You are viewing the May 14, 2014 daily archives
Local Inmate Educator Wins Regional Award
By: Sarah Hawley | Athens Messenger staff reporter
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Selected as the Ohio Teacher of the Year by the Correctional Education Association (CEA) last year, Deborah Spencer Withem of Hocking Correctional Facility has now been recognized as the Regional Teacher of the Year. The regional award is given to the top CEA educator in six states – Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois…. Read More
Commissioners Approve Borrowing For Sewer Plant
By: Steve Robb - Athens Messenger staff reporter
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Issuing of an $858,000 bond to finance improvements to The Plains sewage treatment plant and equipment purchases for the county engineer was approved Wednesday by the Athens County Commissioners. The bond is being purchased by Hocking Valley Bank, which is charging the county 2.33 percent interest. The debt is to be repaid over 10 years…. Read More
Gas Line Company To Repair Pipes In Athens County
By: Ann Jacob
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The Athens County Commissioners met Wednesday to discuss damage to its roadways caused by a company responsible for a Morgan County pipeline explosion over two years ago. Tennessee Gas Pipeline Company was given a mandate to do interior inspections in all their transmission lines after the incident. The company's lines run from the Gulf of Mexico… Read More
Intersection In Athens County Has History Of Accidents
By: Rachel Bailey
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It's a problem area. The intersection of Route 50 and Radford Road has been the location of multiple traffic incidents, and Tuesday's crash was life-threatening. Boyd Bobo was driving northbound on Radford Road when he failed to yield at a stop sign. He pulled onto US 50 – Right into the path of William Hoover. Both drivers… Read More
Ohio Court Blocks Duke Energy Charges For Cleanup
By: Associated Press
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The Ohio Supreme Court has temporarily blocked Duke Energy Corp. from charging customers for pollution cleanup at its deactivated manufactured-gas plants. In a 4-3 ruling Wednesday, the court stayed a regulatory order allowing the company to pass the cleanup costs on to its 420,000 natural gas customers. The Public Utilities Commission of Ohio decision meant… Read More
Youngstown Mayor Indicted On Conspiracy, Bribery Charges
By: Associated Press, Joanna Richards | Ohio Public Radio • WCPN
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Prosecutors in Ohio are bringing conspiracy and bribery charges against the mayor of Youngstown and a county official. A grand jury has indicted Mayor John McNally and Mahoning County Auditor Michael Sciortino. The indictments were announced Wednesday by Ohio's attorney general and the prosecutor in Cuyahoga County, where some alleged actions occurred. They say the… Read More
Ohio University Departments Collaborate To Provide Information, Resources On Water Topics
By: Kelly Martin
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Water. It’s something that affects our communities in many ways. We wash in it, drink it, use it to bathe our children and for industrial purposes. Flooding can devastate a community, but also can bring industry and jobs to the region. How does the region protect this vital resource? The Water Project, a new interactive… Read More
Ground Broken For Fairfield Inn & Suites In Athens
By: Sara Brumfield | Athens Messenger
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Ground has been broken to make way for a new 87-room upscale hotel on East State Street, which will provide more overnight occupancy and tax revenue for the county. SJB Development, Inc. of Athens will develop and operate an 87-room Fairfield Inn & Suites, which will be located at 924 E. State St. The projected… Read More
Mid-American Conference Brings In 50 Recruits In 2014 Class
By: Michael Drapcho
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With college basketball’s late signing period nearing an end, Ohio’s Mid-American Conference foes have made some strong additions to their 2014 recruiting classes. Elliott Alexander of the Plain Dealer broke down the MAC’s recruiting haul for the class of 2014 Tuesday. The MAC’s class of 2014 has a total of 50 players with Buffalo, Ball… Read More
Ohioans Rally To Urge State Lawmakers To Give More Money For College
By: Associated Press
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About 100 people rallied at the Ohio Statehouse today, saying lawmakers need to do more to make college affordable. The students, parents, professors and others are saying priorities in state funding needs to change. The people attending a rally sponsored by the Ohio Higher Education Coalition said they want college to be more affordable. They… Read More
Ohio Bill Sparks Questions Over Public Benefits
By: Associated Press
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The director of a county Jobs and Family Services office in southeast Ohio said a proposal before the Legislature should be more focused on addressing the basic needs of the state's residents. Jack Frech of Athens County said funding for public programs that provide food and cash assistance to Ohioans in need have been reduced… Read More
Phillips Adds To 2014 Recruiting Class
By: Michael Drapcho
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New Ohio head basketball coach Saul Phillips and the Bobcats have added two new recruits, Ryan Taylor and Mike Laster, to the 2014 recruiting class. Taylor comes to Ohio via St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, Wisconsin. The 6-foot-5 shooting guard is an adept scorer, averaging 20 points per game in his senior campaign…. Read More
Stuart’s To Host Evening of Award-Winning Bluegrass
This Friday, Stuart’s Opera House will host bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent, currently touring in support of their 2013 release Brothers on the Highway.
The pair, who have been recognized as three-time IBMA Entertainers of The Year and two-time Grammy nominees, have become a perennial favorite on the touring and festival circuit, playing more than 100 shows per year to sold-out crowds throughout the U.S..
Kentucky’s Effort To Win Release Of Hemp Seed Stalls
By: Associated Press
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UPDATE 4:50 p.m. Kentucky's Agriculture Department has filed a lawsuit seeking the release of imported hemp seeds being held up by federal officials. Defendants in the suit filed Wednesday in Louisville include the U.S. Justice Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Justice Department did not immediately comment when contacted…. Read More
Energy Bill Provision Impacts Future Contracts
By: Andy Chow | Statehouse News Bureau
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Experts say a new clause in the energy bill would deliver a major blow to alternative energy investment in Ohio. “It is essentially a nuclear bomb to all renewable development and projects in this state moving forward," Kent said. Jereme Kent is the general manager of Findlay-based One Energy, which helps develop renewable projects for… Read More
WV Regulators Won’t Revisit Power Rate For Mason Co. Company
By: Associated Press
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State regulators aren't going to revisit a special electricity rate for an idled manufacturer in Mason County. The Public Service Commission on Wednesday denied two petitions asking it to reconsider the special rate. The PSC's order says its April 3 decision will remain in effect. The special rate plan would enable Felman Production to buy… Read More
Heroin Use Soars In Ohio Child Custody Cases
By: Associated Press
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Heroin use by the parents or caregivers is skyrocketing as a factor in Ohio child custody cases, according to first-ever state data on the effect of specific drugs on cases. Figures run by the state human services agency show almost 7,000 instances where heroin was cited in child custody cases last year, an 83 percent… Read More
Rep. Portman Says Jobs Aren’t Enough In Anti-Poverty Speech
By: M.L. Schultze | Ohio Public Radio • WKSU
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Speaking to a think-tank of conservatives, Ohio’s Republican senator touted the need to create jobs as a primary way to fight poverty and a growing income gap. Portman called for tax code, trade policy and regulatory changes. “But I think we also have to understand that while they are necessary, they are not sufficient," Portman… Read More
Locally Produced Horror Film to Premiere Next Week
By: Sara Brumfield | Athens Messenger
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A locally shot and produced horror movie will be making its debut at Movies 10 Theater near Nelsonville next week. When Night Comes is a project of Athens-based BuckDog Productions. Athens County natives Glenn Martin and Alex Couladis served as executive producers, and Martin also wrote and directed the film. “I felt it was time… Read More
Trimble’s School Levy Passes After 3 Tries
By: Ann Jacob
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After three consecutive fails, Trimble Local School District has finally passed their levy in the May 6 primary election. The five mil, five year levy was approved in Trimble Twp. by a 411 to 376 vote. Athens County also approved the levy. The levy will generate about $193,000 annually and the money will be used… Read More
Morgan County Council Fight Continues
By: WOUB Contributing Writer
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A woman in Morgan County elected to Chesterhill Village Council is now fighting to prove her residency after the council believes she isn't a resident. Rebecca Grady is the woman from Chesterhill who was elected last November to the village council but in January, was not sworn in. And she's taken the village to court… Read More
Former Marshall Coach Won’t Testify In His Fraud Trial
By: WOUB Contributing Writer
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Former Marshall Football Coach Jim Donnan will not testify in his defense in his fraud trial in Athens, Georgia, according to an Athens (GA) newspaper. Donnan told the judge Tuesday that he decided not to testify. According to the paper, Donnan's statement came after the judge dismissed jurors for the day, telling them they would… Read More
November Ballot Could Feature Athens Rec Levy
By: Sara Brumfield | Athens Messenger
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As the city of Athens is exploring options for a new pool — as well as other arts, parks and recreation upgrades — the possibility of an income tax renewal is being discussed for the November election. The city’s Arts, Parks and Recreation Department recently completed a new master plan with the aid of an… Read More
Nguyen Asking To Receive 5-Year Sentence
By: Susan Tebben | The Athens Messenger
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After multiple appeals, including attempts to be heard by the Ohio Supreme Court, a New York doctor convicted of an Athens County rape is asking to receive a plea deal his attorney turned down. Charles Nguyen, 35, was convicted by an Athens County jury in August 2010 of rape, kidnapping and aggravated burglary and was… Read More