Athens City Council Preview: Comments expected on trash ordinance
By EMILY BOHATCH | Oct. 20, 2014Nuisance party ordinance also expected to be passed Monday night.
LOCAL
Monarch butterflies may be disappearing at irreplaceable rates due to the development of harmful new pesticides
By M.C. Tilton | Oct. 19, 2014Future on shaky wings for potentially endangered monarch butterflies
From a cabin in the woods to Athens councilwoman
By EMILY BOHATCH | Oct. 19, 2014After living in and dabbling in politics throughout the U.S., Athens City Councilwoman Chris Fahl’s foray into the Athens political scene was campaigning for Mayor Paul Wiehl’s election bid in 2007.
Athens paying to maintain lawns of non-mowing residents
By M.C. Tilton | Oct. 19, 2014For Athens residents who let their grass grow higher than eight inches, fines and city-funded lawn care may be right around the corner.
Ohio creates 24-hour-per-day Ebola hotline
By Joshua Lim | Oct. 17, 2014Ohio is concerned about the Ebola virus.
Athens residents unsure of WV fracking proposal
By Bethany N. Bella | Oct. 16, 2014Fracking upstream underneath the Ohio River has Athens residents worrying about their water supply.
About 200 turn out to vote early in Athens County
By Nora Jaara | Oct. 16, 2014Few turning out to vote early in Athens County
Candidate FitzGerald visits Athens County
By William T. Perkins | Oct. 16, 2014Gubernatorial candidate Ed FitzGerald stopped by Athens Thursday
OUPD to create ride-along program
By Joshua Lim | Oct. 16, 2014Ohio University Police Department is considering launching a ride-along program.
Man accused of multiple rape counts pleads not guilty
By Suhyeon Park | Oct. 15, 2014Dedrick Peterson, 31 pleaded not guilty Wednesday morning to all 10 felony charges he faces.
With worry of Ebola in Ohio, Athens prepares
By Emma Ockerman | Oct. 15, 2014Athens health officials will meet with O’Bleness Memorial Hospital to review Ebola procedures
Man accused of Homecoming rape pleads innocent
By Suhyeon Park | Oct. 15, 2014The Ann Arbor man appeared in Athens County Common Pleas Court Wednesday morning.
Ohio minimum wage to increase by 15 cents in January
By Heather Hare | Oct. 15, 2014In January, all workers earning minimum wage in Ohio will receive a 15-cent raise.
Michigan man indicted for rape
By Suhyeon Park | Oct. 15, 2014A Michigan man who was charged with rape and sexual battery charges regarding 2013 homecoming incident was indicted by Athens County Grand Jury on Tuesday.
Commissioners talk Holzer Health System memorandum, Ebola
By Matt Cudahy | Oct. 15, 2014Athens County Commissioners will soon be seeking the legal advice necessary to terminate a memorandum of understanding with Holzer Health System.
Current State Rep. Debbie Phillips challenge seat candidate Yolan Dennis on abortion rights, common core standards
By Julia Fair | Oct. 15, 2014Incumbent State Rep. Debbie Phillips, D-94 challenged Yolan Dennis, Republican candidate for the district seat, on controversies ranging from climate change to abortion Tuesday evening — with both candidates taking full advantage of the hour provided to them for a debate at the Athens Public Library.Phillips and Dennis began the debate by speaking to a full audience on how they would earn Ohio University students’ votes. Phillips discussed the work she’s done to try and improve the average college student’s political and educational experience.Phillips also said she finds it frustrating when college students are turned away from the polls when trying to vote for the first time due to “bureaucratic reasons,” such as early voting hours.Dennis, however, focused more on life after college, where she said students will need to “get a job to pay for their debt.” “Jobs are hard to come by,” she said. “You are going to need someone who will stimulate that area to foster job growth.”Stepping away from student voting, Phillips and Dennis turned the debate to national topics including abortion rights, where their opinions greatly differed.Dennis said “abortion is a terrible thing,” adding that anyone who chooses to have an abortion should “think about the outcome.”However, Phillips advocated for a woman’s right to choose. She said “lawmakers are not doctors,” furthering that politicians “can’t make those calls.”Phillips said she supports medically-accurate sex education for young people, as well as providing access to contraceptives. As the health debate continued, an audience member asked Phillips and Dennis about their respective stance on the common core, which sets an educational standard for English and math statewide.Yolan said that she is not in favor of the common core program.“It takes away power and decision making of our local educators, our teachers and our parents,” she said. Phillips disagreed, saying that common core standards can sometimes be useful.“We are able to understand that they’ve learned certain things,” she said.An audience member also inquired how Phillips and Dennis might go about combating climate change, which Dennis replied she doesn’t believe in.Councilwoman Chris Knisely, D-at large, wouldn’t comment on who she might vote for this November but said she felt both candidates were well intended.“In all, both candidates are working hard to get their opinions out.”jf311013@ohio.edu
Child survivors of sexual assault have safe haven in Athens
By Emma Ockerman | Oct. 15, 2014A child survivor of sexual assault only has to recite his or her incident once, reducing trauma. In other areas, that’s not the case.
Glouster man indicted on assault and gun charges involving police
By Suhyeon Park | Oct. 14, 2014A Glouster man was indicted on assault and gun charges Tuesday by the Athens County Grand Jury for allegedly fleeing and firing a gun at police.
Ohio University student motorcyclist charged after police chase
By Joshua Lim | Oct. 14, 2014An Ohio University student was charged Tuesday with “fleeing and eluding a felony” after a lengthy police chase that went in and out of the City of Athens Tuesday afternoon.
Appalachian survivors unlikely to report sexual assault
By Emma Ockerman | Oct. 13, 2014It’s not easy to report a sexual assault when the county sheriff is your neighbor, the emergency room nurses know you by name and the offender is the sole breadwinner for your family.
