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Local nonprofit apparently fired longtime employee over Palestine activism
Nancy Epling was terminated from Passion Works over accusations of religious discrimination, apparently related to her activism against Israel’s war on Gaza.
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Athens plastic bag ban is officially dead
Given the political make-up of the Republican-dominated Ohio Supreme Court, Athens will not appeal a court decision that blocked the city from implementing a ban on single-use plastic bags.
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Environmental group weighing another challenge to fracking in the Wayne
The Bureau of Land Management issued a decision in April that would allow fracking in the Wayne National Forest’s Marietta Unit. No new oil and gas leases have yet been approved.
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Planned Parenthood Medicaid funding cuts would be big hit to Athens clinic
A quarter of Athens Planned Parenthood patients rely on Medicaid coverage for their visits.
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Federal Hocking board paid $70k to part with former superintendent
The district also faces a lawsuit over its termination of the former high school principal, a move recommended by former superintendent Jason Spencer.
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Athens vendors may continue providing plastic bags after city loses legal fight
The Fourth District Court of Appeals upheld a lower court’s decision that the city’s bag ban is unconstitutional. The city is considering whether to appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court.
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Meigs County pays $60k for former deputies’ alleged misconduct
A Pomeroy man and his son said the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office violated their civil rights in a December 2022 incident.
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Two sisters perform in each other’s local theater shows
The show directed by Amy Abercrombie adopts musical theater songs written by the sisters’ grandmother to tell the story of their mother’s life.
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Photo of the Week: June 25, 2025
A new mural on the Chauncey Village Hall highlights community history. Photo by Dani Kington.
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State approves transfer of 27 acres of The Ridges to developers
While developers say it may take a decade or longer, last week’s state approval advances plans to transform The Ridges into a mixed-used space, featuring hundreds of housing units.
