Athens Archives - Sightseers' Delight

Athens statue honors Ben Epps, ‘Georgia’s First Aviator,’ and his role in aviation history

August 27, 2025 Sightseers’ Delight

While the story of Orville and Wilbur Wright is well-known, Ben Epps, who built and flew aircraft in the early 20th century, may not be as widely known.

Georgia lawmaker derides Athens for its homeless policy, sanctuary city policy

June 6, 2025 Sightseers’ Delight

A Georgia state representative derided Athens’ burgeoning homeless population and its sanctuary city policy, saying “these issues are not addressed, this city will continue its downfall.”

Athens officials planning open houses, online survey for West Broad, Hawthorne overhaul

January 24, 2025 Community News

The Athens-Clarke County Economic Development Department and the West Broad/Hawthorne Area Tax Allocation District Advisory Committee will host three open house sessions and an online survey during January and February.

Athens leisure services director retires after seven years at the helm

January 15, 2025 Sightseers’ Delight

Athens-Clarke County Unified Government Leisure Services Director Kent Kilpatrick is retiring on April 1, 2025, after 37 years with the department and seven as director.

Brad Griffin appointed interim manager of Athens, Georgia

January 8, 2025 Special to Sightseers’ Delight

The Athens-Clarke Commission approved Mayor Kelly Girtz’s recommendation to appoint Brad Griffin as interim manager.

Athens’ Akins Ford Arena opening delayed due to lack of certificate of occupancy

December 6, 2024 Sightseers’ Delight

The opening of Akins Ford Arena in Athens, Georgia, has been delayed after it didn’t receive a certificate of occupancy.

Athens-Clarke County seeks input on downtown College Square Plaza redevelopment

November 27, 2024 Sightseers’ Delight

Athens-Clarke County and Athens Downtown Development Authority officials are hosting two open house sessions to discuss downtown Athens’ College Square Plaza redevelopment.

Venezuelan national sentenced to life in prison

November 20, 2024 Sightseers’ Delight

An Athens-Clarke County judge has sentenced a 26-year-old Venezuelan national to life in prison without the opportunity for parole for the February murder of a nursing student.

Illegal alien guilty of murdering nursing student in Athens

November 20, 2024 Special to Sightseers’ Delight

An Athens-Clarke County judge has convicted a Venezuelan national who entered the country illegally of murdering a 22-year-old Augusta University nursing student, Laken Riley, on the University of Georgia campus in Athens.

Athens, Georgia, mayor submits recommended fiscal 2025 budget

May 1, 2024 Sightseers’ Delight

Athens-Clarke County Mayor Kelly Girtz has submitted his fiscal 2025 recommended budget to the commission for review.