Renae Hefty, Author at Athens County Independent

Audio tours at Strouds Run provide a rich new way to experience the state park

By Renae Hefty ● Culture ● August 6, 2025

Katherine Moore and Kathryn Logan, with assistance from ODNR and Appalachian Understories, made a podcast for visitors to Strouds Run to listen to as they move through the park.

A carousel and a Ferris wheel at the fairgrounds.

Athens County Fair hosts new rides, monster trucks

By Renae Hefty ● Culture ● July 31, 2025

The 170th Athens County Fair opens at noon Friday, Aug. 1 and runs through Saturday, Aug. 9.

Cougarbats mountain biking team takes on terrain

By Renae Hefty ● Community ● July 28, 2025

Athens County Cougarbats mountain biking team builds outdoor skills and community for sixth- through 12-graders.

Trimble Tomcats building at its baseball field in Glouster, Ohio.

Trimble schools will seek 1% earned income tax levy (Updated)

By Renae Hefty ● K–12 Education ● July 24, 2025

The Trimble board of education passed a resolution of necessity July 21, the first step toward getting the measure on the November general election ballot.

Stewart Farmers Market starts a new tradition in Rome Township

By Renae Hefty ● Community ● July 24, 2025

The Monday market will be held through fall at the Federal Valley Resource Center, allowing residents to buy homemade and homegrown goods without traveling to Athens.

Trimble superintendent resigns, district to consider levy options

By Renae Hefty ● Education ● July 18, 2025

Hurd attributed his resignation to “increasing overreaching involvement of the Board” and the board’s inaction on needed staffing reductions. Board members rejected Hurd’s claims.

Posters by Kevin Morgan created for Ohio Brew Week, displayed at Casa Nueva and Catina in Athens, Ohio, in July 2025.

Tap into the 20th Ohio Brew Week

By Renae Hefty ● Culture ● July 10, 2025

The annual celebration begins this weekend, bringing business, beer and good times to Athens.

A display of books featuring LGBTQA+ characters and themes in the Athens County Public Library.

Athens County Public Libraries reacts to final state budget bill

By Renae Hefty ● Government and Politics ● July 10, 2025

Gov. Mike DeWine signed the state biennium budget, but line-item vetoed a provision that would impact LGBTQ+ content at public libraries.

19th annual Nelsonville Music Festival creates ‘oasis’ for attendees

By Renae Hefty ● Culture ● June 26, 2025

This year’s festival had a jam-packed lineup, including headliners Waxahatchee, MJ Lenderman, Charley Crockett and Taj Mahal.

Local libraries sound alarm over new state budget

By Renae Hefty ● Government and Politics ● June 26, 2025

Athens County librarians are encouraging the public to ask Ohio Governor Mike DeWine to line-item veto provisions in House Bill 96 that would impact funding and LGBTQ+ content at public libraries.

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