Local
Athens County Emergency Medical Services and the Athens Fire Department found an unresponsive man outside of the Athens City Parking Garage. He was later declared dead with the suspected cause of death listed as suicide. (The Post)
A new sculpture park is in the works behind the new Stimson Avenue firehouse complex. The Athens Municipal Arts Commission will officially open the park with a guided walk on Wednesday, Oct. 9 at 5:30 p.m. (City of Athens)
The Athens County Board of Commissioners hired Christopher Conner LaVelle as the new Athens County Planner. LaVelle’s term will begin Sept. 26, 2024. (Athens County Board of Commissioners)
Nationwide Children’s Hospital announced plans to open a new pediatric care facility in Athens this November on the campus of O’Bleness Hospital. (The Post)
OU professors have formed Ohio University Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine, which hopes to encourage education about Palestine and Israel’s war on Gaza while working with students, OU colleagues and community members “to end this crisis and free the Palestinian people.” (Ohio University Faculty and Staff for Justice in Palestine)
Regional
Farmers in 38 counties are eligible for emergency loans from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which declared the worst drought in Ohio history an official natural disaster. As of maps last updated Sept. 3, much of Athens County faces “exceptional drought” — the most severe rating. (USDA Farm Service Agency)
- Indy context: The combination of high heat and drought has dried up Athens County creeks and left farmers scrambling to feed and protect livestock.
Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown is focusing reelection campaign efforts on southeast Ohio — specifically Athens, Chillicothe and Piketon counties. He states he will bring “infrastructural development, healthcare expansion and economic development to the region with federal funding.” (The New Political)
State
Ohio isn’t just a place — it’s now teen slang for “lame, weird, dysfunctional, preposterous” or just plain boring. (Ideastream Public Media)
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose wants to eliminate ballot drop boxes for the upcoming November election. While LaRose asserts this would reduce voter fraud, many across the state see it as a blatant attempt to restrict voter access. (Ohio Capital Journal)
After meeting ten times over the course of the last ten months, the bipartisan Ohio Juvenile Justice Working Group presented 26 recommendations for ways to reform Ohio Juvenile Corrections facilities. Among their recommendations are improvements to staffing, reducing gang activity and providing exposure to continued education for incarcerated youths. (Ohio Capital Journal)
A Hamilton County judge extended an order blocking enforcement of one law restricting abortion access, and temporarily blocked another law’s enforcement, on grounds that the laws violate the Ohio constitution. Ohioans may continue to access telehealth abortion consultations and may now more easily access the abortion drug mifepristone. (CBS)
Following the closure of nearly 8000 Walgreens stores nationwide and hundreds of Rite-Aid stores in Ohio and Michigan, a pharmacy leader warns the situation could get much worse in Ohio. This could further restrict access to healthcare in rural areas. (Ohio Capital Journal)
