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State tries to stop Athens’ plastic bag ban, now in effect
The Ohio Attorney General’s Office says the city overstepped in passing the ban, which the AG says conflicts with state law.
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Arguments heard in injection well suspension case
The case revolves around whether three fracking waste injection wells in Athens County could contaminate drinking water.
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Southeast Ohio Legal Services addresses federal housing discrimination case
SEOLS addresses the Independent’s questions about fair housing and the sexual harassment lawsuit against local landlord Joseph Earl Lucas.
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Athens County landlord faces federal sexual harassment suit
The lawsuit says Joseph Earl Lucas of Amesville sexually harassed female tenants since at least 2004.
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Defense lays out arguments in appeal of Caden Cox menacing case
Matthew Kmosko supervised Cox at the Hocking College Student Center when he allegedly pointed a knife at Cox, causing him to fear for his life.
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Class action lawsuit against Bob Evans settles (Updated)
The case includes plaintiffs who worked at Bob Evans in Athens and other locations throughout the country.
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Bellar lawsuit reaches $420k settlement with Athens County, former sheriff’s deputy
Athens County and a former sheriff’s deputy reached a $420,000 settlement agreement with an Amesville woman formerly known as Serah Bellar, related to claims in her federal lawsuit that the county was complicit in her yearslong abuse.
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Man convicted in Nelsonville child Eli Spangler’s death released early; civil case settles
Donald Platt, a Nelsonville man convicted in the 2021 death of Eli Spangler, an 11-year-old boy, was released from prison last week. Meanwhile, attorneys reached a $101,000 settlement agreement in a related civil suit.
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Former Nelsonville police clerk pleads guilty to database misuse
Former Nelsonville police clerk Jessica Mount says she was inadequately trained by former city officials.

