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Incumbent Eliason coasts to commissioner victory
Incumbent Athens County Commissioner Lenny Eliason, a Democrat, secured a seventh term in a three-way race that pitted him against independent candidate Bill Hayes and Republican candidate Alex Burcher. “I’m thankful for the support I’ve gotten all these years from the voters and look forward to supporting them these next four years,” Eliason said. Eliason…
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The state of Hocking College in six graphs
Many concerned over the administration of Hocking College amid recent controversy point to declines in staffing and enrollment, which they attribute to mismanagement. One place these concerns arise is “4 the LOVE of Hocking College,” a private Facebook group comprising more than 100 current and former college employees organizing to overhaul the current college administration,…
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Ohio University may face trial in suit related to former officer’s rape of minor
A judge recently denied Ohio University’s motion for summary judgment in a case related to a former OU police officer’s repeated sexual abuse of a minor in 2005-06. The survivor’s lawyer says the case will likely head to trial in November. In an affidavit, plaintiff Alison Arocho alleges former OU Police Department Officer Robert A.…
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Republican, independent challenge Eliason for county commissioner
Athens County Commissioner Lenny Eliason will see two challengers in this year’s election: Republican Alex Burcher and independent Bill Hayes. Athens resident Eliason, 67, was first elected to the county’s Board of Commissioners in 1998. Composed of Eliason and fellow Democrats Chris Chmiel and Charlie Adkins, the county’s Board of Commissioners has remained unchanged since…
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County auditor election: A rematch 20 years in the making
Athens County Treasurer Ric Wasserman, a Democrat, will challenge longtime Republican incumbent Jill Thompson for county auditor this November, reprising their matchup in 2002. In that election, Thompson defeated Wasserman 62.55% to 37.45%. Athens resident Thompson, 53, was appointed auditor in 2000; she seeks a sixth full term as auditor. “There isn’t somebody who’s going…
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Hocking College rejects board overhaul
Hocking College says that the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and the Ohio Department of Higher Education agree with the college’s assertion that an attempt to appoint three new members to the Hocking College Board of Trustees was invalid. The attempted board appointments were related to an effort led primarily by former Hocking College employees to…
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Something rotten at Hocking College?
Depending on whom you ask, Hocking College is thriving or dying. President Betty Young says “It’s pretty difficult to argue with our success,” pointing to campus renovations, new programs, and the increased diversity of the student population under her tenure. But employees and students have raised concerns about her administration almost since she first stepped…
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Proposed charter school with controversial connections could divert millions from local schools
A planned charter school with ties to evangelical Christian and politically conservative organizations could, if successful, divert approximately $2 million a year from area school districts starting in 2024.
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Facebook comments investigated as threats to local pastor, charter school board
The pastor of a local evangelical Christian church with ties to Southeast Ohio Classical Academy recently reported a threatening Facebook post to local law enforcement—including the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
