Local news roundup
Note: The Athens County Independent is not responsible for errors in other outlets’ coverage.
Hocking Athens Perry Community Action wants to put two levies on the November ballot to fund Meals on Wheels. (Athens Messenger)
Some rare burial plots are for sale at the historic West Union Street cemetery. (Athens Messenger)
- Learn more about the cemetery’s history from local podcaster Brian Koscho. (Invisible Ground)
David Butcher, Jane Cavarozzi and Therese Fieler Lackey were among six recipients of the 2022 Jenco Awards, which recognize Appalachian Ohio residents for outstanding service to the community. (Foundation for Appalachian Ohio)
The U.S. Forest Service has closed the Shawnee Lookout Tower and surrounding land in the Wayne National Forest. (U.S. Forest Service)
Over objections from voting rights advocates, Republicans in the Ohio Statehouse approved an August ballot measure that would require a 60% threshold to pass any constitutional referendum. The move is widely regarded as an attempt to prevent voter ballot initiatives supporting reproductive rights. (Ohio Capital Journal)
Events
- Appalachian Ohio State of the Region Conference: Placemaking and Reimagining Rural Economies. 8:30 a.m. Tuesday May 23, Ohio University Baker University Center ballroom, 1 Park Place, Athens, with a virtual option available.
- Paint & Pour With Local Artist Luke Boyd. 7 p.m. Thursday, May 25, Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville. $30-40. (Stuart’s Opera House)
- Living Traditions – Albany/Shade/New Marshfield. 12 p.m. Saturday, May 27, Albany Independent Fairgrounds, 5120 Washington Rd., Albany. Free. (Living Traditions)
- Berry Day Week. Support the Mount Zion Black Cultural Center, previously the Mount Zion Baptist Church Preservation Society, by shopping at participating local restaurants and bars including the Athens Bread Co., Tony’s and West End Cider House. Through May 27.
Have an event to promote? Add it to our online Calendar!
Announcements
- Water bill assistance: HAPCAP will continue to help low-income residents of Athens, Hocking and Perry counties with water and wastewater bills. Apply online or call (740) 767-4500.
- City of Athens
- The 2023 city pool brochure is now available for download and in hard copy.
- Pool rental requests are now being accepted.
- Athens County Engineer
- Swett Hollow Road (CR 94) is closed 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Monday, less than ¼ mile east of LaFollette Road (Ames Twp 334), for culvert replacement.
- Salem Road (CR 9) is closed from 8 a.m. Monday to noon on Tuesday, ¼ mile north of Vore Ridge Road (CR 22), for culvert replacement.
- Brush trimming: Frost (CR 58) and Four Mile Creek (CR 59) roads.
- Grading: Goose Run Road (CR 67).
- Mowing: Happy Hollow (CR 1A), Dowler Ridge (CR 3), Glen Ebon (CR 4), Johnson (CR 7), Rock Riffle (CR 25), Diamond Brick (CR 33B), Taylor Ridge (CR 67), North Longview Heights (CR 83), Truetown (CR 93), Greens Run (CR 96), Angel Ridge (CR 98) and Poston Station (CR 110) 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.
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, 5/22:
11 a.m.: Hocking Athens Perry Community Action Board of Trustees has a regular bimonthly meeting at Hocking Athens Perry Community Action, 3 Cardaras Drive, Glouster. 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. In-person only. Agenda
7 p.m.: Athens City Council has a special session and regular biweekly committee meeting at the Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., 3rd floor, Athens, and over livestream. Agenda
- Indy Context: The City Council is set to pass a resolution supporting Ohio University’s $220 million redevelopment proposal for The Ridges.
7 p.m.: Nelsonville City Council has a regular biweekly meeting at the Nelsonville City Hall, 211 Lake Hope Drive, Nelsonville, and over livestream. Agenda
- Indy Context: The City Council will contend with recent turmoil surrounding the city manager position. Amid tense relations with council members, Bernie Roell resigned as city manager last week, before attempting to rescind his resignation.
Tuesday, 5/23:
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 Commission has a regular weekly meeting at the Athens County Courthouse, 15 S. Court St., 2nd floor annex, commissioners’ conference room, Athens, and over Zoom.
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.
5:30 p.m.: Athens Township Board of Trustees has a regular biweekly meeting at the Athens Township Hall, 313 W. Union St., Athens. In-person only. Agenda
6 p.m.: Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities has a regular monthly meeting at the Beacon School, 801 W. Union St., Athens. In-person only.
Wednesday, 5/24:
6 p.m.: Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center has a regular biweekly meeting at the Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center, 21 Birge Drive, Chauncey. In-person only.
Thursday, 5/25:
3:30 p.m.: Athens County Board of Elections has a special meeting to make a decision on the printing and outsourcing of absentee ballots for the August 8 special election, Athens County Board of Elections office, 15 S. Court St. room 130, Athens. In-person only.
5:30 p.m.: Jacksonville Village Council has a regular monthly meeting at the Jacksonville Fire Station, 34 S. 6th St., Jacksonville. In-person only.
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, 5/26:
No public meetings
Saturday, 5/27:
8 a.m.: Troy Township Board of Trustees has a regular monthly meeting at the Troy Township Building, 25600 Brimstone Rd., Coolville. In-person only.
Monday, 5/29:
Memorial Day
Tuesday, 5/30:
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 Commission 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 p.m.: Athens County Veteran Service Commission has a regular biweekly meeting at OhioMeansJobs – Athens County, 510 W. Union St., Athens. In-person only.
