News
8 People Arrested In Injection Well Protest
By: Sara Brumfield | Athens Messenger
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Eight people were arrested and charged with criminal trespass during a protest at the site of an injection well in Torch on Saturday evening.
Approximately 150 gathered at the entrance to the K&H Partners injection well near the rest stop in Torch on Saturday afternoon. They were protesting the injection well, which is said to contain waste materials used in the controversial hydraulic fracturing process.
While many of the protesters stood on the side of the road holding signs and chanting, a handful of others stood blocking the entrance to the well, holding signs that read, "Our water, our lives" and "Their poison, their lies."
In the early hours of the protest, two trucks believed to be carrying brine drove past the injection well site, turned around and drove away.
According to Athens County Sheriff Patrick Kelly, the following people were arrested: More Welch, 35, Athens; Sean Pavlac, 26, Cleveland; Caprice Huffman, 61, Sunbury; Gilbert Rondy, 64, Amesville; Michelle Ajamian, 61, Millfield; Christine Hughes, 44, Athens; Timothy Fultz, 27, Athens; and Elizabeth Florentino, 45, Athens.
Kelly said the individuals were charged with criminal trespass and released.