Community Corner
🌱 Patch AM: Police make arrest tied to reported downtown Athens sexual assault case
Coming up on the Athens Patch calendar: In The End - Linkin Park Tribute
Hey there, Athens! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
- Police make arrest tied to reported downtown Athens sexual assault case
- How two frightening hoax calls put Athens police on high alert
- What the Homeless Day Service Center's closure means for Athens residents
Also on today's calendar: The Athens Water Festival and 7 more events.
Today's riddle: What did the tree say when Spring arrived? 🤔 (Answer below!)
From our Partner
Today's Athens Patch AM is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. After investing billions to light up their network from big cities to small towns, T-Mobile is America's Best Mobile Network in the US according to Ookla Speedtest®. Based on analysis by Ookla® of Speedtest Intelligence® data 1H 2026. We thank T-Mobile for their support in helping to keep communities like ours connected and for making today's Athens Patch AM possible.
Find a T-Mobile store near Athens. 
- Friday: Humid with a heavy t-storm, with a high of 86 and low of 69 degrees. 🌶 Hot!
- Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 87, low: 68.
- Sunday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 86 and low of 70 degrees.
📰 News we're reading
1. Athens man arrested in downtown sexual assault investigation (nowgeorgia.com) — Athens-Clarke County police have arrested a 49-year-old Athens man on fraud-related charges tied to an ongoing investigation into a reported sexual assault near City Hall downtown. Investigators say more charges are possible and are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Giselle Elmore as they continue looking into what happened. 
2. Athens police surround house; discover a swatting call (onlineathens.com) — Athens-Clarke police say a terrifying 911 report of a killing and planned arson at a Willow Run home Tuesday turned out to be a swatting hoax traced to California. In a separate Aug. 21 incident, officers also investigated a fake kidnapping ransom call involving an Athens woman found safe at a Chick-fil-A on Atlanta Highway, highlighting rising phone-based extortion scams.
3. Advantage Behavioral Health Systems to close Homeless Day Service Center (wuga.org) — Athens' Homeless Day Service Center on North Avenue will wind down basic-needs services starting now, with showers and laundry ending by September 25 and mail services available until October 16. Advantage Behavioral Health Systems is stepping back from operating the center, while Mayor Kelly Girtz says Athens-Clarke County will work with other providers to maintain access to essential services for people experiencing homelessness.
4. 40,000 pounds of food arrives to Athens food bank (wuga.org) — A massive 40,000‑pound food shipment has arrived at the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia in Athens, helping feed an estimated 1,400 people for a week across 15 counties. The delivery, part of a national America250 and Latter-day Saints initiative, drew local elected officials and church leaders who highlighted how volunteer-grown and packaged food is supporting families facing hunger in our area.
5. The Athens Film Festival returns to downtown Athens for its third year (wuga.org) — Downtown Athens will be buzzing this weekend as the Athens Film Festival returns for its third year, screening more than 130 films at Cine, the Morton Theatre, The Globe, and Flicker. With passes available, Q&As, networking events, and an awards show, organizers say there's something on the schedule for every kind of movie fan.
📸 Around Athens
Show off your photography skills and the sights around town! Click here to submit your Photo of the Day to Patch AM!
🗓 Upcoming Events in Athens
Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!
★ Featured events ★
- In The End - Linkin Park Tribute →
40 Watt Club, 285 W Washington St, Athens
7:00 pm
Friday August 28
Want to see your event featured? Click here!
Other local events
- Athens Farmers Market at Bishop Park →
Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar, 705 Sunset Drive, Athens
8:00 am - "Creek Walk" at Sandy Creek Nature Center →
Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar, 205 Old Commerce Rd, Athens
10:00 am - The Keepin' it Clean Dirty Dance Party!
Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Little Kings Shuffle Club
5:00 pm - KACCB Dirty Dance Party →
Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar, Little Kings Shuffle Club 223 W. Hancock Street, Athens
5:00 pm - Author Event - Barnard the Barber
Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Athens Clarke County Regional Library
2:30 pm - Meet Us in the Lobby →
Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar, 124 E Hancock Ave, Athens
9:00 am - West Broad/Hawthorne Area TAD Advisory Committee meeting-September 1, 2026 →
Athens-Clarke County, GA Calendar Athens, GA 30601
2:30 pm - The Athens Water Festival →
Sandy Creek Park, 400 Bob Holman Rd, Athens
10:00 am - Free Bra Fittings to Support Breast Cancer Awareness →
Belk, 3700 Atlanta Hwy, Athens
10:00 am
Saturday August 29
Sunday August 30
Tuesday September 1
Saturday September 12
Wednesday September 16
📣 Athens Shout Outs!
Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!
🗓 Events Nearby
- MBMS Softball vs. Morgan County (OVP)
Malcom Bridge Middle Oconee Veterans Park (Oconee County Parks & Rec Department), 3500A Hog Mountain Rd, Watkinsville, GA 30677, USA
5:00 pm - Varsity Football at Clarke Central
Oconee County High Watkinsville, GA 30677
7:30 pm - JV/V Boys & Girls XC at North GA Championships
Oconee County High Watkinsville, GA 30677
8:15 am - Marigold Farmers Market →
Pittard Park, 115 Parkview Rd, Winterville
9:00 am
Friday August 28
Saturday August 29
Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.
Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.
💬 Chatter
What your neighbors are talking about on social media
- Found a lost puppy in the parking lot of Waffle House on Barnett Shoals Road.
We are taking him to ACC Animal Services when they open. (Nextdoor The Woodlands) - Bambi, the Male deer has been coming to visit since he was a Baby with his mother and 2 sisters.
Over the last few days he shows up in the morning with his Girlfriend. My Wife has named her Faline, from the Disney Movie. It is fascinating to… (Nextdoor Whitehead Road)
- University of Georgia posted a job opening for Assistant or Associate Professor – Meat Science Extension and Teaching in Athens. Apply here.
- MyJobsCorner posted a job opening for Medical Biller Jobs: Hiring Immediately! Full Time / Part Time - $20-$37/Hr in Athens. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Athens here.
Ok Athens! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: What a re-leaf! (Thank you Flo G. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!
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