Note: All information is current as of The Scoop’s production on Wednesday morning. Click the links for the most up-to-date information.
Government
- Drought relief for farmers: The Athens Soil Water Conservation District is accepting applications from farmers impacted by the 2024 drought.
- Outdoor rec design board: ORCA is recruiting new board members for the Athens Wayne Outdoor Asset Development Corporation, which designs recreation opportunities across governmental boundaries. Completed questionnaire by 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 28. Email btroyer@athensohio.com with questions.
Boil order:
- Nelsonville: On Wednesday, Feb. 19, Nelsonville Water Department implemented a boil order for High Street from Second Street to Burr Oak Boulevard due to a water line break and repair. The boil order will be in effect for the area until 3:00 p.m., Friday, Feb. 20.
Traffic:
- Nelsonville: Burr Oak Boulevard between Hillside Drive and U.S. 33 will remain closed until 6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 20.
- Athens: Crews are working along the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway between West Union Street and Richland Avenue. Users should exercise caution as equipment may be near or on sections of the path; users will be guided off the path for small sections as work progresses.
Taxes:
- Special assessment explained: Tax bills recently mailed by the Athens County Treasurer include special assessments for the Hocking Conservancy District. The district determines its own assessment rates and where they apply. State law requires the Athens County Auditor’s Office to apply all certified assessments to property tax bills; the auditor cannot modify or remove them. If you have questions or concerns about the special assessments, contact the Hocking Conservancy District at 740-592-1792 or hcd-mccd@hockingcd.org.
Community
- Children’s clothing swap: The Birth Circle’s February clothing swap offers newborn–toddler clothes for $5, as well as coffee and tea. 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 19. 217 Columbus Road, suite 103, Athens.
- Calls for donations:
- Ohio Valley Museum of Discovery: Unwanted towels, empty shoeboxes (with or without lids) and miscellaneous packing supplies such as cornstarch packing peanuts, cardboard rings, or foam shapes. Call 740-592-6863 with questions; drop off at 67 Columbus Road, Athens.
- Serenity Grove Women’s Recovery House: Period products and laundry soap (liquid or pods). Accepting donations through March 7 at Donkey Coffee, 17 W. Washington St., Athens.
- Seeking (specific) makers: The Community Makerspace is looking for a local maker who knows how to make bard hats and to instruct a class. Call 740-447-4019 for details.
- Monitor frog and toad calls: Join a long-term survey of frog and toad calls as a volunteer with the Rural Action Watershed Team, Wayne National Forest and Ohio University’s Wildlife Club, which have partnered to conduct annual monitoring between March and June. Email hannahk@ruralaction.org with questions; register to volunteer by Thursday, Feb. 20; informational meeting and orientation at 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 23 at Wayne National Forest Headquarters & Athens Ranger Station, 13700 U.S. 33, Nelsonville.
- Seeking medical research participants: Ohio University’s Dr. Angela Hillman invites those with metabolic syndrome to participate in a study on using tart cherry supplementation. Compensation available. Learn more by email at tartcherrystudy@ohio.edu and pre-screen for eligibility here.
- Concert ticket giveaway: Republic of Athens Records is giving away two pairs of tickets to the Julien Baker concert hosted by the OHIO Music Industry Summit on March 27. Sign up at the store or contact ROAR via social media for more information.
Scholarships
- Teen internship opportunity: Good Works is accepting applications for its annual Summer Agricultural Internship for teens, to be held June through August. Each intern receives a $500 stipend. Application materials due May 31. Email email@good-works.net for more information; additional internship opportunities available.
Free resources
Food:
- The Athens County Food Pantry: Free food to income-eligible families every weekday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month. 13183 SR 13, Millfield.
- Mobile distributions (with pre-registration) are every third Saturday of each month, in Albany, New Marshfield and Trimble .
- Food distribution event: Smith Chapel Food and Clothing Mission offers park-and-load food distribution on Friday, Feb. 21 from 10 a.m. to noon; regularly held the second and third Friday of each month; visit only one date per month. 1333 E. Front Street, Logan.
- Friday pantry: Federal Valley Resource Center hosts its weekly pantry event, which includes fresh produce, on Friday, Feb. 21 from 11 a.m. to noon. Not income-based; food is for everyone. Monthly choice pantry event is held Sunday, Feb. 23, from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. 8225 SR 329, Stewart.
- Friday Night Life: Good Works invites the community to come together for a hot meal every Friday, including Feb. 21. Doors open at 4:30 p.m. and dinner begins at 5:15 p.m.; take-home food available. The Plains United Methodist Church, 3 N. Plains Road, The Plains.
- Food pantry truck: The Athens Catholic Community Food Pantry offers pantry items to those in need on the third Friday of every month; this week on Friday, Feb. 21, at 8:30 a.m. Christ the King University Parish, 75 Stewart St, Athens.
- Weekly drive-thru meals: Athens Church of Christ offers drive-thru meals every Tuesday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.; call ahead at 740-593-7414 if possible. 785 W. Union St, Athens.
Health clinics:
- Ohio University Community Health Programs is hosting free health screenings:
- Wednesday, Feb. 19: Primary care from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Heritage Community Clinic, 16 W. Green Drive, Athens.
- Thursday, Feb. 20: Women’s health from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Heritage Community Clinic, 16 W. Green Drive, Athens.
- Tuesday, Feb. 25: Health screenings from noon to 3 p.m. at Kroger, Trimble.
Trainings/career:
- Resume and job search help: Mobile Career Centers will be set up at locations across the county Feb. 19–26 to offer resume advice and help with job search and placement. See list of locations here; timing varies.
- Business branding workshop: ACENet invites new or seasoned entrepreneurs to a workshop on building brand recognition and crafting affordable logos and labels at 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 24, at the Athens County Community Cares Resource Center, 10 W. Washington St., Nelsonville. Register.
Child care:
- Open play: Bring babies and older siblings to play while grown-ups get time to talk at this twice-weekly playtime put on by the Birth Circle. Held on Thursday, Feb. 20, from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Masks required. The Nest, 217 Columbus Road, suite 103, Athens.
Mental health:
- Family support group: National Alliance on Mental Health hosts a free bi-weekly family support group meetings on the first and third Thursday of every month at 6 p.m., including this Thursday, Feb. 20. Meetings are held at Athens Photography Project, 434 W. Union St, Athens.
