Author

Abby Neff

Abby Neff (she/her) is a journalist living and working in Southeast Ohio. She moved to the area from Columbus, Ohio to study at the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University. Abby interned at several news organizations and worked for a variety of student-publications in undergrad, including as Editor-in-Chief of Southeast Ohio magazine. She also earned a degree in Spanish and spent two months living in Spain.

After graduating in 2023, Abby stayed in Athens to explore her Appalachian roots and serve the community that embraced her with open arms. She is eager to continue learning about Southeast Ohio from people who have lived here for generations, as well as newer residents like herself.

Abby's Latest Articles

Group sitting before the city council.

Ohio and Athens County Leagues of Women Voters presents ward map to Nelsonville

By Abby Neff ● Government and Politics ● July 17, 2025

Trevor Martin, program coordinator for the Ohio League of Women Voters, invited residents to share their experience in creating the map to the council.

A sign for Nelsonville City Hall, and the building's exterior.

Athens County Board of Elections issues new guidelines for Nelsonville council seats

By Abby Neff ● Government and Politics ● July 10, 2025

The board of elections told city officials that a candidate cannot run for both the statutory and the charter council seats in November.

Nelsonville ward map to be presented at next council meeting

By Abby Neff ● Government and Politics ● July 10, 2025

The Ohio and Athens County Leagues of Women Voters have a draft for a proposed ward map for the city of Nelsonville. Wards can’t be established until 2026 when the statutory government is in place.

League of Women Voters engages Nelsonville residents in creating ward maps

By Abby Neff ● Government ● June 11, 2025

The League of Women Voters of Ohio and its Athens County counterpart hosted the first of three meetings to teach citizens to draw ward maps.

Nelsonville commission says one-month council positions must be on November ballot

By Abby Neff ● Government ● June 11, 2025

The Issue 23 ad-hoc advisory commission also determined the recodification of city codes will be up to the new statutory council come January 2026.

Nelsonville City Council sits around a table.

Nelsonville City Council considers options for month-long council vacancies

By Abby Neff ● Government and Politics ● May 30, 2025

The auditor and the treasurer positions are also unfilled for December.

A picture of Nelsonville City Council meeting.

Nelsonville City Council at a loss after Issue 4 fails

By Abby Neff ● Government ● May 15, 2025

The council faces mounting pressure from residents and city employees to keep the government running past Nov. 30 when the current council seats expire.

Issue 23 advisory commission recommends Nelsonville council put month-long positions on November ballot

By Abby Neff ● Government ● May 15, 2025

The committee addressed the aftermath of Issue 4’s failure and what’s next.

A man smiles before Nelsonville City Hall.

Nelsonville hires Fred Holmes as city manager

By Abby Neff ● Government ● May 9, 2025

The council also discussed payment procedures for contractors and heard updates from the ad-hoc committee overseeing implementation of Issue 23.

Screenshot of former Nelsonville City Council President Rita Nguyen under arrest.

Nelsonville reacts to former council president’s arrest at meeting

By Abby Neff ● Government ● April 17, 2025

Former President Rita Nguyen was arrested for disrupting Monday’s Nelsonville City Council meeting and ignoring calls to order.