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 City Council began considering an ordinance that would penalize bars for overcrowding, drawing criticism from some bar owners who suggested proposed penalties were too aggressive. (The New Political)
Ohio University students rallied last week against evangelical preachers who promoted homophobic and transphobic views on campus. (The Post)
The Tri-County Career Center now offers drivers education courses to students. (The 360)
In a dispute between Perry County and Hocking College related to the college’s use of land donated by the county, a state appeals court upheld a ruling in the college’s favor. One judge on the panel dissented. (Logan Daily News)
The 2023 Walk to End Alzheimer’s attracted over 300 people to the Athens Community Center on Sept. 30 and raised over $44,000. (Athens Messenger)
Spectrum filed a complaint last week arguing that AEP Ohio has deliberately slowed the television and internet company’s efforts to extend broadband to underserved areas in Ohio, particularly in Appalachia. The complaint alleges AEP Ohio has delayed approving Spectrum’s access to AEP poles so that AEP can use its own wires instead. (Columbus Dispatch)
Advocacy groups filed a challenge to recently adopted Ohio House and Senate district maps with the Ohio Supreme Court, arguing the maps are gerrymandered and on par with maps the court already invalidated. (Ohio Capital Journal)
A pandemic-era program providing federal funding for childcare recently expired, with 2,100 childcare programs in Ohio expected to close as funding runs out, affecting nearly 135,000 children. (Axios Columbus)
The Ohio House Higher Education Committee questioned Republican representatives over a bill to ban transgender students in Ohio K-12 schools and colleges from using bathrooms and locker rooms that match their gender. (Ohio Capital Journal)
The famous Circleville Pumpkin Show will take place Oct. 18-21. Learn about its history and what to expect this year. (The 360)
Events
- Free Healthcare Clinic: 3:30–7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, Grosvenor Hall, 16 W. Green Drive, Athens
- Caregiver Support Group: 5:30–6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., Athens
- Eclipse Company Store Trivia Night: 7–9 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, 11309 Jackson Drive, The Plains
- Jazz Night at Rhapsody: 6–8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, 18 Public Square, Nelsonville
- Old Time Jam Nights Fall 2023: 6:30–8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville
- Words & Wine on Wednesday: 6:30–8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, Athens Uncorked, 14 Station St., Athens
- Ohio University Sustainability Series: “To The End”: 7–9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 11, The Ridges Auditorium, 135 Ridges Circle, Athens
- Herbs for Respiratory Health: 6–8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, Online and Arts West, 132 West State Street, Athens
- From the Hills and Hollers: “Tucker and Dale vs. Evil” with Dr. Tiffany Arnold: 7–8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, The Ridges Auditorium, 135 Ridges Drive, Athens
- Sunny War: 8–10 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville
- Fall Garden Clean Up with Athens In Bloom: 9–11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, Stimson Avenue Roundabout, Athens
- Fall Fungi Festival: Saturday, Oct. 14–Sunday, Oct. 15, Tenderfoot Learning Lab, 9365 5 Points Rd., Athens
- Cryptids by the Creek Steampunk Event: Noon–8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, Dutch Creek Winery, 12157 SR 690, Athens
Have an event to promote? Add it to our online Calendar!
Election Events
- Early voting begins Wednesday, Oct. 11.
- Federal Hocking School Board Candidate Forum: 7–8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, Federal Hocking High School, 8461 SR 144, Stewart
- Nelsonville City Council Candidate Forum: 7–8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 10, The Lodge at Hocking College, 15770 SR 691, Nelsonville
- Ames Township Trustees Virtual Meet the Candidates: 7–7:45 p.m. Friday, Oct. 13, livestreamed on Facebook
- Coolville Village Council Meet the Candidates: 4–5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 15, Coolville United Methodist Church, 26460 Main St., Coolville
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.
General
- Medicare Open Enrollment: Enroll in or change your Medicare plan for 2024 beginning Sunday, Oct. 15.
- Special Reconnect Order: The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio (PUCO) has issued its Special Reconnect Order for the heating season that begins Monday, Oct. 16. The order caps payments to PUCO-regulated utilities to connect, reconnect or maintain electric and gas service during the winter.
- In-Demand Jobs Survey: Ohio businesses are asked to provide feedback for the state’s Top Jobs List, which guides workforce training and federal funding.
- Triennial property value update: Use the Search function on the auditor’s website to find your property (by parcel number, owner name or address). Reappraised property values are in the Valuation section.
- Paving: Pleasant Hill Road (CR 21), Rock Riffle Road (CR 25).
- Road closures
- Elliotsville Road (Athens Twp. 57), 9 a.m.–3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, at 8585 Elliotsville Rd. for new sanitary sewer tap. No through or emergency traffic.
- Radford Road (CR 19) between 7207 and 7320 Radford Rd. for Athens County/US 50 Sanitary Sewer Project. Local traffic only. Expected completion: Oct. 13.
- Oakdale Road (CR 31), .10 miles south of the Perry County line for a bridge replacement. Expected completion: Nov. 9.
ODOT projects in Athens County
- US 33/US 50 interchange: 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.
Tuesday, Oct. 10
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. In-person only.
5:30 p.m.: Athens Township Board of Trustees, 313 W. Union St., Athens. In -person only. Agenda
5:30 p.m. Athens City Commission on Disabilities Outreach and Communications Committee, Berry Conference Room, Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., Athens. Email disabilitiescommission@ci.athens.oh.us for attendance accommodations. Agenda.
7 p.m.: Athens Board of Zoning Appeals, third floor of the Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., Athens. In person and livestream. Agenda.
7 p.m.: Burr Oak Regional Water District, Tom Jenkins Dam Water Office, 23560 Tom Jenkins Dam Rd., Glouster. In-person only.
7 p.m.: Coolville Village Council, Coolville Village Hall, 26319 Main St., Coolville. In-person only.
7 p.m.: Lee Township Board of Trustees, Lee Township Office, 2013 Mill St., Albany. In-person only.
Wednesday, Oct. 11
10 a.m.: Ohio Area 14 Workforce Development Board, Ohio University Inn & Conference Center, 331 Richland Ave., Athens. In-person only.
10 a.m.: Hocking Valley Community Residential Center, 111 W. 29 Drive, Nelsonville. In-person only.
10:30 a.m.: Hocking Conservancy District, district office, 560 W. Union St., Athens. In-person only.
Noon: Athens Affordable Housing Commission, Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., Athens. In-person only.
3:30 p.m.: Athens County Board of Elections, board office, 15 S. Court St. #130, Athens. In-person only.
5:30 p.m.: Alexander Township Board of Trustees, 8711 Harner Rd., Athens. In-person only.
5:30 p.m.: Athens Municipal Arts Commission, ARTS/West, 132 W. State St., Athens. In-person only. Agenda.
6 p.m.: Athens-Meigs Educational Service Center, 21 Birge Drive, Chauncey. In-person only.
6 p.m.: Federal Hocking Board of Education, Federal Hocking High School Library, 8461 SR 144, Stewart. In-person only. Agenda
6 p.m.: Hockhocking Adena Bikeway Advisory Committee, Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., Athens. In-person and livestream.
6 p.m.: Nelsonville-York City School District Board of Education, Nelsonville-York Middle School, 2 Buckeye Drive, Nelsonville. In-person only.
6 p.m.: Trimble Township Wastewater Treatment District, 18551 Jacksonville Rd., Glouster. In-person only.
6:30 p.m.: Amesville Village Council, 21 Maple St., Amesville. In-person only.
7 p.m.: Alexander Local School District Board of Education, Alexander High School library, 6125 School Rd., Albany. In-person and livestream.
Thursday, Oct. 12
8 a.m.: Athens County Regional Planning Commission, Athens County Emergency Medical Services, 21 Kenny Drive, Athens. In-person only.
10 a.m.: District 18 Natural Resources Assistance Council Fiscal Year 2024 committee, Buckeye Hills Regional Council, 1400 Pike St., Marietta. In-person only.
Noon: Athens County Creating Healthy Communities Coalition, Zoom (password 786447).
1 p.m.: Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia, Baileys Trail System, 23 Main St., Chauncey. In-person only.
5:30 p.m.: Chauncey Village Council, Chauncey Village Hall, 42 Converse St., Chauncey. In-person and livestream.
6 p.m.: Bern Township Board of Trustees, Bern Township Office, 16877 Joy Rd., Sharpsburg. In-person only.
7 p.m. Athens Shade Tree Commission, council chambers, Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., Athens. Streaming or in-person. Agenda.
Friday, Oct. 13
12 p.m.: Athens City Commission on Disabilities Accessibility and Advocacy Committee, Berry Conference Room, Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., Athens. Email disabilitiescommission@ci.athens.oh.us for attendance accommodations. Agenda.
Monday, Oct. 16
11 a.m.: Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council, Finance Committee, Ohio University Innovation Center room 133, 340 W. State St., Athens. In-person or email support@sopec-oh.gov for virtual access.
12 p.m.: Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council, Personnel Committee, Ohio University Innovation Center room 133, 340 W. State St., Athens. In-person or email support@sopec-oh.gov for virtual access.
5 p.m.: Athens County Veteran Service Commission, OhioMeansJobs – Athens County, 510 W. Union St., Athens. In-person only.
5 p.m.: Rome Township Board of Trustees, Rome Township Building, 8708 SR 144, Stewart. In-person only.
5:30 p.m.: Athens City Historic Preservation Commission, Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., Athens. In-person only.
6 p.m.: York Township Board of Trustees, York Township Fire Department, 15255 Elm Rock Rd., Nelsonville. In-person only.
7 p.m. Athens City Council, 8 E. Washington St., Athens. Streaming or in-person. Agenda.
