You are viewing the "David Forster" Archives
Ohio University Ending Year Strong Despite Pandemic, But Big Challenges Remain
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Ohio University expected the pandemic to deliver a serious blow to its already fragile financial situation and leave it millions of dollars in the hole. Instead, just the opposite happened. The university’s board of trustees was informed at its meeting Friday that the institution expects to end its 2021 fiscal year… Read More
Ohio University’s Top Financial Officer Announces Retirement
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The leadership shakeup at Ohio University university continued Tuesday as its top financial officer announced she is retiring. Deb Shaffer, who as senior vice president for finance and administration has overseen the university’s efforts to balance its budget in the face of sharply declining enrollment, will step down in August. Shaffer’s… Read More
Ohio University Will Refund Wages Lost Through Furloughs
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Ohio University employees will be refunded all the income they lost because of the nine months of mandatory furloughs. President Duane Nellis announced the refunds in an email to employees Thursday morning and said they were made possible because the university is ending the fiscal year with a significant budget surplus…. Read More
Fired Professor Again Sues Ohio University Claiming Racial Discrimination
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — A former Ohio University professor who was fired two months ago over sexual harassment claims has filed a new lawsuit against the university alleging racial discrimination. Yusuf Kalyango is seeking more than $1 million in damages and is asking the court to require the university to reinstate him as a full… Read More
Athens Co. Confirms 2 New COVID-19 Cases For May 28
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens County has had 5,217 total cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic after two new cases were reported Friday. A new death was also reported. The Ohio Department of Health confirmed the news on May 28, 2021. Analysis of ODH data indicates the new cases involved two people… Read More
Former Business Dean Named To Two-Year Term As Ohio University President
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The former dean of Ohio University’s business college will serve as the university’s president for the next two years. Hugh Sherman will serve out the remaining two years that President Duane Nellis would have served under the terms of his six-year contract. Nellis announced two weeks ago that he is stepping… Read More
Athens Co. Confirms 2 New COVID-19 Cases For May 27, Remains At Level 1
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens County has had 5,215 total cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic after two new cases were reported Thursday. The Ohio Department of Health confirmed the news on May 27, 2021. Analysis of ODH data indicates the cases involved one person aged 30-39 and one person 60-69. There… Read More
Athens Co. Confirms No New COVID-19 Cases For May 26
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens County remained at 5,213 total cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic after no new cases were reported Wednesday. The Ohio Department of Health confirmed the news on May 26, 2021. There are 31 known active cases in the county as of Wednesday and 5,182 recovered cases, according… Read More
Bellar Case Raises Questions About Possible ‘Systematic Failure’
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — It took a long, angry post on Facebook to trigger a full investigation into allegations of sexual abuse within an Athens-area family. The post, made last month by a girl who had been hiding from her family for a year, accomplished what three previous reports made through official channels had not…. Read More
Athens Co. Confirms 2 New COVID-19 Cases For May 24
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens County has had 5,210 total cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic after two new cases were reported Monday. The Ohio Department of Health confirmed the news on May 24, 2021. Analysis of ODH data indicates the two new cases involved people aged 50-59. There are 34 known… Read More
Mother Accused Of Covering Up Family Sexual Abuse Pleads Not Guilty
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — An Athens woman accused of trying to hinder investigations into alleged sexual abuse of her children pleaded not guilty to several felony charges Wednesday. Deborah Bellar, 49, was placed under a $1 million bond. She was arrested Tuesday after indictments were issued against her, her husband and two of her sons…. Read More
Family Of Previously Missing Girl Face Charges Related To Sexual Abuse
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Four family members of a previously missing Athens County girl were indicted Tuesday on multiple felony charges that include rape and child endangerment. Serah Bellar, originally of Amesville, was reported missing in April 2020, a few weeks before her 17th birthday. She resurfaced a little over three weeks ago through a… Read More
Ohio University President Resigns, Will Return To Teaching
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Ohio University’s president is stepping down at the end of June after four challenging years marked by big enrollment declines and financial struggles. Duane Nellis, who is four years into a six-year contract, said Thursday he plans to stay at the university as a member of the faculty. “I have decided to… Read More
Fired Professor Drops Lawsuit Against Ohio University
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — An Ohio University professor who recently lost his job over allegations of sexual harassment has dropped a federal lawsuit he filed against the university. A spokesperson for the university said there was no out-of-court settlement in the case. It simply was dropped. WOUB reached out to the attorney representing former journalism… Read More
Plenty Of Jobs But Few Applicants As Business Picks Up
By: David Forster
Posted on:
WOUB Digital · Plenty Of Jobs But Few Applicants As Business Picks Up ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Art Oestrike, who owns the Jackie O’s brewpub and taproom in Athens, is facing an unusual problem. With pandemic restrictions easing, business is picking up. But he can’t find enough employees to meet the demand. “I want to… Read More
Two Belpre Council Members Hold Off Challengers In Republican Primary
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Two Belpre City Council incumbents defeated their challengers Tuesday in the Republican primary. Council President Larry Martin captured 270 votes, or 55.33 percent. His opponent, Donna Miller, drew 218 votes, or 44.67 percent. Council Member At Large David Ferguson held off his opponent, John Ruth, with 331 votes, or 56.10 percent,… Read More
Wellston City Council 1st Ward Incumbent Defeated In Republican Primary
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Wellston City Council 1st Ward incumbent Keith Woolum lost to Angela Spangler Tuesday in the Republican primary. Spangler received 59, or slightly more than two-thirds, of the 87 votes cast. Just over 42 percent of registered Republicans in the ward cast ballots. Meanwhile, voters in Jackson County, which includes Wellston, rejected… Read More
Swank Defeats Incumbent Fahl For Athens City Council 4th Ward Seat
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Alan Swank soundly defeated three-term incumbent Christine Fahl in the Democratic primary for the Athens City Council 4th Ward seat. Swank received 184, or nearly two-thirds, of the 282 votes cast. Swank moves on to the general election in November and is all but certain to claim the council seat given… Read More
Prosecutor Confirms Missing Girl Is Author Of Facebook Post
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens County’s prosecutor confirmed Wednesday the author of a recent Facebook post is a girl from Amesville who was missing for a year. Keller Blackburn said law enforcement has made contact with Serah Bellar and she is safe. Bellar was reported missing on April 3, 2020. She was 16 at the… Read More
Law Enforcement Investigating Whether Facebook Post Is From Missing Girl
By: David Forster
Posted on:
(UPDATE 4/28/21 1:22 p.m.) Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn on Wednesday confirmed the Facebook post from Monday was made by Serah Bellar. _____________________________________ ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens County law enforcement are investigating a Facebook post by someone who says she is an Amesville teenager who went missing a year ago. The Facebook post was… Read More
Athens Co. Confirms 20 New COVID-19 Cases For April 26
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens County has now had 5,131 total cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic after 20 were reported Monday, including cases from over the weekend. The Ohio Department of Health confirmed the new cases on April 26, 2021. Analysis of ODH data indicates the new cases since Friday involved… Read More
Board Tasked To Deal With Run Down Properties Not Without Its Critics
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — A relatively unknown government entity that has the power to foreclose on abandoned properties was drawn into the spotlight Tuesday at the Athens County Board of Commissioners meeting. Jill Thompson, the Athens County auditor, told the board she has concerns about the way the Athens County Board of Revision operates that… Read More
Athens Co. Confirms 12 New COVID-19 Cases For April 16
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens County has now had 5,006 total cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic after 12 were reported Friday. The Ohio Department of Health confirmed the new cases on April 16, 2021. Analysis of ODH data indicates nine involved people aged 20-29 and three involved people aged 0-19. One additional… Read More
Athens Co. Confirms 20 New COVID-19 Cases For April 15
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens County has now had 4,994 total cases of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic after 20 were reported Thursday. The county also remained at a Level 3 on the Public Health Advisory System. The Ohio Department of Health confirmed the new cases on April 15, 2021. Analysis of ODH data… Read More
Ohio University Will End Year With A Surplus, But Cuts Expected As Big Deficits Loom
By: David Forster
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Ohio University expects to end the fiscal year with a $14.5 million budget surplus, a dramatic shift from the big deficit projection just a few months ago. But this rare dose of good news on the university’s budget front, delivered to the board of trustees at its meeting last week, was… Read More