You are viewing the April 3, 2020 daily archives


Music From the Radio Free Athens Crew: April 4, 2020
Like most everything else, Radio Free Athens has been impacted by the current situation pertaining to COVID-19, which the World Health Organization has deemed a pandemic. Although you won’t get to hear your favorite DJs on the air until at least May, we will be supplying faithful listeners with playlists in the meantime. Find them… Read More


Business in Uptown Athens is Down 50 – 85%, Uncertainty Lingers
By: Claudia Cisneros
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Businesses in Uptown Athens are starting to feel the economic impact of COVID-19. Since Ohio Governor Mike DeWine declared a state of emergency almost a month ago and Ohio University told students not to come back from spring break, things have rapidly deteriorated for some of the local shops, restaurants and… Read More


A Homemade Fight Against COVID-19
By: Ryan Moreland
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FRIENDSVILLE, Md – Libby Anderson, the owner and sole employee of The Quilt Garrett, has been in her basement-turned-quilt shop every day of the stay-at-home order. However, she has yet to make one quilt during that time. Instead, she has been busy making medical masks. The COVID-19 pandemic has caused mask shortages all over the… Read More

Bill Withers, Singer-Songwriter Of ‘Ain’t No Sunshine,’ Has Died At Age 81
By: Anastasia Tsioulcas | NPR
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The soulful artist behind a number of 1970s hits died Monday of heart disease. He created all of his hits in a 14-year recording career before walking away from the music business.

Ohio’s Food Banks Say They Need Help to Meet the Current Need for Services
By: Jo Ingles | Statehouse News Bureau
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Leaders of Ohio’s foodbanks say they are overwhelmed by the demand on their services right now. They’re urging the federal government to increase food stamp benefits by 15% and asking Ohio’s leaders to kick in $25 million dollars to help pay for emergency services. The head of the Ohio Association of Foodbanks says the number… Read More

Domestic Violence Victims Urged to Text if They Can’t Call During Lockdown
By: Claudia Cisneros
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Domestic violence victims are being urged to text rather than calling the help lines during the Stay at Home order in Ohio due to the coronavirus pandemic. Kelly Cooke, My Sister’s Place executive director, says they are concerned about what’s happening with victims during these times of mandated isolation due to… Read More

Coronavirus Straining Financial Resources of Ohio Valley Hospitals
By: Liam Niemeyer | Ohio Valley ReSource
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MURRAY, Ky. (OVR) — As coronavirus cases continue to increase throughout the Ohio Valley, rural hospitals are preparing for a potential surge of COVID-19 patients. But as they do so, these hospitals face tough financial decisions, and some could close down altogether. Hospitals throughout the region have had to make brutal financial decisions the past… Read More

Teaching Preschoolers During COVID-19 Restrictions
By: Samantha Weinraub
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CLEVELAND, Ohio – With the ongoing spread of COVID-19, universities have closed down and switched to all online classes. Public school systems weren’t too far behind. Starting April 6th, Shaker Schools will be moving to online classes, something they have never had to do before. One of the most difficult challenges for the district is… Read More


Adena Health System Offering Curbside Lab Collections for Blood Work
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
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CHILLICOTHE, Ohio (WOUB) — Adena Health System announced it is offering drive-up service for patients who require standard blood work to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. According to a press release, the locations are in Jackson, Waverly, and Chillicothe. Patients are able to drive up to Adena locations and have blood drawn, which the… Read More

Hocking Hills State Park Closing due to COVID-19 Guidelines
Hocking Hills State Park and all of its trails will close sunset Friday, April 3, in an attempt to follow COVID-19 precautions. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources says the unique and narrow trail system makes staying 6-feet apart from other visitors nearly impossible. According to a press release, “The challenging terrain of a narrow… Read More

Video Meeting Platform Zoom Addresses Criticisms as it Sees Explosive Growth in Users
By: Andrew Limbong | NPR
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Zoom’s founder and CEO addressed some of the company’s growing pains as the service saw an unexpected surge in the number of users when people began socially distancing due to COVID-19.

COVID-19 Prevention Closes Areas of Wayne National Forest
By: Allison Hunter
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Nelsonville, Ohio (WOUB) – Portions of Wayne National Forest will not accept visitors due to physical distancing guidelines. To discourage crowds and the possible spread of COVID-19, the forest’s developed campgrounds, restroom facilities, and trash receptacles will not be open to the public. According to a press release, group-use recreation areas at Leith Run in… Read More
![A family picking a Chromebook at Athens Middle School. [Picture Courtesy: Aditya Sahasrabudhe]](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/VID_20200326_104646.00_00_27_09.Still004-e1585843522674-900x422.png)
Athens City School District Provides Students Thousands of Computers
By: Aditya Sahasrabudhe
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ATHENS, Ohio – Students missing out on traditional in-class schooling due to the stay-at-home order now have access to education again, this time virtually thanks to the distribution of around 2,000 Chromebooks by Athens City Schools. Most of the Chromebook distributions came via pick-ups last week; however, families that could not pick up the Chromebooks… Read More


Summer Classes at Ohio University Move to Remote Instruction
By: Aaron Payne
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Ohio University announced that there will be no in-person summer classes due to the coronavirus pandemic. Provost Elizabeth Sayrs made the announcement in an email sent out on Friday, April 3. “Ohio University will continue to deliver all classes on all campuses through remote and online instruction through the summer, including classes… Read More

School District in Pennsylvania Helps Students in Need of Technology
By: Bryan Kurp
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GIBSONIA, Pa. – The COVID-19 pandemic has forced students to learn online until the schools reopen. Most families in the Pine-Richland School District have access to the internet, but some students in the district do not have the appropriate technology to learn from home. “Not everybody had access to a device that would have easily… Read More

Religious Organizations Find Ways to Stay Connected
By: Zanovia Criss
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COLUMBUS, Ohio — Many religious centers around Ohio remain closed after Gov. Mike DeWine extended the stay-at-home order through the beginning of May. These centers provide essential community support to many Ohioans. And now, as mental health advocates in the state are pressing the importance of maintaining a routine and social interaction, religious organizations are… Read More

Cincinnati-Area Families Share how Stay-at-Home Order Affects Their Daily Life
By: Anna Azallion
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CINCINNATI — The stay-at-home order in Ohio is still in effect until at least 11:59 PM on May 1. Additionally, Gov. Mike DeWine ordered the Ohio Department of Health to extend the order closing schools through May 1. This means most Ohio families’ daily routines look very different than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic…. Read More

One High School Athlete Holds out Hope for Spring Play
By: Zach Paquette
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GAHANNA, Ohio – COVID-19 has left spring sports’ seasons in jeopardy for a plethora of sports leagues ranging from professional to youth leagues. Many college and high school seniors may lose their last chance to play the sport they love and lose their final opportunity to leave that last impression on the program they’ve dedicated… Read More

Credit Union Offers Programs to Ease Economic Pain
By: Hardika Singh
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ATHENS, Ohio — Ohio University Credit Union members can now apply for a forbearance program where mortgage payments can be suspended or reduced for at least the next three months. To help customers during the pandemic, OUCU implemented this and an array of other programs to reduce the financial burden on their customers. Some… Read More

Many College Students Ineligible for Stimulus Checks
By: Rhyann Green
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ATHENS, Ohio — While many Americans are expecting to get a check from the federal stimulus bill, many college students who have lost their on-campus jobs might not be that fortunate. President Trump signed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, also known as the CARES Act, into law on March 27. The bill… Read More