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.
LOCAL
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.
Conestoga Hut Project to shelter homeless, some locals concerned
By Fiona Petticrew | Nov. 11The Gathering Place is moving forward with its Conestoga Hut initiative, a project that will house three homeless individuals in Athens. The huts will be placed on The Gathering Place’s property and support the individuals with various resources and community.
Experts warn against rising carfentanil use in Ohio
By Zoe Weyand | Nov. 6Carfentanil, a lethal synthetic opioid, is on the rise in Ohio, and experts are concerned about the impact of such a deadly drug on the Southeast Ohio and Appalachian region.
Local food pantries prepare for SNAP cuts
By Fiona Petticrew | Nov. 5Due to the government shutdown, SNAP benefits have ceased since Nov. 1. Local food banks discuss how community members will be affected by this issue, and will continue to try to provide for the community supported by SNAP.
Athens County mayors announced for Nelsonville, Glouster, Chauncey, Coolville
By Fiona Petticrew | Nov. 4The Athens County election results have revealed the mayors for the towns and villages of Nelsonville, Glouster, Chauncey and Coolville.
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.
