All information is current as of The Scoop’s production on Tuesday morning. Click the links for the most up-to-date information. The Athens County Independent believes the cited sources of information are reliable; however, these sources are responsible for the accuracy of their own reporting.
Submit news and information to info@athensindependent.com by noon on Mondays for inclusion in Tuesday’s issue of The Scoop.
Local
Republic Bank has asked Athens County Common Pleas Court Judge George McCarthy to determine how to distribute $349,522 from the account used by the cyber scammers who defrauded the City of Athens of nearly $722,000. The account also held money the scammers stole from a Florida-based real estate developer. (WOUB)
- Indy context: In December 2024, the city filed suit against its anonymous scammers to freeze funds in the account from which over $700,000 was stolen. Former judge Tom Hodson breaks down the new filing in the latest Inside Courts column.
The Trimble Local School District contracted with Shared Services Alliance for $25,000 at its most recent board meeting. The organization will advise the district amid its financial crisis. (WOUB)
- Indy context: According to records obtained by the Independent, the district faces a $1.6+ million deficit this year, reportedly due to overcharging of grants in 2023 and 2024.
Amid last week’s winter storm, volunteers and organizations collaborated to provide shelter and meals to unhoused Athens County residents. (WOUB)
Region
Advocates say the Jan. 2 explosion of a fracking well pad operated by Gulfport Energy in Guernsey County reflects broader problems with Ohio’s oil and gas industry. The industry, meanwhile, argues that major accidents are rare. (Ohio Capital Journal)
State
A new Ohio law will likely lead to more villages voting on dissolution, resulting in fewer villages statewide. The law aims to hold taxing entities accountable by creating an automatic review process. (The Ohio Newsroom)
Gov. Mike DeWine signed a law prohibiting Ohio financial institutions from using a separate merchant code for gun shops or requiring gun owners to purchase liability insurance. The law also prevents governments or agencies from maintaining a list of gun owners. (Ohio Capital Journal)
A federal judge vacated the Biden administration’s Title IX rule, which aimed to protect LGBTQ+ students and pregnant students in educational institutions. The rule had expanded Title IX to include gender identity and sexual orientation. (Ohio Capital Journal)
Dr. Amy Acton, Ohio’s former Ohio Health Department director, announced her candidacy for Ohio governor in 2026. She emphasized her commitment to addressing the struggles of Ohioans and criticized “self-serving politicians and special interests.” (Ohio Capital Journal)
Gov. DeWine signed a bill that overhauls Ohio’s driver’s license suspension process. The new law eliminates suspensions for certain offenses, such as drug offenses, school truancy, and overdue court fines, and creates more leniency in reinstating licenses. (Statehouse News Bureau)
DeWine also signed a bill requiring schools to notify parents if a child identifies as LGBTQ+, drawing rebuke from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups. (Buckeye Flame)
