Local news roundup
Note: The Athens County Independent shares news from other outlets and organizations that we understand to be reliable. However, the organizations cited are responsible for the accuracy of their own reporting and announcements.
Ohio University professor Sarah Wyatt is one of 18 U.S. scientists who developed a roadmap that will support human space travel to the moon and Mars. Wyatt’s research focuses on using plants for food, medicine and oxygen in microgravity environments. (Ohio University)
Athens City Council heard an ordinance on first reading that would allow the Athens Police Department to conduct investigative work outside city limits and work with police departments in neighboring counties. The council also weighed in to support the proposed name change for the Wayne National Forest. (The New Political)
- Indy context: Wayne National Forest evaluating name change comments.
Athens High School’s girls cross country team placed second at the Fairfield Invitational last weekend, and will advance to the Ohio High School Athletic Association State Championship. (Athens Messenger)
A two-vehicle crash on U.S. 33 near Milepost 7 in Hocking County caused the death of Caitlyn Laughlin of Grove City. The Sept. 20 crash remains under investigation. (Ohio State Highway Patrol)
The Meigs County Farmers Market came in second place in the Annual America’s Farmers Market Celebration. More than 2,000 markets nationwide participated in the competition, which was decided by a vote by more than 10 million people. (American Farmland Trust)
Hocking County Commissioner Jessica Dicken has been indicted on seven criminal charges related to her alleged theft of more than $19,000 in fraudulent credit card purchases in her former role as Hocking County Agricultural Society Secretary. (Ohio Auditor of State)
The Ohio Supreme Court largely approved summary ballot language for the abortion and reproductive rights amendment that will appear on Ohio’s November ballot, ordering only one change. A lawsuit from the coalition proposing the amendment argued the summary language was deceptive and asked that the full amendment text be used instead. (Ohio Capital Journal)
A Franklin County judge temporarily blocked the state legislature’s attempt to transfer power over K-12 education governance from the non-partisan Ohio State Board of Education to the governor’s office. A lawsuit filed by state Board of Education members argues the changes, passed in the state biennium budget bill, are unconstitutional. (Ohio Capital Journal)
- Indy context: In other changes to education governance, the biennium budget bill also gave technical college boards more power over the board membership selection process. The change does away with a process that was central to controversy at Hocking College last year.
Events
- Jazz Night at Rhapsody: 6–8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, Rhapsody, 18 Public Square, Nelsonville.
- Fall Sustainability Series: “Microplastic Madness”: 7–9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, Ridges Auditorium, 135 Ridges Circle, Athens. Free, but tickets are required.
- Paint & Pour: 7–9 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 27, Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville. $30–$40.
- Free Lunch for College Students: 11:30 a.m.–1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, First Presbyterian Church, 2 N. Court St., Athens.
- But Not for MY Children: The Holland Brothers’ Remarkable Journey from Enslavement: 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, Southeast Ohio History Center, 24 W. State St., Athens.
- ABC Players presents “Tiny Beautiful Things”: 7:30–9:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 28, Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville. $8–$12
- Free Hot Meal: 4:30–7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 29, Good Works, 7857 Luhrig Rd., Athens.
- Walk to End Alzheimer’s: 8:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, Athens Community Center 701 E. State St., Athens.
- Athens Farmers Market: 9 a.m.–noon Saturday, Sept. 30, Athens Community Center 701 E. State St., Athens.
- Mystic Gathering: Noon–11 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, and 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, Dutch Creek Winery, 12157 SR 690, Athens.
- OEFFA Sustainable Farm Tour — Blaney Family Farm: 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, 29760 SR 143, Albany.
- Mozart and Beethoven with the Columbus Symphony: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30, Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville. $30–$55.
- Dwight Icenhower: 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 1, Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville. $33–$43.
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 Monday morning. Click the links to find the most up-to-date information.
Public Comment
- Solid Waste Management survey: Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District seeks input on a new 15-year solid waste management plan. Take the survey here.
- Athens County Active Transportation Survey: deadline Sept. 30.
- West Union Street improvements begin: Work will begin this week on improvements to West Union Street from the end of the Hocking River bridge to Shafer Street. Phase 1, which begins this week, will connect Herrold Avenue to West State Street near the entrance to West State Park.
- Dog park support letters: Nelsonville seeks letters of support for its application for the 2023 PetSafe Unleashed Dog Park Contest. The winning applicant will receive a “dream park” valued at up to $50,000. Letters should address how Nelsonville would benefit from a dog park and why the city should win the contest. Download a letter template or write your own. Submit letters to nelsonvilledogpark@cityofnelsonville.com by Oct. 12.
- Radford Road closure: Radford Road is closed at the Whitlind Avenue intersection for construction of the Athens County/US 50 sewer project.
ODOT projects in Athens County
- US 33/US 50 interchange: The ramp from US 33 east to Stimson Avenue/Rock Riffle Road is closed until approximately Sept. 30. Expected project completion: November.
- Resurfacing: SR 377 from the SR 550 intersection to the Morgan County line; expected completion: Oct. 15. US 50 between Della Drive and River Road and between Vanderhoof Road and SR 144; expected completion Nov. 1.
Public meetings
Note: 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, Sept. 25
10:30 a.m.: Hocking Athens Perry Community Action Finance Committee, Hocking Athens Perry Community Action, 3 Cardaras Drive, Glouster. In-person only.
12 p.m.: Hocking Athens Perry Community Action Board, Hocking Athens Perry Community Action, 3 Cardaras Drive, Glouster. In-person only.
6 p.m.: Athens-Hocking-Vinton Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (317) Board, Athens-Hocking-Vinton Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health (317) Board, 7990 Dairy Lane, Athens, and over Zoom. Agenda
7 p.m.: Nelsonville City Council, 211 Lake Hope Drive, Nelsonville. In-person or YouTube. Agenda
Tuesday, Sept. 26
9 a.m.: Athens County Budget Commission, 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, Athens County Courthouse, 15 S. Court St., 2nd floor annex, commissioners’ conference room, Athens, and over Zoom. Agenda
4 p.m.: Athens County Children Services Board, 14 Stonybrook Drive, Athens. In-person only. Agenda
Wednesday, Sept. 27
6 p.m.: Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center Governing Board, Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center, 21 Birge Drive, Chauncey. In-person only.
6:30 p.m.: Federal Valley Resource Center Board, Federal Valley Resource Center, 8225 SR 329, Stewart. In-person only.
6:30 p.m.: Albany Planning Commission, Village Hall, 5153 Alton St., Albany. In-person only; to discuss a proposed planned unit development at 5659 Hamil Rd, and other matters.
Thursday, Sept. 28
5:30 p.m.: Jacksonville Village Council, Jacksonville Fire Station, 34 6th St., Jacksonville. In-person only.
7 p.m.: Trimble Township Board of Trustees, Trimble Township Building, 14 Town St., Glouster. In-person only.
Friday, Sept. 29
No public meetings
Monday, Oct. 2
Noon: Athens Planning Commission, third floor of the Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., Athens. In-person and livestream.
5 p.m.: Athens City-County Board of Health, Athens City-County Health Department, 278 W. Union St., Athens. In-person only.
5 p.m.: Athens County Veteran Service Commission, OhioMeansJobs–Athens County, 510 W. Union St., Athens. In-person only.
5 p.m.: Glouster Village Council, Glouster Depot, 51 High St., Glouster. In-person only.
6:30 p.m.: Carthage Township Board of Trustees, Carthage Township Office, 2741 Lottridge Rd., Guysville. In-person only.
7 p.m.: Athens City Council, third floor of the Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., Athens. In person and livestream. Agenda.
7 p.m.: Canaan Township Board of Trustees, Canaan Township Building, 16167 S. Canaan Rd., Canaanville. In-person only.
