Note: All information is current as of The Scoop’s production on Tuesday morning. Click the links for the most up-to-date information.
Holiday announcements
- Nelsonville-York toy giveaway: The Nelsonville Division of Fire will hold its annual Jim Conrad Memorial Toy Giveaway for children living in the Nelsonville-York City School District from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 11, and Thursday, Dec. 12, at the firehouse on Lake Hope Drive. Parents will need photo IDs to verify residencies.
- Hurricane Helene toy drive: Through Dec. 12, the Waterloo Township Volunteer Fire Department is accepting donations for Hurricane Helene survivors in North Carolina and Tennessee. Donations may be dropped off at any Athens County Emergency Medical Services stations, the Athens County Title Office, Tractor Supply, Spices of Life Gourmet Coffee and the Waterloo Township VFD. Items requested include: new, unwrapped Christmas gifts for children (toys); heaters, generators, kerosene, gas, tools, etc.
- Toy drive in The Plains: The Plains Volunteer Fire Department is collecting new, unwrapped toys through Dec. 21. Drop-off locations are: Spices of Life, 12 N. Plains Road; Dollar General, 70 N. Plains Road; and Deputy’s Auto Repair, 110 N. Plains Road. Free hot coffee or hot chocolate per toy donation at Spices of Life.
Honor Rolls
- Alexander Junior/Senior High School: First quarter 2024–25
Want to see your school’s honor roll in The Scoop? Tell them to send it to us at info@athensindependent.com!
General announcements
- Heating assistance: Local residents in need can get help paying home heating bills or to maintain/restore heating services this winter.
- HAPCAP Winter Crisis Program: Helps households maintain or restore electric or gas heating services. To qualify, households must be facing may qualify for assistance if their heating system breaks or they are facing shutoff, and have a total gross income at or below 175% of the federal poverty limit.
- Home Energy Assistance Program: Helps households at or below 175% of federal poverty level to pay heating bills. Older residents can get help in applying through their local Area Agency on Aging. Schedule an appointment with HAPCAP at 740-868-1908.
- Bus route changes: Effective Monday, Dec. 16, Services on Athens Public Transit routes will change effective Monday, Dec. 16:
- Line 2 (East State Street/Richland Avenue) will run until 8:30 p.m. Monday–Friday.
- Line 4 (East State Street/2nd Street) will be temporarily suspended.
- Line 6 (Athens/Chauncey) will run until 8 p.m. Monday–Friday
- 2025 dog licenses: Dog licenses for 2025 are on sale now through Jan. 31, 2025, at the Athens County Auditor’s Office, 15. S. Court St. in Athens, and the Athens County Dog Shelter on SR 13 outside Chauncey. Licenses also can be purchased online. Current licensees will receive renewal applications in the mail.
- Community Clinic dates for December: The Heritage Community Clinic has announced mobile service dates for December. A limited number of walk-in appointments are available, but reserved appointments are recommended; call 740-593-2432 to set up an appointment or for more information.
- STI & Sexual Health: Tuesday, Dec. 10, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., 16 W. Green Drive, Athens; Tuesday, Dec. 17, 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Piggly Wiggly parking lot, 70 N. Plains Road, The Plains.
- Diabetes Care: Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., 16 W. Green Drive, Athens.
- Women’s Health: Thursday, Dec. 12, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., 16 W. Green Drive, Athens.
- Food Pantry: Tuesday, Dec. 17, 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., 16 W. Green Drive, Athens.
- Primary Care: Wednesday, Dec. 18, 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., 16 W. Green Drive, Athens.
- Tri-County project bids: The Tri-County Career Center Board of Education intends to contract for criteria architect/engineer services for the design and build of two projects: expanding the existing cosmetology lab and renovations of the adult education center. Firms interested in consideration for a contract should send a statement of qualifications by 2 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 9 to district Treasurer Rodney Schilling, Tri-County Career Center, 15676 SR 691, Nelsonville.
- Volunteers wanted: National Alliance on Mental Illness Athens seeks volunteers who are passionate about mental health awareness for its peer-led programming. Volunteers will receive free training as well as ongoing support as they lead programs. Training is currently scheduled for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 17-18, 2025, in Athens. For more information, contact Rachel Lehn at 740-593-7424 or rachel@namiathensohio.org.
- Firefighter nominations: The Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office is accepting nominations for recognition at its 2025 Ohio Fire Service Hall of Fame and Fire Awards ceremony. Nominations are due Dec. 20.
- Athens leaf pickup: City of Athens loose-leaf pickup is in Area #2 this week through Friday, Dec. 6, including the Westside, Highland/Congress, University Estates and Uptown.
- Nelsonville leaf pickup: This is the last week for loose leaf pickup in Nelsonville, which will occur on Wednesday, Dec. 4, and Friday, Dec. 6, between 8:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. Rake leaves to curbside; do not include branches, sticks, grass clippings or tall grass, which can clog and damage equipment. City crews will not rake leaves.
- Audit released: The Ohio Auditor of State has released the following audits:
- Athens County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Jan. 1, 2022–Dec. 31, 2023.
- Ohio University Foundation, July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024.
Traffic advisories
- Monroe Street: New stop signs have been installed on streets that intersect with Monroe Street.
- Converse Street: Crews are installing service laterals with a flagging operation on Nov. 18–19.
- Jacobs Avenue: Crew will be on Jacobs Avenue between Nye Street and Birge Drive. Birge Drive from SR13 to Ellis Road will be open to local traffic only on Tuesday, Nov. 19, and Wednesday, Nov. 20.
- Paving: Crew will begin laying asphalt on Thursday, Nov. 21, or Friday, Nov. 22, and will include Monroe, May and Mill streets. Expected completion: Nov. 27.
