All information is current as of The Scoop’s production on Monday afternoon. 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 10 a.m. Monday for inclusion in Tuesday’s issue of The Scoop.
Local
Staff at the Federal Hocking Local School District continue to voice concerns over the leadership of Superintendent Jason Spencer. Recently, Spencer recommended the non-renewal of high school principal Jake Amlin’s contract after warning Amlin multiple times about “insubordination” for Amlin’s comments and emails to the district’s board. Tension between Amlin and Spencer dated back to the beginning of the school year, when Spencer disregarded Amlin’s suggestion to cancel school following the death of a teacher. (WOUB)
- Indy context: Spencer arrived at FedHock with a rocky employment history and has faced multiple controversies during his first year, including one related to his social media conduct.
Nelsonville voters rejected an issue on the May 6 primary ballot that would have repealed an initiative voters passed in November and preserved the city charter while still transitioning the city to having an elected mayor. By rejecting that proposal, voters have left the city with various questions still to answer in its transition to a new form of government, including how to draw wards for neighborhood positions on city council. (WOUB)
- Indy context: Around 54% of those who cast ballots voted against Issue 4, according to unofficial results from the Athens County Board of Elections.
The city of Nelsonville sued former council member Greg Smith, demanding $25,000 in damages over Smith’s attempt to seek payment for his brief stint on city council from late 2023 to early 2024. Smith previously entered into a settlement agreement with the city which stated in part that he would not seek further compensation from the city. (WOUB)
The Trump administration has radically reshaped the U.S. Department of Agriculture – and the nation’s food system. Consequences have been far reaching, affecting local farmers all over the country, including in Athens. Funding cuts eliminated support that Shagbark Seed & Mill relied upon to provide food to local food banks and sustain its operations. (Grist)
Athens County Treasurer Ric Wasserman received an award from the Ohio Land Bank Association for his work establishing and growing the Athens County Land Bank and mentoring other land bank leaders across the state. (Ohio Land Bank Association)
Regional
The mother of a Logan High School student who committed suicide in 2023 has sued the district, alleging that district administrators did not appropriately respond to reports of bullying and should have done more to prevent her son’s death. (Logan Daily News)
Appalachia is peppered with orphan oil and gas wells — which are inactive but have not been plugged. The wells create pathways for contaminants to migrate underground and potentially contaminate groundwater. (Inside Climate News)
State
In the May 6 primary election, Ohio voters resoundingly approved Issue 2 for a $2.5 billion local infrastructure initiative. (Ohio Capital Journal)
Ohio lawmakers in both the House and Senate have proposed bills that would ban diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in the state’s K-12 schools. (Ohio Capital Journal)
Petitioners cleared their first major hurdle to begin collecting signatures to put a referendum before voters that would repeal Ohio Senate Bill 1. SB1 takes effect in June, and is reshaping higher education in the state including by banning diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives at Ohio’s public colleges and universities. (Ohio Capital Journal)
Another issue for which petitioners may begin gathering signatures would abolish property taxes in Ohio. (Statehouse News Bureau)
Ohio’s proposed banon mostdrag performancesis back; advocates warn it would threaten not only performers but also theaters and other creative spaces. (Buckeye Flame)
