The Scoop Announcements Jan. 6, 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. 

Audits 

• City of Athens: Financial audit, 01/01/2024–12/31/2024. Released Dec. 23.
• Athens City School District: Financial audit, 07/01/2024 – 06/30/2025. Released Dec. 30.

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.

• 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

• Free Christmas tree pickup: The City of Athens will accept discarded live trees on Tuesdays through January. Residents should place Christmas trees at the curb and call the city’s yard waste pickup line at 740-592-3343 to schedule.
• Youth registration for fair board openings: Register for the Albany Independent Fair Junior Fair Board from 6:30 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 7. Parent or guardian must be present. Call 740-591-5245 for details. Albany Independent Fair office, 5201 Washington Road, Albany.
• Amateur Radio License preparation classes: Athens County Amateur Radio Association classes take place in Athens 7–9 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 12 through March 16. Pre-register with Jeff Slatter at 740-541-0972 or n8suz@arrl.net. 
• Join Jacksonville Village Council: Registered Ohio voters who live in Jacksonville may apply for a one-year council seat. Submit a letter of interest by 3 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21, by emailing fiscalofficer@jacksonvilleoh.com, by mail at Jacksonville Mayor, PO Box 185, Jacksonville, OH 45740, or drop off at the village water office or drop box, 34 S. Sixth St., Jacksonville.
• Join Albany village board:  If you live within the Village of Albany and are interested in joining its Board of Zoning Appeals, contact the mayor at 740-698-6127.
• Seeking youth for mental health council: NAMI Athens Next Gen Council seeks locals ages 16–25 for its youth council, a paid one-year commitment. Contact Christian Benedetti at christian.benedetti@namiathensohio.org for details.
• Lodi Township finances: Lodi Township annual financial reports are available for review at the township garage. For an appointment, contact 740-953-1668.