The Indy Bulletin Board: Athens County Events, Announcements, Public Meetings, & Local News Roundup 7/3-7/9

Local news roundup

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

• Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder was sentenced to 20 years in prison over his involvement in a major bribery scheme. (Ohio Capital Journal)
• The Athens County Fairgrounds owner withdrew an application to build a fence in a city right of way, because the Athens City Council asked the fairgrounds to restrict the sale of Confederate-flag branded merchandise. (WOUB) 
• Athens Police Chief Tom Pyle will retire on July 4, wrapping up his 34-year career. Pyle will be succeeded by Nick Macgruder. (Athens News)
• On August 8, Ohioans will vote on State Issue 1, which would make it more difficult to amend the state constitution. The Ohio Capital Journal addresses frequently asked questions about the upcoming election. (Ohio Capital Journal)
• After independent mayoral candidate Damon Krane held a press conference challenging Athens Mayor Steve Patterson to a debate on Ohio University’s campus, as part of Krane’s effort to increase youth engagement, Patterson apparently declined. He said he will debate Krane at the usual League of Women Voters of Athens County candidate forum. (Athens Messenger)
• Residents in the Athens West Side neighborhood sighted a deer with an arrow stuck in its back over multiple weeks, prompting questions from residents about hunting regulations within the city. The doe has since died. (Athens Messenger)
• A Corning man and his company were fined after improperly storing and disposing of brine from extractive industry, polluting Sunday Creek. (Athens Messenger)
• Hocking College will host the Starbrick Music Festival July 28-29. All proceeds from the event will support the Chris Roell TBI Foundation, which promotes awareness about mental health issues related to traumatic brain injuries. (Athens News)
• The Ohio Senate passed a bill to create centers for ‘intellectual diversity’ at several Ohio universities. Democrats have criticized the bill as an attempt to install “conservative think-tanks” on college campuses. (Ohio Capital Journal)
• Ohio University President Hugh Sherman responded to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision that considering race in higher education admission practices violates the U.S. Constitution. Sherman stated that OU is analyzing the court’s opinions and said the university “continues to be committed to ensuring access to higher education for students from all backgrounds.” (Ohio University)
• A report from Invest Appalachia predicts that central Appalachian states will likely see a population increase due to climate change. The region’s mild temperatures, high elevation and abundance of rainfall make the region well-suited geographically to accommodate the population influx, according to the report. (Daily Yonder)

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Events

• “Thunder in the Valley.” July 4, 10-10:30 p.m. at Hocking College, 301 Hocking Parkway, Nelsonville.
• Exhibit: “Quilt National 2023.” Open through Sept. 11 at the Dairy Barn Arts Center, 8000 Dairy Lane, Athens.

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. 

City of Athens

• Public Comment
  • The city seeks public comment on the Athens Uptown Improvements Project, which will decrease navigation challenges for cyclists and pedestrians and provide a lower level of traffic stress for cyclists. Submit comments by email (jadine@ci.athens.oh.us), phone (740-593-7636) or mail (30 Curran Drive, Athens OH 45701). Deadline: July 25.
• Construction
  • Dairy Lane sewer and water line project: Local traffic only on Dairy Lane between Richland Avenue and the Summit at Coates Run driveway; detours marked for through traffic. 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
  • 2023 street improvements: Probable cost for base bid: $402,095. Contract documents and specifications: jadine@ci.athens.oh.us. Bids will be opened and read aloud at 2 p.m. July 6 at the Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St. 
  • 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

• Culvert replacement: Hooper Ridge Road (CR 36).
• Leveling: Dutch Ridge Road (CR 75).
• Patching: Connett Road (CR 2), Glen Ebon Road (CR 4), Fisher Road (CR 17), South Canaan Road (CR 24), Chase Road (CR 69), Wolfe Bennett Road (CR 73) and Rainbow Lake Road (CR 89). 
• Mowing: North Rodehaver Road (CR 57).

ODOT projects in Athens County: 

• NEW
  • Beginning July 11, all U.S. 50 westbound traffic will take the new Stimson Avenue exit (Exit 173A) into the roundabout. Traffic will be directed through the roundabout onto Stimson Avenue. Follow Stimson Avenue to the Rock Riffle Road intersection. Make a left onto Rock Riffle Road, and follow it to the U.S. 33 eastbound/U.S. 50 westbound entrance ramp.
• CONTINUING
  • The SR 7 north ramp to US 50 West is closed until July 15. Detour: SR 144 to SR 329 to US 50.
  • Resurfacing on SR 13 from SR 550 to the Perry County line and on SR 329 from SR 13 to Shell Hill. Traffic is being maintained by flaggers. Estimated completion: July 15.
  • All of SR 143 is being resurfaced. Expected completion: Aug. 1.
  • SR 681 from US 50 to the Meigs County line is being resurfaced. Expected completion: Aug. 1. 
  • SR 78 is being resurfaced between Trimble Twp. Rd. 675 and the Morgan County line. Traffic maintained by flaggers. Expected completion: Aug. 15.
  • Resurfacing on US 33 between Elm Rock Rd. (York Twp Rd 36) and SR 550. Traffic will be maintained by flaggers. Expected completion: Sept. 1.
  • Landslide repair on SR 329 between US 50 and New England Road (CR 48). One lane is closed. Temporary traffic signals in place. Estimated completion: Oct. 1.
  • Lane closures on US 50 between Harmony Road (CR 24) and Della Drive (CR 52) for sign upgrades. Expected completion: Oct. 1.
  • Lane closures and changes to traffic patterns at the US 33/US 50 interchange. Expected completion: November 2023. 
  • Lane closure on US 50 between Della Drive and River Road and between Vanderhoof Road and SR 144 for resurfacing. Expected completion: Nov. 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, 7/3:

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.

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 Building, 16167 S. Canaan Rd., Canaan. In-person only.

Tuesday, 7/4:

Happy 4th!

Wednesday, 7/5:

6 p.m.: Albany Village Council’s Finance & Personnel Committee has a regular monthly meeting at the Albany Village Hall, 5153 Alton St., Albany. In-person only.

6 p.m.: Athens Environment and Sustainability Commission has a regular monthly meeting at the Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., 1st floor conference room, Athens. In-person only. Agenda

6 p.m.: Waterloo Township Board of Trustees has a regular monthly meeting at the Waterloo Fire Department, 8224 Hawk Rd., New Marshfield. In-person only.

6:30 p.m.: Albany Village Council has a regular biweekly meeting at the Albany Village Hall, 5153 Alton St., Albany. In-person only.

Thursday, 7/6:

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.

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.

12 p.m.: Athens Planning Commission has a regular biweekly meeting at the Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., 3rd floor, Athens, and over livestream. Agenda

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, 7/7:

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. Notice

Monday, 7/10:

4:30 p.m.: Le-Ax Water District Board of Directors has a regular monthly meeting at the Le-Ax Water Office, 6000 Industrial Dr., Athens. In-person only.

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.

5:30 p.m.: Athens City Historic Preservation Commission has a regular monthly meeting at the Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., Athens. In-person only.

6:30 p.m.: Lodi Township Board of Trustees has a regular monthly meeting at the Lodi Township Building, 15525 Fossil Rock Rd., Athens. In-person only.

7 p.m.: Little Hocking Water Association Board has a regular monthly meeting at the Little Hocking Water Association, 3998 Newbury Rd., Little Hocking. In-person only.

7 p.m.: Nelsonville City Council has a regular biweekly meeting at the Nelsonville City Hall, 211 Lake Hope Drive, Nelsonville, and over livestream.

7 p.m.: Trimble Village Council has a regular monthly meeting at the Trimble Village Hall, 19549 Congress St., Trimble. In-person only.
7:30 p.m.: Tuppers Plains Chester Water District Board of Directors has a regular monthly meeting at the Tuppers Plains Chester Water District, 39561 Bar 30 Rd., Reedsville. In-person only.