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2 weeks ago | 
athensindependent.com | Dani Kington |Keri Johnson |Keri worked
ATHENS, Ohio — After Ohio University abruptly cancelled its triennial Black Alumni Reunion amid state and policy changes, community organizations banded together through the leadership of the Racial Equity Coalition of Appalachia to make the event happen anyway.
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2 weeks ago | 
athensindependent.com | Keri Johnson |Keri worked
GLOUSTER, Ohio — The Ohio Auditor of State formally declared the Trimble Local School District to be in fiscal emergency on Tuesday, April 8. According to the declaration, the state auditor has certified the district’s $2.9+ million deficit for this fiscal year — $1.3 million more than initially projected. The declaration comes after the district approved more than 20 layoffs in March, effective June 30.
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3 weeks ago | 
athensindependent.com | Keri Johnson |Keri worked
ATHENS, Ohio — Athens City Council 1st Ward candidates Megan Almeida and Anthony Jacobs, both Democrats, talked West Side pride, housing and other city issues at a forum held by League of Women Voters at the Athens Community Center on Monday, March 31. Athens City Council consists of a president, four ward reps and three at-large reps. This year’s 1st Ward electee will replace current councilwoman Solveig Spjeldnes, who has served two terms on the council and declined to seek a third.
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4 weeks ago | 
athensindependent.com | Keri Johnson |Keri worked
GLOUSTER, Ohio — The Trimble Local School District Board of Education held a special meeting Monday night to certify the abolition and suspension of faculty positions, as the district’s estimated deficit grows. Originally estimated at a $1.6 million deficit this fiscal year, board treasurer Ashley Miller now sets the projected deficit at $2.5 million to $2.7 million.
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1 month ago | 
athensindependent.com | Keri Johnson |Keri worked
GLOUSTER, Ohio — The Trimble Local School District will let go around a dozen teachers soon amid its financial crisis. In January, the Ohio Auditor of State placed the district under fiscal watch, due to this year’s projected $1.6 million deficit. According to meeting minutes, at its Thurdsay, Feb.
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1 month ago | 
athensindependent.com | Keri Johnson |Keri worked
WAVERLY, Ohio — A federal judge has granted in part a renewed motion for default judgment against a Waverly, Ohio, church in a civil case brought by an Amesville woman formerly known as Serah Bellar. On Tuesday, March 4, Judge Edmund A.
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1 month ago | 
athensindependent.com | Keri Johnson |Keri worked
ATHENS, Ohio — The Athens County Board of Elections held a brief organizational meeting Wednesday, March 5, to welcome a new board member. The Athens County Democratic Party Central Committee has appointed party chair Lauren Dikis to replace Kate McGuckin, whose term ended Tuesday, Feb. 28. Dikis said the party appointed her at its regular meeting in January. “I think that elections are incredibly important and making sure that Athens County has free and fair elections is critical,” Dikis said.
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1 month ago | 
athensindependent.com | Keri Johnson |Dani Kington |Keri worked
ALBANY, Ohio — Loammi “Elijah” Yazdani-Isfehani preaches occasionally at a small church in McArthur, where an “Appeal to Heaven” flag hangs beside him. Two years ago, he spent 10 days in prison over his actions in the United States Capitol on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Since then, his political convictions haven’t faltered. He regularly broadcasts his views on YouTube, and from the pulpit. During a recent sermon, streamed on Facebook on Sunday, Feb.
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1 month ago | 
athensindependent.com | Keri Johnson |Dani Kington |Keri worked
ATHENS, Ohio — A former Athens County Auditor’s office employee has pleaded guilty to two felony charges related to theft from the county over a two-year period. On Feb. 20, former county employee Kristen Andrews pleaded guilty to two felony charges as part of a plea agreement with the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office. She was indicted on the two charges in September 2024: one third-degree felony of theft in office, and five third-degree felony counts of tampering with records.
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2 months ago | 
athensindependent.com | Keri Johnson |Keri worked
ATHENS, Ohio — Over 50 people attended an open house on Tuesday where the City of Athens and engineering consultants collected feedback from the public on proposed changes to city code. The city is early in the process of having American Structurepoint issue recommendations for potential neighborhood corridor overlay zoning, as well as a general code audit. Overlay zoning adds a layer of regulation to existing zoning codes within a designated area.
