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Athens City Hall is seen in Athens, Ohio, on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]

Athens City Council Approves Pay Increase Of New Arts, Parks and Recreation Director

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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

News

Athens City Hall is seen in Athens, Ohio, on Tuesday, June 22, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]

Athens Has Received Its First Big Slice Of American Rescue Plan Funds

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The city of Athens finally received its share of the American Rescue Plan Act funds after a long wait from its announcement in March. The city received the first half of its $2.5 million allocation two weeks ago, city Auditor Kathy Hecht announced at Monday’s City Council meeting. Ideas for what… Read More

News

A sign in front of O'Bleness Hospital in Athens, Ohio

Holzer And O’Bleness Respond To Understaffing And High COVID Numbers With Familiar Pandemic Protocols 

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — COVID-19 numbers continue to rise in Southeast Ohio, causing local health care systems to be stretched thin and re-institute early 2020 pandemic protocols. Holzer Health Systems The number of COVID-19 patients is nearing the highest level from 2020, according to Dr. Mike Canady, the CEO at Holzer Health System. On Monday,… Read More

News

A life guard observes swimmers during lap swim at the Athens Public Pool, in Athens, Ohio, on Monday, July 26, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]

Staffing Shortages And Delayed Action Forced Cutbacks At Athens City Pool

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — A few months ago Athens officials made it clear they wanted the city pool fully open this summer. But halfway through the season, they were forced to cut hours significantly and offer refunds to season pass holders.  This was a direct result of several lifeguards quitting, frustrated by working long hours… Read More
Ohio University's class gateway at College Green, photographed on May 2, 2019

OU President Meets With Regional Mayors To Strengthen Relationships

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Ohio University President Hugh Sherman met with mayors at regional campuses last week, in what was called a “good first step” in his goal to strengthen OU’s relationship with southeastern Ohio. Sherman met with the mayors of Athens, Chillicothe, Ironton, Lancaster and Zanesville last Tuesday. Among the topics discussed were different… Read More
Sign reads Athens Conservancy Mary Beth Zak Lohse 241 acres 97 hectares Acquired in 2018 on a brown sign in a field of wildflowers with the forest just behind

Athens Conservancy Partners With Artist To Help Get Word Out

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  ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — An Athens group is working to get the message out about conservation by partnering with a local artist. The Athens Conservancy works to purchase land with high public value, said Chris Fahl, president of the conservancy board. It preserves private property with environmental value, but also preserves land for public… Read More

News

Traveling Monument A Memorial To Those Who Died In Vietnam War

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — A traveling exhibit brings a national memorial to the edge of Ohio University’s campus in Athens. The Wall That Heals is a replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Athens residents and others from across the region are gathering this week to mourn loved ones, or even to pay… Read More

Diner’s New Outdoor Seating Draws Spirited Discussion On Social Media

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Discussion ignited in an Athens County community Facebook group after a photo of Union Street Diner’s new outdoor eating area was posted. Earlier this month, the diner installed its “parklet,” which consists of several tables on an enclosed platform that occupies two parking spaces in front of the diner. Cynthia Brunty,… Read More

News

Doctor Tee Ford-Ahmed poses for a portrait next to the stain-glass window inside of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church that has since become the symbol for the church, in Athens, Ohio, on Wednesday, July 21, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]

Historic Black Church Receives Grant To Begin Major Renovation Project

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Mount Zion Baptist Church in Athens is one of 40 historic sites in America to receive part of a $3 million grant that will help preserve African American landmarks. The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund announced July 15 that Mount Zion was among the grant recipients. Competition for the grants is… Read More

News

Athens Public Pool is seen in Athens, Ohio, on Monday, July 26, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]

Athens Lifeguards Quit Following Weeks Of Complaints Over Working Conditions

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Three lifeguards abruptly quit the Athens City Pool last week and others put in their two-weeks notice. This follows weeks of complaints from lifeguards about working conditions that they believe put themselves and pool patrons at risk.  The city pool has faced a shortage of lifeguards that resulted in current staff… Read More
Doctor Tee Ford-Ahmed poses for a portrait next to the stain-glass window inside of the Mt. Zion Baptist Church that has since become the symbol for the church, in Athens, Ohio, on Wednesday, July 21, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]

Historic Black Church Receives Grant To Begin Major Renovation Project

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Mount Zion Baptist Church in Athens is one of 40 historic sites in America to receive part of a $3 million grant that will help preserve African American landmarks. The African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund announced July 15 that Mount Zion was among the grant recipients. Competition for the grants… Read More

Asylum Seekers Find A Life-Changing Refuge In Athens

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — For the last two years, the Athens United Immigrant Support Project (AUISP) has been working to help individuals who come to the United States fleeing abuse and persecution in their home countries. For those the group reaches, these efforts are life-changing. Asylum seekers — migrants escaping their home countries in fear… Read More

Athena Cinema Reopens, With A Little Help From Its Friends

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — After a year-long hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Athena Cinema has reopened its doors to the public. The pandemic took a heavy toll on theaters across the country, and many small art-house theaters in particular, like the Athena, struggled to survive. Some didn’t. But the Athena benefited from an… Read More

Culture

Members of Ohio Valley Summer Theater, Rhys Carr, center, and Carter Rice, sing “Here for You” during a rehearsal for 70th anniversary celebration of the theater program in Athens, Ohio, on Thursday, July 8, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]

Ohio Valley Summer Theater Celebrates 70th Anniversary, Access To The Arts

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) – The Ohio Valley Summer Theater is preparing for a celebration of its 70th anniversary after overcoming the challenges of the 2020 pandemic. Founded in 1951, the Ohio Valley Summer Theater (OVST) has welcomed everyone from professional actors to children just starting out. It began as a local theater, putting on multiple… Read More

Culture

Ohio Brew Week Ready To Kick Off July 9 With First In Person Events Since 2019

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Athens, OHIO (WOUB) – Although some of the staple events won’t take place, Ohio Brew Week will still bring strong flavors to Athens this weekend. The 16th Ohio Brew Week will still bring ales, lagers, meads and more from around the state to 22 local venues Friday through July 17. After a hard year for… Read More
First Untied Methodist Church soup kitchen which operates a Monday community meal in Athens, Ohio, on Wednesday, June 23, 2021. [Joseph Scheller | WOUB]

Free Meal Programs Find New Ways To Serve Athens Community While Facing Pandemic Changes

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The pandemic forced free meal programs in Athens County to get creative in order to continue feeding the community safely.  Athens County is the most food insecure in Ohio. More than 20% of the population suffers from food insecurity, according to the Foundation for Appalachian Ohio.  Local free meal programs are… Read More

News

Athens City Police Car

Athens Law Enforcement To Receive New High-Tech Training

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Students and staff at Ohio University have collaborated with local law enforcement to create a new de-escalation training program for their officers. This immersive program will be used by the Athens County Sheriff’s Office and the Athens and Ohio University police departments. Officers will undergo training in a different style than in… Read More

Sports

Clinic participants and volunteers gather for a group picture following the Copperheads hitting and pitching clinic on June 27, 2021 at the Athens sandlot fields.

Southern Ohio Copperheads Give Back To Community Through Youth Clinics

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ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The Southern Ohio Copperheads are still involved in the community even though the COVID-19 pandemic canceled their season for a second-straight year. The Copperheads are holding pitching & hitting clinics throughout Athens County for youth baseball and softball players of all ages and skill levels.  The organization already held three clinics in… Read More