News Roundup

Local Thomas Burston, a 45-year-old man from The Plains, died from injuries sustained in a motorcycle crash Sunday on South Plains Road. (WCMH) Two people fleeing homicide allegations in North Carolina died from gunshot wounds after a 20-minute police pursuit that began in Athens County last week. Troopers attempted to stop the vehicle, which eventually…

Local Faculty members allege Ohio University is delaying contract negotiations with their union. The university says bargaining is continuing, and that OU and the union have made progress toward a first faculty contract. (NBC4) Nelsonville’s elected statutory city council president is leading an effort to recall all seven members of Nelsonville’s charter council, which officially…

Local A woman who over the weekend was reported to have entered the Hocking River near the West State Street Ball Fields was located safely following a day-long investigation. The woman exited the river on her own. (City of Athens) Regional Four measles cases have been reported in Meigs County. Officials are tracing exposures to…

Local Kristin Barker has been named new superintendent of the Trimble Local School District, and said she aims to lead its recovery and growth from a fiscal emergency. (WOUB) After nearly two decades on its namesake street, Union Street Diner is relocating to the former China Fortune restaurant space on Stimson Avenue. The diner plans…

Local Ohio University researchers filed a patent after discovering how a growth hormone drug works at the atomic level by using advanced computer modeling. (Ohio University) Regional The Ohio Controlling Board approved $1 million in funding to help 16 Vinton County children removed from their home in June. The costs associated with the 16 simultaneous…

Local Executive Director Tami Collins said Athens County Job and Family Services is seeing early financial progress after reducing costs and selling one agency building. (Athens Messenger) A group in Nelsonville wants to develop a pocket park at the current site of Athens County Community Cares Resource Center. Bidding for the building is currently underway;…

Local Several area residents spoke about environmental and health concerns regarding a plastic manufacturing plant planned for The Plains at last week’s Athens County Commissioners meeting. (WOUB) Greg Corn of Athens is among the latest graduates of the Ohio Fire Academy. (Ohio Fire Academy) Purple Chopstix will reopen July 15 after it closed due to…

Local Three Athens County residents have been indicted on murder, arson and related charges in the death of 20-year-old Ethan Vernon, whose body was found inside a burned pickup truck on Hemlock Grove Road in Meigs County last year. Investigators believe the fire was intentionally set to conceal the homicide. (WOUB)  Ohio University secured $10…

Note: This is a combined Bulletin Board and Scoop. This issue of the Scoop is abbreviated as it was prepared earlier than usual, June 25–26. The Athens County Independent will be closed all week, June 29–July 3, for summer break. We’ll be back in the office Monday, July 6!  Dates and times may change after…

Local Richland Avenue restaurant Purple Chopstix is closed indefinitely following flood damage last week, owners announced. (Purple Chopstix) Ohio University’s Board of Trustees approved tuition, housing and meal-plan increases for incoming students beginning this fall. Undergraduate tuition for new Athens-campus students will rise 3% for Ohio residents and 5% for nonresidents, while room and board…