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
An operating levy for Alexander Local Schools will appear on the March 19 primary ballot, after voters opposed a levy renewal in November. If the levy fails, the district expects to lay off teachers and lose some specialized classes, among other changes. (WOUB)
The city of Athens anticipates a lawsuit after a September incident during an Athens Fire Department training at a Quidel office building caused significant water damage. (WOUB)
The Village of Chauncey will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for phase one of its sanitary sewer collection system project on March 11 at 1 p.m., at 44 Converse Street. The $6.8 million project has been in the works for four years, though the sewer system has caused issues in the village for 30. (Village of Chauncey)
Ohio University will cover cost increases in healthcare premiums for faculty and staff in fiscal year 2025. OU will also allocate funding to each university division for merit-based raises averaging 2% for eligible employees. (Ohio University)
Appalachian Understories will offer a free, 11.5 mile bike tour on March 16 at 10 a.m. The tour begins at the Nelsonville Public Library and will proceed to the site of company town Hopperville in Wayne National Forest. (Rural Action)
The Dairy Barn Arts Center received a $19,000 Ohio History Fund grant from the Ohio History Connection to restore the three cupolas on the building’s roof. (Ohio History Connection)
State
The Ohio Senate and Ohio House both passed separate, bipartisan spending bills in recent weeks — but neither chamber will consider the other’s amid Republican infighting. (News 5 Cleveland)
- Indy context: The Ohio House bill included funding for many community projects in Athens.
Gov. Mike DeWine wants to convene a working group to examine the state’s handling of people with mental illness who are accused of crimes. Over 90% of patients residing in Ohio’s psychiatric hospitals are receiving treatment in order to be declared mentally competent to stand trial. (Statehouse News Bureau)
A newly introduced bill in the Ohio House of Representatives would increase fines for reckless driving in construction zones. Nearly three dozen ODOT workers were struck in January and February this year; in 2023, 56 workers were hit by passing traffic. (Ohio Capital Journal)
Abortion providers across Ohio have asked a Hamilton County court to declare Ohio’s six-week ban on abortions unconstitutional, following the passage of an abortion-related amendment to the state constitution in November. (Ohio Capital Journal)
More than 650,000 Ohioans lost their Medicaid coverage in the past year, after supplemental funding for Medicaid ended in April 2023. (Statehouse News Bureau)
Thousands of Ohioans submitted comments opposing rules proposed by the governor’s office that would restrict healthcare for transgender youth and institute reporting requirements for all transgender healthcare. (Ohio Capital Journal)
