The Scoop Announcements Dec. 9, 2025

Note: All information is current as of The Scoop’s production on Tuesday morning. Click the links for the most up-to-date information. 

Traffic

• City of Athens
  • Free parking in Uptown garage: After 4 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, and Thursday, Dec. 18; all day Saturday, Dec. 20, Wednesday, Dec. 24, and Thursday, Dec. 25. Excludes two-hour metered spaces on Level 1 Upper. The 72-hour parking restriction will be suspended Sunday, Dec. 14 through Sunday, Jan. 12. 

• Ohio Department of Transportation
  • SR 550 slope stabilization: Between Eddy Road and Hooper Ridge Road. The road will be closed 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Monday–Friday. Estimated completion: Dec. 12.
  • U.S. 33 Athens-Meigs expansion: A two-lane to four-lane expansion project is taking place on U.S. 33 from Athens to Darwin and Five Points to Ravenswood. Lane closures will be in place in both directions on U.S. 33 between Pleasant Hill Road and Oxley Road. Rolling roadblocks will be in place during rock blasts. Flaggers will maintain traffic at side roads intermittently. Estimated completion: 2028.

• Albany
  • Hebbardsville Road bridge: Athens County EMS announced Sept. 12 that unforeseen structural issues will cause a potential six-month closure of the bridge at Hebbardsville Road (CR 17A) at the Fisher Road intersection (CR 17). 

• Chauncey
  • SR 682 sewer line project: Project ongoing between 3rd Street and 4th Street; temporary signals in use. One lane closed. Estimated completion: Jan. 9. 

General

• Holiday pet picture day: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. Vaccinated pets only. $5, all proceeds benefit the Nelsonville Dog Park. Hocking College Boarding & Grooming Facility, 222 Myers Street, Nelsonville.
• Local gift guide: The Athens Area Chamber of Commerce has released its guide for shopping local this holiday season. Includes discounts, gift suggestions, and member-contributed articles.
• Survey for children with disability or IEP: The Athens-City County Health Department’s Inclusive Sports Working Group is surveying Athens County youth with disabilities to find out if they’d like to play sports, and, if so, what sports they would like to play. 
• Nelsonville water loss abatement program: The City of Nelsonville is offering a water loss abatement program in 2026 to help customers in a water leak emergency. Register through link. 
• Seeking food bank volunteers: Southeast Ohio Foodbank is seeking volunteers with warehouse experience. Shifts will be in Logan. Contact raya.abner@hapcap.org or call 740-270-3217. 
• Homelessness experience survey: HAPCAP seeks feedback from those who have experienced homelessness or a temporary shelter to better understand community needs and develop effective programs. Call 740-767-1061. 
• Photo class for people in recovery: Athens County residents in recovery from substance use disorder are invited to join a photography group through Athens Photo Project. No experience needed. Classes begin Jan. 8, 1:30–3:30 p.m. or 6–8 p.m. Thursdays. Workshops will be Fridays. Register by calling 740-206-8466.