-

·
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.
-

·
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.
-

·
Ohio and Athens County Leagues of Women Voters presents ward map to Nelsonville
Trevor Martin, program coordinator for the Ohio League of Women Voters, invited residents to share their experience in creating the map to the council.
-

·
Athens County Board of Elections issues new guidelines for Nelsonville council seats
The board of elections told city officials that a candidate cannot run for both the statutory and the charter council seats in November.
-

·
Nelsonville ward map to be presented at next council meeting
The Ohio and Athens County Leagues of Women Voters have a draft for a proposed ward map for the city of Nelsonville. Wards can’t be established until 2026 when the statutory government is in place.
-

·
Athens County Public Libraries reacts to final state budget bill
Gov. Mike DeWine signed the state biennium budget, but line-item vetoed a provision that would impact LGBTQ+ content at public libraries.
-

·
Local libraries sound alarm over new state budget
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.
-

·
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.
-

·
New public health board seeks to prevent deaths by suicide
Members of the new board will work to assess deaths by suicide in the county and develop future methods of prevention.
-

·
Athens council approves final payment for Stimson fire station
Council member Michael Wood abstained on first vote in protest of the inclusion of $210,000 for add-ons that weren’t submitted to council for approval.
