The Indy Bulletin Board: Athens County Events, Announcements, Public Meetings, & Local News Roundup 5/29-6/4

Local news roundup

Note: The Athens County Independent is not responsible for errors in other outlets’ coverage. 

Southeast Ohio has among the highest suicide rates in the state. Mental health experts say there are multiple reasons, including poverty and the stigma around seeking help. (WOUB)

The white supremacist, neo-Nazi group Patriot Front again painted the Ohio University graffiti wall. Community members quickly repainted the wall with anti-fascist messages. (Reddit)

• Indy context: According to one expert, the explicitly fascist organization Patriot Front boasts only 10 to 15 members across its Network 13, which includes Ohio and parts of Michigan and Pennsylvania. The group places a heavy emphasis on posting propaganda, which makes them appear larger than they are.

The Athens City-County Health Department is debuting a new Friendship Bench program, inspired by a similar one in Zimbabwe. The program will encourage community volunteers to sit at one of three benches in Athens and The Plains to meet with those who might need a “friendly ear.” (WOUB)

“The history book will gloss over something or leave something completely out, but the artists do not.” A profile of Ohio Poet Laureate, ninth-generation Appalachian and Athens County resident Kari Gunter-Seymour. (Southeast Ohio Magazine)

In an interview with The Post, Athens County Sheriff Rodney Smith claimed, unchecked: “A decade ago, people used plant-based drugs like mushrooms, marijuana and opiates to get high… Now, those drugs contain increased levels of chemicals, making them more addictive and more likely to push users to use deadlier substances.” 

• Indy fact check: A well-documented influx of stronger drugs like fentanyl is compounding the existing opioid epidemic. Experts believe that addiction often begins when opiates are prescribed for legitimate medical needs. Reports of fentanyl-laced cannabis and mushrooms are an urban myth, and marijuana is not widely considered to be a “gateway drug” for more addictive substances.

Registration is currently open for Ohio University College of Fine Arts’ summer youth programs. (OU)

A California company wants to build two “small-scale” nuclear power plants for Southeast Ohio on the site of the old Portsmouth Gaseous Diffusion Plant, a uranium enrichment plant that ceased operations in 2001. Remediation for the old plant will continue at least until 2035. (WOUB)

A look at the food networks that provide fresh produce to communities throughout Athens County and nearby areas. (Southeast Ohio Magazine)

For the first time, Ohio Republicans have introduced an anti-trans “bathroom bill” for public schools and colleges, like OU. (The Buckeye Flame)

Legislation that took effect last month makes it easier to expunge or seal some criminal records. (The Columbus Dispatch)

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Events

• Rural Action Annual Meeting. 10:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday June 3, Chesterhill Produce Auction, 8380 Wagoner Rd., Chesterhill.
• Exhibit: “i want to reach you.” Open through June 25 at Majestic Galleries, 20 Public Square, Nelsonville.

Have an event to promote? Add it to our online Calendar!

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Announcements

• City of Athens: Hydrants will be flushed this week on Fort, Mound, Carpenter, Fremont, Pine, Congress, Ring, Woodward, Fairview, Ellis and Boyd streets.
• City of Nelsonville: Residents and business owners are encouraged to complete a water line survey online or in hard copy for an EPA mapping mandate.
• Athens County Engineer
  • Mill School Road (CR 42) is closed until 3 p.m. Friday between Hogue Hollow (CR 47) and South Rodehaver (CR 57) roads for culvert replacement. 
  • Culvert replacement also will take place on Goose Run Road (CR 67).
  • Brush trimming: Vanderhoof Road (CR 65).
  • Grading: Goose Run Road (CR 67).
  • Mowing: Baker (CR 10), Pleasant Hill (CR 21) and Jacksonville (CR 27) roads.
• ODOT projects in Athens County:
  • Work continues on the US 33/US 50 interchange, with complete replacement of asphalt pavement and construction of a roundabout on Stimson Avenue. Multiple entrance and exit ramps are closed. Expected completion: October 1.
  • Lane closures on US 50 between Harmony Road (CR 24) and Della Drive (CR 52) for sign upgrades. Expected completion: October 1.
  • Lane closure on US 50 between Della Drive and River Road and between Vanderhoof Road and SR 144 for resurfacing. 
  • The SR 7 north ramp to US 50 West is closed until July 15. Detour: SR 144 to SR 329 to US 50.
  • SR 78 is being resurfaced between Trimble Twp. Rd. 675 and the Morgan County line. Traffic maintained by flaggers. Expected completion: August 15.
  • All of SR 143 is being resurfaced. Expected completion: August 1.
  • SR 681 from US 50 to the Meigs County line is being resurfaced. Expected completion: August 1. 
  • US 33 will be resurfaced between Elm Rock Rd. (York Twp Rd 36) and SR 550 beginning May 22. Traffic will be maintained by flaggers. Expected completion: September 1.

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Public meetings

Meeting schedule is based on meeting notices published by public bodies and on regular meeting schedules of community organizations. Meeting information may change after this is posted. Check our website for the most up-to-date information.

Monday, 5/29: Memorial Day

Tuesday, 5/30: 

5 p.m.: Athens County Veteran Service Commission has a regular biweekly meeting at OhioMeansJobs – Athens County, 510 W. Union St., Athens. In-person only.

Wednesday, 5/31:

9 a.m.: Corrections Commission of Southeast Ohio has a regular monthly meeting at the Southeast Ohio Regional Jail, 16678 Wolfe Bennett Rd., Nelsonville. In-person only.

6:30 p.m.: Federal Valley Resource Center Board has a regular monthly meeting at the Federal Valley Resource Center, 8225 OH-329, Stewart. In-person only.

Thursday, 6/1:

6 p.m.: Buchtel Village Council has a regular monthly meeting at the Buchtel Village Hall, 17710 N. Akron Ave., Buchtel. In-person only.

6 p.m.: Dover Township Board of Trustees has a regular biweekly meeting at the Dover Township Garage, 15947 Main St., Millfield. In-person only.

Friday, 6/2:

11:30 a.m.: Buckeye Hills Regional Council Executive Committee has a regular monthly meeting at the Buckeye Hills Regional Council, 1400 Pike St., Marietta. In-person only.

Monday, 6/5: 

5 p.m.: Athens City-County Board of Health has a regular monthly meeting at the Athens City-County Health Department, 278 W. Union St., Athens. In-person only.

5 p.m.: Glouster Village Council has a regular monthly meeting at the Glouster Depot, 51 High St., Glouster. In-person only.

6:30 p.m.: Carthage Township Board of Trustees has a regular monthly meeting at the Carthage Township Office, 2741 Lottridge Rd., Guysville. In-person only.

7 p.m.: Canaan Township Board of Trustees has a regular monthly meeting at the Canaan Township Office, 16167 S. Canaan Rd., Canaan. In-person only.