Athens City Council unanimously passed a mask mandate July 13 requiring face coverings to be worn in public spaces, including inside businesses open to the public and at outdoor spaces. The potential fine for being caught not wearing a mask in Athens is $100. A citation for not wearing a mask does not include a criminal charge, and enforcement is …

Athens City Council on Monday during a special session in front of a relatively empty room approved the design of the Stimson Avenue improvements project and discussed both what its construction would include and how much funding is needed.  Mayor Steve Patterson and three council members — Sarah Grace, Jeffrey Risner and Arian Smedley — attended the meeting virtually through …

Athens Happens is a weekly news podcast brought to you by reporters at The New Political who are dedicated to explaining the nuances of Athens and state politics. Listeners can find new episodes every Friday on iTunes, Spotify, Stitcher, YouTube, SoundCloud, or wherever else podcasts can be downloaded. This week we discussed why recently re-elected City Councilmember Peter Kotses’ bid for county treasurer heightened tensions …

City Council discussed plans Monday to place a memorial marker at the site where Christopher Davis, a black man, was lynched by a white mob in 1881. Davis was accused of the rape and assault of a white woman, and before he was given a trial, he was broken out of jail and killed. The Equal Justice Initiative, an organization …

Athens Happens is a weekly news podcast brought to you by TNP reporters dedicated to explaining the nuances of Athens’ and state politics. Listeners can find new episodes every Friday on iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, SoundCloud, or wherever else podcasts can be downloaded. In this special episode of Athens Happens, we sat down with newly elected Democratic city council member Beth Clodfelter, who unseated lame …

Athens Happens is a weekly news podcast brought to you by TNP reporters dedicated to explaining the nuances of Athens’ and state politics. Listeners can find new episodes every Friday on, iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, SoundCloud, or wherever else podcasts can be downloaded. In this special episode of Athens Happens, I chatted with former student defense lawyer and lame duck Independent City Councilmember Pat McGee, …

City Council voted unanimously Monday to approve controversial funding for the Baileys Trail System, located in Athens County, after several months of debate and changes to the bill’s language. The city has now agreed to pay $90,000 per year to the Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia (ORCA) over 20 years, with the potential of that sum increasing if an evaluation …

Members of Athens City Council met with leaders of the Baileys Trail System project Wednesday at Chauncey-Dover Community Park, where the system’s Chauncey trailhead is located, to hike a newly constructed portion of the trail. Councilmember Sam Crowl said his understanding of the trail was greatly enhanced by the hike. “We’ve been calling this a mountain bike trail system for …

City Council reintroduced legislation Monday that would allow Athens to enter into an agreement to financially support the construction of the Baileys Trail System after the vote was delayed at its last full-body meeting. The proposed legislation would allow for Athens’ transient guest tax, a tax on rented rooms in hotels, to go toward the 80-mile long trail system’s construction …

After the election in Athens, we asked our opinion writers for their thoughts on the results of the mayoral and City Council races. Contributing are Charlotte Caldwell, a sophomore journalism major, Katie Nolan, a junior environmental studies major, Maddie Kramer, a junior political science major and Zach Richards, a sophomore education major. Please note that these views and opinions do …

City Council tabled a vote Monday for legislation that would financially support construction of the Baileys Trail System through a tax on rented rooms such as hotels, motels and bed-and-breakfasts. The city was asked by Quantified Ventures — a Washington D.C.-based investment firm that’s managing the trail system’s financing — to pay $90,000 per year toward the project, with a …

Athens Happens is a weekly news podcast brought to you by TNP reporters dedicated to explaining the nuances of Athens’ and state politics. You can find new episodes every Friday at thenewpolitical.com, iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, SoundCloud, or wherever else podcasts can be downloaded. This week, we took a look at more than 30 recently released university documents that contain substantial hazing allegations against Ohio …

Athens Happens is a weekly news podcast brought to you by TNP reporters dedicated to explaining the nuances of Athens’ and state politics. You can find new episodes every Friday at thenewpolitical.com, iTunes, Spotify, YouTube, SoundCloud, or wherever else podcasts can be downloaded. This week, we examined the director of Sorority and Fraternity Life’s visit to Student Senate last week …

All three Athens City Council at-large positions are up for grabs on Nov. 5 . Our writers compiled features about the six candidates — three incumbents and three challengers — vying for the seats. Click on the buttons below to learn more about each candidate:                                   

Opinion writer Maddie Kramer, a junior studying political science, says that Beth Clodfelter has the experience needed to be an ideal member of Athens City Council. While many are focused on national politics with the impending 2020 primaries and the presidential election, local Athens politicians are gearing up for an election this November. One of these important local elections is …

City Council voted Monday night to accept recommendations included in the City of Athens Affordable Housing Plan, which lays a loose groundwork for the city to proceed in attempting to create economic opportunities in the city. The plan, introduced for approval by Councilmember Sarah Grace, is the product of years of work by the Affordable Housing Task Force and the …

A City Council committee at its Monday meeting discussed a proposed update to the city’s process for approving properties exempt from housing laws due to their construction predating modern code. These properties, known as “non-conforming use variants,” are typically referred for approval to the Board of Zoning Appeals, the department responsible for oversight of city zoning law. The current process …

City Council voted unanimously Monday night to approve an ordinance that stiffens the penalties for landlords in Athens who repeatedly violate housing laws. The amendment was passed amid a lengthy controversy about rental housing conditions in the city between members of City Council, incumbent Mayor Steve Patterson and independent candidates running for public office. The amendment maintains the existing $100 …

Athens Happens is a weekly news podcast brought to you by TNP reporters who are dedicated to explaining the nuances of Athens’ and state politics.  You can find new episodes every Friday right here on thenewpolitical.com. The show is also available on Spotify and SoundCloud, as well as on YouTube in a video format. Stories included in this episode: Uptown business, student …

Athens City Council held a committee meeting Monday to discuss funding for the Bailey Trail System, a project designed to create ecotourism and revenue for Athens and surrounding cities. The trail system would be 88 miles long and cost $12.3 million to build, connecting the Hocking Adena Bikeway, Strouds Run State Park and Sells park. The city is partnering with …

Socialist candidates running for local government positions claim City Council is negligent in punishing delinquent landlords. An Athens socialist candidate running for office took to the podium at City Council on Tuesday, charging that members of the body hijacked his progressive housing reform proposal for political gain. City Council heard a proposed ordinance during the meeting that would amend the …

Arian Smedley returned to her hometown and intends to represent the city’s west side in council  Athens native, Ohio University graduate student and public servant Arian Smedley will soon be taking on a new role when she starts her tenure as the First Ward Representative for the Athens City Council. Smedley, the assistant superintendent of the Athens County Board of …

Athens’ street vendors are looking to relocate their Uptown operations because of changes in the local vending market, but the city government is poised to keep them parked on Union Street. Damon Krane, the owner of Hot Potato Food Truck, said he is frustrated that Athens only permits mobile vendors to park on Union Street in front of Schoonover Center. …

City council discussed major topics such as APD body cams as well as e-scooter regulations and policies Athens City Council met Monday to discuss body cameras for the Athens Police Department and e-scooter regulations, among other committee discussions. The City and Safety Services Committee discussed adding body cameras to the Athens Police Department. “We’re at a place now where we …

Arian Smedley served on the Athens city council in 2017 by appointment, but she lost her campaign to keep her seat later that year. Now, she is running for a different position within the council. Arian Smedley hopes to get back on the Athens City Council by running in the only contested city council race of the May primary election. …

Ohio University graduate and 23-year-old Sam Miller has announced her plans to replace Kent Butler’s seat for the Athens City Council. Recent Ohio University graduate Sam Miller is running to represent the First Ward, which is comprised of the western side of the city, on the Athens City Council. Miller’s campaign logo features a modified version Rosie the Riveter, with Miller’s …

After years of helping students with landlord troubles, underage drinking charges, and more, managing attorney of CSLS Pat McGee will leave his spot this summer. Pat McGee will retire from the Center for Student Legal Services (CSLS) later this year after 19 years of service. McGee joined the CSLS in 2000 after leaving a local public defender’s office where he …

The body also discussed annual fees facing the city and approved an ordinance for an easement on Hillcrest Drive.   City Council approved an ordinance Monday temporarily lifting the 24-hour parking rule. The ordinance will be lifted from Dec. 16, 2018, through midnight on Jan. 1, 2019, allowing drivers to park their car for longer than 24 hours in the …

The city also passed legislation to make the bidding process on items used in public services more streamlined and syndicated. City Council met Monday to vote on an ordinance for the purchasing of smart parking meters in the uptown area. Athens City Council voted unanimously to approve city Ordinance 0-102-18, which authorizes the service-safety director to begin a bidding process for …

Councilmembers expressed their support of an ordinance updating parking regualtions Uptown, while others expressed concerns and dissent. The Athens City Council approved an ordinance after much debate on Monday, Oct. 15 that will adjust parking regulations in town. The ordinance, which the council remained divided over, will enforce parking meter fees until 8 p.m., instead of the previous time of …

The Athens city council gathered for committee meetings Monday night to discuss various matters like parking and Halloween. Members of the Athens City Council discussed continuing a pilot program that allows residents with a permit to park for up to 72 hours in certain areas at Monday’s committee meeting. The pilot program, which passed in August 2017, officially started running …

City council partners with the Athens Clean and Safe Halloween Committee to keep Halloween in Athens just that. City Council discussed plans to ensure a safe and successful Athens Halloween Block Party during its Monday meeting. Councilmember Peter Kostes introduced four ordinances regarding Halloween weekend. The ordinances address topics such as parking, street closures, vending permits, and removing noise regulations …

At the body’s bi-weekly meeting, City Council discussed new right of way permits through a Columbus law firm and the location of the city’s farmers market. City Council met Monday to discuss a new process for distributing right of way permits to infrastructure companies and the future of the local farmers market. City Council began with a presentation from Lindsey …

Athens’ City Council could agree on one thing this week: stricter gun safety legislation is important. But they clashed over the details. Gun laws resolution City Council passed a resolution Monday recommending that state and federal legislative bodies enact stricter gun safety legislation. The resolution included recommendations for legislation that: bans “military-grade guns including semi-auto assault weapons,” raises the age to …

The resolution, proposed by Council Member Patrick McGee, hopes to free up unused parking spaces.  Athens food vendors may soon have to follow new parking and vending protocols if an ordinance read at Monday’s City Council meeting moves forward. The ordinance, introduced by Council Member Patrick McGee, would alter the current business regulations regarding vending and peddling. It would reduce …

The ODNR proposed an open season for bobcats that would allow those with permits to trap and kill bobcats in certain areas. Local environmental groups have been swift to criticize the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ proposal to create a bobcat trapping season in the near future. Groups and activists such as Save Ohio’s Bobcats II and Heather Cantino have …

City council opposes bobcat hunting, talks pothole repairs and the repair of a water reservoir. City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing a proposal for a bobcat hunting season during their Monday night meeting. The council also discussed pothole repairs and fixing a water reservoir. The bobcat hunting proposal, which was initially brought forth by the Ohio Division of Wildlife, would allow …

City Council also unanimously passed ordinance 0-16-18, which allows Mayor Steve Patterson to submit an application to the EPA for a grant to complete storm mitigation improvements in the city. City Council passed a resolution Monday night to close E. Union Street for the international street fair on April 7. The council also approved a resolution that will allow the …

City Council members expressed opposition to a plan to permamently store hazardous material in Southeast Ohio. Athens City Council’s Committee of the Whole proposed a resolution to oppose the onsite disposal of remaining waste at the Piketon Plant, a plant harbouring toxic waste in southern Ohio, at its Monday meeting. The resolution comes in lieu of U.S. Department of Energy’s …

If Athens residents want to obtain a domestic partnership, they’ll have to prove “joint economic cooperation.” City Council passed legislation that amends Athens City Code to clarify the domestic partnership criteria and legislation to approve a salary for a courthouse clerk at its meeting Monday. City Council unanimously passed an ordinance that revises Athens City Code domestic registry to require …

This is the sixth installment in The New Political’s Athens scandals quiz series. Take last week’s quiz about the Roger E. Ailes newsroom name here. This week, you’ll be tested on your knowledge of the scandal concerning newly-elected city council member Sarah Grace and her payment of PTO taxes. 

Athens residents and Ohio U students with the Lyft app might have noticed something new: drivers are now in the Athens area. Liberty Mobility Now and local Athens taxi services may have a new competitor in town.  Recently, Lyft expanded its Cincinnati-area coverage to include the Athens area and part of Nelsonville.   Lyft has arrived six months after Liberty …

The 2017 election results are in, and The New Political has you covered. What happened with Issue 1? Will Marijuana be de-penalized within city limits? Here are this year’s election results:  Two incumbents, one newcomer elected to City Council Incumbents Pat McGee and Peter Kotses, and newcomer Sarah Grace won the three at-large city council seats. The three candidates’ votes …

VIDEO: T.A.C.O.? Issue 2? The Athens City Council race? These are just some of the issues you’ll see on the ballot on Tuesday, Nov. 11. Watch to learn more about what you can expect to see on the ballot. Issue 1: Marsy’s Law The backers of Marsy’s Law say it will give more rights to crime victims. Issue 2: Ohio …

Three Democratic candidates and two Independents are vying for your vote this week.  Five candidates are in the running for three at-large seats on Athens City Council this year. At-large city council members represent the entire city rather than a specific electoral district. The candidates — three Democrats and two Independents — have spoken out at two forums, one held …

While Athens City Council voted to move forward with plans to build a pedestrian tunnel on Ohio U’s campus, not all council members thought the decision was the best choice. City Council passed an ordinance that authorizes the design and engineering of the Richland Pedestrian Improvements Project at their meeting Monday night. Ordinance 0-107-17, which was proposed by council member …

It may not be time to vote in another presidential election or even for any state representatives, but there’s still an election coming up on Nov. 7. Here’s what you can expect to see on the ballot. Athens County residents will see the following issues on their ballot this November: The Athens-Hocking-Vinton Alcohol, Drug Addiction and Mental Health Services levy. …

On the inaugural episode of HERSTORY, Abby Grisez examines women in politics on Ohio U’s campus, in the city of Athens and in the Ohio Statehouse. Abby talks to Athens City Council President Christine Knisley. Subscribe to The New Political on YouTube.

City Council eventually gave up on a resolution concerning the “mega-school,” while community members raised concerns over an expensive campus underpass.  City Council deadlocked a resolution about communication between Athens City School District planners and council members at its meeting Monday. The resolution, proposed by Councilperson Michele Papai, stated that actions of the ACSD will have a significant impact on …

Athens may not have a Target, but it’s about to have its own little water park. The price tag is huge, but City Council has its reasons for the new pool.  Over the summer, Athens City Council approved a plan to replace the community pool. Not just with one new one, but four — and two water slides. The four …