The Indy Bulletin Board: Athens County Events, Announcements, Public Meetings, & Local News Roundup, Nov. 13-17

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.

Athens residents will see a 3% annual increase on sewer bills through 2040 to support the city’s sewer budget, after a vote by Athens City Council last week. Council members also amended an ordinance hiking parking rates. (WOUB Public Media)

Amesville streets will get safer for pedestrians, with crosswalks, curb ramps and a new sidewalk coming to SR 329 and SR 550. The improvements are thanks to a grant-funded collaboration between the village and Athens County Creating Healthy Communities. (Athens County Creating Healthy Communities)

Nelsonville is one of 25 finalists for the 2023 PetSafe Unleashed Dog Park Contest, making the city eligible for a “dream dog park” valued at up to $50,000. (City of Nelsonville)

Natural and specialty foods store The Farmacy will soon close its doors. The Farmacy’s owners said the COVID-19 pandemic and construction on Stimson Avenue in Athens, where the store is located, both hurt the business. (The Post)

Jacelyn McGaughey and Shawn Stover have been named Athens County’s Behavioral Health Advocates of the year by the Athens-Hocking-Vinton Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services board. (317 Board)

Retired judge and legal analyst Gayle Williams-Byers and Tom Hodson, director emeritus of WOUB Public Media and former Athens County Court of Common Pleas judge, deciphered legal terms and concepts often used in reporting on former President Donald J. Trump’s court cases. (WOUB Public Media)

After Ohioans passed a ballot issue to protect abortion access, statehouse Republicans immediately began signaling their intent to limit the constitutional amendment’s impact. In an ambiguous statement posted on the Ohio House website over the weekend, lawmakers stated they would consider “removing jurisdiction from the judiciary” over abortion rights. (Statehouse News Bureau)

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine says he accepts the election results — but promised changes to the recreational marijuana law voters passed last week. (Statehouse News Bureau)

Indy context: Athens County voters supported ballot measures to protect abortion access and legalize recreational marijuana by among the highest margins in the state.

Events

“A Thousand Words”: Athens Photo Project Artist Reception: 4–5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, Athens City Parking Garage, 7 E. Washington St., Athens
Community Food Pantry Distribution: 5–6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, Heritage Community Clinic, 16 West Green Drive, Athens
Caregiver Support Group: 5:30–6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., Athens
Trivia Night: 7–9 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, Eclipse Company Store, 11309 Jackson Drive, The Plains
Donkey Coffee Designated Space: 9–11 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, Donkey Coffee, 17 W. Washington St., Athens
Athens-Hocking Recycling Trail ribbon cutting: 10 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, Athens-Hocking Recycling Center, 5991 Industrial Drive, Athens
Hocking College Bingo: 4–9 p.m. Wednesday Nov. 15, 185 W. Canal St. (formerly the site of LS) Nelsonville
Movie at the Museum: “Acapulco Gold”: 7–8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, Cannabis Museum, 16050 Canaanville Rd., Athens
“Twelfth Night”: 8 p.m. Nov. 15–18, Tantrum Theater, Forum Theater, RTV Building, 35 College St., Athens
College Lunch Thursdays: 11:30–1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, First Presbyterian Church, 2 N. Court St., Athens
Lyceum Lunch with Tyler McDaniel: 12–1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, Southeast Ohio History Center, 24 W. State St., Athens
Open Stage Night: 8–10:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, Donkey Coffee, 17 W. Washington St., Athens
Calliope Fall 2023 Concert: 7:30–9 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17 and 4–5:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, Athens First Presbyterian Church, 2 N. Court St., Athens
The Music of Invisible Ground: 8–10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17, Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville
Poetry Out Loud Regional Semifinals: 5–7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville

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.

Board member sought: The Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center seeks applicants for an at-large seat on its governing board. Applicants may reside in any of its constituent school districts, including all five of Athens County’s districts. The board will name a replacement at its December meeting.
Secret Santa for Super Seniors: Hocking and Athens County Meals on Wheels is accepting donations for its Secret Santa program through Dec. 1. Select a gift tag from the tree at HAPCAP office in Glouster (3 Cardaras Drive) or visit hapcap.org/santa to receive a tag virtually. Gifts may be dropped off at HAPCAP Glouster office or at Friendly Paws Pet Supply & Grooming, 940 E. State St., Athens).
Contaminated drug warning: The Ohio Narcotics Intelligence Center has issued a public safety bulletin warning of increased presence of potentially fatal mixtures in the state’s illicit drug supply. More than half of Ohio’s overdose deaths between 2017 and 2021 involved polydrug mixtures.

City of Athens

Bids for Armory rehab: The Athens Community Improvement Corporation is accepting sealed bids for labor, materials and equipment for construction of the Athens Armory Rehabilitation project. Mandatory pre-bid meeting at 2 p.m. Nov. 28 at the Armory. Deadline: 2 p.m. Dec. 14.
Blackburn Road water pressure: The city will perform water tank maintenance in the Blackburn Road area through Thursday. The affected area includes North Blackburn Road (including Kimes Lane and Larson’s Way), South Blackburn Road (including Albany Road, Andover Place, Berkley Drive, Cash Lane, Clover Lane and Westfield Place) and Wonder Hills. A boil order may be issued after repairs are complete.
Loose leaf pickup this week: Area 2, which includes the West Side, Highland/Congress area, University Estates and Uptown. See map for details.

City of Nelsonville

Curbside leaf pickup: Leaves will be collected on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday until Nov. 22, depending on weather. Rake leaves to the curbside; do not rake them into the street or pile them around fire hydrants, street signs or utility poles. Schedule leaf pick up by texting “Hi” to 740-265-3858 or calling 740-753-1314 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

ODOT projects in Athens County

East State Street resurfacing: One lane of East State Street is closed at Della Drive. Traffic is being maintained with signals. Estimated completion: Nov. 24.

Public meetings

Note: Schedule is based on meeting notices published by public bodies and on regular meeting schedules of community organizations. This schedule may change after the Bulletin Board is posted — check our website for the most up-to-date information.

All meetings are in-person only unless otherwise noted.

Monday, Nov. 13

4:30 p.m.: Le-Ax Water District Board of Directors, Le-Ax Water Office, 6000 Industrial Drive, Athens.

6:30 p.m.: Lodi Township Board of Trustees, Lodi Township Building, 15525 Fossil Rock Rd., Athens.

7 p.m.: Athens City Council, 8 E. Washington St., Athens. Streaming or in-person. Agenda.

7 p.m.: Little Hocking Water Association Board, Little Hocking Water Association, 3998 Newbury Rd., Little Hocking.

7 p.m.: Nelsonville City Council, Nelsonville City Hall, 211 Lake Hope Drive, Nelsonville, and over livestream. Agenda

7 p.m.: Trimble Village Council, Trimble Village Hall, 19549 Congress St., Trimble.

7:30 p.m.: Tuppers Plains Chester Water District Board of Directors, Tuppers Plains Chester Water District, 39561 Bar 30 Rd., Reedsville.

Tuesday, Nov. 14

9:30 a.m.: Athens County Board of Commissioners, Athens County Courthouse annex, second floor, 15 S. Court St., Athens. In-person and livestream. Agenda

10 a.m.: Athens County Budget Commission, Athens County Courthouse annex, first floor, 15 S. Court St., Athens.

5:30 p.m.: Athens Disabilities Commission Outreach & Communications Committee, Berry Conference Room, 8 E. Washington St., Athens. Agenda

5:30 p.m.: Athens Township Trustees, 313 W. Union St., Athens. Agenda

7 p.m.: Burr Oak Regional Water District, Tom Jenkins Dam Water Office, 23560 Tom Jenkins Dam Rd., Glouster.

7 p.m.: Coolville Village Council, Coolville Village Hall, 26319 Main St., Coolville.

7 p.m.: Lee Township Board of Trustees, Lee Township Office, 2013 Mill St., Albany.

Wednesday, Nov. 15

11 a.m.: Athens County Community Singers Advisory Board, Plains Public Library, 14 S. Plains Rd., The Plains.

11 a.m.: Athens County Land Bank Board, Athens County Courthouse, 15 S. Court St., 2nd floor annex, commissioners’ conference room, Athens, and over Google Meet.

1 p.m.: Athens County Port Authority, Ohio University Innovation Center, room 103, 340 W. State St., Athens, and over Zoom.

2:30 p.m.: Athens County Children Services Family and Children First Council, Ohio Means Jobs, 510 W. Union St., Athens.

4 p.m.: Athens Soil and Water Conservation District Board of Supervisors, Athens Soil and Water Conservation District, 69 S. Plains Rd., The Plains.

4:30 p.m.: Athens County Public Libraries Board of Trustees, Nelsonville Public Library, 95 W. Washington St., Nelsonville.

5:30 p.m.: Athens City Commission on Disabilities, Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., Athens, or over Zoom by request for accommodations. Agenda.

6 p.m.: Parade of the Hills Committee, Nelsonville Homes, 900 E. Canal St., Nelsonville.

6:30 p.m.: Albany Village Council, Albany Village Hall, 5153 Alton St., Albany.

6:30 p.m.: Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center Governing Board, Meigs Early Learning Center, 39105 Bradbury Rd., Middleport.

7 p.m.: Albany Independent Agricultural Society Board, Albany Fairgrounds, 5120 Washington Rd., Albany.

Thursday, Nov. 16

Noon.: Athens Planning Commission, Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., 3rd floor, Athens, and over livestream. Agenda.

5 p.m.: Athens-Hocking Recycling Center Board, Athens-Hocking Recycling Center, 5991 Industrial Park Rd., Athens.

5 p.m.: Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council general assembly, Arcade third floor, 31 S. Main St., Dayton. In-person or email support@sopec-oh.gov for virtual access.

5:30 p.m.: Athens Recreation Advisory Board, Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., Athens. Agenda.

6 p.m.: Dover Township Board of Trustees, Dover Township Garage, 15947 Main St., Millfield.

6 p.m.: Nelsonville Dog Park Board, Nelsonville City Hall, 211 Lake Hope Drive, Nelsonville

6 p.m.: Trimble Local Board of Education, Trimble Local School District Office, 1 Tomcat Dr., Glouster.

6:30 p.m.: Athens City School District Board of Education, Athens Middle School, 51-55 W. State St., Athens.

Friday, Nov. 17

10 a.m.: OneOhio Region 12 Committee, John McIntire Library, 220 5th St., Zanesville.

5 p.m.: Rome Township Board of Trustees, Rome Township Building, 8708 SR 144, Stewart.

Monday, Nov. 20

5 p.m.: Athens County Veteran Service Commission, OhioMeansJobs – Athens County, 510 W. Union St., Athens.