-
·
Streetlight utility proposal meets resistance
Athens City Council tabled a proposal for an additional utility cost to city utility users for streetlight services.
-
·
After months in ICE custody, brothers to pursue voluntary departure
The brothers’ immigration attorney said they will seek voluntary departure from the U.S. due to the toll of ongoing ICE detention.
-
·
Athens City Council organizes for new year with new faces
At its first meeting of 2026, council welcomed new members, made committee assignments, heard the law director’s report and discussed water line breaks.
-
·
Athens neighborhood overlay zone legislation progresses
The Athens Planning Commission is working to bring additional, special zoning code to Athens City Council.
-
·
Council passes 2026 budget; also approves temporary shelter ordinance
Athens City Council voted 6-1 on both its 2026 budget and an ordinance that allows the conditional permitted use of temporary shelters in businesses and residential zones.
-
·
County Job and Family Services in ‘precarious’ position, making cuts
Programs and staff are taking a hit at Athens County Job and Family Services amid a fiscal crisis of an uncertain scale.
-
·
Temporary shelter ordinance moves closer to final passage
An ordinance that would allow conditional permits for temporary shelters in R-3 and B-3 zones is inching towards a vote.
-
·
Athens’ 2026 budget takes ‘unexpected’ $750K hit due to state law
The state requires municipalities to refund up to five years’ worth of income taxes to businesses with net operating losses.
-
·
Recycling center merges with solid waste district
The decision followed years of financial strain for the regional recycling center.
-
·
Council unanimously approves Conestoga Huts project
The first of the three huts will soon be occupied, The Gathering Place Executive Director Ginger Schmalenberg said.
