Author

Dani Kington

Dani Kington (she/her) studied literature and creative writing at Ohio University, where she wrote a column in The Post, served as fiction editor for the student literary magazine and worked as a communications intern at the Voinovich School.

After graduating, Dani worked in communications at the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio until starting her journalism career as assistant editor of The Athens Messenger. Dani quickly fell in love with community journalism. She is glad to lend her background in nonprofits and community news to build this nonprofit local news source for the community she has come to call home.

Dani's Latest Articles

Image of a gavel and scales.

Local landlords settle federal sexual harassment case for $480k

By Dani Kington ● Courts ● December 18, 2025

While claims against Joe Lucas remain pending, his family members entered the settlement agreement.

Image of a gavel and scales.

Brothers arrested locally remain in ICE custody despite dismissals

By Dani Kington ● Policing & Courts ● December 18, 2025

Victor Laverde Laguna and Gregory Laverde Laguna are still in ICE custody, even though their Athens County criminal cases were dismissed.

Athens County Job and Family Services offices.

County Job and Family Services in ‘precarious’ position, making cuts

By Keri Johnson & Dani Kington ● Government ● December 17, 2025

Programs and staff are taking a hit at Athens County Job and Family Services amid a fiscal crisis of an uncertain scale.

Photo of the Johnson Run strip mine, taken from the roadside on a sunny summer day. A tractor enters the mine while another machine, mostly obscured, works at the bottom.

State report shows extent of mining activity in Athens County

By Dani Kington ● Environment ● December 11, 2025

A new report from the ODNR shows the degree and economic impact of mining in the county and state.

Former survivor advocacy org director loses bid to toss claims against her

By Dani Kington ● Nonprofits ● December 3, 2025

The Survivor Advocacy Outreach Program’s claims against Jen Seifert stand for now, though the legal battle is far from over.

Former survivor services director hopes to toss complaint against her

By Dani Kington ● Courts ● November 20, 2025

In the latest salvo in her legal battle against SAOP, Jen Seifert says facts about a 3D printer payment are in her favor.

Recycling center merges with solid waste district

By Dani Kington ● Environment ● November 19, 2025

The decision followed years of financial strain for the regional recycling center.

Victor Laverde Laguna and his brother Gregory Laverde Laguna were met in the Athens County Court of Common Pleas Wednesday by a crowd of supporters.

Court dismisses cases against brothers detained by ICE

By Dani Kington ● Courts ● November 14, 2025

The cases were dismissed with prejudice, meaning the charges cannot be brought again by the state.

Image of a gavel and scales.

ODNR faces multiple legal challenges to injection well approvals (Updated)

By Dani Kington & Eric Boll ● Environment ● November 13, 2025

The ODNR granted the fracking waste injection well permits at issue under outdated rules earlier this year.

Defense attorney Scott Petroff addresses Athens County Court of Common Pleas Judge Patrick Lang on behalf of Victor Laverde Laguna, who sits with his brother, Gregory Laverde Laguna.

County prosecutor declines to exonerate brothers detained by ICE

By Dani Kington ● Courts ● November 13, 2025

Gregory Laverde Laguna and Victor Laverde Laguna were brought to Athens County for a hearing in local criminal cases Wednesday.