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Mayor explains unilateral decision to remove Athens from ORCA
Steve Patterson told Athens City Council that the city should invest in its own amenities instead of the Baileys Trail System.
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Baileys Trail System visitor center aims for 2026 completion
The visitor center will host upkeep facilities and commercial tenants.
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Athens mayor resigns from outdoor rec council
Mayor Steve Patterson resigned immediately; the city will withdraw from the council of governments in late June.
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New Baileys trailhead under construction
The Buchtel trailhead and a new connector trail are expected to open this year.
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ORCA dues, shared-use path questioned following income tax failure
Athens City Council member Alan Swank brought up the failure in discussions of the city’s support for ORCA and a project on Columbus Road.
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The year’s biggest stories (in no particular order)
We published over 260 news articles this year. Join us for a look back — and a look ahead at 2025.
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New trail construction projects kick off for Baileys
The new trails near Buchtel will bring the trail system to “near completion.”
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Forum promotes the creation of an Athens County Park District
Athens County residents listened to presentations from Ohio park district officials and local organizations promoting the creation of a county park district.
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Athens City Council members spar over ORCA membership ordinance
Jessica Thomas and Alan Swank traded barbs after Thomas proposed amending the ordinance to reduce the required budget reserve threshold.
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County commissioners decline to pay lowered outdoor rec council dues
One of the commissioners plans to negotiate with the council over this year’s dues payment to maintain a seat at the table, but it’s unlikely the commissioners would pay next year’s dues either.
