The Indy Bulletin Board: Athens County Events, Announcements, Public Meetings, & Local News Roundup 7/24-7/30

Local news roundup

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

Learn about the history of the Underground Railroad in Athens County and Albany’s past as an educational hub for Black people in southeast Ohio. (Invisible Ground)

The city of Nelsonville filed its response to a federal civil rights lawsuit, denying the allegations. (Athens Messenger) 

Indy context: Former Nelsonville city manager, police officers named in racism lawsuit

The Athens City Planning Commission has approved preliminary plans to turn 15 lots in University Estates into 43 lots with two- to three-bedroom townhomes. The city plans to use Tax Increment Financing funds to improve the property ahead of construction. The townhomes will be priced at $235,000 to $270,000.  (Athens Messenger)

The Athens County Senior Fair Board wants the county to remove snow-clearing equipment from a building at the fairgrounds, but ownership of the building is unclear because the area has not been surveyed in many years and deeds conflict. The Athens County Prosecutor’s Office is investigating ownership. The fair board may commission a survey for a land swap outside the city. (Athens Messenger)

Harvest of Ohio, a medical marijuana company, is being sued by its Florida partner for allegedly failing to repay almost $20 million in business loans. The lawsuit claims that Harvest of Ohio — which operates three dispensaries in the state, including one in Athens, has made no repayments to Florida-based Harvest Health & Recreation. Harvest of Ohio says that its partners are trying to marginalize the minority- and-woman-owned company and that Trulieve, which acquired Florida-based Harvest Health & Recreation in 2021, may be trying to undermine their operations because the parent company has its own dispensary in Columbus. (Columbus Dispatch)

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost is among the attorneys general who signed a letter to the Biden administration that asserts their states’ right to access medical records of residents who travel out of state for abortions. Advocates fear that obtaining medical records could be used against women seeking abortions or those assisting them. (Statehouse News Bureau)

The Franklin County Court of Common Pleas will decide if lawmakers violated the Ohio constitution by making late additions to a poultry bill that designated natural gas as “green energy,” and expedites oil and gas drilling in state parks and wildlife areas. Environmental groups argue that the bill violated the state’s single-subject and three-consideration rules. (Ohio Capital Journal)

A bill proposed in the Ohio House that aims to restrict drag performances and adult cabaret shows could affect the entire theater community. Performers fear it could lead to the shutdown of productions involving gender-bending and open-gender casting. Similar laws in other states have been deemed unconstitutional. (Ohio Capital Journal)

Critics of Issue 1 — which would make it harder to pass citizen-initiated amendments to the Ohio Constitution — could lead to more corruption, particularly by hindering anti-gerrymandering measures and empowering the gerrymandered legislature. Expert opinions suggest a strong correlation between one-party rule, gerrymandering, and political corruption. (​Ohio Capital Journal)

Indy context: What you need to know about the Aug. 8 special election

Ohio’s economic potential is hindered by disparities tied to structural racism, according to a new study by the Health Policy Institute in Ohio. The study found that improving the health and economic wellbeing of Black and Hispanic/Latino Ohioans could add up to $79 billion in annual economic output by 2050. (Ohio Capital Journal)

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Events

• Quilt National 2023. Open through Sept. 11 at the Dairy Barn Arts Center, 8000 Dairy Lane, Athens.
• Free Movie in the Park. “A Bug’s Life.” Pre-show activities begin at 8 p.m., movie begins at 9 p.m. behind the Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., Athens. 
• Starbrick Music Festival. Friday, July 28–Saturday, July 29 on the campus of Hocking College, 3301 Hocking Parkway, Nelsonville.
• National Night Out 2023. 5–8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 1, at the Athens City Pool, 601 E. State St., Athens. Free.

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

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Announcements

Note: All information is current as of the Bulletin Board’s production on Monday morning. Click the links to find the most up-to-date information. 

• Aug. 8 Special Election
  • Learn about Issue 1 and the special election in this Voters Guide by the League of Women Voters.

City of Athens

• NEW
  • The City of Athens is accepting bids for evaluation and design of the Columbus Road Lift Station. Deadline: Aug. 17.
• Registration
  • Session 4 swim lessons. Classes offered Monday–Thursday August 7–17. Registration opens Friday, July 28. Register by phone at 740-592-3325, in person at the Athens Community Center or the Athens City Pool or online. Deadline: Aug. 6.
  • Fall Youth Soccer. Grades K–6. Register by phone at 740-592-3325, in person at the Athens Community Center or online. Deadline: Aug. 18.
• Public Comment
  • Fill out the Athens County Active Transportation Survey. Deadline: Sept. 30.
  • Nominate a champion of people with disabilities in Athens for the ninth annual Athena Award. Deadline: Sept. 1.
• Engineering & Public Works
  • Hydrant flushing: City fire hydrants will be flushed 8 a.m.–4 p.m. this week on Warren Road, Longview Heights Road, Coventry Lane, Coventry/Cardiff, Cardiff Lane, Cardiff/Kent and Kent Drive. Water may be discolored, but is safe. However, the city recommends against doing laundry during this time. 
  • Dairy Lane sewer and water line project. Expected completion: Sewer portion, fall 2023; entire project, 2024. 
  • College Green tunnel rehabilitation: East Union Street is closed between North College Street and East Green Drive. Detour is marked. Expected completion: Mid-August.
• Requests for Bids/Proposals
  • Public artwork: The Athens Municipal Arts Commission is accepting proposals for up to seven pieces of art for a new public outdoor sculpture walk near the new Athens Fire Department building on Stimson Avenue. Allocation: $7,500 per artist. Deadline: 5 p.m. Aug. 1. More information.

Athens County Engineer

• Repairs to the covered bridge on Blackwood Road (CR 46) are underway.
• Mowing: County roads in Albany, Amesville and Shade.

ODOT projects in Athens County: 

• NEW
  • Resurfacing: SR 78 between Trimble Twp 675 and the Morgan County line; expected completion Aug. 15.
  • Tree trimming: SR 691 between SR 56 (Waterloo Twp.) and Hocking Parkway (York Twp.) begins Aug. 1. The road will be closed where work is taking place. Contact the Athens County ODOT Garage for updates at 740-568-4320. Estimated completion: Aug. 31.
• CONTINUING
  • Resurfacing: SR 143 and SR 681 from US 50 to the Meigs County line; expected completion for both projects: Aug. 1. US 33 between Elm Rock Rd. (York Twp Rd 36) and SR 550; expected completion: Sept. 1.
  • Landslide repair: SR 329 between US 50 and New England Road (CR 48) and SR 13 between SR 550 and Alderman Road (CR 111). Temporary traffic signals in place. Estimated completion: Oct. 1.
  • Lane closures: US 50 between Harmony Road (CR 24) and Della Drive (CR 52); expected completion Oct. 1. US 50 between Della Drive and River Road and between Vanderhoof Road and SR 144; expected completion Nov. 1.
  • Lane closures and changes to traffic patterns: US 33/US 50 interchange; expected completion November 2023.

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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.

11 a.m.: Hocking Athens Perry Community Action Board has a regular bimonthly meeting at Hocking Athens Perry Community Action, 3 Cardaras Drive, Glouster. In-person only. Agenda

1 p.m.: Buckeye Hills Regional Council Broadband Committee has a meeting at Buckeye Hills Regional Council, 1400 Pike Street, Marietta. In-person only. 

4 p.m.: Athens County Children Services Board has a regular monthly meeting at Athens County Children Services, 14 Stonybrook Drive, Athens. In-person only. Agenda

6 p.m.: Athens-Hocking-Vinton Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (317) Board has a regular monthly meeting at the Athens-Hocking-Vinton Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (317) Board, 7990 Dairy Lane, Athens, and over Zoom. Agenda

6 p.m.: City of Nelsonville Utilities Committee has a meeting at the Nelsonville City Hall, 211 Lake Hope Drive, Nelsonville, and over livestream.

Tuesday, 7/25:

9 a.m.: Athens County Budget Commission has a regular weekly meeting at the Athens County Courthouse, 15 S. Court St., 1st floor annex, auditor’s conference room, Athens. In-person only.

Wednesday, 7/26:

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.

4 p.m.: Athens Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors has a regular monthly meeting at the Athens Soil and Water Conservation District, 69 S. Plains Rd., The Plains. In-person only.

6 p.m.: Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center Governing Board has a regular biweekly meeting at the Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center, 21 Birge Drive, Chauncey. In-person only.

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

Thursday, 7/27:

9:30 a.m.: Athens County Board of County Commissioners has a regular weekly meeting at the Athens County Courthouse, 15 S. Court St., 2nd floor annex, commissioners’ conference room, Athens, and over Zoom.

5:30 p.m.: Jacksonville Village Council has a regular monthly meeting at the Jacksonville Fire Station, 34 6th St., Jacksonville. In-person only.

6:30 p.m.: Village of Albany Planning Commission has a meeting at the Albany Village Hall, 5153 Alton St., Albany. In-person only.

6:30 p.m.: Athens City School District Board of Education has a regular monthly meeting at the Athens City School District Office, 21 Birge Drive, Chauncey. In-person only.

7 p.m.: League of Women Voters of Athens County Board has a regular monthly meeting over Zoom by request.

7 p.m.: Trimble Township Board of Trustees has a regular monthly meeting at the Trimble Township Building, 14 Town St., Glouster. In-person only.

Friday, 7/28:

No public meetings

Monday, 7/31:

5:30 p.m.: Athens Township Board of Trustees has a regular biweekly meeting at the Athens Township Office, 313 W. Union St., Athens. In-person only.