Public health and safety Archives – Page 2 of 8

Ticks and tick-borne illnesses pose increasing risk to Athens County

By Eric Boll ● Environment ● June 25, 2025

Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other tick-borne illnesses infect more Ohioans every year.

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Where to find cooling centers in Athens County during June’s extreme heat (Updated)

By Athens County Independent staff ● Public health and safety ● June 23, 2025

Extreme heat is underway in the region, with a National Weather Service advisory warning in place until 8 p.m. Thursday, June 26.

Firefighter safety and solidarity to be prioritized at wellness event

By Al Maloney ● Public health and safety ● June 19, 2025

The 2025 Firefighter Safety Stand Down is a national effort to raise awareness of mental health issues, giving emergency responders space to “breathe, heal, and reconnect” among peers.

Chemical spill at Austin Powder factory, parts of Vinton County evacuated (Updated)

By Dani Kington & Eric Boll ● Environment ● June 11, 2025

The evacuation order was lifted at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. Modeling showed the plume contained within Vinton County.

Monthly farmers market will bring fresh food to Nelsonville

By Dani Kington ● Culture ● May 21, 2025

The market will be held June through October on the first Wednesday of each month from 4–7 p.m. in the parking lot of the Athens County Community Cares Resource Center.

Athens City-County Health Department monitors mosquito-borne diseases

By Eric Boll ● Public health and safety ● May 21, 2025

The Athens City-County Health Department received a $12,000 grant from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency to fund its mosquito surveillance and control program.

Photo gallery: Wellness on Wheels ribbon cutting

By Eric Boll ● Gallery ● May 14, 2025

The mobile clinic will travel around Southeast Ohio offering primary care, women’s health and prenatal care appointments.

flooded road next to "road may flood sign"

What to know about this weekend’s flooding and road closures

By Athens County Independent staff ● Public health and safety ● April 4, 2025

The Hocking River is currently forecast to reach peak flood stage at 2 a.m. Monday morning.

New Athens County 911/EMA center opens

By Haylee Leasure ● Public health and safety ● March 14, 2025

After years of development and a sales tax levy, a brand new Athens County 911/EMA center is set to open this month.

House cats with bird flu could pose a risk to public health

By KFF Health News and PolitiFact staffs ● Public health and safety ● February 10, 2025

Although outdoor cats comprise most cases of feline H5N1, a small but growing number of house cats contracted the disease from raw food or unpasteurized milk.