Author

Keri Johnson

Keri Johnson is a journalist and poet from Southeast Ohio. Prior to co-founding the Independent, Keri served as an AmeriCorps VISTA at Rural Action and worked as a general assignment reporter for The Logan Daily News. Keri is a first-generation graduate of Ohio University’s E.W. Scripps School of Journalism, grateful to work in Appalachian Ohio and passionate about capturing its stories.

Keri's Latest Articles

Local issues, petitions filed for May primary (Updated)

By Keri Johnson ● Government ● February 11, 2026

Athens County voters will decide on 10 issues total.

Artist rendering of AFM proposed Athens Community Pavilion

Athens Farmers Market fundraising for permanent pavilion

By Keri Johnson ● Culture ● February 5, 2026

The facility, on the grounds of the Athens Community Center, would give the 50-year-old farmers market a permanent home.

House fires displace eight in Athens

By Keri Johnson ● Public health and safety ● February 4, 2026

House fires in Athens’ Near East and Westside neighborhoods displaced eight Ohio University students over the weekend.

Program for The Athens Quilt Trail in Uptown.

Athens Quilt Trail weaves community, arts

By Keri Johnson ● Culture ● January 29, 2026

The Athens Quilt Trail is a four-stop interactive community arts project that invites contributions from the public.

A city vehicle hauling heavy machinery on a trailer collided with Good Works’ Sign of Hope, at 100 Central Ave. in Athens.

City vehicle collides with building; water break ices Terrace Drive

By Keri Johnson ● Public health and safety ● January 28, 2026

This past weekend’s snowfall created slippery conditions in Athens; the county remains on a Level 2.

Athens County Job and Family Services offices.

Child support enforcement agency takes hit in JFS layoffs

By Keri Johnson ● Government ● January 22, 2026

Four of five positions set to be eliminated by Athens County Jobs and Family Services are in the county’s Child Support Enforcement Agency.

A photo of a poster board at a public meeting.

Athens neighborhood overlay zone legislation progresses

By Keri Johnson ● Infrastructure ● January 8, 2026

The Athens Planning Commission is working to bring additional, special zoning code to Athens City Council.

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.

Free Thanksgiving meals in Athens County

By Keri Johnson ● Community ● November 24, 2025

Check out this list of free and paid Thanksgiving 2025 meal opportunities in Athens County.

OU Cat's Cupboard food pantry canned food

Local businesses, individuals kept food coming during SNAP pause

By Keri Johnson ● Good Neighbors ● November 19, 2025

From free meals to mutual aid, Athens County made sure no one went hungry despite a pause in federal food assistance.