WGAU Local News

Flood Warning for Oconee at Penfield

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:57:42 -0500

Another day of occasionally heavy rain is in the Athens area forecast: much of northeast Georgia spent the overnight hours under a flood watch. There remains a flood warning for the Oconee River at Penfield, with the prospect of minor flooding impacting parts of Athens-Clarke, Oconee, and Greene Counties.

Dogs Begin Play in SEC Tourney

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:57:02 -0500

The Georgia Bulldog basketball team--under first-year head coach Mark Fox--begins play in the SEC basketball tournament. The Bulldogs play the Arkansas Razorbacks tonight in Nashville.

Police Talk Pawn Shops

Thu, 11 Mar 2010 03:56:28 -0500

Athens-Clarke County Police are hosting an informational meeting on proposed changes to local ordinances dealing with pawn shops and other merchants who deal in jewelry and gems: the session is set for 6:30 at the Athens-Clarke County Police Department West Substation in the Georgia Square Mall on Atlanta Highway.

Judge Blocks Hustler Photo Request

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:36:54 -0500

There is now a lawsuit from the family of murdered University of Georgia graduate Meredith Emerson, the 24 year-old hiker was who was kidnapped and killed two years ago in Dawson County: the family is filing suit to block the release of crime scene photographs sought by Hustler magazine. A DeKalb County judge has ruled in favor of Emerson's family. Hustler is expected to appeal that judge's ruling.

Athens Unemployment Increases

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:35:39 -0500

The State Labor Department reports a January increase in the Athens unemployment rate, up a full percentage point from December, checking in at 8.4 percent. The state unemployment rate for January was a record 10.4 percent, up from 10.3 percent in December.

Frye: Mayoral Decision Soon

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 04:08:29 -0500

Athens Area Habitat for Humanity director Spencer Frye says he'll have an announcement one way or the other within the next two weeks on whether he is a candidate for Mayor. Frye has been considering a campaign to replace a term-limited Athens Mayor Heidi Davison.

UGa Worker Dies from Injuries in Scooter Accident

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 15:16:15 -0500

Athens-Clarke County Coroner Sonny Wilson says Daniel Mammola died around noon today, passing away at Athens Regional Medical Center from injuries sustained in a Monday scooter accident. The 27 year-old Mammola worked in UGa's Hodgson School of Music. He crashed his scooter on College Station Road early Monday morning.

UGa Researcher, Family Members Killed in Israel

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 07:46:02 -0500

There were Monday funerals in Israel for a University of Georgia researcher and two family members killed in an auto accident in Israel's Negev Desert. 39 year-old Efrat Gamiliel-Atinsky, her mother, and two of her children were killed in a four-vehicle crash that happened Sunday. Gamliel-Atinsky was scheduled to return to Athens later this month. She was researching plant diseases at UGa.

Regents Meet in Atlanta

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:52:52 -0500

Proposed University System budget cuts will likely be a prime topic of talk when the state Board of Regents kicks off a two-day meeting: the Regents are meeting today and tomorrow in Atlanta. They're looking at cuts that could lead to layoffs at the University of Georgia and other colleges and universities around the state.

A-CC Commissioners Meet

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 03:51:51 -0500

Athens-Clarke County Commissioners meet in a 5:30 work session at the Government Building on Dougherty Street. They'll get a look at the comprehensive master plan from the Athens-Clarke County Leisure Services Department.

Report: Bulldog Quarterback Arrested

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 09:55:36 -0500

Sister station 960 the Ref (WRFC-AM, Athens) is reporting the weekend arrest of Georgia Bulldog quarterback Zach Mettenberger. The station says the redshirt freshman from Oconee County was picked up on alcohol-related charges by police in Valdosta. Charges are said to include underage alcohol possession. Mettenberger has been taking part in the Bulldogs spring practice sessions in Athens, competing for a starting position with fellow quarterbacks Logan Gray and Aaron Murray.

Police Probe Vehicle vs Bicycle Accidents

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:15:13 -0500

Athens-Clarke County Police say a 21 year-old man was killed in an accident on Jefferson Road. Police say Shane Chapman was riding a bicycle that was struck by a van. Chapman died after being transported to an Athens hospital. Athens police spent Sunday searching for a hit-and-run driver in another accident involving a bicycle: a rider was hit by an SUV on Peter Street. That cyclist was not seriously injured.

Charter Overview Commission Meets

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:13:33 -0500

Another meeting of the Athens-Clarke County Charter Overview Commission is set for this afternoon, 4:30 at City Hall: the Commission convenes every 10 years to review the Charter that oversees the operations of the Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County.

Deal in Athens

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 05:58:29 -0500

Hall County Congressman and Republican candidate for Governor Nathan Deal is due in Athens this evening: Deal is speaking to the Athens-Clarke County Republican Party in a 6 o'clock session at Athens GOP headquarters on north Milledge Avenue. Also scheduled to speak is Republican State Senate candidate Kelly Gary.

Governor Blasts Proposed Education Cuts

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:49:31 -0500

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue joins a growing chorus of state leaders calling for cuts in the salaries of administrators at the University of Georgia and other colleges and universities around the state. Perdue says he'll oppose any plans to trim $300 million from the state's higher education budget, and he says reducing top-end salaries might be a way to mitigate the size of that proposed package of education spending cuts.