New county educator specializes in natural resources, agriculture
By Olivia Bower | Feb. 11, 2014Whether it’s a question about planting a garden or plowing a 100-acre field, Athens County might soon have an educator for that.
LOCAL
Teen driving bill would require driver's ed until 21
By Will Drabold | Feb. 11, 2014COLUMBUS — Driver’s education classes could be mandated for thousands more young drivers after an amendment is added to a bill, creating further restrictions for teen drivers.
Athens County may consider applying for federally-funded tracking devices for autistic children
By Emma Ockerman | Feb. 11, 2014One second you’re holding an autistic child’s hand, and the next they’re out the front door.
City Council discusses transportation operations and electric aggregation
By Emma Ockerman | Feb. 10, 2014Public transportation in Athens was exponentially better in 2013, city officials said, pointing to several entities that had high ridership numbers last year thanks to service upgrades and new marketing techniques.
Flower shop to pay $30,000 for minimum wage case
By Kelly Fisher | Feb. 9, 2014After failing to appear in court for a civil dispute, a local business owned in part by Athens City Council President Jim Sands now owes the state more than $30,000 for failing to comply with the state’s minimum wage standards law.
Texas Roadhouse to displace Farmer's Market
By Danielle Hale | Feb. 9, 2014Four decades ago the Athens Farmer’s Market fled to East State Street to quell competition with uptown businesses, but today the market may be facing a new type of competition.
Reviewing of rape trial could lead to sentence reduction
By Jordan Stickle | Feb. 9, 2014Athens County Common Pleas Court will hear a petition Monday filed by the county prosecutor to determine how long a convicted rapist should spend behind bars.
Athens man pleads guilty to counts of assault, burglary
By Kelly Fisher | Feb. 9, 2014An Athens man appeared in court Friday and changed his plea to guilty on three indictments including theft, felonious assault and domestic violence.
Cold, snow takes toll on uptown businesses
By William T. Perkins | Feb. 6, 2014Harsh weather conditions have already caused Ohio University to cancel classes on two occasions this semester, but the cold temperatures and icy weather have had more far-reaching effects as well.
Weather threatens farms
By Emma Ockerman | Feb. 6, 2014Judy Jenkinson, who owns her own farm in Athens County near Albany, hasn’t been allowed any snow or cold days, but she’s spent many early mornings monitoring the weather forecast, trying to start her tractor and bundling up to check on her week-old lamb.
Local officials discuss energy
By Allan Smith | Feb. 6, 2014In the months following the passing of electric aggregation initiatives in Athens County, several local officials say they have been discussing options for affordable renewable energy that could include a new solar energy plant built in Southeast Ohio.
Newly built bypass impact null on arts in Nelsonville
By Suhyeon Park | Feb. 5, 2014More than four months after the Nelsonville Bypass redirected State Route 33 around Nelsonville, Southeastern Ohio art advocates still see activity of the arts in the city.
OU meteorology student forecasts, tweets
By Dina Berliner | Feb. 5, 2014Some Twitter users might not have been surprised to wake up to a text or email about canceled classes Monday morning.
County adjusts for salt shortage
By Emma Ockerman, Olivia Bower | Feb. 5, 2014The morning after a winter storm, it’s not uncommon to see students making their trek down Jeff Hill at a glacial pace, staggering and slipping with every other step.
County considering hiring $20k agricultural educator
By Olivia Bower | Feb. 4, 2014The Athens County Commissioners are considering allocating an extra $20,000 to hire a full-time agricultural educator through the Ohio State University Extension, the commissioners said Tuesday.
Ending execution?
By Emma Ockerman | Feb. 4, 2014The 138 males currently on death row at the Chillicothe Correctional Institution might see their execution dates pushed back or eliminated, opponents of capital punishment are saying.
DeWine files motion for suspension of Kelly
By Kelly Fisher, Lucas Daprile | Feb. 4, 2014Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine moved Tuesday for the Ohio Supreme Court to begin suspension proceedings against Athens County Sheriff Pat Kelly, who is charged with multiple felonies “relating to (his) administration of, or conduct in the performance of” a sheriff’s duties, according to court documents.
Sheriff's office to move alleged murderer
By Kelly Fisher | Feb. 4, 2014A Glouster man, accused of murdering his father, has a pretrial set for Feb. 24 in Athens County Common Pleas Court, and it’s Athens County Sheriff Pat Kelly’s responsibility to bring him back to Athens for the hearing.
OU pairs with city of Athens on disability plans
By Emma Ockerman | Feb. 3, 2014The Athens City Commission on Disabilities and Ohio University’s Presidential Advisory Council on Disability Accessibility and Planning will now officially share resources, council members said at their meeting Monday evening.
Protesters arrested for trespassing at fracking well near Coolville
By Olivia Bower | Feb. 2, 2014When eight local fracking protesters were arrested and dropped the signs they were holding, Athens County Fracking Action Network member Andrea Reik picked one up.
