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Electric bus added to Athens Public Transit fleet
Athens Public Transit added an electric vehicle shuttle bus to its fleet this month. The bus is blue, with orange flowers, green creatures and white text that says, “I’m electric,” wrapped around its exterior—a design made by Passion Works artists. “We definitely wanted it to stand out,” said Sarah Conley-Ballew, Rural Action director of Sustainable…
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Livestock also impacted by deer disease outbreak
Tracking outbreaks of epizootic hemorrhagic disease is important because wild deer aren’t the only ones affected. Other ruminants can contract EHD, including livestock such as sheep, goats and cattle (and captive deer)—and outbreaks among domesticated ruminants are increasing, according to Dr. Dennis Summers, chief of the Division of Animal Health at the Ohio Department of…
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Deer harvest up in Ohio but down locally amid disease outbreak
As of Oct. 26—33 days into deer season—statewide archery harvest is up about 10% over the three-year average, according to Ohio Department of Natural Resources Deer Biologist Clint McCoy. The 2022-2023 season got off to “an incredibly fast start,” perhaps due to cooler-than-normal temperatures at the start of the season, he said. Although the deer…
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Sick deer in Athens County: historic outbreak impacts hunting season
Autumn’s chills, radiant sunsets and fantastic floral displays comprise a sensory experience that for many residents of southeast Ohio would not be complete without the taste of local game—especially white-tailed deer. This year, however, deer season has been marred by a historic outbreak of a disease that is killing deer across the state: epizootic hemorrhagic…
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Local activists urge Athens City Council to support abortion rights
Read time: About 4.5 minutes Updated to reflect the resolution passing. Athens City Council discussed a proposal from a local activist group to protect abortion rights at a Nov. 14 committee meeting. Athenians for Bodily Autonomy modeled its proposal on an ordinance Columbus City Council passed on July 25. If adopted as originally drafted, it…
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Jay Edwards beats back challenge from Tanya Conrath
State Rep. Jay Edwards (R-Nelsonville) resoundingly beat his Democratic opponent, Athens attorney and businessperson Tanya Conrath, in tonight’s general election. Conrath won in Athens County, home of both candidates, but lost to Edwards in Meigs and Washington counties. Ballots in Morgan County, which has around 9,000 registered voters, were still being counted at press time.…
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Thompson wins? Wasserman declines to concede
Incumbent Athens County Auditor Jill Thompson, a Republican, appeared to have fended off Democratic challenger Ric Wasserman in Tuesday’s election, according to preliminary results. Thompson was the only Republican on the ballot to win a majority of votes in Athens County’s preliminary election results. Wasserman declined to concede the election when he spoke to the…
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Voters approve nearly all township levies, reject one
530 words | About 2 minute read Athens County voters approved local levies, rejecting only one, while passing issues permitting alcohol sales at various locations as well, according to preliminary election results. One levy failsAlbany voted on an additional tax to support current village expenses, which failed with 43.09% of voters in favor. Other levies…
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Ohio State Auditor: Faber defeats Sappington
373 words | about 2 minute read Republican incumbent state Auditor Keith Faber defeated his Democratic opponent — Athens County’s own Taylor Sappington — with 59.62% in the 2022 general election, according to unofficial results from the Ohio Secretary of State’s website Tuesday night. Ohio voters first elected Faber, 56, in 2018. Faber for Ohio…
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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…
