You are viewing the March 23, 2015 daily archives
What The Jobs Report Doesn’t Tell You: Poverty In Southeast Ohio
As the nation emerges from the recession, people look to several measures to determine just how far we have come back and how far we have to go. Economic recovery can become a matter of perspective. The standard measures for progress are job growth and unemployment rate, but those numbers don’t tell the whole story…. Read More
Trimble School Teacher Dies
By: WOUB Staff Writer
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Update 12:23 p.m. The name of the individual found dead is 47-year-old Christopher D. Downs. The body was found at the Jacksonville Volunteer Fire Department and pronounced deceased at the scene. The Trimble Twp. area was shaken Monday morning with the news that a prominent member of the community has died. The Athens County Public Information… Read More
Power Outage Affecting East State Street
By: Susan Tebben
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Update 1:01 p.m. AEP crews have restored power to East State Street. According to the Athens Bureau of Motor Vehicles their power was restored around 12 p.m. The AEP Ohio outage map currently shows no reported outages. A power outage is affecting East State Street, including The Market on State and Walmart, according to officials. According… Read More
Judge In Toledo Blocks New Ohio Law On Traffic Camera Use
By: Associated Press
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A northwest Ohio judge has blocked in Toledo a new state law sharply restricting use of traffic camera enforcement around the state. The Blade newspaper of Toledo reports that Lucas County Judge Dean Mandros on Sunday granted the city’s request for a temporary injunction. Mandros says his ruling means the status quo remains for now… Read More
Funds Sought To Keep Charleston-Huntington Buses Running
By: Associated Press
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Transit officials are looking for funding to keep buses running between Charleston and Huntington. The Intelligent Transit bus service’s funding will expire on June 30. Kanawha Valley Regional Transportation Authority assistant general manager Doug Hartley says unspent repair money will allow the service to operate for at least a few more months. Hartley tells the… Read More
State Puts Hold On Drone Security Testing At SW Ohio Prisons
By: Associated Press
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Ohio’s prisons agency says it has put a hold on its testing of drones as a security measure to keep watch over two corrections facilities. The Department of Rehabilitation and Correction began testing the unmanned aerial vehicles at prisons in Lebanon and Warren in southwest Ohio in October. But the agency’s operations managing director Ed… Read More
Maryland Man Pleads Guilty to Athens Fraud of $800,000
By: Steve Robb - Athens Messenger staff reporter
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A Maryland man pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to stealing more than $1.1 million though a scheme in which the conspirators pretended to be romantically interested in the victims. According to court documents, one of the victims was an Athens resident who lost more than $800,000. Krist Koranteng, 33, is scheduled to be sentenced… Read More
With takeover, West Virginia GOP Saw Fizzle-outs And Compromises
By: Associated Press
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In their first shot at leading the Legislature since the 1930s, Republicans considered ideas that Democrats hadn’t given much play. They suggested allowing charter schools, repealing Common Core educational standards, drug testing welfare recipients and introducing a right-to-work law. Those proposals and others met resistance and fell flat. Other bills, including a prevailing wage rollback,… Read More
Former Ohio House Page Faces Forgery, Identity Theft Charges
By: Associated Press
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A former Ohio House page faces felony charges related to a letter prosecutors say he forged in last year’s primary. The Northeast Ohio Media Group reports that a one-time aide to state Rep. Jim Butler has been charged with forgery and attempted identity theft, both fifth-degree felonies. Carlos Arrigo is to be arraigned April 1… Read More
Freedom Industries Due In Court On Pollution Charge
By: Associated Press
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Freedom Industries is set to answer to a pollution charge stemming from last year’s chemical spill into a river in Charleston. Federal prosecutors say the company is expected to plead guilty at a court hearing Monday in Charleston. Two former Freedom owners and two lower-level employees pleaded guilty to a pollution charge last week and… Read More
Ohio Drivers Can Show Proof Of Insurance Electronically
By: Associated Press
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Ohioans are now able to show proof of insurance to police officers and state agencies with their electronic devices. A state law that goes into effect Monday allows drivers in Ohio to electronically show proof of insurance to traffic violations bureaus, courts, Bureaus of Motor Vehicles and law enforcement officers. The state says drivers can… Read More
Changes Proposed To Ohio’s 2015-2016 Hunting Season Dates
By: Associated Press
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Ohio officials are proposing to provide additional time between gun and muzzleloader hunting seasons this coming winter. The proposed dates were presented to the Ohio Wildlife Council at a recent meeting. Hunters had sought more time between the two days of gun hunting in December and muzzleloader season. The initial dates had raised concerns about… Read More
Proposed 75 mph Speed Limit Would Move Ohio To The Fast Lane
By: Associated Press
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Ohio’s potential move to a 75 mph speed limit would put it in the fast lane among states in the eastern U.S. Lawmakers in Ohio’s legislature are debating whether to increase the speed limit from 70 to 75 for all trucks and cars on the Ohio Turnpike and rural interstate highways. The move comes less… Read More
10-number Dialing Starts For Calls In Ohio’s 740 Area Code
By: Associated Press
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Callers in central and southeast Ohio’s 740 area code are beginning to need 10 numbers to make local calls as preparations are made for the addition of a new 220 area code in about a month. The 220 area code is being added in the 30-county region that comprises the 740 area code because the… Read More
New Ohio Gun Rules Allowing Noise Suppressors Take Effect
By: Associated Press
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A new state law that relaxes some requirements for concealed carry permits and allows hunters to use noise suppressors under certain conditions is set to take effect in Ohio. The Columbus Dispatch reports the law approved by the Legislature and signed by Gov. John Kasich last year goes into effect Monday. It allows licensed hunters… Read More
Former Sheriff’s Secretary Re-trial Set For Monday
By: Sarah Hawley | Athens Messenger staff reporter
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The former Meigs County Sheriff’s secretary accused of taking funds while serving in that position is scheduled for a second jury trial beginning on Monday. Mary Kimes, 46, of Middleport was indicted in May 2013 on eight counts of theft in office for allegedly stealing at least $60,000 in office funds according to the indictment…. Read More
Quote To Test Landfill Records Presented To Commissioners
By: Steve Robb - Athens Messenger staff reporter
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A consultant quoted a price of $5,145 to do testing to find out if records dug up from a landfill as part of the Patrick Kelly investigation pose a safety risk. Hiring of the consultant is on the agenda of this week’s Athens County Commissioners meeting. Part of the investigation of then-sheriff Patrick Kelly centered… Read More
Second Jury Trial for Meigs Co. Sheriff’s Secretary To Begin Monday
By: Sarah Hawley | Athens Messenger staff reporter
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The former Meigs County Sheriff’s secretary accused of taking funds while serving in that position is scheduled for a second jury trial beginning on Monday. Mary Kimes, 46, of Middleport was indicted in May 2013 on eight counts of theft in office for allegedly stealing at least $60,000 in office funds according to the indictment…. Read More
Nelsonville Plans History Tours
By: Steve Robb - Athens Messenger staff reporter
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People who want to learn more about Nelsonville’s past can take part in history tours that will be held this coming Friday and April 24. Students in the Natural and Historical Interpretation program at Hocking College will tell tour participants about the sites visited, imparting information they have compiled and researched. That research included talking… Read More
Alexander Schools Looks Forward To New Athletic Complex
By: Sarah Guinn | Athens Messenger
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The Alexander Local School District, in a joint venture with Holzer Health System, has designed an all-encompassing Alexander Community Wellness Center meant to benefit students and community members. The 22,000 square-foot facility will include a weight room, two regulation basketball courts, an indoor track, a physician’s room and an all-purpose room. Construction is expected to… Read More
Jackson Man Begins Trial on Kidnapping, Rape Charges
By: Felicia Tackett | Jackson County Times-Journal
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After almost two years, Zachary R. Dunn’s trial has begun. The prosecution kicked off its case against Dunn Thursday afternoon with opening statements that outlined the alleged chain of events that lead to Dunn’s arrest. Dunn is charged with three counts of kidnapping, two counts of abduction, one count of rape, two counts of gross… Read More
Logan Man Endures Juvenile Diabetes For 45 Years
By: Debra Tobin | Logan Daily News
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LOGAN – During the 1950s and 60s, children diagnosed with juvenile diabetes were often made fun of or were treated as though they had leprosy or some other type of disease. Today, people, including children, are more educated about Type 1 (juvenile diabetes) and understand it better. While diabetes is a disease, it is not… Read More
We Are Ohio Visits OU Campus
The political action group We Are Ohio stated its case for why right-to-work is wrong at Ohio University’s Baker Center on Thursday night. The Columbus-based coalition led the successful opposition effort to Senate Bill 5, a 2011 measure that tried to curb public employee unions. The organization is now opposing the rising tide of right-to-work… Read More
Officials, Public React to Kelly Sentence
By: Sara Brumfield | Athens Messenger
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With former Athens County Sheriff Patrick Kelly being sentenced to seven years in prison on Friday, many say they are glad the case is over, but note that no one is a winner with this outcome. Following the sentencing hearing on Friday, Acting Sheriff Rodney Smith said, “We’re glad it’s over and happy to move… Read More
Local, National Artists Featured “In And Around The Barn”
The Dairy Barn Arts Center has announced the opening of In and Around the Barn, featuring a range of participatory artworks and performances for old and young, on Friday, March 27 from 5-7 p.m. Twenty-three artists from Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Los Angeles will join two Ohio University art classes to present installations, performances,… Read More