Local news roundup
Note: The Athens County Independent is not responsible for errors in other outlets’ coverage.
A local chapter of a national organization provides free meals and more to anyone in Athens each month. (WOUB)
Chauncey and Trimble Township will receive nearly $2 million combined for water infrastructure projects. (The Athens Messenger)
Longtime Albany Area Volunteer Fire Department Chief Lee Bolen has announced his retirement. (The Athens Messenger)
Ohio House Republicans have introduced a bill to ban drag performances outside of establishments designated “adult cabarets.” If passed, the bill also would impose felony charges on drag performers who perform before minors or if their performances are “obscene.” Similar anti-drag laws in other states have been deemed unconstitutional. (The Buckeye Flame)
What Ohio voters need to know about parental rights and the Issue 1 debate: a look at the claims that Issue 1 is necessary to protect parental rights. (The Columbus Dispatch)
As a central West Virginia community is revitalized, locals face the danger of being priced out of their home communities. (The Daily Yonder)
Years of broken promises cloud a new proposal from the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration, which would cut the current limit for silica exposure by half — something former miners and safety advocates champion. (WOUB)
Events
- Quilt National 2023. Open through Sept. 11 at the Dairy Barn Arts Center, 8000 Dairy Lane, Athens.
- National Night Out 2023. 5–8 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, at the Athens City Pool, 601 E. State St., Athens. Free.
- Athens County Humane Society Spay-ghetti Dinner. 5:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. seatings, 4:30–5:20 p.m. carryout Thursday, Aug. 3, at Ciro Italian Kitchen, 120 W. Union St., Athens. $20. Tickets
- Athens Public Transit Free Fare Day. All day Friday, Aug. 4. Lines 2 and 3 will run until 11 p.m.
- Bounty on the Bricks. 6:30–10 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 5, Court Street, Athens. $125/seat.
Athens County Fair. August 4–12, Athens County Fairgrounds, West Union Street, Athens. $5 admission Aug. 5–6, $10 Aug. 7–12.
Have an event to promote? Add it to our online Calendar!
Announcements
Note: All information is current as of the Bulletin Board’s production on Friday afternoon. 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.
- Arts, Parks and Recreation
- NEW Trail closures. The city is repairing “social trails” at Sells Park. These unofficial, user-made paths are a form of erosion that cause ecological and environmental damage to the park. Watch for signs at the park, especially when engaging in fast-paced activities such as biking or trail running.
- 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. 8 a.m.–4 p.m. July 31–August 4 on Carroll Road, Roxbury Drive, Applegate Drive, Banbury Drive, Dove Drive, Stewart Street, Milliron Street, Coss Street, Putnam Drive, North McKinley Avenue, Race Street, Rufus Street, Community Drive, and Tanaka and Luchs Halls on the OU campus. Water may be discolored but remains safe. However, the city recommends you do not wash laundry during this time.
- Street improvements. State Street/Stimson Avenue intersection, August 3–4 and August 7. Roberts and North Congress streets, August 4 and August 8.
- 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.
- The City of Athens is accepting bids for evaluation and design of the Columbus Road Lift Station. Deadline: Aug. 17.
- Repairs to the covered bridge on Blackwood Road (CR 46) continue.
- Mowing: Cowan Road (CR 102), Rainbow Lake Road (CR 89), Oakdale Road (CR 31) and East Scatter Ridge Road (CR 20)
- Leveling: Greens Run Road (CR 96).
ODOT projects in Athens County:
- Tree trimming: SR 691 between SR 56 (Waterloo Twp.) and Hocking Parkway (York Twp.). 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.
- Resurfacing: SR 143 and SR 681 from US 50 to the Meigs County line; expected completion for both projects Aug. 1. SR 78 between Trimble Twp 675 and the Morgan County line; expected completion Aug. 15. 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.
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, 7/31:
5 p.m.: Nelsonville City Council has a special meeting to discuss appointing a full-time police officer to an open position, interview a city manager candidate and discuss pending litigation. The interview and litigation discussions will be done in executive session. Nelsonville City Hall, 211 Lake Hope Drive, Nelsonville. In-person and livestream.
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.
Tuesday, 8/1:
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. Agenda
7 p.m.: Ames Township Board of Trustees has a regular meeting at the Ames Township Garage, 15900 Henry Rd., Amesville. In-person only.
7 p.m.: Athens County Agricultural Society Board has a regular meeting in the Secretary’s Office on the Athens County Fairgrounds, 305 W. Union St., Athens. In-person only.
Wednesday, 8/2:
5:30 p.m.: Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District’s Policy Committee has a regular meeting at the Logan-Hocking County District Library, 230 E. Main St., Logan. In-person only.
5:30 p.m.: Tomcat Bridgebuilders Coalition has a regular meeting at the Glouster Public Library, 20 Toledo St., Glouster. In-person only.
6 p.m.: Albany Village Council’s Finance & Personnel Committee has a regular meeting at Albany Village Hall, 5153 Alton St., Albany. In-person only.
6 p.m.: Waterloo Township Board of Trustees has a regular meeting at the Waterloo Fire Department, 8224 Hawk Rd., New Marshfield. In-person only.
6:30 p.m.: Albany Village Council has a regular meeting at Albany Village Hall, 5153 Alton St., Albany. In-person only.
Thursday, 8/3:
12 p.m.: Athens Planning Commission has a regular meeting at the Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., Athens. In–person and livestream. Agenda.
6 p.m.: Buchtel Village Council has a regular meeting at Buchtel Village Hall, 17710 N. Akron Ave., Buchtel. In-person only.
6 p.m.: Dover Township Board of Trustees has a regular meeting at the Dover Township Garage, 15947 Main St., Millfield. In-person only.
Friday, 8/4:
11:30 a.m.: Buckeye Hills Regional Council Executive Committee has a regular meeting at the Buckeye Hills Regional Council office, 1400 Pike St., Marietta. In-person only.
Monday, 8/7:
5 p.m.: Athens City-County Board of Health has a regular meeting at the Athens City-County Health Department, 278 W. Union St., Athens. In-person only.
5 p.m.: Athens County Veteran Service Commission has a regular meeting at OhioMeansJobs–Athens County, 510 W. Union St., Athens. In-person only.
5 p.m.: Glouster Village Council has a regular meeting at the Glouster Depot, 51 High St., Glouster. In-person only.
6:30 p.m.: Carthage Township Board of Trustees has a regular meeting at the Carthage Township Office, 2741 Lottridge Rd., Guysville. In-person only.
7 p.m.: Canaan Township Board of Trustees has a regular meeting at the Canaan Township Building, 16167 S. Canaan Rd., Canaanville. In-person only.
