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3 weeks ago | 
athensindependent.com | Corinne Colbert |Larry Di Giovanni
ATHENS, Ohio — An Athens City Council member says the recent failure of a proposed increase in the City of Athens’ municipal income tax has implications for the city’s participation in a regional council of governments and a proposed shared-use path along Columbus Road. Alan Swank, 4th Ward, cited voters’ rejection of the increase in two discussions during Monday night’s meeting of the transportation committee and the committee of the whole.
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Feb 20, 2025 | 
athensindependent.com | Larry Di Giovanni |Corinne Colbert |Martins Ferry |Corinne served
ATHENS, Ohio — When Athens City Council first discussed rehabilitating the Stimson Avenue bridge back in June 2023, the city was expected to bear about 12% of the total project cost. The Ohio Department of Transportation was picking up the balance. In April 2024, council amended its original authorization to increase the city’s share to $580,000. Because the state had increased its allocation for the project, though, the city’s responsibility represented only about 11% of the total cost.
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Jan 16, 2025 | 
athensindependent.com | Larry Di Giovanni
ATHENS, Ohio — At its Jan. 13 meeting, in addition to discussions around housing projects, the city of Athens discussed local and federal legal cases, heard the disability commission’s annual report, and heard public comment relating to construction challenges.
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Jan 16, 2025 | 
athensindependent.com | Larry Di Giovanni
ATHENS, Ohio — Housing was a major topic at a Monday night’s Athens City Council meeting, with discussion of a new affordable housing project; news that a planned project is on hold; and a pitch from a local real estate developer to build more affordable housing. At a combined regular and committee meeting, the council heard first reading of an ordinance that would authorize an agreement with Community Building Partners, LLC, to develop and build 14 single-family homes in the city.
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Dec 9, 2024 | 
athensnews.com | Larry Di Giovanni
Mia Shuster, 7, places a rubber band over the top of a white cloth with a Dum Dum sucker underneath, with help from a store employee at the Cross Court gift shop Friday evening, The activity was part of the Athens Area Chamber of Commerce Uptown for the Holidays annual event.
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Dec 4, 2024 | 
athensindependent.com | Larry Di Giovanni
ATHENS, Ohio — With the third and final reading of its 2025 appropriations budget of $54 million set for Monday, Athens City Council instead tabled the ordinance because it shows only expenditures – nothing on projected revenue, as happened last year. The budget was instead moved to the Dec. 9 Athens City Council committees meeting, which will also serve as a special council meeting.
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Dec 2, 2024 | 
athensindependent.com | Larry Di Giovanni
ATHENS, Ohio — Acting Athens City Council President Jeff Risner, 2nd Ward, brought forth a salient question at the council’s Nov. 25 committees meeting: “OK, public, do you have anything to say?” regarding the city’s proposed income tax increase. The city is proposing an income tax increase of 0.3%, which would raise the city’s income tax rate from 1.95% to 2.25%. The earliest it would appear before voters would be May 2025.
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Dec 2, 2024 | 
athensmessenger.com | Larry Di Giovanni
I call them the world’s loneliest bike lanes. You can spot them on both sides of East State Street next to all the major stores on what is Athens’ busiest commercial hub. I know by calling them as such, I’m being a bit dramatic. But so be it. kAmxE’D 366? >J @3D6CG2E:@? @G6C E96 A2DE D6G6C2= J62CD E92E t2DE $E2E6 3:<6 =2?6D 2C6 92C5=J 6G6C FD65 3J 3:4J4=:DED[ H9:49 H2D E@ 36 E96:C :?E6?565 AFCA@D6] (96?6G6C x 5C:G6 3J[ E96C6 :D ?2CJ 2 3:<6C E@ 36 D66? @?
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Nov 29, 2024 | 
athensmessenger.com | Larry Di Giovanni
SHADE – A new tradition was established Thanksgiving Day at the Shade Community Center, with a good turnout of about 50 community members enjoying a free feast offered by Lodi Township Trustees – specifically, trustee Kevin Gwinn. kAmvH:??[ H9@ 2EE6?565 $9256 t=6>6?E2CJ $49@@= 7C@> <:?56C82CE6? E9C@F89 6:89E9 8C256 H96C6 E96 4@>>F?:EJ 46?E6C ?@H C6DED[ 6?;@J65 36:?8 A2CE @7 E96 4@@<:?8] w6 H@C<65 H:E9 =@?8E:>6 C6D:56?E !2> q@?5 2?5 |2C=6D:2 q@:G:? @?
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Nov 21, 2024 | 
athensindependent.com | Larry Di Giovanni
ATHENS, Ohio — Two members of Athens City Council sparred Monday night over a proposed ordinance to pay the city of Athens’ membership in the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia. Council heard second reading of the ordinance, which would authorize paying 2024 dues of $24,673 to the council of governments that is developing the Baileys Trail System.
