GoBus to expand service to 23 cities
By Alex Passero | Jan. 20GoBus, Ohio’s Rural Intercity Bus Program, will be expanding service across western Ohio, metro Cleveland and the I-70 corridor to connect Ohioans around the state better.
LOCAL
Rise and Grind opens new Stimson Avenue coffee shop
By Kaitlin Hogg | Jan. 19Rise and Grind opens a new Stimson Avenue storefront, expanding beyond its coffee truck.
Tablertown receives funding to restore abandoned mine, expand museum
By Laynee Eslich | Jan. 13A long-abandoned coal mine in Tablertown has polluted nearby waterways for decades. A recent land purchase and nearly $1 million in state and federal funding will allow cleanup efforts and the expansion of the Tablertown People of Color Museum.
Athens City Council discusses housing, honors departing members
By Kaitlin Hogg | Dec. 18Athens City Council held its regular meeting Monday, discussing temporary housing structures, fiscal appropriations and honoring departing members for their years of public service.
Renovations continue at The Lostro ahead of Playa Bowls opening
By Laynee Eslich | Dec. 9The Lostro has undergone multiple renovations, including the current implication of Playa Bowls. The construction of the superfruit bowl franchise follows guidelines to preserve the building's history.
ODOT awards $160K for new Athens bus
By Alex Passero | Dec. 1The Ohio Department of Transportation is investing over $13 million in Ohio’s public transit. This means $160K for a new bus to serve Athens.
The Taproot Collective brings local plants, art to Athens
By Fiona Petticrew | Nov. 25The Taproot Collective is a new local business in Athens for any plant lover or art enthusiast. There are many propagated plants to choose from, as well as locally made candles and art. The shop is run by Julie Penland Dykstra, a local who works at Purple Chopstix and is dedicated to sustainability and recycling.
Athens restaurants filled SNAP benefits gap during government shutdown
By Laynee Eslich | Nov. 25As the government shutdown paused SNAP benefits for millions, several Athens restaurants offered free meals to residents who rely on the program. With benefits now restored, businesses say they stepped up to help neighbors facing food insecurity during the weeks without assistance.
Campus, city resources offer free Narcan in opioid harm reduction efforts
By Elizabeth Talaga , Sophia Rooksberry and Micah Fenner | Nov. 25Ohio University and broader Athens County host multiple services that offer free Narcan, a drug that can reverse opioid overdoses.
OU faculty prepare for new workload rules under SB 1
By Drew Roberts | Nov. 25Senate Bill 1 requires Ohio universities to implement new systems for tracking faculty workload and post-tenure review. Professors in the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism say the changes are reshaping how they document their daily responsibilities.
Ohio Planned Parenthood takes on Medicaid
By Mary Kate McNamee | Nov. 24Ohio Planned Parenthood plans to fight back against Medicaid after the government sector threatens to decrease state funding.
INSPIRE grant inspires recovery to work initiative in Southeast Ohio
By Avery St. George | Nov. 19Substance use disorder is a national crisis, but it disproportionately affects Appalachia. In 2022, overdose rates in Appalachia were 64% higher than the rest of the country. ARC hopes to address this issue through awareness, recovery ecosystems and its INSPIRE program.
OU dining policy keeps meal swipes off outside food trucks
By Laynee Eslich | Nov. 19Two of the four food trucks operating on Ohio University’s campus accept meal swipes and other university dining currency. OU Culinary Services says its current policy, which limits dining-currency use to university-run trucks, helps maintain consistent pricing and supports campus dining operations.
Athens Local Drive Thru combats food insecurity
By Fiona Petticrew | Nov. 18The Athens Local Drive Thru has dedicated a fridge to its space for the community to donate and take any food they may need. The fridge is large, and has gotten attention from many locals who want to support their community. One customer has begun making meal kits with her daughter for the refrigerator, making meal time easier for people who struggle with food insecurity.
Athens looks at accessibility, ADA compliance concerns
By Kaitlin Hogg | Nov. 18The chair of the Athens City Commission on Disabilities says the city is “egregiously out of compliance” with the ADA, while city officials maintain Athens is meeting federal requirements.
Burrow Blueprint tackles mental health in Appalachian schools
By Finn Smith | Nov. 18@nationwidekids (IG) partnered with the @burrowfoundation (IG) to develop learning modules that equip school-based clinicians in Appalachian Ohio with the knowledge to diagnose and treat mental health issues in students.
Ohio SB 56 in limbo over marijuana, synthetic cannabis regulations
By Ben Schneider | Nov. 14Ohio Senate Bill 56 is a proposed state bill that would overhaul certain aspects of the current cannabis industry in Ohio, although it has yet to gain approval of both the state house and senate in its current form.
Athens implements new cybersecurity policy
By Kaitlin Hogg | Nov. 13The Athens City Council passed Ordinance 110-25 at its Nov. 3 meeting, establishing an official cybersecurity policy for the city.
Ohio begins creation of mobile opioid treatment units
By Laynee Eslich | Nov. 13State opioid treatment has been inaccessible to citizens in rural areas due to lack of facilities. The implementation of mobile opioid treatment units will allow for more treatment opportunities in Ohio.
Athens residents raise concerns regarding gas prices
By Finn Smith | Nov. 11A Facebook group titled “Boycotting Athens gas stations!” has 2.8k members who voice concerns regarding the price of gas in Athens. Prices in Athens County remain higher than in many neighboring areas.
