Local
Emails released by the city of Athens on Friday show how it fell victim to a $700,000 cyber scam. (WOUB)
- Indy context: The emails were released following a lawsuit against the city by the Athens County Independent over what we argued was the city’s unlawful denial of a request for the records in question. Stay tuned for the Indy’s coverage. In the meantime, check out our Q&A with an expert contextualizing the cyber heist.
The Federal Hocking school board is considering teacher layoffs to address a growing budget deficit, which is projected to reach nearly $1.6 million by 2028. Community members at its meeting last week suggested an income tax levy to avoid the cuts and preserve class sizes; the board meets again Tuesday, March 18, at 6 p.m. at Amesville Elementary. (WOUB)
- Indy context: The proposed cuts come amid tension in the district related to superintendent Jason Spencer, who most recently came under fire for his social media posts. Spencer had a rocky job history before arriving at FedHock.
An ordinance passed by the Athens City Council in February will allow for traffic signal upgrades on East State Street, with construction starting this month. The signal improvements will occur from May Street to The Market on State near Lowe’s and are intended to reduce congestion, including at the US 33 interchange. No flagging is expected to take place during peak traffic hours. (WOUB)
Local bean and grain company Shagbark Seed & Mill announced an expansion that will allow it to significantly increase production. (OhioSE Economic Development)
Gwyneth Philips of Athens has been selected for the U.S. Women’s Hockey team, one of 25 players who will go on to play the 2025 International Ice Hockey Federation Women’s World Championship in České Budějovice, Czechia, from April 9–20. The goaltender first touched skates to ice at Bird Arena and started her athletic career in an Athens youth league. (USA Hockey)
Regional
After Ohio University canceled its annual “Celebrate Women” conference due to concerns over federal guidance on discrimination, a group of women quickly organized a response event. No longer affiliated with OU or hosted on its Lancaster campus, the “We Rally & We Rise Women’s Conference” features many of the original speakers and panelists and takes place on Friday, March 21, at the Crossroads Event Center. (WOUB)
- Indy context: OU’s cancellation of the event is just one way it’s reacting to federal and state legal changes related to diversity, equity and inclusion. Some university offices and programs may also be on the chopping block following the anticipated passage of Ohio Senate Bill 1.
Meigs County Sheriff Scott Fitch and two other defendants are subjects of a complaint filed in the Washington County Court of Common Pleas. Two addiction counselors say they were confined and interrogated under false accusations of inappropriate behavior, then told the interrogation was a “joke.” The defendants have denied the claims in the lawsuit. (Athens Messenger)
- Indy context: The former Nelsonville police chief was previously fired by the Ohio BCI for unbecoming conduct, including Facebook posts the BCI said “could be construed as racist.” Fitch also faced a local lawsuit over alleged misconduct.
In lieu of teacher layoffs, the Morgan Local Schools Board adopted a spending freeze at its meeting last Monday. At least 200 people attended. According to one report, the crowd burst into applause when the layoff proposal failed to move forward. The district faces millions of dollars in projected deficits, which will also be influenced by funding changes proposed in the governor’s state budget. (WOUB)
State
Mirroring a national trend of foreign land ownership, around 2,500 acres of Ohio farmland was purchased by foreign investors from 2022–2023, largely driven by renewable energy projects. Denmark holds over a quarter of Ohio’s foreign-owned acres; overall, 538,000 acres in the state are owned by foreign entities. (The Ohio Newsroom)
