Page 8 - Tim Denson News Today

The Athens-Clarke County Commission passed a resolution that confirms the updates on the Clayton Street construction that were discussed in last week’s work session during a special called session Tuesday. The resolution will eliminate most plans to add planters, except at sidewalk bump-outs and corners. It would also add motorcycle parking spaces and include stairs in needed areas.  The planters are being removed from the project plan in order to create more sidewalk space for pedestri...

The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission discussed adjusted plans for construction on Clayton Street that would provide more pedestrian sidewalk space, a new river access point and eliminating hostile architecture downtown during a work session Tuesday evening. Two ACC Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax program administrators, Keith Sanders and Diana Jackson, presented the commission with the newly updated plans that the commission is set to vote on during their next voting session. Th...

A bill from Rep. Houston Gaines to ban defund the police efforts will not hinder efforts to rethink public safety in Athens, commissioners say. Gaines’s bill passed the Georgia legislature and is on its way to the governor’s desk awaiting Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature. This legislation would ban local governments from reducing a police departments budget by more than 5% in a one-year period.  Exceptions to this include police departments with less than 25 officers or if revenue falls more ...

The Athens-Clarke County Mayor and Commission debated accepting a training grant for the ACC Police Department and discussed plans for outdoor dining plazas and sustainable development in the city in an agenda setting session Tuesday evening. Commissioners discussed accepting a state grant of $221,500 for an officer training program for ACCPD, which will aim to reduce “the amount of force and levels of force used by officers,” according to the legislation. District 6 Commissioner Jess...

Madeline Polites and Cooper Holmes perched outside the last remaining historic home on the lot on the corner of East Broad and Wilkerson Street with signs reading “Shame on Landmark Properties” and “Athens, Say No to a Parking Deck in Pottery Town.” Polites, Holmes and even Athens semi-prominent Pink Flamingo would go on to continue their protest most afternoons for several days, waving at passing cars as they honked in support. The lot is part of a larger expansion project by Landmark...

Athens-Clarke to study Tallassee Road safety after 3 fatal wrecks this year In less than two months this year, three people died in vehicle crashes along Tallassee Road in north Athens. Now, two elected officials want to see if theres a way to make travel on the road safer. Tallassee sees heavy traffic due to numerous residential subdivisions and a middle school along its corridor, and it intersects with Lavender and Whitehead roads. Athens-Clarke County Commissioner Tim Denson said Wednesday...

A Republican-backed bill advancing in the Georgia House would block "defund the police" movements in cities and counties, after Atlanta and Athens debated plans to cut or redirect spending following racial injustice protests last year.

ATLANTA (AP) — A Republican-backed bill advancing in the Georgia House would block “defund the police” movements in cities and counties, after Atlanta and Athens debated plans to cut or redirect...

Charlotte Norsworthy For the Athens Banner-Herald A deal that would enable student parking to be built on public property fell through in December, but the result of this dispersal will likely mean the demolition of the part of Athens known as Pottery Town.  The Deal   Landmark Properties announced in 2019 that it would be breaking ground on its Phase II development of The Mark, a luxury student housing complex on Oconee Street just outside of downtown. The Phase II tower will include 160,00...

New Year’s Day is often seen as a step forward, but for advocates of eliminating cash bail in Georgia, it will inevitably be a step backward. Senate Bill 402 is set to go into effect on Jan. 1. The bill, sponsored by six Republican state senators, eliminates release under Own Recognizance for a number of felony charges including murder, rape, aggravated assault, robbery, driving under the influence and bail jumping.  Release under OR is a way for those accused of committing a crime to a...