LOCAL

Safety Off?

With 1,389 concealed-carry licenses issued since 2004, Athens County is no stranger to the Second Amendment.

Court rejects former OU student's appeal for new trial

A former Ohio University student could spend three years in prison after an appeals court denied his case yesterday.

Athens to use grant to fix housing

The city of Athens will receive more than half a million dollars to improve low-income housing as a part of an Ohio Department of Development grant to improve more than 70 eligible communities statewide.

Web schools draw cash away from local district

Even though Athens City Schools received an “excellent” rating from the state during the 2010–11 academic year, about 80 students living within the district are expected to enroll in online charter schools this year, taking almost $400,000 in state money with them.

Court denies re-trial for former OU student

A former Ohio University student could spend three years in prison, after an appeal court denied his case yesterday.

State looks to bolster already thriving tourism industry

For the past year, the Ohio tourism industry quietly established itself as one of the state’s most efficient and profitable. Yesterday, state officials came to Athens to explore opportunities that could potentially strengthen the diverse industry.

Ohio Statehouse fights LGBT discrimination

The Ohio legislature made an attempt to eliminate employment and housing discrimination against the LGBT community yesterday, introducing a bi-partisan bill to the Ohio House of Representatives.

Lengthy land battle wages on

After nearly two years of legal arguments, a lawsuit regarding University Estates was settled this past May leaving a plot of land untouched while the City of Athens and local land developers eye the property.

With enough signatures, absentee-vote bill could face referendum

On Friday, Ohio House Bill 194 is slated to go into effect and would shorten the absentee-voting period as early as this November’s elections. However, if Fair Elections Ohio’s referendum is validated today, the bill would be shelved and eventually decided upon in 2012.

Hocking College president returns from exile

Despite his ousting last June by the Hocking College Board of Trustees, Ron Erickson has returned to his post as president of the school.

Ohio board OKs controversial legislative-district map

The Ohio Apportionment Board voted 4-1 along party lines yesterday to approve a new set of Ohio House and Senate districts that have been called “highly gerrymandered” by state Democrats but “fair and constitutional” by state Republicans.

New law lessens felony sentences to cut jail costs

— A bill that will bring lesser penalties to fourth- and fifth-degree felons will go into effect this week with the intention of saving money on state prison costs. Despite these intentions, Athens County officials believe the change will only cause harm at the local level. House Bill 86 will take effect Friday, Sept. 30 and change felony sentencing laws to one year of community control for fourth- and fifth-degree felonies, fifth being the lowest degree. Prior to the change fourth-degree felonies could earn up to 18 months in prison and a $5,000 fine, and fifth-degree warranting up to 12 months and a $2,500 fine. The law could save the state $60 million in jail costs, said Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn, adding the law could cause more harm than benefit. “The fallacy to the argument is that it will save money,” said Blackburn. “Now local government will have to provide more money. It’s like we are giving felonies away.” Though the law assumes money would be saved on the state level with the release of prisoners from state correctional facilities, Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail Warden Jeremy Tolson said this would simply put financial strain on both Athens County and local prisons. “A lot of people reoffend, as we tend to see a lot of people over again,” Tolson said. “There will be some of these guys back on the street.” Fourth- and fifth-degree felonies typically consist of theft, domestic crimes, possession and trafficking of illegal drugs, according to the Ohio Revised Code. Starting Friday, people committing these felonies will be sentenced to community control for a year, instead of state-run jails, said Tolson. Also, offenders currently in jail for these crimes will begin to be released back into society, taking power away from local judges, said Blackburn. “The new administration in Columbus is turning the state upside down,” said Athens County Sheriff Pat Kelly, adding he was displeased with the fact local sheriffs and police chiefs were not consulted before the change. Though Tolson said the offenders who do not have to serve prison terms will be funneled into community control programs, that will still not control the number of prisoners being added to the local jails, he said. In terms of the lenient change, Kelly said Athens County law enforcement will continue to do the job they’ve always done. “Criminals are criminals to begin with, and this won’t change that,” Kelly said. “Some may feel this is a free pass to commit a crime, but this will be dealt with as harshly as before. We will continue doing the job at the local level, and we will provide peace for our citizens,” said Kelly. “I encourage all citizens to contact our state senators,” he added. as299810@ohiou.edu

City Council: Locals speak out against fracking

A nearly full house of residents, students and local business owners packed last night’s Athens City Council meeting to speak out about hydraulic fracturing and help Council explore avenues to regulate the drilling method.

Veteran honored in memorial dedication

About 50 people, including local and state officials, gathered Saturday to remember an Alexander High School graduate who was killed while fighting for his country last year.

League of Women Voters declares against Issue 3

Elections: Mayoral hopefuls set eyes on student voters

With more than a full month left until Athens’ mayoral race, both candidates are already making their platforms known and are reaching out to student voters — an electoral demographic that recycles every four years.

Alexander Local School Board selects new elementary school principal

The Alexander Local School Board chose an elementary school principal to fill a veteran’s shoes after the current superintendent retires at the end of the year.

Ohio investigates lack of quality Appalachian Housing

Vinton County is set to receive $50,000 to conduct a housing research project that will span 32 counties in Appalachia and conclude in February 2013.

Redrawn Ohio map will dilute Athens County Democrats' sway

Ohio legislators passed a bill establishing new congressional districts yesterday, raising concerns from local politicians about gerrymandering that could dilute Athens County’s liberal voting habits.

Athens judge rejects criminal's appeal