Note: All information is current as of The Scoop’s production on Tuesday morning. Click the links for the most up-to-date information.
General announcements
- Summer Crisis Program: The last day to apply for assistance to pay electric bills, repair air conditioning units or buy an air conditioner or fan through the Home Energy Assistance Summer Crisis Program is Sept. 30.
- Seniors Farmers Market Program: Buckeye Hills Regional Council has received a new wave of funding for the Senior Farmers’ Market Nutrition Program, which helps eligible older adults in southeast Ohio access fresh, nutritious produce throughout the summer and fall months.
- Audits released: The state auditor’s office released the audits for the Burr Oak Regional Water District, Jan. 1, 2022–Dec. 31, 2023.
City of Athens recently passed ordinances
- 0-65-24: Amends Athens City zoning code B1, Neighborhood Business Zone, to add churches to the list of locations in restrictions on tobacco and cannabis establishments must be at least 500 feet. Introduced by Alan Swank, 4th Ward.
- 0-67-24: Amends Ordinance 108-17 to establish a specific quorum for the Athens City Affordable Housing Commission, as well as changing the start date for member terms. introduced by Solveig Spjeldnes, 1st Ward.
- 0-68-24: Authorizes sale for scrap of a city bus with 250,000 miles. Introduced by Spjeldnes.
- 0-69-24: Amends Ordinance 0-103-20, as amended by Ordinance 0-42-21, to authorize the execution of a first amended and restated tax increment financing agreement with the property owner in the University Estates Incentive District; authorizing the execution of a first amended and restated declaration of covenants and conditions relative to service payments in lieu of taxes, minimum service payment obligations, and other matters. Introduced by Swank.
- 0-70-24: Authorizes the mayor to sign an Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund administration agreement with the Ohio Development Services Agency. Introduced by Jeff Risner, 2nd Ward.
- 0-72-24: Grants a special right-of-way use permit at 85 Elmwood Place to replace/repair an existing fence and pool house located in the city right-of-way on Shannon Avenue. Introduced by Swank.
- 0-82-24: Authorizes the mayor to apply to participate in the State Capital Improvement and/or Local Transportation Improvement Program(s) for Issue I funds and execute contracts as required; and declaring an emergency. Introduced by Spjeldnes.
- 0-83-24: Amends the 2024 appropriation ordinance and Ordinance 51-23 to authorizing the purchase of a new dump truck. Introduced by Spjeldnes. (Editor’s note: This ordinance does not appear in the city’s list of approved ordinances.)
- 0-85-24: Approves a then-and-now certificate for payment of $3,103 to Webstaurant Store, LLC, for purchase of an icemaker; and declaring an emergency. Introduced by Risner.
Traffic advisories
Athens
- Union Street: Restricted to one lane between Congress and Court streets 7 a.m.–5 p.m. weekdays through Friday, Sept. 6 for construction at 63 S. Court St. The sidewalk also will be closed, but businesses on the construction side of the street will remain accessible. For more information, call the Athens Service-Safety Office at 740-592-3340.
- Court Street: Court Street will close at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, for The Plains Lions Club’s final Uptown Cruise-In. The street will reopen at 9 p.m. The street will close again at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 7, for Ohio Brew Week’s Fall Fest. The street will reopen at midnight.
- West Union Street: Two-way traffic is open from the bridge at SR 682 to Jefferson Street and from Shafer Street to Hospital Drive. Herrold Avenue also is two-way. Jefferson Street to Hospital Drive is one way eastbound (towards Uptown), with work extending past the gas station to Seaman’s. Business entrances will experience temporary closures. Direct questions or concerns to the Engineering and Public Works Department at 740-593-7636.
Ohio Department of Transportation
- U.S. 50 resurfacing: Lane closures from Della Drive to River Road; periodic ramp closures. Expected completion: Aug. 30.
- US. 33 bridge repair: Began Aug. 19. Between State Street and Johnson Road (CR 7). One westbound lane will be closed. Expected completion: Aug. 30.
- Trimble Twp. 313: Road closures will be in place for the resurfacing and culvert maintenance project through the Wallace O’Dowd Wildlife Area. Expected completion: Sept. 1.
- SR 690 landslide repair: Between Dutch Creek Road (CR 34) and SR 550. One-lane traffic will be maintained with temporary signals. Expected completion: Nov. 1.
- Albany traffic signal replacement: U.S. 50 at Washington Road/Meadowbrook Road in Albany. Short-term lane closures with flaggers. Expected completion: Nov. 1.
- SR 144 slope stabilization: One lane closed between Mountain Bell Road and SR 7; traffic maintained with temporary signals. Expected completion: Nov. 1.
