1. Body of homeless man found floating in North Oconee River
Athens-Clarke police are investigating the death of a 62-year-old homeless man found floating face down in the North Oconee River near the Willow Street bridge in Georgia. The discovery was made by a 20-year-old Atlanta man, who alerted authorities. The Athens-Clarke County Fire Department and Coroner Sonny Wilson retrieved the body, along with a blanket, shoes, bookbag, and a cell phone. Police found no immediate signs of foul play but sent the body to the crime lab for an autopsy. Next of kin notification was still pending as of Monday. This from the Athens Banner - Herald
2. Bulldogs Beat Vandy 37 – 20, despite losing Brock Bowers early
Top-ranked Georgia continued its winning streak by defeating Vanderbilt 37-20, extending its school record to 24 consecutive wins and tying the record for consecutive SEC wins. Georgia faced adversity as star tight end Brock Bowers left the game with a left foot injury, and right tackle Xavier Truss also suffered a sprained ankle. Despite these setbacks, Georgia scored 27 straight points, taking control of the game. They dominated in terms of ball possession and yardage, with running back Daijun Edwards contributing 146 yards and a touchdown. Vanderbilt, in contrast, faced a sixth straight loss and struggled to keep up. Georgia now looks ahead to their next game against Florida on October 28, following a bye week, while Vanderbilt will visit No. 13 Mississippi after their open date. Georgia's top ranking in the Top 25 remains likely, despite a slow start in this match. This from WSB - TV
3. Students host downtown protest in solidarity with Israel
A group of students organized a protest in downtown Athens to support Israel. The "Students for Solidarity with Israel" event featured flyers with a QR code offering resources and donation options. The protest, initiated by three students, aimed to show support for Israel, transcending religious and political affiliations. The students were inspired to take action after encountering a family waving the Israeli flag near the Arch in the cold. This demonstration followed rocket strikes on Israel by Hamas, resulting in casualties on both sides. The protesters used statistics and information from Stand With Us to inform bystanders about the situation. The gathering included a table with FAQs and a question about where people felt most at home, with personal answers such as "Tel Aviv carmel markets." The event aimed to connect people to the story of Israel and its significance to the Jewish community. Additional activities, like a religious prayer service and an informational meeting, were scheduled to provide more context and support for Israel. This from The Red and Black
4. Gotham Greens, which serves grocers like Publix, opens nearly 5 – acre greenhouse near Athens
Gotham Greens, a high-tech greenhouse, has opened a massive 210,000 square-foot facility in Monroe, just outside Athens. This facility, the first of its kind in the Southeast and the 12th nationwide, provides locally grown leafy greens and herbs to major supermarkets in Georgia, including Publix, The Fresh Market, Whole Foods Market, and Harris Teeter. The company was founded in 2009 and has expanded to operate 40 acres of hydroponic greenhouses across nine states, using controlled environment agriculture to grow fresh produce year-round. All of Gotham Greens' products are non-GMO and pesticide-free. The company's mission is to reduce food miles, waste, and resource consumption while promoting plant-based diets. They plan to open three more facilities in the United States in 2023. For recipe ideas and more information, consumers can visit the Gotham Greens website and social media channels. This from Athens Banner - Herald
5. Athens downtown Parade of Lights entries open
Entries for the 2023 Athens-Clarke County Downtown Parade of Lights are open until November 7 at 5 p.m., with a $40 application fee. Sponsored by ACCGov and the Athens Downtown Development Authority, the parade will take place on December 7, starting from Hancock Avenue and Pulaski Street and concluding with the Community Christmas Tree lighting ceremony in front of City Hall. This year's theme is "An Art Filled Holiday," with local artist Harold Rittenberry, Jr., known for his metal sculptures in Athens, serving as the Parade Marshal. Over 60 entries compete annually for prizes like "Most Original Float," "Best Use of Theme," and "Best Use of Lights," with the best overall float receiving the "Mayor's Award." It promises to be a festive event celebrating art and the holiday season. This from the Red and Black
6. ‘God Saved Our Baby’: GA Woman Recalls Bobcat Attack On Granddaughter
In Winterville, Georgia, a 3-year-old girl survived a bobcat attack in her grandmother's yard. The incident occurred around 6:30 p.m. when a seemingly rabid bobcat attacked the girl, Crystal Yamasato, who was playing with her cousin and aunt. The bobcat partially pulled her under a car, prompting her mother to intervene, screaming for the bobcat to release her daughter. One of the family dogs, a Husky mix, attacked the bobcat, and another dog, a black Labrador Retriever, guarded the girl. The bobcat fled, and Yamasato was rescued. Despite suffering puncture wounds and a fractured pinky finger, she is recovering well after being released from the hospital. The grandmother, Anita Scoggins, believes the bobcat was an adult weighing around 40-50 pounds, and she has started a
GoFundMe to help cover Yamasato's recovery expenses and doctor visits. Local residents are urged to be cautious and watch for bobcats, who usually keep their distance from humans.
7. 9 Things You Didn’t Know About Waffle House
Waffle House, a beloved American dining icon, had its origins in Georgia in 1955 and boasts a distinct yellow sign. FEMA uses a "Waffle House Index" to measure natural disaster severity - if it's closed, the situation is dire. It's a favorite subject in country music songs, symbolizing Southern life. Unlike most chains, it's not franchised, ensuring consistent service. Waffle House serves 145 waffles a minute, exceeding 76 million waffles a year. Surprisingly, they sell more T-bone steaks than any other U.S. restaurant. Waffle House never closes, even during holidays and disasters. Despite its widespread presence, it's concentrated in the Southeastern U.S. The company innovates in their Georgia-based culinary lab. These unique aspects make Waffle House a staple in American dining culture. This from Classic City News
8. Social Story
In Athens – Clarke County News Jade Edwards from Commerce posted “Hi friends! My name is Jade, I’m a Vet student at ATC. Since I want to specialize in large animals, I need all the experience I can get. I was recommended to this group from a neighbor on Nextdoor, where I posted this same post. I’m looking for any kind of farm work with horses/cows/donkeys. Doesn’t matter if it’s just cleaning stalls, I need the experience. Let me know what you guys have.”
Max Williams from Athens said “Sweet Olive Farm is always looking for volunteers.”
Susan Futrelle-Gregory from Athens commented “Isn’t the Clydesdale farm in Bishop hiring people? Or Southern Cross?
Trina Pippin Lawrence suggested “Contact Dr. Vincent Smith. His vet office is on the way to Crawford about a mile or two past Walmart but on the right. He works with cows and horses.”
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