local

Fracking explosion in Guernsey County causes fire, raises safety concerns

By Finn Smith | Jan. 27

An explosion at a fracking pad in Guernsey County caused a fire which burned for 18 hours.

Heavy snow, cold weather hit Athens

By Drew Hoffmaster | Jan. 21

Athens County received a total snowfall of 8-12 inches depending on the area between Jan. 5-7. The snow was caused by a low-pressure system, especially a mid-latitude cyclone over the Rocky Mountains.

Athens faces high living costs, low wages

By Drew Hoffmaster | Jan. 15

A report from online-bill-payment company Doxo released in November found Athens ranked 73 out of 247 cities in Ohio.

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City Council discusses affordable housing, new tennis courts

By Ashley Pomplas | Jan. 14

Athens City Council discussed various items in committees including affordable housing, new tennis courts and traffic signals.

ADA concerns continue with repairs of bricks at Court, East Union Streets

By Madalyn Blair | Jan. 14

Although the Athens City Commission on Disabilities has shown concern for bricks on heavily trafficked areas, the city maintains the bricks by releveling them in a turn of events.

Southeast Ohio parents struggle finding trained mental health professionals, services for children

By Madalyn Blair | Jan. 3

Parents in Southeastern Ohio struggle to find trained mental health professionals and services for their children, with some traveling over 100 miles for care.

Athens receives $2 million to improve housing

By Finn Smith | Dec. 6

Athens is receiving a $2 million grant from the Welcome Home Ohio program, a state initiative focused on affordable housing.

Food truck owner seeks changes on East Union Street

By Drew Hoffmaster | Dec. 5

Brandon Buckley, the owner of the food trucks Rise and Grind and A-Town Pies and Fries, wants to work with the city to make the vending spots on East Union Street more accessible and user-friendly.

Athens donation drives are fired up for the holidays

By Mary Kate McNamee | Dec. 5

Christmas donation drives are revved up for the Athens holiday season, giving citizens many options to donate and participate.

Local spotlight: Botanical Pimpin’ gives plants a new life

By Ethan Herx | Nov. 26

By getting plants that would otherwise be neglected, Botanical Pimpin’ spreads the love of nature to more people.

Nationwide Children’s Hospital opens Close to Home Center in Athens

By Elizabeth Talaga | Nov. 25

Nationwide Children’s Hospital opened a Close to Home Center in Athens Oct. 28.

Two Southeast Ohio organizations awarded Drug-Free Communities grant

By Avery St. George | Nov. 22

With the Drug-Free Communities grant, Adams County Youth Prevention Coalition and River Hills Prevention Connection hope to continue their work by expanding their community efforts.

Companies bid over right to frack Leesville Wildlife Area

By Avery St. George | Nov. 19

The Leesville area and other parts of Eastern Ohio are home to shale rocks extremely rich in natural gas and are lucrative for the fracking business.

Ohio drought causes wildfires in Wayne National Forest

By Finn Smith | Nov. 19

The recent substantial drought in Ohio has caused multiple wildfires to break out in Wayne National Forest.

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Invisible Ground, Athens Middle School put on cemetery tour

By Zoe Weyand | Nov. 13

Athens Middle School’s Andrew Jackson Davidson Club collaborates with Tantrum Theater and Invisible Ground to present a walking tour of the historic West State Street Cemetery Nov. 16.