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Facebook report challenges claims that fracking is 'environmentally-friendly'
A new Facebook page monitoring thousands of fracking-related accidents and cleanups happening nearly every day over the last nine years challenges the Ohio gas and oil industry's claims that it's environmentally-friendly. Report trends indicate a pattern of lax regulation along with superficial attempts to clean up oil, gas and radioactive fracking wastewater from lands and water across the state, according to FracTracker Alliance, a national nonprofit that studies, maps, and communicates the risks and impacts of oil, gas, and petrochemical development. ...
ODOT construction projects include slip repair
The following projects are anticipated to affect highways in Athens County during the Week of July 22-26. Outlined work is weather permitting. Click on each route to see its location at OHGO.com. US 50/Washington Road signal replacement/turn lane installation — A signal replacement and turn lane installation project is taking place at U.S. 50/Washington Road. Estimated Completion: Nov. 1 US 50/East State Street resurfacing — A resurfacing project is taking place on U.S. 50 between Della Drive and River Road. Lane closures are place in...
Boil order issues in Nelsonville
NELSONVILLE — The Nelsonville Water Department has issued a boil order for all customers on Poplar Street from Hopkins Street to Rhine Street, until 8 a.m. Monday. This boil order is necessary due to a water line leak repair. When a boil order is in effect, we ask all who are affected to boil their cooking and drinking water for three minutes before being consumed.
Commissioners nix parcel fee for both county and waste district
LOGAN — Thursday morning, in response to significant public opposition at last week’s public hearing, the Hocking County Commissioners unanimously voted down the Athens-Hocking Solid Waste District’s (AHSWD) $24 annual improved parcel fee. After the vote, the Athens County Commissioners held their own meeting in Athens and voted to table the matter. According to President Lenny Elliason, the vote was rendered mute as both member counties had to agree in order to pass the fee. ...
Athens County public meetings
The 317 Board Meeting will be held at 6 p.m. July 22 at the Board office, 7990 Dairy Lane, Athens. The public is welcome to attend in-person or virtual. For information, visit www.317board.org or call (740) 593-3177.The Athens County Board of Revision will meet at 9:30 a.m. Monday, July 22 in the County Auditor’s Conference Room, First Floor, Courthouse Annex.The Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority Board of Commissioners will hold a special meeting at 3 p.m. July 23 at 10 Hope Drive, Athens, for a conference with AMHA’s attorney concerning pending or imminent court action.Athens County Children Services Board will meet at 4 p.m. July 29 at 14 Stonybrook Drive, Athens. For information, call Otis Crockron at (740) 592-3061.Scipio Township Trustees, Meigs County, will meet at 7 p.m. Aug. 7 in the Harrisonville Firehouse.The Athens County Commissioners, along with community leaders of the Stewart / Guysville area, will hold a public meeting at 6 p.m. Aug. 20 at Federal Valley Resource Center, 8225 State Route 329, Stewart. The meeting will be held to discuss the possibility of providing sanitary sewer to the area based on a study the commissioners completed and interest from area residents.
MAC announces 2024 football Head Coaches Preseason Poll
CLEVELAND — The 2024 Ohio football program has been selected to finish fifth in the 2024 Mid-American Conference Head Coaches Preseason Poll, the league announced on July 19. The poll was determined by the league’s 12 head coaches. Miami (Ohio) was selected to finish first with 119 points, followed by Toledo with 109 points. Bowling Green and Northern Illinois are tied in third with 92 points, followed by Ohio with 81. ...
Ohio softball announces former Bobcat Madi McCrady as assistant coach
The Ohio softball team has announced the addition former Bobcat pitcher Madi McCrady as its new assistant coach, head coach Jenna Hall announced on July 17. McCrady will work primarily with the Ohio pitching staff. “We are thrilled to welcome Madi back to Ohio Softball as our new assistant coach,” Hall said. “She will bring a decorated playing career, championship experience and a true love for the Bobcats. Madi’s main focus will be to oversee our bullpen and work with our entire pitching staff. As...
Things to know
Boil order NELSONVILLE — The Nelsonville Water Department issued a boil order for all customers on Myers Street, Jackson Street from Watkins to De Steiguer Street and Watkins Street from Jackson Street to Polley Field, until noon Saturday. This boil order is necessary due to a water line repair. When a boil order is in effect, we ask all who are affected to boil their cooking and drinking water for...
Upcoming Ohio Supreme Court decisions could make it even harder to develop solar power in the state
A pair of upcoming decisions by Ohio’s top court could further empower local opponents to block clean energy in what is already one of the hardest states to site new renewable projects. Two cases before the Ohio Supreme Court ask whether local opposition is enough for the Ohio Power Siting Board to conclude a project is not in the public interest when it otherwise meets all statutory criteria. The decisions...
Handmade with love: Edie Russ has crocheted 320 afghans for children’s hospitals across US
One of the most craft-prolific nonagenarians one could ever hope to meet, Edie Russ, a south side of Athens resident, has crocheted 320 afghan blankets to date for a charity called Covered with Love. And with 377 total afghans made — some having gone to family members over the years as newborns or toddlers — there is no letting up for her. Covered with Love volunteers, about 30 of them from different states, create beanies and blankets for children’s hospitals across the United States. New...
Citing prosecutor replacement effort, Moritz asks for delay of trial
LOGAN — Perhaps unsurprisingly given recent developments, the defense attorney for indicted former sheriff’s deputy Caleb Moritz has asked the judge who is hearing the case to push back the date of Moritz’s trial, currently scheduled to begin Aug. 19. Four months after Moritz resigned in April of last year as chief deputy of the Hocking County Sheriff’s Office, he was indicted on felony charges of grand theft and intimidation of an attorney, victim or witness in a criminal case. A new indictment issued in...
Athens County public meetings
The Southeast Ohio Recycling Terminal Council of Governments (SORT) board meeting scheduled for July 15 has been cancelled. A special meeting to discuss the transfer of operations from AHRC to SORT will be held at 5:30 p.m. July 18 will be held in the Habitat for Humanity Meeting room at 14440 State Route 13, Millfield. The public is welcome. For information, contact (740) 541-1327 or sort.director@gmail.com.The Athens County Commissioners will meet at 9:30 a.m. July 18 in the conference room, on the second floor of the courthouse annex.The Nelsonville Dog Park Board will meet at 6 p.m. July 18 at...
Colorful Nature
Color abounds at the Athens Children’s Educational Garden behind the Athens Community Center. Open the garden gate at children’s garden and reveal an abundant variety of flowers and vegetables. This impressive garden is maintained by Athens Master Gardeners. Kids love it and so do butterflies.
Copperheads compete at GLSCL All-Star game
MASON — The one this week in Arlington, Texas isn’t the only All-Star game on the diamond those in Southeast Ohio might be interested in. With roughly a week left in the Great Lakes Summer Collegiate League regular season, the league held it’s annual All-Star game with a group of Copperheads participating. Taking part on the Red Team in an 11-8 loss to the Blue Team at Prasco Park in Mason, five different ‘Cheads saw action in the game. ...
Federal Hocking School District hires superintendent
STEWART — The Federal Hocking Board of Education unanimously voted to give Jason Spencer a four-year contract effective Aug. 1 during Tuesday’s meeting. “The Federal Hocking Local School Board looks forward to working together with Dr. Spencer. We are excited about this next chapter of Federal Hocking,” Board of Education President Kerry Sheridan-Boyd said. Spencer will oversee a school district that educates with around 900 students and a budget of...
Ohio men’s basketball earns 2023-24 NABC Team Academic Excellence Awards
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The NABC has announced the recipients of the 2023-24 NABC Team Academic Excellence Awards and NABC Honors Court, representing achievement in the classroom by men’s college basketball teams and individual players. The 2023-24 Ohio men’s basketball team earned a spot on this year’s team, while guard Jaylin Hunter earned a spot on the 2023-24 NABC Honors Court. The NABC Team Academic Excellence Awards recognize men’s basketball...
Things to know
988 Data Two years after its debut, the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is a proven safety net for thousands of Ohioans each month who face emotional distress or thoughts of suicide. Since its launch on July 16, 2022, the service has grown steadily. In that time, Ohio’s 19 call centers have responded to nearly 340,000 calls, texts, and chats: an average of more than 14,000 contacts each month. ...
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The Athens Messenger is a multimedia news organization that serves Athens County, Ohio, and parts of the surrounding seven counties. Established in 1848, The Athens Messenger publishes online at athensmessenger.com and in print 3 days a week.
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