Local
A mobile clinic will provide school-based vision care to children in Athens, Jackson, Washington and Ross counties through a partnership including Athens Eye Care and the Athens City School District. The project is one of many funded by the $64 million Appalachian Children’s Health Initiative, which Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine promoted with a visit to Athens High School on Monday. (WOUB)
The Athens County Food Pantry served over 4,100 families in 2023. That’s almost double the people it served in 2022. (Athens County Food Pantry)
The Buckeye Environmental Network, Torch Can Do! and Athens County’s Future Action Network will host a presentation and community discussion of the fracking injection wells near Torch at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 27, in the Coolville Elementary gym, 26461 Main St., Coolville. (Buckeye Environmental Network)
- Indy context: K&H Partners, the wells’ owner, is fighting an order from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources to suspend its operations. ODNR says that the wells are leaking fluid containing hazardous chemicals that threaten drinking water.
At its committee meetings this week, Athens City Council discussed a contract for police tasers and body cameras, as well as city support for ADA-compliant renovations at the Mount Zion Baptist Church. (The Post)
Athens is also exploring zoning changes intended to support more affordable housing development. (WOUB)
The third and final defendant in an Athens County mail fraud case has been sentenced to 10–14 years in prison. (News and Sentinel)
An Albany man was killed in a one-vehicle crash on U.S. 33 Friday night. Clayton M. Six, 28, was ejected from his pickup truck when it struck the bridge parapet just north of The Plains. The Ohio State Highway Patrol is investigating. (Ohio State Highway Patrol)
Over the weekend, Ohio University wrestler Peyten Kellar became an All-American at the NCAA Championships — the first Ohio wrestler to do so since 2016. (The Post)
Ohio University’s Global Arts Festival and 12th World Music and Dance Concert will take place April 1-5. Most events are free and feature guests from around the world. (Ohio University)
Tony’s Tavern is known as an inviting and inclusive uptown bar that’s mainly for townies, but which welcomes students, too. (The Post)
Nelsonville Music Festival announced its 2024 lineup, with major acts including Killer Mike, Courtney Barnett, Three Sacred Souls and Indigo De Souza. The festival will take place July 26-28 at Snow Fork. (Nelsonville Music Festival)
Regional
Diabetes rates in southeast Ohio are more than double the national average. Children in poverty, food insecurity and socioeconomic status are linked to the problem, according to a recent study by OU researchers. (Ohio University)
The Pomeroy Fire Department in Meigs County was named Fire Department of the Year by the State Fire Marshal. (Department of Commerce)
State
Former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder faces 10 new felony charges, one of which would bar him from ever again holding public office. Householder was previously convicted and sentenced to 20 years in prison for orchestrating a $60 million bribery scheme. The new charges are also related to the scandal. (Associated Press)
Ohio Republican U.S. Senate nominee Bernie Moreno outperformed expectations in last week’s primary, winning a three-way race by a margin of 18%. The result demonstrates former U.S. President Donald Trump’s hold on the GOP in Ohio. (Ohio Capital Journal)
- Indy context: Here’s how state and federal elections played out in Athens County.
Applications for Ohio’s private school voucher programs are significantly higher this school year, following the legislature’s decision to expand eligibility to 450% of the federal poverty line. In all, the state has awarded over $665 million of public funds for private school tuition in the 2023–24 school year. (Ohio Capital Journal)
