All information is current as of The Scoop’s production on Tuesday morning. Click the links for the most up-to-date information. The Athens County Independent believes the cited sources of information are reliable; however, these sources are responsible for the accuracy of their own reporting.
Submit news and information to info@athensindependent.com by noon on Mondays for inclusion in Tuesday’s issue of The Scoop.
Local
The Athens Planning Commission voted to recommend a zoning change that would allow the 317 Board to build housing for its clients on Dairy Lane near The Ridges. The organization serves people with behavioral health challenges and is pursuing a $2 million grant for the housing project. (WOUB)
Nelsonville auditor Andrea Thompson Hashman has filed a second lawsuit challenging the authority of one of the city’s rival councils. She argues the candidates elected in November for terms under a voter-approved government transition, later repealed by the city council, are the rightful members of council. (WOUB)
- Indy context: Two councils have been meeting in Nelsonville, each claiming to be the only legally valid local government.
Ohio University students took to College Green in Athens last week to protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids and deportations. (Athens Messenger)
- Indy context: Locally, two brothers were detained by ICE while facing since-dropped criminal charges. They remain in ICE detention. One of the brothers has Down syndrome.
Ohio Athletics announced the passing of former Director of Golf Bob Cooley, who led the Bobcats’ golf program from 1988 to 2018. Cooley was named Mid-American Conference Coach of the Year in 2002. (Ohio Bobcats Athletics)
Sophia Szolosi of Athens High School was named the 2025-26 Ohio Gatorade Girls Cross Country Player of the Year. She has committed to attend Duke University. (Athens Messenger)
Regional
Lawrence County residents and lawmakers were recently surprised when construction on a 40-acre data center began without warning, including an unexpected ribbon-cutting ceremony. (WOUB)
State
Ohio Republican lawmakers are pushing legislation to crack down on explicit and nonconsensual AI-generated deepfakes. House Bill 185 would ban deepfakes featuring pornography or children and would impose civil and criminal penalties for malicious image manipulation. (Ohio Capital Journal)
In an effort to improve Election Day turnout, Democratic lawmakers have proposed legislation to create a state holiday that would allow Ohioans the day off of work to vote. (News 5 Cleveland)
Auditor of State Keith Faber said cybercrime now costs local governments in Ohio more than employee fraud and urged stronger cybersecurity measures. (Statehouse News Bureau)Indy context: The city of Athens lost over $700,000 to a cyber scam, just one example of a crime frequently impacting local governments.
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