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![Athens City Hall is seen in Athens, Ohio, on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]](https://woub.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/062221_CityHall_002-scaled-e1632322166288-900x422.jpg)
Appointed Athens council members respond to being called “tokenized” political pawns by council candidate
By: Nick Viland
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — An independent running for Athens City Council called out two members of the council Monday night, saying they’re being used by the Democratic Party to sideline more progressive voices. In a three-minute prepared statement, Damon Krane addressed the council’s two newest members, Ben Ziff and Micah McCarey, and said they were… Read More
Athens City Council Approves Pay Increase Of New Arts, Parks and Recreation Director
By: Nick Viland
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The Athens City Council voted 6-1 Monday night to give Mayor Steve Patterson the ability to hire a new director for the Athens Arts, Parks and Recreation Department with a 34% pay increase. The council’s authorization of the 34% pay increase will bring the new director’s salary to $68,000. First Ward… Read More
Athens City Council Reimposes Universal Mask Mandate
By: Nick Viland
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The Athens City Council on Monday approved an ordinance that once again requires all people, regardless of vaccination status, to wear a mask inside any public space. The ordinance, which passed unanimously, takes effect immediately. In May, as vaccination rates were rising and COVID-19 cases were declining, the council amended its… Read More
Athens Launching New Initiative For Mental Health Emergencies
By: Nick Viland
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Going to the hospital is often the best option when you have a health emergency, but when it comes to a mental health crisis this can bring more harm than good. Starting this summer in Athens, people with mental health emergencies will not automatically be taken to a hospital, which has… Read More
Athens City Council Starts Process To Allow Open Containers Outside
By: Nick Viland
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ATHENS, Ohio — Athens City Council on Monday had a first reading on a DORA, or designated outdoor refreshment area, ordinance. This area would allow anyone over 21 to take their alcoholic beverage outside of the bar and onto sidewalks to enjoy other non-drinking establishments in the uptown Athens area or just enjoy a beer in… Read More
Swank Defeats Incumbent Fahl For Athens City Council 4th Ward Seat
By: David Forster
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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
Long-Term Care Facility In Athens Co. Sees Sudden Spike in COVID-19 Cases
By: David Forster
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — A long-term care facility in Athens County that had no coronavirus cases on Friday reported 19 cases on Monday. This development was reported to the Athens City Council Monday evening by Jack Pepper, administrator of the Athens City-County Health Department. Pepper said that COVID-19 cases in Athens County, which have been… Read More
Athens City Council Unanimously Passes Face Mask Ordinance
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Face coverings are now required in most public places in Athens after City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Monday night during a special online meeting. The ordinance will go into effect as soon as Mayor Steve Patterson, Council President Chris Knisely, and Clerk of Council Debbie Walker sign it. Patterson said… Read More
Smarter Funding for Smarter Parking in Athens
By: Joe Weiner
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Athens City Council discussed an ordinance Monday night to issue $460,000 of notes to pay for the installation of smart parking meters. The ordinance, proposed by Peter Kotses, came after the city rejected a proposal to lease the meters. “We were basically going to be paying $50,000 more in interest fees to lease the meters,”… Read More
The OUtlet: Season 6, Episode 5
By: Abby Grisez
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This is the October 17, 2017 broadcast of The OUtlet from WOUB News. On this week’s show, we’ll tell you how an event on Ohio University’s campus impacted survivors of sexual assault. One of our reporters sits down with former Ohio governor Ted Strickland. Athens County will have the opportunity to vote on decriminalizing marijuana… Read More
Athens Receives Armory Grant
By: Sara Brumfield | Athens Messenger
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The city of Athens may be one step closer to bringing new life to the former National Guard armory on Carpenter Street as it was recently awarded a grant to undergo a feasibility study. During Monday’s Athens City Council meeting, it was announced that the city is the recipient of a grant from the Ohio… Read More
Council Holds First Hearing On CDBG Program
Athens City Council held its first public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) on Monday. The federally funded program makes the city eligible for about $75,000 to put toward development this year, but no one showed up to testify. The state receives money from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development… Read More
Athens City Council Approves Non-Union Raise
By: Sara Brumfield | Athens Messenger
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Athens City Council approved an additional 1 percent pay increase for non-union employees within the city, but the vote was not unanimous. The legislation was introduced by Councilman Jeff Risner in an attempt to bring “equity” to city workers after some employees of the city auditor’s office received 3 and 4 percent raises in December,… Read More
Council Passes $2 Million Parking Garage Renovation Ordinance
By: Ann Jacob
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Athens residents will be paying more to park later this year. Athens City Council passed anordinance Monday night to renovate the city’s East Washington Street parking garage. Athens mayor Paul Wiehl said the $2 million in repairs are needed to maintain safety, a need made evident two years ago when concrete fell off the structure…. Read More
City Council to Introduce Ordinance to Make Union St. a “Historical District”
City Council Member Chris Fahl is expected to introduce an ordinance that would classify Union Street as a local “historic district.” The ordinance would help preserve the buildings on Union Street damaged by a November, 2014 fire that damaged or destroyed student apartments and five businesses. It would also help building owners with reconstruction. By definition… Read More