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
Former Nelsonville city clerk Jessica Mount pled guilty in December to three criminal charges related to theft of city funds. Mount served as secretary for the Nelsonville Police Department and Mayor’s Court. She will pay over $11,000 in restitution. (WOUB)
Owners of Mammie’s Country Kitchen in Albany announced that the restaurant will not reopen its doors in the new year. (Mammie’s Country Kitchen)
Columbus police are investigating a double homicide involving Athens dentist Spencer Tepe and his wife, Monique Tepe. Both were shot to death in their Columbus home. (WOUB)
Regional
The Foundation for Appalachian Ohio is accepting scholarship applications through Feb. 15 from students throughout the region. (Foundation for Appalachian Ohio)
The number of earthquakes in Southeast Ohio rose in 2025, according to data from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, with at least 173 tremors recorded, primarily in southeast Ohio. (The Times Leader)
State
A new law imposing strict controls on “intoxicating hemp” products will go into effect early this year, a major blow to the previously unregulated industry. In December, Gov. Mike DeWine signed the legislation, which limits the sale of intoxicating hemp products to marijuana dispensaries, adds criminal penalties related to possession of legally purchased marijuana, and more. (Signal Ohio)
Ohio’s minimum wage increased 2.8% Jan. 1 to $11 per hour for non-tipped employees and $5.50 per hour for tipped employees. (Ohio Department of Commerce)
Gov. Mike DeWine “reluctantly” signed a bill into law in December that revokes a four-day grace period for absentee ballots to arrive at boards of elections. (Statehouse News Bureau)
Bolstered state laws on dog attacks go into effect March 1,including rules that classify dogs that have attacked people as “dangerous” and dogs that injure or kill people as “vicious.” New or modified rules includeinsurance and signage requirements, increased penalties and required euthanization for dogs deemed vicious. (Statehouse News Bureau)
