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Hocking College PR Director On Paid Leave
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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Michael Brown, Hocking College’s executive director of marketing and public community relations, has been placed on paid administrative leave. Brown, also a broadcaster for the Hocking College Hawks football team, began work with the school on July 31. President Betty Young confirmed Friday that Brown was placed on leave “pending a review of his actions… Read More

Attempted Rape Reported in Athens
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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The Athens Police Department is investigating an alleged attempted rape that took place early Saturday morning on East Carpenter Street in Athens. According to a police report, officers were dispatched to handle a possible sexual assault complaint on East Carpenter Street at 2:06 a.m. A female described her alleged assailant as standing around 5 feet,… Read More

Memorial Day Ceremony Remembers Asylum Residents
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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Serving as a means of busting the stigma carried with mental illness, the 2015 Memorial Day Ceremony at The Ridges’ Tower Cemetery was somber with remembrance but also featured a number of smiles and a backdrop of determination. This year’s ceremony was presented by the combined efforts of the Athens Chapter of the National Alliance… Read More

Ratha Con Brings Out All Kinds of Characters
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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Zombies, superheroes, lightsabers, steampunk, comic books, Ghostbusters and the like…all in the same place at the same time. It’s a geek’s or nerd’s dream come true and a good time was had by all. Ratha Con descended upon the Athens Community Center Saturday for the fourth time. The annual event is held by ARTS/West each… Read More

Athens Man Has Judicial Release Denied
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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An Athens man sentenced to eight years in prison for robbing an Ohio University student has been denied a chance of early judicial release. Nicholas Dowler, 26, appeared in Athens County Common Pleas Court on Tuesday after applying for judicial release from a prison sentence. The sentence stemmed from guilty pleas to charges of robbery,… Read More

From Humble Beginnings, Frog Ranch Salsa Is A Local Food Powerhouse
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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While sitting out on the deck of a newly purchased home in the middle of the woods, shooting the breeze with some friends, Craig Cornett and Kristi Hewitt talked about their financial future. From humble beginnings that started with some pickled peppers, Frog Ranch Salsa was born. More than a decade has passed and, with… Read More

Sexual Assaults Prompts Message from OUPD Chief
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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Ohio University police officers are stepping up patrols in response to a number of sexual harassment reports made in recent weeks. Last week, a female Ohio University student reported a sexual imposition. She alleged that between 2-3 p.m. on Jan. 13, an unknown male approached her, touched her buttocks and then ran away. Police have… Read More

Connections Were Forged At The Union
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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photo: Scott Winland Bars sometimes have their own niche of clientele, but for The Union Bar & Grill's regular patrons there is no niche — everyone is welcome. Some who have frequented the historic venue in Athens have come away with a special connection, be it to the music or even love, and after last… Read More

Six Injured and Dozens Displaced Because of Union Street Fire
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger, Susan Tebben | The Athens Messenger
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Six people were injured, 30 Ohio University students were displaced and five buildings suffered extensive damage as a result of an early morning fire on Union Street in Athens. The buildings housing Jack Neal Floral, Campus Sundry, Smoke Zone, The Union and Jackie O's Public House were all damaged by the fire which started around… Read More

Former Bobcat Violates Terms of Judicial Release
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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A former Ohio University football player sentenced to two years in prison for attacking a fellow student has violated the terms of his community control by not paying restitution. Christopher Tarrant, 21, of Hamilton, pleaded guilty in May of last year to felonious assault and was sentenced to two years in prison. In December, he… Read More

Bank Robber Granted Judicial Release
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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An Albany man has been granted judicial release after serving a year in prison for robbing a bank in Athens. Emmanuel Arocho, 32, was sentenced to four years in prison in October of last year after pleading guilty to a second-degree felony charge of robbery. On July 8, 2013, Arocho walked into Peoples Bank on… Read More

Athens Co. Job And Family Services Director Resigns After Pre-Disciplinary Hearing With Commissioners
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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After a pre-disciplinary hearing conducted by the Athens County Commissioners Tuesday regarding Jack Frech, director of Athens County Department of Job and Family Services, the commissioners decided not to take any action against the director. Frech, however, tendered his resignation, effective Dec. 31, 2014. “I want to take this opportunity to notify you of my… Read More

Bulk Amount Of LSD Allegedly Found In Nelsonville Home
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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A Mason woman was arrested Friday from a home in Nelsonville on drug-related charges stemming out of Franklin County. Her arrest may also lead to additional drug-related charges in Athens County as bulk amounts of LSD were allegedly discovered during the investigation. Desiree C. Stinchomb, 21, is being held in the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail… Read More

Attorney Claims Client Is A Victim Of Circumstances
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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An attorney for a Michigan man accused of raping an Ohio University student claims her client is innocent, a victim of circumstances and is only being charged due to pressure on law enforcement. Dedrick Peterson, 31, of Ann Arbor, Michigan, pleaded innocent Wednesday in Athens County Common Pleas Court to a 10-count felony indictment charging… Read More

Erickson Says He Was Forced Out As College President
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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The former president of Hocking College says he did not resign voluntarily but was instead forced to do so because he was protecting an employee. Ron Erickson stepped down as president on Oct. 2 during an emergency meeting of the Hocking College Board of Trustees. He was then reassigned to the position of special assistant… Read More

Hocktoberfest Entertains Students And Community (PHOTOS)
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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"So these two guys used ropes and climbed like 80 feet into the air and after that they tried to knock each other off a log into the water." That description was overheard Saturday at Hocktoberfest on the campus of Hocking College as a student told his mother what she missed at the Stihl Timber… Read More

Police Adapt To New Technology
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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Years ago, a police officer in the city of Athens would sit in a cruiser, virtually cut off from the rest of the police force thanks to the use of a minimal range radio. The officer may point a a large, megaphone-like device at your vehicle as you drove by to check your speed, then… Read More

Police adapt to be adept with new technology
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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Years ago, a police officer in the city of Athens would sit in a cruiser, virtually cut off from the rest of the police force thanks to the use of a minimal range radio. The officer may point a a large, megaphone-like device at your vehicle as you drove by to check your speed, then… Read More

Drowning Ruled As Cause In 1 Death, Undetermined In Another
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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Investigators have ruled drowning as the cause of death of one man who went missing and was found in the Hocking River but the cause of death for another man whose body was recovered from area waters is undetermined. Autopsy reports are complete for Samuel J. Wiater, 21, of Athens, and Sammie Steven Donato, 22,… Read More

Charges Related To Bone Theft From OU Dismissed
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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An Ohio University employee accused of tipping off a fellow employee to a bone theft investigation has had charges against him in Athens County Common Pleas Court dismissed. Jerry Reed, 49, had been charged with obstructing justice, a fifth-degree felony. Wednesday, the case was dismissed without prejudice meaning the charges could be refiled in the… Read More

The Plains Man Gets Eight Years On Burglary Charges
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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A 24-year-old man from The Plains is headed to prison for the next eight years after pleading guilty to a number of burglaries that have taken place in Athens. Joseph Ryan McGee appeared in Athens County Common Pleas Court on Monday and changed his plea to guilty on four counts of burglary. Each were second-degree… Read More

Former Wee Cats Coach Pleads Guilty To Theft
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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The former cheerleading coach of Trimble Local Schools and the youth organization known as Wee Cats has pleaded guilty to an allegation of theft. Christa Shutts, 30, of Jacksonville, appeared in Athens County Common Pleas Court on Monday and pleaded guilty to a bill of information charging a fifth-degree felony of theft. Shutts is accused… Read More

Glouster Police Chief Arrested
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger, Susan Tebben | The Athens Messenger
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The chief of police in Glouster was arrested Friday and currently faces two felony charges. The Athens Messenger first made contact with Glouster Mayor Miles Wolf who confirmed that the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office is conducting an investigation on Lucas Mace, although he declined to confirm under what charges Mace is being investigated. “We are… Read More

Go Ohio Valley: Ohio Glass Museum
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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Go Ohio Valley is a free app produced by Adams Publishing Group of Ohio and presents an avenue to explore numerous categories and activities in the region including dining, lodging, outdoor fun and more. This week's feature listing is the Ohio Glass Museum, visited by traveling north from Athens County on Route 33 to Lancaster…. Read More

Nelsonville Open Gateway To Historic Square
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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A new feature was erected in Nelsonville Tuesday, clearly marking the way toward the city's historic downtown Public Square. Piece by piece, the new arch was assembled over Rocky Boots Way, the street that connects Canal Street to the Square. Meant to be a gateway for travelers and residents alike, the structure is built of… Read More
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