You are viewing the "News" Archives
Southeast Ohio Lags Behind Rest Of State In Census Completion
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — With four weeks left before Ohio’s census deadline, efforts are underway to encourage southeast Ohio residents to make sure they are counted. Overall, response rates in Appalachian Ohio are lower than the rest of the state, according to Census Bureau data. Ohio is above the national response average, with 69.1 percent of… Read More
Nelsonville-York School Board Approves Phased Back-To-School Plan For Fall
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
NELSONVILLE, Ohio (WOUB) — Nelsonville-York School District board members approved a phased back-to-school plan at the board’s August meeting on Wednesday. Superintendent Rick Edwards said the district worked with the Athens City-County Health Department and a public health specialist to navigate the process of returning to school during the COVID-19 pandemic. Edwards explained students will… Read More
OHIO Community Has Mixed Reaction To Phased Return; University Assures It Has Safe Plans In Place
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Members of the Ohio University community have mixed reactions to the university’s announcement that students will return to the Athens campus this fall in phases, as the university assures it has plans in place to keep everyone safe. On Friday, University President M. Duane Nellis released some details about the new… Read More
New Wastewater Treatment Plant Construction Underway in Nelsonville
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
NELSONVILLE, Ohio (WOUB) — The city of Nelsonville received help for a project to improve its water system. The Appalachian Regional Commission has awarded a $250,000 grant to the city of Nelsonville for a new wastewater treatment plant. This brings the total funding to more than $16.5 million for a project that will operate as… Read More
Back-To-School Plans Taking Shape For Athens County Districts
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in Athens County, K-12 school administrators and county school boards are deciding how to proceed with the upcoming fall semester. Athens City Schools superintendent Dr. Tom Gibbs is recommending the district conduct its fall semester online. The Athens City School Board will vote on this… Read More
Athens City Council Unanimously Passes Face Mask Ordinance
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
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
Four Athens County School Districts Suspend Student Activities Due To COVID-19
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio (WOUB) — Four Athens County school districts have suspended extracurricular and/or athletic activities temporarily due to the rise of COVID-19 in the county. Athens City School District superintendent Dr. Thomas Gibbs ordered all athletic and extracurricular practices and programs suspended until at least July 27, according to an email to district families…. Read More
Some Athens Businesses Close (Again) Due To COVID-19
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Some restaurants, bars, and coffee shops in uptown Athens have closed again after the steady rise of COVID-19 cases in the county. Several of these establishments reported on social media that at least one employee tested positive for the virus. Casa Nueva Restaurant and Cantina announced its closure on its Facebook… Read More
Athens Restaurant Closes Temporarily After Employee Tests Positive For COVID-19
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Casa Nueva and Cantina has closed temporarily after an employee tested positive for COVID-19, the restaurant announced on its Facebook page Wednesday. Grace Corbin, the marketing coordinator for Casa and one of its worker-owners, said the restaurant is working closely with the Athens City-County Health Department and having daily conference calls… Read More
Ohio University Reopens Voluntary Separation or Retirement Program
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Ohio University has reopened a voluntary separation or retirement program (VSRP) for eligible faculty, executive vice president and provost Elizabeth Sayrs said in an email Wednesday. When the university offered this same program earlier in spring semester, 74 faculty members agreed to leave. Sayrs said several faculty members have since contacted… Read More
Dozens Rally On State Street After Most Recent Job Cuts At Ohio University
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — In the wake of another round of job cuts at Ohio University, more than 50 people stood on East State Street to support those whose positions were cut and express dissatisfaction with administrators’ decisions. This was the fourth major rally since May 1 announcement that 140 AFSCME union worker jobs had… Read More
Uncertainty, Frustration Remain For Union Workers In Absence Of Contract With University
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Local union leaders say they are still working with Ohio University to agree on a new contract and address wrongful termination grievances, though the process is taking longer than they had hoped. John Johnson, Athens regional director for AFSCME Region 8, said the union and the university had a labor management… Read More
Athens County Law Enforcement Emphasizes Repeated Training On Use Of Force
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — As law enforcement officers’ use of force is again in national news after the death of George Floyd, the heads of three Athens County agencies say they emphasize communication and repeated training for their officers. Since Floyd’s death on Memorial Day, people have protested across the United States and in several… Read More
Two Local Movie Theatres Prepare To Reopen June 19
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Two movie theatres in Athens County are reopening Friday after being closed for three months due to COVID-19. Under guidelines from the state of Ohio, theatre employees must wear face coverings and perform a daily symptom assessment. Theatres must also ensure a minimum of 6 feet of distance between customers and… Read More
People Line Up On East State Street To Support Black Lives Matter Movement
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens residents lined up on East State Street Friday to show support for the Black Lives Matter movement and stand in solidarity with protesters across the United States. Participants were asked to wear masks and stand six feet apart on the sidewalk. They allowed space for vehicles to go in and… Read More
Hundreds In Athens Join Nationwide Day Of Protest
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — A crowd of at least 500 people lined the streets in Athens for a peaceful protest on Tuesday, joining a day of demonstrations across the United States after the death of George Floyd. Throughout the afternoon, various people spoke from the steps of the county courthouse. Ohio University student KeShawn Mellon… Read More
‘We Will Fight For What’s Right:’ People March For George Floyd In Athens
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Twice in as many days, more than 100 people rallied their voices and handmade signs in Athens on Sunday to protest the deaths of George Floyd and other black Americans. The group met on Ohio University’s College Green at 5p.m. and walked down College Street, past the Athens Police department, before turning… Read More
Athens County Libraries Reopen, With Some Changes
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Athens County Public Libraries reopened on Tuesday, with some changes in place to meet state and local guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Visitors are asked to keep at least six feet of distance between other patrons and library staff, and not to visit the library if they are feeling… Read More
Salon And Barbershop Owners Look Forward To Seeing Customers Again, Even If From Behind A Mask
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Everyone who steps into Smart Barber Shop receives a hearty hello from owner Dave Smart, whose grin shines right through his face mask. Last Friday, Smart reopened his shop on West Washington Street in Athens. It was closed for about two months under orders from the state of Ohio to slow… Read More
Drinking in the Sunshine: Athens County Bars Welcome Customers Back to Outdoor Areas
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — The day before Ohio bars and restaurants were allowed to reopen outdoor seating, the owners of the Smiling Skull Saloon were busy. Of course, it stands to reason that the owners of any bar would have a busy day. But, as they prepared to welcome customers back after two months, there… Read More
Some Retailers in Athens are Back Open, Others Still Shuttered
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — In Athens, some businesses have re-opened but others were still closed on Tuesday afternoon. All non-essential businesses in the state have been closed since March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine allowed retail stores to re-open on Tuesday under the Responsible ReStart Ohio plan. At The Market on… Read More
Ohio University says Employee Tests Positive for COVID-19
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — An Ohio University employee has tested positive for COVID-19, the university said Friday. The employee was last on the Athens campus May 4 and is recovering at home, according to a university news release. They “practiced social distancing and had limited contact with individuals on campus.” The area in which the… Read More
OU Faculty and Staff Call for Firing Freeze, Reinstatement of Jobs at Motorcade Rally
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
ATHENS, Ohio (WOUB) — Ohio University faculty, staff, students, and Athens community members demanded that administrators freeze layoffs and reinstate union workers who lost their jobs during a motorcade rally Wednesday. The Ohio chapter of the American Association of University Professors and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 1699 organized the… Read More
Unofficial Election Results for Jackson County
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
Here are the unofficial results in Jackson County for Ohio’s extended primary, according to the county Board of Elections. Only contested races are listed. For Democratic presidential nominee: Joseph Biden received 753 votes, Bernie Sanders received 140 votes, Michael Bloomberg received 26 votes, Elizabeth Warren received 35 votes, Tulsi Gabbard received 4 votes, Tom… Read More
Unofficial Primary 2020 Results for Perry County
By: Michelle Rotuno-Johnson
Posted on:
Here are the unofficial results in Perry County for Ohio’s extended primary, according to the county Board of Elections. Only contested races are listed. For Democratic presidential nominee: Joseph Biden received 1,148 votes, Bernie Sanders received 183 votes, Michael Bloomberg received 58 votes, Tulsi Gabbard received 18 votes, Pete Buttigieg received 23 votes, Elizabeth… Read More