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July 30, 2024 7 mins

Hello and welcome to the Athens-Clarke County Cast, one of Feedspot’s Top 20 Georgia News Podcasts. I’m Melissa Carter. In today's episode, we'll dive into the latest headlines impacting our community, brought to you by Drake Realty.

 

Athens News:

 

  • Courthouse Reopens Post Bed Bug Infestation: The Athens-Clarke County Courthouse has reopened this week after dealing with a bed bug infestation that closed three levels for treatment. This isn't the first time—the courthouse faced a similar issue back in February 2023. From 11 Alive.
  • Athens Academy Construction Boom: Athens Academy is undergoing $4.5 million worth of significant construction and infrastructure improvements, including renovations to Erwin Hall and a new tennis center. Despite the ongoing construction, their summer programs saw record enrollment. From the Red & Black.
  • St. Mary's Hospital Recognized: U.S. News & World Report has named St. Mary’s Hospital among the 2024-25 Best Hospitals for high performance in heart attack, stroke, and hip and knee replacement. This marks the hospital's second consecutive year of recognition. From the Athens Banner-Herald.

UGA Sports:

 

  • Legal Troubles for Bulldog Player: Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Rodarius "Rara" Thomas faces serious legal issues, including charges of second-degree cruelty to children and family violence battery. He remains in custody without bond and is suspended from the team. From Fox 5.

Tune in for detailed coverage and insights on these stories and more, right here on the Athens-Clarke County Cast!

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Chapters

00:00 Bedbug Infestation at Athens-Clarke County Courthouse
03:31 Genetics and Vegetarian Diets
04:49 Expansion of Normaltown Brewing
06:13 Remodeling of Hilton Garden into Marriott Courtyard

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Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
S1 (00:01):
From the Athens Tech Studios. This is the Athens-Clarke County
cast covering the latest stories that affect you in and
around Athens. Now let's give you our top stories.

S2 (00:15):
Hello and welcome to the Athens-Clarke County cast! Want to
feed Spot's top 20 Georgia news podcast? My name is
Melissa Carter. Here are your top stories brought to you
by Drake Realty. The Athens-Clarke County Courthouse has reopened this
week after being temporarily closed due to a bedbug infestation.
Bedbugs were found on three levels of the courthouse, prompting
a full treatment of the facility. This is not the

(00:35):
first time the courthouse has faced this issue. It was
also closed in February of last year due to bedbugs.
The source of the infestation remains unknown. This from 11
alive Athens Academy is undergoing significant construction and infrastructure improvements
this summer, investing over $4.5 million to enhance its campus.
The top ranked private school in Athens and northeast Georgia

(00:58):
is renovating Erwin Hall, building a new tennis center and
repaving all campus roadways and parking lots. Despite the construction,
Athens Academy's summer programs have seen record enrollment, with over
1200 campers attending throughout the seven weeks. The school is
also set to welcome nearly 100 new students and 13
new faculty members for the new Year. This from the

(01:18):
red and black U.S. News and World Report, is named
Saint Mary's Hospital. Among the 20 2425 Best Hospitals for
High Performance and Heart Attack, stroke, and Hip and Knee Replacement.
This marks the second consecutive year that Saint Mary's has
received this recognition. Astonish Pierce, president and CEO of Trinity
Health Georgia, which oversees Saint Mary's, emphasized the hospital's dedication

(01:41):
to patient safety, quality and experience. U.S. news evaluated nearly
5000 hospitals in 15 specialties and 20 procedures and conditions
to compile its rankings. This from the Athens Banner-herald.

S1 (01:54):
A new exciting podcast about dads for dads legacy makers
A conversation for dads download now wherever you get your podcasts.

S3 (02:04):
It pays to know your doctor. It pays to know
your lawyer. And now more than ever, it pays to
know your local real estate professional. Hi, I'm Jeffrey Drake
with Drake Realty, and we have seven offices in the
metro Atlanta area, including two right here in Cobb County
and one at Lake Oconee. I'm the proud leader of
over 700 agents here in Georgia, and we pride ourselves
in professional service. Whether you are the buyer or the seller.

(02:26):
Drake Realty makes the home buying process seamless from contract
to close. Our agents are a little different. They're not
pushing for the quick sale and close. They are pushing
for the best price and terms for their client. In
other words, Drake Realty fights for you. Now's the time
to buy that dream home, vacation home, or new home.
Your family deserves a lot of real estate agents. Talk big.
Let my team at Drake Realty prove they will fight

(02:47):
for you. I'm Jeffrey Drake, and I'd be honored to
have my team serve you. Visit us online at Drake Realty.com.
And remember, it's not how quick you sell or buy,
it's what the deal provides for your future.

S2 (03:01):
From the We Love Athens Facebook page, the post says
I was in Athens this past weekend and saw the
Hilton garden was boarded up. What is going on here?
Kathy Young said wow, shocking. Rachel Killingsworth said well, the
same company owns it. They remodeling and rebranding it to
a marriott courtyard. And Jason Wimberly concurred. Bought by someone
new and going to be redone and changed to a courtyard.

(03:24):
A new study from the University of Georgia reveals that
genetics play a crucial role in determining if a vegetarian
diet is right for you. While vegetarianism can lead to
health benefits like lowered cholesterol and decreased risk of heart
disease and type two diabetes, for some it may come
with drawbacks. The study analyzed data from over 150,000 participants,
identifying genetic differences that influence how individuals respond to a

(03:47):
vegetarian diet. Key findings include lower cholesterol levels in vegetarians,
but also lower vitamin D and higher triglyceride levels compared
to non-vegetarians. The study highlighted specific gene variants that alter
health outcomes, such as one related to calcium metabolism and
another affecting testosterone levels. Lead author Michael Francis emphasized the

(04:08):
importance of personalized nutrition, suggesting that people with specific nutritional
needs consider genetic testing to optimize their diets. This from
the red and black. In sports from Fox five, Georgia
Bulldogs wide receiver Rodarius Thomas is facing serious legal trouble.
Thomas was arrested early Friday morning in Athens and has

(04:29):
been charged with multiple felonies. Thomas faces three counts of
second degree cruelty to children and three counts of family
violence battery. He was booked into the Athens Clark County
Jail and remains in custody without bond. The Bulldogs have
suspended Thomas from the team. And finally, Normaltown Brewing. The
Athens brewery that opened just after the Covid 19 pandemic

(04:49):
is set for an exciting expansion. The brewery is relocating
to 425 Barber Street, formerly occupied by Jittery Joe's Roastery.
The new location will increase their space from 1000 to
over 3000ft², offering a larger taproom, outdoor seating and areas
for food trucks. Normal Town Brewery has closed its current
Oneida Street location, with plans for a mid-August soft opening

(05:11):
at the new site. This from the Athens Banner-herald.

S1 (05:15):
Achieve more with Athens Tech at Athens Technical College. Their
programs can connect you with in-demand and high paying careers.

S4 (05:24):
I graduated from Athens Tech in May and started my
job two weeks later. I had the job before I left,
thanks to my professor and just focusing on growing a career.

S1 (05:35):
As far as Athens Tech, I think I've been a
member of the advisory panel for ten years now, and
it's been it's been an awesome experience.

S5 (05:46):
I'm currently going to Athens Tech. I started out as
an accounting major. I've finished all my accounting classes and
then switched over to the culinary and baking program.

S6 (05:58):
My name is Alex Lange. I'm an electromechanical engineering student.
This is my second year at Athens Tech and I
graduate in December. The long term goal is to work
for the railroad, whether that be Norfolk Southern or CSX.

S1 (06:11):
Achieve more with Athens Tech. Find out more at Athens Techedu.
Learn how to succeed and win big in life, plus much,
much more. Listen to the Red Hot Read podcast wherever
you get your podcasts. Thanks for listening to the Athens-Clarke
County cast, and don't forget to subscribe wherever you get

(06:32):
your podcasts! This podcast is.

S7 (06:34):
A production of BG ad Group. All rights reserved.

S1 (06:40):
This podcast aggregates content from other sources for informational purposes,
and is in no way trying to infringe on the
copyrights or businesses of any other entities. All content posted
up on the site is used under the Fair Use
Copyright Law 107. All audio media and articles are copyrighted
to the original owners. All audio in this podcast are
embedded from YouTube.com and are owned by the respective copyright owners.

(07:00):
No audio information are copyrighted or stored on our servers.
The court ruled that linking or embedding copyrighted videos is
not copyright infringement, even if the source video was uploaded
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(07:21):
respective copyright owners. Where possible, the appropriate accreditation or source
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Downloading of these files to one's computer is strictly prohibited.
They are owned by the respective copyright owners. If it
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content used on our site containing copyrighted knowledge, conflicts with

(07:41):
authorized use, and or does not comply with fair use
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page and we will remove the offending content immediately. Thanks
for listening to the Athens-Clarke County cast.
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