Athens is the city that doesn’t sleep during Halloween. Large crowds of students and locals dress up to party and celebrate Halloween on Court Street, a drag famously known for its mix of bricks and booze.  The coronavirus pandemic, however, prevents the city from continuing the Halloween party tradition this year. After 46 years of hosting one of Athens most …

Gran Ranchero plans to open a second location Uptown in addition to its East State Street restaurant. The sit-down authentic Mexican restaurant, known for its margaritas, hopes to occupy the space previously held by China King at 21 S. Court St.  Abel Ortiz, an employee at Gran Ranchero, said Sunday over the phone that he hopes the new location would …

Maddie Kramer, a senior studying political science, argues that although Ohio University threatens students with punishments for not following the university’s COVID rules, they will not take any impactful action. Please note that these views and opinions do not reflect those of The New Political. Despite Ohio University’s attempts to keep students home during online learning, many have chosen to …

After a stressful finals week, many Bobcats will return home for the summer, leaving the local economy nearly 30,000 people short. Ohio University students are responsible for a large portion of revenue for many local restaurants. Many of these restaurants change their hours during the summer months to reflect the drastic decrease in business. Are you staying in Athens for …

Local businesses are a defining characteristic of Athens, but they also face some of their own challenges. Athens is a college town at its core; it thrives off of Ohio University’s student population. Small businesses — many tailored to the interests of college-aged customers — line the streets of the Uptown area, their doors donning “Shop Local” stickers even as …

Hundreds of students took to the street to tackle recent sexual assaults for the “It’s on us, Bobcats” march Thursday night.  Students marched and rallied on College Green Thursday night in response to a large amount of sexual assault reports since the beginning of the academic year. The “It’s on us, Bobcats” march and rally, co-organized by seniors Cody Shanklin, …

Find out what nefariousness and general mischief has been happening in Athens while you were out of town, or in town, this summer While many Bobcats were enjoying a summer break free of tedious, three-hour classes and less-than-desirable dining hall meals, a select few remained on campus to further their academic growth. Unfortunately for Ohio University Police Department (OUPD), crime …

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 …

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 …

The Athens City Council voted in October to place more signage in Uptown Athens to remind cyclists to walk, not ride bikes on city sidewalks. The city of Athens now has blue “walk your wheels” signs along Court Street in an effort to increase awareness of a city code against riding bicycles, skateboards and rollerblades on the sidewalks surrounding uptown. …

Supporters of Take Back the Night rallied together for survivors of sexual assault, violence and rape Thursday by marching through the streets of Athens. Take Back the Night is a nationwide movement working towards sexual education, safety and empowerment. The movement at Ohio University, in its 38th year of existence, consists of a week-long series of events made possible through …

On Monday, Michael Mayberry, an organizer of the Baker Center sit-in, was found not guilty of criminal trespassing. Mayberry is one of 70 individuals whom Athens law enforcement arrested on Feb. 1 at a Baker sit-in protest. He was the first to go to bench trial, which is trial by judge, not jury. In Ohio, criminal trespassing is a fourth-degree …

Athens City Council met Monday night to discuss the repair of Union Street after the 2014 fire, a possible deal with a recycling service, street closure for Boogie On The Bricks and whether to accept The Recycling Partnership’s grant. Mayor Steve Patterson shared his vision for an “enhanced pedestrian plaza,” between South Congress Street and Court Street, intended to be …

The Athens City Council met Monday to discuss closing Court Street for events this summer and a low-income home improvement program. City Council conferred about the home improvement program created by the Hocking Athens Perry Community Action, for which the group requested funding. Glenn Crippen, community development coordinator for HAPCAP, explained the Community Housing Impact and Preservation Program. The program …

Athens City Council took on a scheduling conflict Monday night, as it was brought to their attention that both Number Fest (stylized as #Fest) and the International Street Fair are currently planned for April 16. Although the two events take place at different locations, their overlap has caused problems for the ISF in past years. The problems are expected again …

Court Street will remain open Oct. 26 despite a trick-or-treating event sponsored by Athens Uptown Business Association, Athens City Council decided Monday. The street was originally slated to close for the duration of the annual trick-or-treating event to ensure safety for everyone participating, but having the event during the week before the Athens Halloween Block Party made some owners of …

By Maren Machles and Alexandra Newman On Saturday morning a group of Ohio University students and Athens community members gathered outside of the Police Station to tackle the problem of graffiti in Athens. The task force, named T.A.G. (Targeting Area Graffiti), aimed at making Athens a cleaner place, had a very successful cleanup this past weekend. City council members, employees …

Ohio University students and faculty took to the streets of Athens on Friday to bring attention to and to combat what they saw as a toxic culture pervading the university. Underneath their colorful banners and boisterous chants was one theme: respect. A new Ohio University activism group f*ckrapeculture, focused on promoting a culture of tolerance toward all and ending a …

In the last election, something the candidates on all levels made clear was that small businesses must be protected in order to fix the country’s economic troubles. In Athens, a small business has found themselves doing quite well. After opening four restaurants in and around the Columbus area, Xue Qin Chen and friends opened the Ginger Hibachi Kitchen and Yogurt …

A half-naked stampede sprinting down Court Street on Saturday may have been in celebration of one unexpected day of sunshine, but the momentary relief from the cold Ohio weather wasn’t the weekend’s main event. The group of 300 participated in the 4th Annual Bare on the Bricks, hosted by Phi Kappa Psi and the Student Alumni Board. They stripped down …

Court Street, home of the annual citywide Halloween party and weekend bar hopping, has always been illustrated by the tenants living in balconies that hang over the street. One such residence may soon be up for renovation regarding the amount of space available above the first floor. Sixty-three N. Court Street, or the Blue Gator, came up for discussion during …