Local news roundup
The 911 radio system Athens County uses is incompatible with those used by the cities of Athens and Nelsonville, neighboring counties and much of the rest of the state — and there’s three years left on the county’s contract. (Athens Messenger)
State Rep. Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville), after breaking with Republicans to vote for new House Speaker Jason Stephens, has been rewarded with the chairmanship of the House Finance Committee. (Release)
Athens City Council was encouraged to take a holistic approach to repairing and developing its network of sidewalks by an ad hoc committee created to provide recommendations. (Athens Messenger)
Read more: Athens sidewalk improvement continues, residents struggle with safety
Local school districts, including Athens City Schools and Alexander Local Schools, have been facing substitute teacher shortages, leading some districts to reduce hiring requirements. (The Post)
Ohio History Connection is one of the worst offenders identified in a new investigation of museums and universities that illegally hold unreturned remains of Indigenous people that were dug up in the name of genocide, pillage and development of the U.S. (The Columbus Dispatch)
Local context: Also on that list? Ohio University. The Independent has inquired about OU’s holdings, and will publish a story when we receive more information.
Four new Spring exhibits at OU’s Kennedy Museum of Art focus on diversity, including one acknowledging “the under representation of Black artists in KMA’s collections and [providing] the opportunity to engage Black community members in determining action steps to increase inclusion in programming and future exhibitions at the museum.” (OU)
OU’s Student Senate reappointed a former academic affairs commissioner who resigned last year after being implicated in a plot to oust the body’s treasurer — a plot that also involved a would-be Ohio House of Representatives candidate. (The New Political)
Former Nelsonville City Council members Wanda Johnson and Greg Smith castigated the current council for recent antics and urged them to “do better.” (Athens Messenger)
Read more:
Nelsonville names new interim city manager, police chief
Former city manager to pay Nelsonville restitution
Two Nelsonville City Council members resign less than one week after city manager
Scott Frank resigns as Nelsonville city manager
BCI fired new Meigs County sheriff, ex-Nelsonville PD chief in 2019 for unbecoming conduct
Local chef Becky Clark, of Little Fish Brewing Company, was announced as a semi-finalist for a James Beard Award for Best Chef – Great Lakes Region. (Little Fish)
Life is Sweet, a new bakery concept, opened at OU’s Baker Center. (The Post)
Real estate agent David Telega and Nancy Epling, Passion Works Studio’s artist in residence/studio manager, were named to the Athens Municipal Arts Commission. (Minutes)
RYZA Asian Grill, the new tenant for the former Wendy’s space on Court Street appeared before the Athens Historic Preservation Commission to seek approval for some architectural modifications. (Minutes)
The new $20 million Marietta Memorial Health System hospital on Columbus Road received work approval from FEMA and is on track to open in Spring 2023, Code Enforcement Director David Riggs told the Athens Planning Commission. (Minutes)
Obituaries
Public meetings
Meeting schedule is based on meeting notices published by public bodies and regular meeting schedules. Meeting information may change after this is posted. Check our website for the most up-to-date information.
Monday, 1/30:
7 p.m.: Athens City Council has a regular biweekly meeting at the Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., 3rd fl., Athens, and over livestream.
7 p.m.: Athens County Humane Society Board has a regular monthly meeting at the Athens Public Library, 30 Home St., Athens. In-person only. Agenda
7 p.m.: Nelsonville City Council has a special meeting to consider hiring a new police officer and a temporary city manager at Nelsonville City Hall, 211 Lake Hope Dr., Nelsonville, and over livestream.
Tuesday, 1/31:
9:30 a.m.: Athens County Commissionhas a regular weekly meeting at the Athens County Courthouse, 15 S. Court St., 2nd fl. annex, commissioners’ conference rm., Athens, and over Zoom. Agenda
Wednesday, 2/1:
9 a.m.: Little Cities of Black Diamonds Council has a regular monthly meeting over Zoom.
10 a.m.: Ohio Public Works Commission District 18 Small Government Committee has a meeting to select public works projects to submit for funding to the statewide public works commission at the Buckeye Hills Regional Council, 1400 Pike St., Marietta. In-person only. Notice
6 p.m.: Athens Environment and Sustainability Commission has a regular monthly meeting at the Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., 3rd fl., Athens. In-person only. Agenda
6 p.m.: Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District Policy Committee and subcommitteeshave a regular monthly meeting at the Scenic Springs Senior Center, 187 S. Spring St., Logan. In-person only. Agenda
6 p.m.: Waterloo Township Board of Trustees has a regular monthly meeting at the Waterloo Fire Department, 8224 Hawk Rd., New Marshfield. In-person only.
6 p.m.: Albany Village Council Finance & Personnel Committee has a regular monthly meeting at the Albany Village Hall, 5153 Alton St., Albany. In-person only.
6:30 p.m.: Albany Village Council has a regular biweekly meeting at the Albany Village Hall, 5153 Alton St., Albany. In-person only.
7 p.m.: Coolville Village Council has a regular monthly meeting at the Coolville Village Hall, 26319 Main St., Coolville. In-person only. Agenda
Thursday, 2/2:
9 a.m.: Athens County Municipal Court has an arraignment hearing in the case of misdemeanor assault charges filed against Gabriella Wolman for kicking protester Clay Lewis during a Jan. 21 protest outside Artifacts Gallery. Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., 2nd fl., Athens, and over Zoom by request. Summons to Appear
Read more: Assault charges filed after attack at Artifacts Gallery protest (Updated)
12 p.m.: Athens Planning Commission has a regular biweekly meeting at the Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., 3rd fl., Athens, and over livestream. Agenda
2 p.m.: Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council‘s Personnel Committee has a meeting at the Ohio University Innovation Center, 340 W. State St., rm. 135A, Athens. In-person only. Agenda
6 p.m.: Buchtel Village Council has a regular monthly meeting at the Buchtel Village Hall, 17710 N. Akron Ave., Nelsonville. In-person only.
6 p.m.: Dover Township Board of Trustees has a regular monthly meeting at the Dover Township Garage, 15947 Main St., Millfield. In-person only.
Friday, 2/3:
11:30 a.m.: Buckeye Hills Regional Council Executive Committee has a regular monthly meeting at the Buckeye Hills Regional Council, 1400 Pike St., Marietta. In-person only. Notice
