Athens County voters approve all three levy issues
By Maggie Amacher | Nov. 4Athens County residents approved all three levy issues on the ballot during the 2025 General Election on Nov. 4, according to unofficial results as of 9:08 p.m. Tuesday.
LOCAL
Nelsonville candidates see wins and losses
By Suzanne Piper | Nov. 4As ballots get cast and “I voted” stickers get placed on shirts, candidates wait for the final votes in Athens County. The final result of the Nelsonville votes for most candidates is as follows.
Grease fire breaks out at Jackie O’s, closing Public House until further notice
By Finn Smith | Nov. 4At about 6:30 p.m., an alleged grease fire broke out in the kitchen of Jackie O’s Public House Restaurant about 6:30 p.m. Tuesday on 22 W. Union St. There are no known injuries at this time.
Halloween weekend arrests continue to decline in Athens
By Ben Schneider | Oct. 31Once again, thousands of students took to Court Street Saturday to celebrate Athens’ Halloween weekend. It is an annual tradition synonymous with Athens, yet in recent years the event has seemingly lost some fervor.
Hot Box to feed SNAP recipients amid government shutdown
By Annabelle Thomas | Oct. 30Hot Box Chicken Fingers & Tots will provide free meals to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program recipients starting Nov. 1, when all federal food aid is set to halt due to the ongoing government shutdown.
No Kings rallies draw crowds across Southeast Ohio
By Finn Smith | Oct. 29Another round of No Kings rallies occurred Oct. 18 in cities and towns across the country. Southeast Ohio hosted numerous events, including ones in Athens and Chillicothe. These events consisted of demonstrations with signs, costumes and speeches.
Soph’s Soapbox: Celebrities should advocate for local elections
By Sophia Anness | Oct. 28In 2024, celebrities and influencers came together to encourage people to vote in local elections. However, the upcoming election has not been promoted.
Athens City Council Election: All candidates unopposed Democrats
By Kaitlin Hogg | Oct. 28Athens City Council election Nov. 4 features three newcomers, unopposed races and all Democrat candidates.
Police blotter: Gate theft, arrests, warrants of the week
By Kaitlin Hogg | Oct. 28Police blotter: Runaways, fake calls, alarm activation. Read more for the crimes and cops of Oct. 17 to Oct. 23.
Heidi’s Hot Takes: Local elections deserve student votes
By Heidi Bartolone | Oct. 27Local elections decide rent prices, transit routes and campus safety issues that shape daily student life. When students skip the polls, others determine their future for them.
OUPC plays captivating performance for 'A Night at the Movies'
By Anna Songer | Oct. 27The Ohio University Percussion Club’s “A Night at the Movies” showcased students’ musical talent and creativity through dynamic, movie-inspired performances that captivated the audience.
“Cabaret” opens at Stuart’s Opera House
By Fiona Petticrew | Oct. 23“Cabaret” is opening at @stuartsoperahouse Thursday, providing a pre-show experience including a speakeasy nightclub with drinks and burlesque dancers.
Locally owned Star Chamber Arcade opens on Court Street
By Luke Viviano | Oct. 22The Star Chamber Arcade opened on Court Street Oct. 2, offering customers the chance to enjoy unlimited play at an hourly rate, drinks and ice cream.
City Council hears public debate over temporary housing shelters
By Avery St. George | Oct. 21The Athens City Council heard from over 25 community members with comments regarding an ordinance that provides temporary shelters for unhoused individuals on North Congress Street. The public comments expressed several concerns, including safety, winter weather, substance abuse and misinformation.
DeWine ensures no more ticket quotas, OUPD ticketing will not change
By Fiona Petticrew | Oct. 21Senate Bill 114, signed by Gov. Mike DeWine, ensures no law enforcement agency will be allowed to encourage officers to reach a quota on citations and arrests. The Ohio University Police Department will ticket as normal, as they did not have a quota before the bill, but will continue to hold high standards for parking violations.
Teachers' unions sue state over retirement board changes
By Avery St. George | Oct. 15The Ohio Education Association, Ohio Federation of Teachers and the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) Ohio Conference joined to sue the state over what they considered an “unconstitutional” effort to change the STRS board and deny Ohio teachers control over their retirements.
Bloom Dispensary opens seventh Ohio location in Athens
By Fiona Petticrew | Oct. 14Bloom Dispensary opened up its seventh location on Stimson Ave., available for medical card holders and those 21 and older, offering deals, promotions and guidance from knowledgeable employees. With the ban of intoxicating hemp signed by Gov. DeWine, only dispensaries can legally sell intoxicating hemp products, bringing potential for an influx of business at Bloom and other dispensaries.
Athens, OU fuel green energy, strive for carbon neutrality
By Finn Smith | Oct. 14The city of Athens is leading an initiative to reduce carbon emissions by 50% by 2030. The city has implemented various measures to increase renewable energy in municipal buildings and incentivize residents to do the same within their homes. Ohio University is also following a strict sustainability plan aimed at being carbon neutral by 2050.
Police blotter: Pig in the road, counterfeit money
By Kaitlin Hogg | Oct. 14Police blotter: Warrants of the week, kitten retrieval, protection orders.
City Council approves five ordinances, opioid education funding
By Laynee Eslich | Oct. 8Acting as council president Monday, Councilmember Micah McCarey led a meeting where Athens City Council unanimously passed five ordinances. Measures included joining the national opioid settlement, leasing the former fire department building and updating rental permit requirements.
