The Athens County Independent believes the cited sources of information are reliable; however, these sources are responsible for the accuracy of their own reporting.
Local
Ohio University has paused awarding scholarships that reference race. The pause may also include scholarships that reference gender or sexual orientation. Despite objections from faculty, OU says the pause is necessary to ensure the university is compliant with a June U.S. Supreme Court decision barring the use of race as a factor in university admissions. (WOUB) Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost told university leaders on a call in January that proper compliance includes scholarships. (Statehouse News Bureau)
A levy on Athens County’s March primary ballot seeks more funding for Meals on Wheels. According to program representatives, the levy would allow it to provide 15,000 additional meals each year and eliminate its 60-person waitlist. (WOUB)
The Athena Cinema’s downstairs theaters remain closed, with no set reopening date as the theaters undergo ceiling renovations. Originally, construction was projected to wrap up by Feb. 9. The upstairs theater is back up and running though, with films also screening at the Ridges Auditorium. (The Post)
The Ohio University Student Farmers Club connects students to learning opportunities, agriculture and the OU student farm. (The Post)
Athens Poet Laureate Stephanie Kendrick invites local residents to submit pawpaw-themed poems for a new anthology to be released in the fall. Submit 1 to 3 poems by April 22. (Athens Municipal Arts Commission)
Regional
DPC Fabrication expects to create 45 jobs in Meigs County following a decision by the governor’s office to grant tax credits supporting a new location in Orange Township. (Office of the Governor)
Three people were killed in a single-engine plane crash in Jackson County. (Associated Press)
State
The Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission will allow fracking by two out-of-state companies in parts of a state park and two wildlife areas. This follows a court order last week denying the emergency stay environmental groups sought to stop fracking under the parks. (Ohio Capital Journal)
- Indy context: Ohio University instructor Lorraine McCosker serves on the steering committee for Save Ohio Parks, the environmental group that has fought fracking under the parks.
Ohio Senate committees will take up controversial, Republican-backed bills this week. One bill would provide tax credits for donations to so-called pregnancy distress centers, which steer pregnant people away from abortion. The other would block governments from maintaining lists of privately owned firearms or firearm owners. (Statehouse News Bureau)
- Indy context: The Pregnancy Resource Center of Athens County, a faith-based organization that opposes abortion, has locations in Athens, Nelsonville and Pomeroy.
