Bloom 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.
The 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: Warrants of the week, kitten retrieval, protection orders.
Acting 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.
Southeast Ohio is a region known for a long history of poverty. The region continues to suffer from this issue, with many families being food insecure, homeless or experiencing a lack of healthcare. Local organizations such as HAPCAP are battling this issue, offering support to struggling families.
Ohio University Press is Ohio’s oldest scholarly publishing press, organized by President Alden in 1964. The press publishes an array of different subjects, from monographs to creative fiction. The company has a global distribution system and offers an annual poetry award as well as a fund for first-time scholarly authors.
ODOT is building a new bike path connecting Athens to Chauncey and the Baileys Trail System.
Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus has officially removed all gender affirming medication treatment for transgender patients. The decision was made to proactively plan for changing legislation. LGBTQIA+ advocates oppose the decision and cite this as another removal of important care for transgender individuals.
The Ohio Department of Homeland Security has officially launched a new suspicious activity reporting application that uses AI to gather reports of violent threats across the state. OHS hopes this new program will increase reports from Ohioans and help prevent serious crimes.
Police blotter: The Athens County Sheriff’s Office responds to trees in the road, Halloween masks and a hit-and-run.
A mix of events will be going on in Athens this week, including multiple film screenings, sporting events and concerts.
With the closure of the Athena Grand, the Athena Cinema is seeing more business from the students at Ohio University and the community of Athens. The cinema is in the middle of their free Hispanic film series and have more events and movies to come.
At its Monday meeting, Athens City Council debated whether to approve a zoning change that would allow The Gathering Place, a peer support nonprofit, to install three temporary Conestoga Huts on its parking lot at 1, 5, 7 N. Congress St. The huts would provide overnight housing for people experiencing homelessness.
A major teacher shortage continues to impact all regions of Ohio. Many teachers cite poor pay and a negative culture surrounding education as reasons for the decline. The lack of teachers often forces schools to hire individuals to teach subjects in which they are unqualified.
The Athens deer population is on the rise as warmer temperatures extend mating cycles, threatening ecosystems.
The Next Generation 911 program announces an expansion to 10 counties in Ohio, increasing technology to help first-responders receive emergency information quickly.
What started as a meat market in Canaanville, transformed to a permanent restaurant and staple in Athens. Miller’s Chicken strives to serve fresh and delicious food for all.
Raising Cane’s is opening a new location in Athens on October 7, marking the chain’s first restaurant in the region.
As artificial intelligence becomes part of day-to-day life, media literacy and academic integrity may need to change completely.
Police Blotter: Athens County Sheriff’s Office responds to reports of a mystery knocker, property disputes, kids refusing to go to school and more for the week of Sep. 12-18.
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