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
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Servicesannounced Friday that it is working to complete distribution of November SNAP benefits by mid-week. In Athens County, 13.5% of residents rely on the benefits. Still, Southeast Ohio food banks and pantries say it will take time for families to recover from the disruption to benefits caused by the federal government shutdown. (WOUB)
Athens County Commissioners authorized the Athens County Department of Jobs and Family Services to dissolve the Athens County Community Cares Fund, which has supported locally funded programs including Winterfest, Operation Full Belly and the Athens County Back to School Bash. However, JFS no longer has sufficient staff to maintain the fund. (Athens Messenger)
The Athena Cinema on Court Street is among 41 independent cinemas that have been selected for grants to bring science to the movies. The cinema will receive $7,500 to create and present three or more Science on Screen events. (Ohio Today)
The Nelsonville Public Square fountain is currently undergoing restoration in Alabama to address years of significant corrosion. The historic fountain will also be cosmetically reworked to appear closer to its original 1904 design. (Athens Messenger)
Wayne National Forest released information Monday about prescribed burns scheduled to take place November to January, including the areas where burns will take place. (U.S. Forest Service)
State
Ohio Secretary of StateFrank LaRose announced that his office updated its online ‘Find My District’ tool to reflect recently redefined congressional districts. Users can view their current and newly established congressional districts, which will be used for candidates running for office next year. The new maps will last until 2032. (Ohio Secretary of State)
Bills:
- Senate Joint Resolution 7 was introduced in October to amend the Ohio Constitution to allow cities, towns and schools to tax land values. Whether to levy taxes on land value would be determined by subdivisions like elected school boards. (Statehouse News Bureau)
- The Ohio House unanimously passed House Bill 359, creating a statewide emergency system to alert law enforcement if an autistic child, or child with a similar disability, goes missing. The new notifications would be called Joshua Alerts, named after a six-year-old who drowned after disappearing in November last year. (Statehouse News Bureau)
- Lawmakers have introduced Senate Joint Resolution 8, a proposal intended to update the Ohio Constitution to declare hunting and fishing as fundamental rights. (NBCi4)
- Ohio House Democrats introduced a bill to protect renters that would require landlords to notify tenants of rent defaults before filing for eviction. Among other requirements, the landlord would be required to offer the tenant an opportunity to negotiate a payment plan. (NBC4i)
