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Hocking College Spokesperson Fired
By: Sarah Guinn | Athens Messenger
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NELSONVILLE — After more than seven weeks of investigation, Hocking College took action Wednesday to fire spokesman Michael Brown. Brown, who was hired on July 31 at an annual salary of $80,000 was placed on paid administrative leave just six weeks later on Sept. 10 “pending a review of his action and comments involving ongoing… Read More

Hocking College Fires 13 Faculty for Lack of Credentials
By: Sarah Guinn | Athens Messenger
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Between July and early August, Hocking College “released” 13 full-time members of the faculty — some of whom had been there more than 20 years — citing a lack of credentials, according to the college’s president, Dr. Betty Young. The “releases,” as Young referred to it, or terminations of employment, come as a result of… Read More

ACBDD Superintendent Still Awaiting Investigation Conclusion
By: Sarah Guinn | Athens Messenger
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Eric Young’s position as superintendent with the Athens County’s Board of Developmental Disabilities still hangs in the balance following a special meeting of the board this week. With the help of an attorney, he is fighting to end his administrative leave and carry out the rest of his contract term, which expires December of next… Read More

What Came First: The Rubber Chicken or the Stuffed Chicken?
By: Sarah Guinn | Athens Messenger
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Rubber chickens, papier-mâché chickens, stuffed chickens wearing sunglasses. All of those could be found in the poultry barn this year at the Athens County Fair except for real, live chickens. Instead, framed pictures of the exhibitor and their animal took the place of a live one in the cage, and posters were hung above the… Read More

Board of Developmental Disabilities Exploring Privatization
By: Sarah Guinn | Athens Messenger
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The Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities is exploring the possibility of privatizing the organization. At its most recent meeting on June 23, the Board took action after a nearly hour and a half executive session to not only investigate its current Supt. Eric Young on grounds of termination, but to also instruct Acting Supt…. Read More

County Schools Still Assessing Budget Impact
By: Sarah Guinn | Athens Messenger
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Gov. John Kasich’s two-year budget plan has been finalized, spending $955 million more in state aid for K-12 schools than the previous two-year budget, but the impact Athens County would experience is still unclear. The Messenger previously reported three out of Athens County’s five school districts (Athens, Alexander and Federal Hocking) would lose funding after… Read More

Trimble Board Approves Plan for Online Makeup Days
By: Sarah Guinn | Athens Messenger
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Beginning with this coming school year, Trimble Local students will be able to make up lessons online in the event of excess calamity days. The Trimble Board of Education voted Tuesday to adopt a plan for online make up of missed school days. The vote was unanimous, with the exception of Board President Kathy Trace,… Read More

New Roof Approved for Trimble Elementary and Middle School Building
By: Sarah Guinn | Athens Messenger
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Trimble Local’s Elementary and Middle School building in Jacksonville is now set for a new roof, with the project scheduled to be completed Aug. 1, thanks to a Permanent Improvement Levy passed in May of last year. “The district promised to its residents that the levy would be used to replace the roof at the… Read More

Developmental Disabilities Board Superintendent Placed On Leave
By: Sarah Guinn | Athens Messenger
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The superintendent of the Athens County Board of Developmental Disabilities was placed on paid administrative leave Thursday morning according to an email sent to staff members. Eric Young was placed on leave as of 9:30 a.m., Thursday. According to emails obtained by the Messenger through a public record request, Board President John Day, along with… Read More

Trimble Schools Budget Uncertain Until State Budget Money Comes In
By: Sarah Guinn | Athens Messenger
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Although Trimble Local School’s five-year forecast of operating funds, released by Treasurer Jared Bunting, shows the district losing money over the next five fiscal years, it remains offset by a positive cash balance. “It’s not bad at all,” Bunting said, but those figures do not take the proposed state budget into account, he added. Gov…. Read More

Thousands Flock to Nelsonville Music Festival
By: Sarah Guinn | Athens Messenger
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Acoustic guitar tunes filled the air, storms clouds had gathered, but not yet burst on the crowds, school-aged kids cooled off with a water balloon fight and many festival goers sun bathed on the grass, waiting for the next act to take the 11th annual Nelsonville Music Festival main stage. “It’s this big music festival… Read More

Budget Forecast Appears Dismal for Athens City Schools
By: Sarah Guinn | Athens Messenger
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If figures related to weather, it’s not only raining, it’s pouring at the Athens City Schools District, according to the five-year forecast released by treasurer, Matt Bunting. For the past three fiscal years, Athens has been in the hole with the highest deficit reaching more than $1 million in 2012. While the figure did improve… Read More

Chauncey-Dover Festival Will Have One Last Run
By: Sarah Guinn | Athens Messenger
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After 26 years, the time has come for festival organizer Kevin Bennett to hang up his hat and end the Chauncey-Dover Festival. The festival will have its last run, a parade, set for 3 p.m. Sunday, June 7. Bennett, 61, attributes health issues to his having to end the festival, saying he would’ve continued to… Read More

Fed Hock Senior Donates Funds Toward Art Supplies
By: Sarah Guinn | Athens Messenger
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Pretend you’re locked in a room for seven days with your favorite food and your favorite music, Coolville Elementary art teacher Sharon Phillips told her fourth graders. You have all the time in the world and all you’re going to do is “zentagle,” she said, invoking a relaxing, meditative, “zen” attitude. The art project for… Read More

Athens City Schools’ Bands Set to Perform Sunday
By: Sarah Guinn | Athens Messenger
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More than 270 Athens band students will take the stage to perform a variety of pieces, as well as some familiar tunes, at this year’s Athens City Schools All Band Concert, which is set to set place 3 p.m. Sunday in the Athens High School Auditorium. The combined fifth grade band and combined sixth grade… Read More

Uptown Bars Ready For Moms
By: Sarah Guinn | Athens Messenger
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The matriarchs are in town for Ohio University’s Moms Weekend, and Athens bars and restaurants are ready for them. Beer cheese soups, prime rib burgers and rainbow shots are on tap at The Pub, 39 N. Court St., said manager Ed Cranford It’s a big weekend, Cranford said, and the bar braces for it before… 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