Note: All information is current as of The Scoop’s production on Wednesday morning. Click the links for the most up-to-date information.
Meetings
Tuesday, Jan. 28
7 p.m.: Nelsonville City Council, special meeting to pass legislation including authorizing a special election May 6 on government restructuring, Nelsonville City Hall, 211 Lake Hope Drive, Nelsonville, and livestream.
Monday, Feb. 3
9 a.m.: Athens County Budget Commission, County Auditor’s Conference Room, First Floor, Courthouse Annex, 15 S. Court St., Athens.
Government
- Dog license fee: All dogs over three months in Athens County must be registered with the auditor’s office. After Friday, Jan. 31, dog license fees for a one year tag (2025) increase.
- Rental property owner registration: The City of Nelsonville would like to remind residential rental property owners that rental property fees will be considered past due on Sunday, Feb. 2, with an additional $100 penalty for each dwelling unit.
- Neighborhood Corridor Overlay Zones: The City of Athens will host an open house to discuss ways to create distinct neighborhood districts at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 18 at the new fire station headquarters, 120 E. Stimson Ave.
- Albany 2025 Water Rate Analysis Project: Albany Municipal Water System has made its latest rate analysis available, with more information to follow soon in a public hearing.
- Drought recovery resource: The deadline for farmers impacted by drought in 2024 to apply for ELAP (Hay / Water Hauling) relief is Thursday, Jan. 30. Contact the USDA Farm Service Agency at (740) 797-4610 for more information.
- Audits released: WOUB Center for Public Media, financial audit, July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024; Le-Ax Regional Water District, Jan. 1–Dec. 31, 2023.
- Invitation for contractors to bid: Ath-Stimson Avenue Bridge Rehab Part #1, due Friday, Feb. 14; Strouds Run Dr. and Richland Avenue Bridge Part #2, due Friday, Feb. 14.
Community
- Point-in-time count of unhoused population: People who are unsheltered are invited to come together in community to enjoy hot food, beverages, and receive hygiene and cold weather supplies at a series of meetings designed to take count of how many people in the region are unhoused. The purpose of this important data measure is used to apply for funding and determine areas of greatest need in our area.
- Wednesday, Jan. 29: Athens Public Library (30 Home St.), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Thursday, Jan. 30: Vinton County Herbert Wescoat Library (120 N. Market St.) 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Friday, Jan. 31: Nelsonville First United Methodist Church (205 W. Columbus St.) 1 to 4 p.m.
- Friday, Jan. 31: Logan Shepherd of the Valley Fellowship Hall (297 Riff Avenue) 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Clothing swap: UpCycle hosts its New Year Clothing Swap on Friday, Jan. 31 from 10 a.m.–6p.m. For $10, take 2 items for each thing you bring, up to 30 items. UpCycle Ohio Thrift Store, 751 W. Union St., Athens.
- Polar plunge fundraiser: Albany VFW Post 9893 hosts its 7th Annual Polar Bear Plunge on Saturday, Feb. 1., raising money for the Beacon School. Online registration closes on Friday, Jan. 31 at 4 p.m.; in-person registration accepted until 11 a.m. day-of event. Contact Brian Johnson at (740) 856-9404 with questions. 5900 US 50, Lake Snowden, Albany.
- Call for architects and engineers: HAPCAP seeks to contract engineering and architectural services to participate in renovating the former Sunset Motel as it becomes a shelter for unhoused people. Contact Jeff Jenkins with questions (740) 767-4500; applications due Tuesday, Feb. 4.
- Scholastic Book Fair: The Patton College of Education’s Stevens Literacy Center will host a Scholastic Book Fair from Feb. 6–9 in the lobby of Patton Hall on Ohio University’s Athens campus. Books also may be purchased online. A portion of the proceeds will benefit schools affected by the Los Angeles wildfires.
- Help feed local families: The Birth Circle seeks community members to join its hot food delivery schedule and make double batches of meals to support families with new babies in the Athens area. Sign up here.
Free resources
- Meal bag distribution: Avalanche Pizza Bakers and Shawna Stump Insurance will hand out free meal bags for any families in need of food beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, at two drive-through locations: former Chauncey Elementary building, 21 Birge Drive, Chauncey; and Federal Valley Resource Center, 8225 SR 329, Stewart. Each location will have 100 bags available; each bag contains enough food for two people for one day.
- Home ramp installation: Residents of Athens, Hocking and Fairfield counties are eligible for permanent or temporary home ramp installation through SOCIL. Supplies limited, call (740) 689-1494 or email drmsocil@gmail.com.
- Food pantries:
- SEO Mobile Market: The Marking at Hocking Drive is hosting a Mobile Education Nutrition Unit event featuring taste-tastings, tips and recipes on how to turn pantry staples into delicious meals, on Thursday, Jan. 30 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. 35222 Hocking Drive, Logan.
- Federal Valley Resource Center: Food panty and bookmobile will be present on Friday, Jan. 31, from 11 a.m.–noon. 8225 SR 329, Stewart.
- Bike swap: Bring a bike in any condition to trade in for a tuned, rideable bike – for free! Flat repair and additional maintenance from Athens Bicycle Club members also available. UpCycle Ohio Community Makerspace, 751 W. Union St., Athens.
- Healthcare and screenings:
- Harm reduction clinic: Athens City-County Health Department hosts its weekly harm reduction clinic on Wednesday, Jan. 29, from noon–3 p.m. Services include free HIV testing, naloxone training, 1:1 exchange. 278 W. Union St., Athens.
- New parent financial support: The Bridge Project invites people over 18 years old in Appalachia who make less than $44,000/year and are under 14 weeks pregnant to apply for its unconditional cash transfer program, providing $750/month for three years. Apply here.
Tree and leaf pickup City of Athens: Free pickup of live trees throughout January. Place trees at the curb and call the city’s yard waste pickup line at 740-592-3343 to schedule.
