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.
A judge has granted a protective order “to protect against the unnecessary disclosure of Confidential Information” In a lawsuit alleging the city of Nelsonville and former city employees violated the civil rights of a Black resident and his family. The order, for which all parties in the lawsuit motioned jointly, allows various materials that would otherwise be public to be designated confidential or for attorneys’ eyes only. (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio Eastern Division)
- Indy context: All three former Nelsonville Police Department employees named in the suit now work for the Meigs County Sheriff’s Office. Two faced prior, separate allegations of racism.
Parties reached a $900,000 settlement agreement in a lawsuit over the death of former Southeast Ohio Regional Jail detainee Jennifer Ohlinger. The settlement agreement must be approved by the judge. (Logan Daily News)
- Indy context: Ohlinger died after she fell and hit her head at the jail on June 25, 2018. James Gray, a nurse and medical supervisor for the jail, responded to the accident by ordering a blood draw and giving her an ibuprofen, rather than sending Ohlinger to the hospital, according to court documents.
Various Ohio University colleges are seeing growth amid OU’s overall enrollment uptick. The Russ College of Engineering and Technology, the College of Fine Arts all had a record enrollment class this year, with growth in other colleges, too. (The Post)
- Indy context: As Ohio University enrollment grows, labor leaders say staffing should too.
Athens City Council discussed the redevelopment at The Ridges at last week’s meeting. Council President Christine Kinsley said she expects a 10-year timeline for the process, which includes renovations and new housing developments. Also, additional staff joined city code enforcement. (The New Political)
Athens’ Halloween Block Party returned for the second year after a two-year hiatus at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. (The Post)
After Ohio implemented restrictive voter ID laws, more provisional ballots were tossed out for lack of identification. Overall, 22.5% of provisional ballots cast in the August special election were rejected — and 31.9% of those were rejected over lack of ID, in comparison to an average of 6.7%. (Statehouse News Bureau)
Events
- Stuart’s Opera House Presents: An Evening with Bruce Cockburn: 8–10 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, Stuart’s Opera House, 52 Public Square, Nelsonville
- Eclipse Company Store Trivia Night: 7–9 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31, Eclipse Company Store, 11309 Jackson Drive, The Plains
- Donkey Coffee Designated Space: 9–11 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31, Donkey Coffee, 17 W. Washington St., Athens
- Hocking College Bingo: 4–9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, Hocking College Student Center, 3301 Hocking Parkway, Nelsonville
- Fall Sustainability Series: “Taking Root: The Vision of Wangari Maathai”: 7–9 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 1, The Ridges Auditorium, 135 Ridges Rd., Athens
- Donkey Coffee Open Stage: 8–10:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 2, Donkey Coffee, 17 W. Washington St., Athens
- The Met: Live in HD: Heggie’s “Dead Man Walking”: 12:55–4:09 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, The Ridges Auditorium, 135 Ridges Rd, Athens
- Scottish Country Dance Class: 2–4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 5, Athens Community Center, 701 E. State St., Athens
Have an event to promote? Add it to our online Calendar!
Halloween events
See our full list of events for more seasonal fun.
- Haunted Hampton trick or treat: 5–7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, Hampton Inn, 986 E. State St., Athens
- Athens trick or treat: 5:30–7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31
- The Plains trick or treat: 5:30–7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31
- Amesville trick or treat: 6–7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31
- Jacksonville trick or treat: 6–7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31. Light refreshments immediately afterwards at the Jacksonville Fire Station.
- Coolville Ghoulfest: 5–8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 31, Coolville.
- Annual Bonfire Bash: 5:30–8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 3, Chauncey Public Library, 29 Converse St., Chauncey.
- AHRC Pumpkin Smash: 12–4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, Athens-Hocking Recycling Center, 5991 Industrial Drive, Athens
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.
- Nov. 7 general election: Absentee and early in-person voting is underway. More information is available via the Ohio Secretary of State. Check out the Independent’s interactive voters guide, featuring nonpartisan analysis from the League of Women Voters of Athens County and video of LWV-sponsored candidate forums.
- Winter Crisis Program begins: Residents of Athens, Hocking and Perry counties can get help with winter heating bills beginning Wednesday, Nov. 1, through Hocking Athens Perry Community Action’s Winter Crisis Program. To qualify, you must be income-eligible (total gross household income at or below 175% of federal poverty guidelines) and be in an emergency situation. To schedule an appointment, call 740-868-1908.
- Dairy Lane traffic restriction: Waterline installation will begin Monday, Oct. 23, starting near the Richland Avenue intersection. Local traffic only between Richland Avenue and the Summit at Coates Run driveway.
- Loose leaf pickup this week: Area #3, which includes neighborhoods south of the Hocking River as well as East Union Street to the fairgrounds. See map for details.
- Curbside leaf pickup: The street department will collect leaves every 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. Do not include other yard waste. You can schedule leaf pick up by texting “Hi” to 740-265-3858 or call 740-753-1314 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Oakdale Road (CR 31) is now open.
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. 3.
- US 50 between Della Drive and River Road and between Vanderhoof Road and SR 144; expected completion Nov. 1.
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, Oct. 30
1 p.m.: Buckeye Hills Regional Council Broadband Committee, Buckeye Hills Regional Council, 1400 Pike St., Marietta. The purpose of this meeting is to provide updates and discuss the recently released Ohio Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program Proposal Volume II.
Tuesday, Oct. 31
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
Wednesday, Nov. 1
6 p.m.: Albany Village Council, Albany Village Hall, 5153 Alton St., Albany.
6 p.m.: Athens Environment and Sustainability Commission, Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., 1st floor conference room, Athens.
6 p.m.: Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District Policy Committee, AHSWD office, 1121 Chestnut St., Nelsonville. Agenda: Discuss approval of the draft Solid Waste Management Plan.
6 p.m.: Waterloo Township Board of Trustees, Waterloo Fire Department, 8224 Hawk Rd., New Marshfield.
6:30 p.m.: Albany Village Council, Albany Village Hall, 5153 Alton St., Albany.
Thursday, Nov. 2
9 a.m.: Athens County Budget Commission, Athens County Courthouse, 15 S. Court St., 1st floor annex, auditor’s conference room, Athens.
10 a.m.: Natural Resources Assistance Council, Buckeye Hills Regional Council, 1400 Pike St., Marietta. The purpose of this meeting is to rate and rank the Fiscal Year 2024 (Round 18) applications.
12 p.m.: Athens Planning Commission, Athens City Building, 8 E. Washington St., 3rd floor, Athens, and over livestream.
5 p.m.: Rome Township Board of Trustees, Rome Township Building, 8708 SR 144, Stewart.
6 p.m.: Buchtel Village Council, Buchtel Village Hall, 17710 N. Akron Ave., Buchtel.
6 p.m.: Dover Township Board of Trustees, Dover Township Garage, 15947 Main St., Millfield.
Friday, Nov. 3
11:30 a.m.: Buckeye Hills Regional Council, Buckeye Hills Regional Council, 1400 Pike St., Marietta.
