Shoplifter Suspect Stuffs Meat into His Pants

The suspect ran out of Bell's Wednesday before deputies arrived.

An employee of Bell's Food Store on Hog Mountain Road told Oconee County Sheriff's deputies this week that he saw a man stuffing ribs from the meat counter into his pants. Deputies were called to the store just before 9 p.m. on April 3 but the suspect had already left and fled in a white Ford Ranger.   The case is listed as active. On the same day around the same time across town at Walmart on Epps Bridge Parkway, a security guard called deputies after he says he witnessed another man attempt to steal a fountain drink and a small sack of chicken wings from the deli section of the store by placing it into a plastic bag.  The food was worth about $5. In that case, a 23-year-old Lawrenceville man was arrested and charged with misdemeanor …

• Photos (1)

Athens-Clarke Officers Take Part in 2013 Night of Blue Lights [Photos and Video]

The event Saturday at Oconee Veterans Park raised awareness and money for the Georgia Chapter of Concerns of Police Survivors.

From a SWAT tank to motorcycle units, law enforcement vehicles of all types were on display at Oconee Veterans Park on Saturday for the 3rd Annual Night of Blue Lights. Dozens of agencies were represented at the event, presented by Oconee County resident Lee Dyer in cooperation with the Oconee County Sheriff's Office and Watkinsville Police. It served to remember fallen officers and show support to their families. The crowd enjoyed live music, boiled peanuts and burgers while mingling with officers. Kids slid down a giant slide, climbed onto a fire truck and a helicopter and lined up for balloon animals, guitars and motorcycles from Up N' Away Balloons. K-9s and their handlers from Richmond, Douglas and Gwinnett counties along with the …

• Photos (53)
• Videos (2)

Athens Man Struck, Killed by Car on Loop Near 316

Officials say a 33-year-old man, who they believe was living in Athens, was helping the driver of a disabled vehicle.

A 33-year-old man living in Athens was struck by a car and killed on the Loop near Highway 316 Thursday night, according to an email release from the Oconee County Sheriff's Office and a post on the office's Facebook Page. Officials responded to the call about 11:18 p.m. "The person killed had stopped to assist the driver of another vehicle that had broken down in the travel lane," the Georgia State Patrol said in an email. "A vehicle approached the disabled vehicle and swerved to the right to avoid the car. The car in motion struck the pedestrian while swerving to avoid the collision." Officials were withholding identification until the man's family is notified. "We believe the man lived in Athens, but is from somewhere else," the Sheriff…

•  1 Comment
• Photos (1)

When Will It Be Fall in the Athens Area? When Pigs Swim

Pigs race on land and in water as part of fall events at Washington Farms in Oconee County.

Maybe pigs can't fly (yet) but they can swim, as evidenced by the latest attraction at Washington Farms of Highway 53 in Oconee County. The piglets are around 9 weeks old and have been training for about a month, John Washington told a crowd on Oct. 7. Have you visited Washington Farms this season? Share your photos by clicking on "Upload photos and videos" and tell us about your experience the comments below. Find the complete fall schedule and ticket information www.washingtonfarms.net/dates-hours-and-pricing/. The last day of the fall season is Saturday, Nov 4.

• Photos (29)
• Videos (1)

Athens Man Arrested in Oconee IHOP Brawl Case

Four were charged this week with affray and criminal damage to property stemming from the Oct. 14 fight.

Northeast Georgia Election Liveblog

A real-time look at how the July 31 primary unfolded in Athens-Clarke, Barrow, Oconee and Walton counties.

•  8 Comments
• Photos (2)

Edwin Beckham

11:06 pm on Tuesday, July 31, 2012

Ah, good times ahead in Athens ;-) Did you see the good interview with the liquor store worker who anticipated nothing but an extra day of work? Food (drink?) for thought!   more ›

Job Vacancy: Oconee County Hiring Bus Drivers

Bus drivers work 180 days per year for 20 hours per week.

  Job title: School bus driver  Employer: Oconee County Schools  Job description: Provide for the safe and efficient transportation of students Qualifications: Age requirements mandated by state laws governing school bus drivers, annual physical examination given by physician, commercial drivers license with passenger endorsement and approval and certification by the transportation manager after completing the driver training program For more information and to apply: Complete an application for a classified, non-certified position — found online — and submit it to the human resources department. Applicants should submit confidential reference forms for their two most recent employment supervisors, to be completed by the supervisors and …

• Photos (1)

Georgia 2012 Memorial Day Weekend Traffic Fatalities Already at 13

With 11 hours left in the 78-hour holiday period, Georgia has already tied last year’s number of traffic fatalities reported by Georgia State Patrol Posts.

Traffic was expected to be heavy this Memorial Day holiday travel period and Georgia State Patrol put out press releases early, urging caution before crowds hit the roads. Every year GSP keeps count of traffic accident and the injury and fatality rate on Georgia roads for the 78-hour holiday period beginning Friday at 6 p.m. and ending at midnight Memorial Day. This year, at 1 p.m. on Memorial Day, and before the heaviest travel period when everybody is headed home, GSP already reported 13 fatalities, six of them at GSP posts and the rest from other agencies. This ties the number of fatalities reported for the whole Memorial Day weekend in 2011 by GSP. When other reporting agencies were included, a total of 19 fatalities were reported in …

• Photos (1)

Caterpillar Helps Interest Potential Investors in Athens and Oconee

During day one of a two-day tour, Mayor Denson says she wants to be "the economic development mayor."

  Athens-Clarke County and Oconee economic development officials are gleefully riding the waves created by Caterpillar as they lead the first-ever Perspective on Progress Tour. The two-day tour, which began Thursday, is an chance for business leaders, site consultants and real estate agents from across the Southeast to see what the counties have to offer. It's been a collaborative effort in the works for over a year, but tour manager Mary Charles Howard said more excitement has surrounded the project since Caterpillar's announcement in February. "That's when everybody started signing up for the tour," she said. "Caterpillar saw the magic and now we're trying to convince other people." Jon Williams, president of Williams and Associates,  …

• Photos (20)
• Videos (1)