News podcast, I’m Melissa Carter.  The cycling community gets its day in court … and the Bulldogs get the job done this weekend, but first…Here are your top stories brought to you by Drake Realty.

Athens News

A Clarke County student was injured in a neighborhood shooting early Monday morning.  The incident occurred before school hours, and details remain limited at the time of this podcast.

Officials are conducting an active investigation. 

The district has released a statement, assuring counseling support for witnesses.

This from 11 Alive.

Athens News

An arrest has been made in connection with the downtown Athens shooting that left two injured.

Twenty-four-year-old Ismael Tapia-Marquez faces charges including two counts of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during a felony.

The incident unfolded during a brawl on October 29th, where shots rang out on West Clayton Street. Victims Akeel Kolen and Deon Marquel Gardner were shot in the torso.

Although serious, they've been released from the hospital. Motives remain undisclosed, but reports suggest the incident stemmed from a heated argument.

Police identified Tapia-Marquez through surveillance footage.

This from the Athens-Clarke County News Facebook Page

Athens News

The Clarke County School District Board of Education has given the green light to a new initiative— the creation of a sustainability advisory committee.

Board member Tim Denson expressed excitement, acknowledging the community's role, especially Clarke Middle students.

The committee, set to launch in December, will include diverse members from the board, UGA faculty, and the community.

This from the Red & Black.

Do you have plans for December 2nd? Well, you may need to cancel them, but first…

Social Media

From the Athens-Clarke County News Facebook page:

In a court battle last week, Susan Wilson spoke out against District Attorney Deborah Gonzalez, alleging a violation of state law.

Wilson, partner of the late James Jones Jr., contends she wasn't informed about a plea bargain for the alleged drunk driver who struck and killed Jones while he was cycling home last year.

Despite being entitled to notifications under the Georgia Crime Victims’ Bill of Rights and Marsy’s Law, Wilson claims she wasn't notified in September about the plea deal.

Wilson’s legal action seeks justice for Jones and emphasizes the potential implications for the cycling community.

G 300 d writes: This is a strange story. What I got out of it was that she was offended by the justice dwelt when she had voted for the DA in the first place. It seems strange to vote for a person and then not like her policies when a crime is committed and a plea deal is offered.  I think this is normal for the way the Athens area has developed, but not if it happens to someone you personally care about, eh?

Paul Bunce addressed the recent elections, saying: It's possible that the police didn't do much because they're tired of submitting evidence to a DA who refuses to prosecute.  That's still not a valid excuse, but may be an explanation.

Izzy Mendelbaum says: No winners here.  Only losers.  The punishment should have been harsher considering the DUI, but who am I to judge?  The Marsey's Law stuff makes the story even worse.

UGA News

The annual Jam for Cam event, hosted by Sigma Nu Fraternity, lit up the Southern Brewing Company with live music over the weekend.

Honoring Cameron Fearon, a UGA Sigma Nu member who lost his battle with melanoma in 2018, the event and nonprofit sold 5,000 tickets, raising $60,000 in corporate sponsorships, double from last year.

The funds benefit the Melanoma Research Foundation, Camp Carolina, and this year, the Samuel L. Asbury Foundation.

This from the Red and Black.

UGA Sports

The SEC Championship is locked in a familiar battle between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Alabama Crimson Tide. Georgia clinched the SEC East with a dominant win over Ole Miss, while Alabama secured the SEC West defeating Kentucky.

Georgia's 27-game winning streak faces tests against Tennessee this weekend and Georgia Tech Thanksgiving weekend.

Regardless of those outcomes, Georgia will be at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 2nd to face Alabama for the SEC title.  Kickoff is at 4 p.m.

This from WSB.

Athens News

A Superior Court grand jury in Athens has indicted 19-year-old Kobe Watkins, in connection with a gang-related beating during an illegal pool party.

The incident, at The Retreat on Milledge - catering largely to University of Georgia students - involved Watkins, a member of the Red Tape Gang (RTG), assaulting a rival.

Gunfire injured three, including the rival gang member, during the event six months ago.

Watkins faces charges of battery and violating the Georgia Street Gang Terrorism and Prevention Act.  Authorities suspect the violence stems from an ongoing feud between RTG and the Everybody Eats gang (EBE).

Court proceedings are set for December 8th.

This from the Athens-Clarke County News Facebook Page