Palmer Fest fire
This year’s rendition of Palmer Fest, April 28, ended abruptly as a fire broke out in the basement of 11 Palmer St. just after 7 p.m. Law enforcement cleared the street of partygoers to allow the Athens Fire Department access to the fire hydrant on the street and the structural fire in the house.
Firefighters encountered resistance while attempting to run a fire hose from the hydrant to the residence and individuals in the crowd began throwing bottles at law enforcement, which prompted the evacuation of the area, said Ohio University Police Chief Andrew Powers.
Mayor Paul Wiehl declared Palmer Street and the immediate area a riot zone, allowing law enforcement to clear people from the area and emergency personnel access to the fire.
In the weeks that followed, the school and city would hold multiple meetings on whether or not the fest season events would be continued for the remainder of the school year as well as into the future.
The Athens Fire Department responds to a fire at 11 Palmer St. during Palmer Fest on April 28. (Brien Vincent | Staff Photographer)
Obama comes to Athens
On Oct. 17, President Barack Obama became only the sixth sitting president to visit Athens, and the first since Lyndon Johnson in 1964. Just a day after a presidential debate with Republican challenger Mitt Romney, Obama addressed the crowd of over 14,000 on College Green. His message was simple, as he reiterated how badly he wanted those in the crowd to vote. “I came here today, Ohio, because I want your vote. I’m not too proud to beg,” Obama said. “You’ve got to go back to your dorm and grab that guy eating chips and watching SportsCenter and tell him to go out and vote.”
President Barack Obama spoke to a crowd of about 14,000 people on College Green on Oct. 17. (Katharine Egli | Picture Editor)
Election 2012
Billed by some as the most important election our nation has ever had, no state was the focal point more than Ohio, meaning many politicians came through the state during the month leading up to election day. In addition to Obama, Craig Romney, Mitt’s son, Vice President Joe Biden, Kentucky Senator Rand Paul, and Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown all made stops in Athens along the campaign trail. In the end, Democrats won all the way down the ticket in Athens. Brown, Obama, and Congressman Steve Stivers all won re-election to federal office, while all of the Democrats running for local office won in a landslide. Although Ohio was the focus of the presidential race, voter turnout in Athens County was lower than in 2008.
Fire at the Research and Technology Center
A fire broke out on the roof of the Research and Technology Center early in the morning of Nov. 30. The fire was investigated as arson and eventually led to the arrest of Jason Brown, an Ohio University custodian who had discarded a cigarette on the roof. The fire caused damages in excess of $20,000.
Flames pour from the Research and Technology Center in the early morning hours of Nov. 30. No one was injured, and officials have investigated the fire as an arson. (Ramon Luis Nieves | For The Post)
Fracking
The battle between anti-fracking activists and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources reached a peak during the 2012 calendar year. Between clashes at a late November meeting at the ODNR headquarters to various activists chaining themselves to Athens County’s Ginsburg Injection Well, the evidence is clear that this isn’t an issue that will disappear soon and will continue to grab headlines well into 2013 and beyond.
Biden visits Athens
Vice President Joe Biden was the first major politician to make a 2012 campaign stop in Athens as 675 people crowded inside the Athens Community Center to hear him speak Sept. 8. After mentioning a previous trip to Athens as a member of the University of Delaware’s football team, Biden began attacking his opponents Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan. “I’ve got a message for Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan: It’s never ever, ever, ever been a good bet to bet against the American people,” Biden said.
Vice President Joe Biden speaks in front of a crowd of 675 people during a rally in Athens on Sept. 8. (Brien Vincent | Staff Photographer)
Tame Halloween
This year’s rendition of the Halloween block party, held Oct. 27, was considered tamer than years past, and the arrest numbers were slightly down. However, Athens saw more instances of fighting at the annual Court Street event. There were 10 calls for fights and one for assault made to Athens Police during the weekend. There were three noise complaints and four nuisance party complaints.
9Fest/10Fest
For the first time, there were two number fests held within the same calendar year as 9Fest occurred on May 19 while 10Fest landed on Sept. 29. While 9Fest brought in a bigger crowd, there were an additional 13 citations given out at the fall rendition. In addition, there was also a reported sexual assault at the fall event, and the Athens County EMS had to transport more patients than at 9Fest.
Female Murderer
On Oct. 10, Ashley Young was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 20 years at her hearing for killing her 4-year-old stepdaughter in May 2011. Young caused multiple life-threatening injuries to her stepdaughter Kaylen on May 23, 2011. Kaylen died of her injuries after being taken off life support at Nationwide Children’s Hospital in Columbus two days later.
Ashley Young
Homeless Children on the Rise
Poverty rates increased amongst school-aged children both across Ohio and in Athens, and some of which are impoverished to the point of homelessness. In 2011, Good Works, which provides assistance to the homeless, was forced to turn away 138 people, including 62 children, due to a lack of space.
Check out other Year in Review recaps from The Post here.
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