Last Saturday, more than one hundred protesters lined the sidewalk outside of the Athens County courthouse in the afternoon; an even larger group filled up the courthouse grounds Tuesday afternoon. Protesters marched around the city in support of dozens of demonstrations across the country happening in memory of George Floyd, a black man who was by killed by a white …

Since the Ohio University Police Department started the Poker Chip Challenge in early September, students have been rushing to collect them all. Three students have now acquired all 27 chips. The first student to collect all the chips was freshman Quentin Kurtz. He completed his collection on Sep. 25 and received a complimentary display case as a reward. However, he …

The Ohio University Police Department will be moving to a new location near the Kennedy Art Museum at The Ridges due to a lack of parking spaces at its current location. “We are absolutely out of space at Scott Quad,” Lt. Tim Ryan of the OUPD said. “We don’t have great parking around the building, and the parking we do …

The Ohio University Police Department implemented its latest community engagement activity, the “Poker Chip Challenge,” a program designed to encourage residents to build relationships with officers. Beginning earlier this month, OUPD officers were given a supply of custom printed poker chips bearing their name and badge number. Community members are encouraged to ask OUPD officers around campus for their poker …

Several major incidents occurred in Athens between Thursday and Saturday, including a rape and two armed robberies A death, rape and two armed robberies were all reported in Athens within three days of each other last week, and the city issued a boil order within that same time frame, rendering large portions of city tap water unsafe to consume. Here …

As thousands took to their streets in Washington D.C. for the Women’s March, activists in Athens were doing the same. Hundreds of activists took to the rainy streets of Athens on Saturday afternoon to participate in the 2019 Women’s March. Students, community members, and children were among the crowds gathered at the Scripps Auditorium, where the march began. There, attendees …

Costs are high on Halloween weekend. The streets are packed — but are the businesses prospering? The Halloween Block Party celebration in Athens saw an influx in the town’s population by thousands of people. But does the city truly benefit from the extra people? According to an email from Lt. Tim Ryan of the Ohio University Police Department, the extra citations …

Following a narrow vote, Student Senate decided to endorse Issue 1 at its meeting Wednesday. Student Senate endorsed Issue 1 on the Ohio midterm ballot at the body’s Wednesday night meeting. The Senate voted 23-20 in favor of a bill to endorse Issue 1, a proposed amendment to the Ohio constitution to be voted on by Ohio constituents in the …

In the last two weeks of September, OUPD made numerous arrests, including burglary and trespassing. The Ohio University Police Department issued numerous citations in the last two weeks of September for crimes ranging from possession of methamphetamine to gross sexual imposition. A Nelsonville man was found asleep in a car parked on a campus lot. Upon further investigation, OUPD found …

After claims she received death threats targeting her identity as a member of the LGBT community, SAC Commissioner Anna Ayers was charged with sending the threats to herself.  Student Senate SAC Commissioner Anna Ayers was charged with three counts of making false alarms after she claimed she was sent homophobic death threats to her Student Senate office and residence, the …

After a packed first weekend, OUPD continue to issue citations for sexaul assault, alcohol, and drug use. Ohio University Police Department remained busy after Ohio U’s opening weekend with crimes continuing on campus through the following weeks. These crimes included two rape charges, one of which was additionally charged with kidnapping. The full details of the offenses have yet to …

After a tweet gained traction accusing the city of silencing those promoting consent amidst rampant campus rape reports, Athens Code Enforcement is explaining city rules. Six cases of rape and two cases of sexual imposition have been reported to the Ohio University Police Department and Athens Police Department since fall semester began less than three weeks ago. Some students have …

In the wake on-campus demonstrations,  protests must adhere to new administrative guidelines Ohio University President Duane Nellis approved three policies this summer regarding expression on campus that replaced two interim policies enacted in August 2017. The new policies outline processes to reserve space for gatherings and protests. It also requires permission for the indoor use of “amplified sounds,” which include …

During the week that included Ohio U’s annual Moms Weekend, crimes ranging from marijuana citations to menacing were reported by the Ohio University Police Department.  Moms Weed-kend and Beyond During Moms Weekend, campus was flooded with mothers and apparently weed as well. Six of the citations issued over the last week for drug offenses happened over Moms Weekend. In total …

The group voted 8-2 to not allow protest inside the Baker Center rotunda, the location of notable past protests such as the infamous Baker 70 demonstration . An Ohio University advisory group submitted its final recommendations to Ohio U President Duane Nellis advising changes to the school’s interim freedom of expression policy on April 2. The 10 member committee largely …

Rain is falling, GPAs might be plunging, and crimes are still abundant. The following crimes were all filed by the Ohio University Police Department. A crime is afoot A report was taken out of Porter Hall on Wednesday that referred to missing university funds from the building. The case was filed as a theft. Criminals commit vague crimes A “negative …

These are the crimes as reported by the Ohio University Police Department last week. They include marijuana citations, traffic citations and assault.  Assault at Alden OUPD was dispatched to Alden Library on Valentine’s Day after a student reported that they were assaulted there. The investigation into this case is ongoing. Destroy My Heart (and My Property) There were seven cases …

Three counts of rape have been reported by the Ohio University Police department since the beginning of spring semester. Here are the other crimes OUPD faced. Sexual Assault Ohio University Police Department reported three different counts of rape this week. Phonies and Stoniez Two people were booked this week for not only being intoxicated while underage, but also for possession …

Ohio U’s Thanksgiving Break can probably be blamed for the lack of crime on campus between Nov. 23 and Nov. 29. OUPD reported no crime on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23. Kush-Induced Food Coma OUPD gave two citations for the possession of marijuana and only one citation for the possession of marijuana paraphernalia. The first citation, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, was …

The Ohio University Police Department has received three reports of sexual assault on campus in the last the weeks. Sexual Assault On Nov. 10, at 12:59 a.m., an individual reported unwanted sexual contact from males at the Armbruster House on South Green. OUPD provided no further information on the victim nor the suspects. Marijuana OUPD gave five total drug-related citations …

While the usual crime suspects were present last week, an unusual one — terrorism — was reported by the Ohio University Police Department. Sexual Assault The Ohio University Police Department responded to a report of rape on Oct. 30 at 11:14 p.m. No further information was provided regarding the case. Drugs In the last ten days, OUPD gave citations to …

The Athens Cannabis Ordinance, or TACO, passed during Tuesday’s election by a wide margin. As with any law or ordinance concerning cannabis in Ohio, it can be confusing. Let’s break it down.   What does TACO actually do? TACO is an ordinance that eliminates the penalty fine for marijuana misdemeanors of up to 200 grams worth of possession or cultivation …

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 if you haven’t already here. This week, you’ll be tested on your knowledge of the scandal concerning the former Athens County Sheriff  Pat Kelly. Source: 1,2 

Here’s what the Ohio University Police Department cracked down on during HallOUween weekend at Ohio University. Scare-ijuana OUPD gave out 11 total marijuana-related citations to students between Oct. 26 and Oct. 29. These citations were evenly spread throughout the weekend, with no single day seeing a significant spike in citations with respect to the previous. In addition to the 11 …

Listen up, Freshmen! Follow these seven tips to stay safe and lawful on your first HallOUween weekend. If you don’t, there could be consequences. Every year, thousands of visitors rush into Athens to celebrate Halloween at the famed party on Court Street. While many students and visitors enjoy the weekend, some people end up sick, injured or arrested. Here’s how …

It was another case of the usual suspects: marijuana citations, fake IDs and property damage were just some of the crimes since by OUPD last week.   Goodbye, scholarships This week, OUPD gave citations to twelve individuals for possession of marijuana and marijuana paraphernalia, a whole two less citations than last week’s numbers. Once again, the majority of these controlled …

The usual suspects return this week in Campus Crime: marijuana citations, arrests for underage drinking, reports of thievery and traffic citations were all seen by OUPD. Weeds meets Narcos This week’s crime report saw fourteen marijuana-related citations, up from last week’s eleven total citations. There were also two reported cases of marijuana odor and paraphernalia, but no citations or arrests …

OUPD dealt with a lot this week. There were multiple counts of theft, and a woman drove her car on the sidewalk. High Crimes The Ohio University Police Department gave out six citations this week for the possession of drug paraphernalia, as well as additional five citations for the possession of marijuana. The majority of these citations were given out …

Last March brought snow to Athens, Ohio, but yesterday a different type of white powder blew into the Ohio University airport. JUST IN: Authorities seize large amount of drugs from plane that landed at OU airport. They suspect it’s cocaine – https://t.co/mr7oIoDeWy pic.twitter.com/BXKbvLR7l8 — WTTE FOX 28 (@fox28columbus) March 30, 2017 At around 2:30 p.m., the Department of Homeland Security …

Ohio University Police Chief Andrew Powers asked the Athens City Prosecutor’s office to dismiss the remaining charges related to the Baker Center sit-in on Feb. 1. “Although I still believe the February 1 gathering had become unsafe and that our response was appropriate, I respect the decision of the judge,” Powers said in a press release. Athens Municipal Court Judge …

Monday night’s faculty senate opened with a discussion from Interim President David Descutner on the Ohio University Baker Center sit-in on Feb. 1 and how the university administration may react to spontaneous protests in the future. Descutner noted that just as protests are rarely as simple as a group of students advocating for a cause, how OU administration and police …

OUPD received the third reported rape of the semester while reports of theft on campus ran rampant over the past two weeks. The complainant contacted OUPD early in the morning Oct. 2 to report a known acquaintance forcing unwanted sexual contact upon the alleged victim. The case is under investigation at the time of publication. Two separate cases of stalking …

An Ohio University student was arrested by OUPD for violating the Civil Stalking Protection Order, and it wasn’t the only instance of harassment, sex offense or assault on campus over the past two weeks. OUPD arrested Wesley Schulte at 7:25 p.m. at Siegfried Hall on the evening of Sept. 20, just a few days after receiving complaints of telecommunications harassment …

The trend of drug- and alcohol-related crimes on campus continued steadily while other miscellaneous crimes accumulated during the past two weeks. Sexual offenses, assault and menacing remained in the daily police call logs. The two counts of sexual offense escalated in severity from assault during the first two weeks of school to rape over the past two weeks. The two …

City Council met Tuesday to discuss road upgrades through the Ohio Department of Transportation and continued discussing cooperation between the Athens Police Department and Ohio University Police Department. The Transportation Committee discussed an ODOT project affecting U.S. 33, State Rt. 550 and State Rt. 13. This project would involve replacing the pavement from Columbus Road to the Ridges — a …

Chief Andrew D. Powers of the Ohio University Police Department wants you to know that he’s not interested in arresting people. “Unless a situation is causing imminent danger of causing harm, we’re going to warn people before we arrest them. Our goal is not to arrest people,” Powers said during an open conversation about nonviolent protest with F*ckRapeCulture in the …

The first two weeks of fall semester consisted of new students adjusting to living on campus, returning students adjusting to new courses and the Ohio University Police Department getting readjusted to issuing citations. Since students began moving in Aug. 18, the number of drug- and alcohol-related citations and arrests have increased, as have reports of harassment and sexual misconduct. In …

UPDATE ON FEB. 26, 2016 @ 3:18 A.M. The Ohio University Police Department has charged an OU student with one count of sexual imposition after a crime alert for the incident went out earlier this week. OUPD charged Michael A. Conti, a 19-year-old resident of the Cleveland suburb of University Heights, according to a press release sent out on Thursday. His …

The Ohio University Police Department handled cases like gross sexual imposition, damage to a state vehicle and a woman who injured herself in Gordy Hall this week. Police issued a campus-wide email Thursday to warn students of a potential assailant in the area. The assault that occurred Feb. 14 at 6:57 p.m. involved a female who was walking along Oxbow …

Ohio University police were alerted to a “terroristic threat” Friday made by an Ohio University student living in Boyd Hall. Nickolaus D. Russell, 19, made a threat against the Ohio University Police Department through an unnamed social media outlet Friday morning. According to a press release made by OUPD, officers were alerted about the threat around 10:30 a.m. and had …

The Ohio University Board of Trustees passed the Ridges Framework Plan during Friday’s meeting in Walter Hall, continuing the university’s plan to revitalize the neglected part of campus. With the Framework Plan passed, the vision to repurpose most of the area will move onto creating specific plans for the historic buildings, which are “in good shape structurally” and “adaptable for …

The United States has committed a war crime, and there doesn’t seem to be any way around that fact. An Oct. 3 bombing of a Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan, that killed at least 22 has ignited international controversy. Pending an internal investigation, the world awaits answers. From the MSF and others, cries for an …

Nine reports of sexual assault on campus have been reported to the Ohio University Police Department since the beginning of the semester. In response to the reports, various OU students, faculty and staff are working to draw attention to sexual harassment on college campuses and have voiced their opinions on what they believe needs to be done in the community …

Police departments across the country have a powerful platform to represent the interests of a troubling number of people affected by rape, assault and “sexual” violence. Nine such instances have been reported to the Ohio University Police Department alone this semester. OUPD is becoming more active (some OU students would ask for more, assuredly) in combatting sexual violence on and …

With Ohio University’s annual fest season kicking off this weekend, the abundance of visitors on campus and the traditional nature of these fests are met with a police force on high alert.   Friday will kick off the season with Milliron Fest, followed by Mill Fest on Saturday. During the months of March and April, students celebrate a total of …

As the deadline for the Student Senate thieves passed on Thursday at 5 p.m., the body took the next steps in the investigation by filing reports to OUPD and the Office for Community Standards and Student Responsibility.   The theft of nine students’ (who are not members of Senate) personal information, such as partial Social Security numbers and personal addresses, …

When someone thinks of a stereotypical homecoming weekend in Athens, OH, they probably think of alumni, football, the parade, school spirit and kegs and eggs, but this year something criminal happened on Court St. that has gotten worldwide attention. Saturday night, Oct. 12, after the football game was over, the bars on Court St. were filled with alumni and students. …

Students gathered yesterday evening in Baker Theater to watch the Ohio University Police Department demonstrate what to do if there is an active shooter on campus. An active shooter is any person on campus who has the intent to kill large numbers of people within a confined area in a short amount of time, OUPD Officer Kevin Frith said. To …

“Students Win Against Raving Maniac.” That’s the meaning Ohio University Police Department’s Brian Kapple and Kevin Frith have assigned to the “SWARM” tactic taught to students faced against an active shooter. The acronym preceded a chuckle, but the tone for the rest of OUPD’s ALiCE training session on Monday was somber, and with one goal: teaching students how not to …

While many students on the Ohio University campus celebrated the impromptu #FugitiveFest last Wed., Jan. 30 at the numerous uptown establishments, and another faction stayed locked safely inside a dorm room, apartment or house, a real threat hit the Athens campus. At approximately 9:20 a.m. on Wednesday morning, the Athens City Police Department learned of a robbery in the parking …