Community Corner

🌱 Patch AM: What Athens’ new 3.0% unemployment rate means for local jobseekers.

Coming up: The Athens Water Festival on the Athens Patch calendar

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Saturday August 29th Patch AM
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Hello again Athens! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☕️️

In today's newsletter:

  • What Athens' new 3.0% unemployment rate means for local jobseekers.
  • What officers say they found in an Athens traffic stop search
  • Want to ask Angélique Kidjo a question live in Athens?

Also on today's calendar: The Athens Water Festival and 7 more events.

Today's riddle: What has a neck but no head? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

  • Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 85 and low of 69 degrees.
  • Sunday: A t-storm around in the p.m., temps: high: 86, low: 70. 🌶 Hot!
  • Monday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 91 and low of 70 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Metro Athens' Unemployment Rate Falls to 3.0% in July (athensceo.com) — Athens' four‑county metro jobless rate dipped to 3.0% in July, with more than 108,000 residents employed and 106,400 local jobs on the books. State labor officials highlight broad gains while sharing contacts and online tools for residents seeking unemployment help, job listings, or detailed labor‑market data.
   

2. 2 men arrested after drugs, guns found during Athens traffic stop (fox5atlanta.com) — A recent Athens traffic stop near Washington and East Dougherty streets led police to seize suspected MDMA pills, marijuana, cash, and two firearms, and to arrest two 23-year-old men on felony drug and weapons charges. Both were booked into Clarke County Jail, and ACCPD is asking residents to report suspected drug activity through its dedicated tip line.
   

3. Join African Perspectives' Akinloye Ojo for a live interview with Angélique Kidjo at the 40 Watt (wuga.org) — Athens residents can see Grammy‑winner Angélique Kidjo live at the 40 Watt on Sept. 9, during a free, recorded interview for WUGA's African Perspectives. Her three‑day UGA residency also includes a Sept. 10 Hodgson Concert Hall performance, and locals are invited to submit questions for the broadcast and enter a CD giveaway.
   

4. Athens hosts GMA's 2026 Mayor's Leadership Academy (wuga.org) — Sixty mayors from across Georgia are in Athens wrapping up a three‑day Mayor's Leadership Academy at UGA's Georgia Center, focused on crisis management and day‑one readiness. The Georgia Municipal Association's program, held every other year, brings experts and peer learning to help new and veteran mayors better serve their cities.
   

5. Invasive Joro spiders not as threatening as first feared (wsbtv.com) — Athens-based UGA researchers say those big yellow Joro spiders aren't pushing out native spiders or threatening people and pets. By analyzing hundreds of spiders across the Southeast, they found Joros eat a wider range of insects, including pests like leafhoppers and aphids, and warn that trying to kill them could actually hurt local ecosystems and yards.
   

📸 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!

📣 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

    Saturday August 29
  • 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
  • Brandon Sears Band @ Oconee BBQ festival →
    Rocket Field
    6:00 pm
    • Monday August 31
  • Varsity Softball at Apalachee High School
    Oconee County High Watkinsville, GA 30677
    5:30 pm

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

 

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💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

  • Please share & repost to help reunite this lost cat!
    Sweetie was lost on August 27, 2026 in Athens, GA 30605 near Near Lexington vintage Sharing for a neighbor. For the latest information or to contact… (Nextdoor Bar H)
  • 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)
  • Unified Government of Athens-Clarke County posted a job opening for Police Inventory Control Clerk II /Evidence in Athens. Apply here.
  • David's Bridal, Inc. posted a job opening for Seasonal Alterations Specialist 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: A bottle (Thank you Netty W. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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