The Scoop Announcements Feb. 3, 2026

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

• Ohio Department of Transportation
  • 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.
  • U.S. 50 RCUT construction: Taking place at Coolville on U.S. 50. Estimated completion: Jan. 31.

• 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). 

General

• Parents/kids gaming conversation: Discuss online gaming (from Roblox to Fortnite) and AI at Deep Dive Games 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 7, with Athens In Real Life, a group dedicated to finding balance between real life and screen life. 908 E. State St., Athens. 
• Exterior maintenance/home repair: Nelsonville Code Enforcement Office and Helping Hands of Southeast Ohio can provide three senior homeowners with the resources for snow removal. Visit here or call 740-907-8585.
• Athens Soil Water Conservation District ​2026 tree sale: Deadline to order trees and other wildlife is Friday, Feb. 13. Tentative distribution date is April 3. Order here. 
• Vend at 2026 Nelsonville Music Festival: Small, independent businesses and entrepreneurs in the region can apply to vend at NMF by Friday, Feb. 20. Food and artisan vendors selected in early March; all applicants will be notified. 
• Real estate tax bills due: Property owners and citizens across Athens County can expect to receive property tax bills by mail; payment due by Friday, March 6. 
• Register for Relay for Life of Greater Athens: Annual fundraising event is Friday, March 20 in Athens. Register via link; email questions to rflathens@gmail.com.
• Nursing and milk-sharing survey: Women/mothers over 18 years old who have engaged in breast milk sharing or cross-nursing are invited to participate in a confidential research study with OU doctoral candidate Prathana Dodia. $15 gift card compensation. Email pd435622@ohio.edu.