WGAU Local News

Gubernatorial Candidates Debate in Athens

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:23:34 -0500

Candidates for Governor are scheduled to take part in a two-hour debate in Athens: it starts at 6 o'clock this evening in the Chapel on the University of Georgia's north campus. The debate will be moderated by UGa political scientist Charles Bullock.

Jury Deliberates Competence of Stabbing Suspect

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:22:44 -0500

A Clarke County jury is expected to resume deliberations this morning: the jury is attempting to decide whether Stephen Eberhard is mentally competent to stand trial for the December 2007 attack on Courtney Gale. The Athens-Clarke County Police sergeant was stabbed and nearly killed while working an off-duty security detail at the Kroger on Alps Road in Athens.

Sec of State Candidate Speaks to Oconee Dems

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 04:21:56 -0500

A Democratic candidate for Secretary of State is due in Watkinsville this evening: Michael Mills is scheduled to speak in a 7:30 session meeting of Oconee County Democrats, a session that takes place in the Oconee County Government Annex Building.

House Passes Emerson Bill

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:20:03 -0500

The Georgia House gives unanimous approval to the so-called Meredith Emerson law: the bill passed Tuesday would block the release of explicit crime scene photographs. Hustler magazine is looking to obtain the law enforcement photos of Emerson's nude and decapitated body. The 24 year-old University of Georgia graduate was kidnapped and killed in January of 2008, murdered while hiking in Dawson County.

Fincher Funeral Today

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:19:22 -0500

The funeral for Cameron Fincher is scheduled for today: burial for the former director of the University of Georgia's Institute of Higher Education is set for noon in Evergreen Memorial Park, with a memorial service to follow in UGa's north campus chapel. Cameron Fincher was 83 years old.

Schools Win Environmental Grants

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 04:18:20 -0500

Three Athens schools are recipients of this year's Odum Environmental grants. Howard Stroud and Whit Davis elementary schools and the Athens Montessori School each get $200 for environmental projects. The Eugene Odom Environmental grants are named in honor of the late University of Georgia ecologist and are awarded as part of the annual Athens Greenfest festivities.

Students Rally at Capitol

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:19:44 -0500

They met with House Speaker David Ralston and left a 36,000-signature petition with Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle: students from the University of Georgia and other schools around the state staged a Monday protest at the state capitol, letting legislative leaders know how they feel about proposed higher education budget cuts.

Police Hold Forum on Pawn Shop Ordinance

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:18:57 -0500

Athens-Clarke County Police host this evening another public forum on a proposed change to the ordinance that regulates pawn shops and other merchants who deal in gems and jewelry: the session is set for 6:30 at Police Department headquarters on Lexington Road. Athens-Clarke County Commissioners are expected to vote next month on an ordinance that would require pawn shops to electronically track jewelry items that are brought into their stores, adding those items to an internet data-base.

CERT Training at UGa

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:18:17 -0500

The University of Georgia's Community Emergency Response Team kicks off today an 8-week training course on disaster preparedness. University staff, students, and faculty who are taking part are learning basic disaster response skills.

Athens Man Stabbed in Barrow Co

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 04:17:29 -0500

Police have identified the victim of a fatal stabbing in Statham: Oscar Melendez was 51 years old, from Athens. He was killed last Friday in Barrow County, allegedly by 53 year-old Adalberto Sanchez of Madison County. The Colbert man was arrested over the weekend.

Students Protest Proposed Budget Cuts

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:19:28 -0500

Students from the University of Georgia, Gainesville State College, and other colleges and universities across the state stage a rally at the Capitol: they'll converge on Atlanta to protest proposed cuts in the state's higher education budget.

Ranger Memorialized in Athens

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:18:50 -0500

There was a weekend memorial service in Athens for officer Chris Upton, the Forest Service Ranger who was shot and killed last week in the Oconee National Forest near Monticello. The 37 year-old Upton was shot by a hunter who claims he mistook the Ranger for a coyote. There have been no charges filed in the case.

Blitzer to be Honored in Athens

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 04:17:13 -0500

CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer is in Athens this evening. Blitzer will be honored by the University of Georgia, receiving the DiGamma Kappa Distinguished Achievement Award in an invitation-only ceremony set for 7 o'clock at the Hilton Garden Inn in downtown Athens.

Dogs Win, Advance in SEC Tourney

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:09:35 -0500

The Georgia Bulldog basketball team upset the Arkansas Razorbacks 77-64 in last night's opening round SEC basketball tournament game: the Dogs advance to face the Vanderbilt Commodores in a tournament quarterfinal game tonight in Nashville.

Flood Warning Extended

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 04:08:42 -0500

The National Weather Service has extended through Saturday night the flood warning for the Oconee River at Penfield. There is the possibility of flooding that will impact parts of Clarke, Oconee, and Greene Counties. Forecasters say there's a threat of thunderstorms today in Athens and northeast Georgia.